This may be a bridge. Truth is, we all have prejudices. Some of mine are people that appear close minded, in reality they may think they are just providing a strong argument, but they turn me off. In real life, I'm not very tolerant of adults that appear 'not so bright.' When I was younger, to a very real degree I measured that with degrees and academic honors. That gained me my ex-husband.
Our parents, our environment, our personal experiences draw us a picture of the world. Mine appears to me more open than say WJ's. Perhaps less than others. In general I subscribe to a socioeconomic model of who 'fits in my world', but it may not hold. 9/11 taught me an exception. Part of me wants to work on that, another part tells me to really pay attention. I believe that is what is called, 'cognitive dissonance'.
Enough about me, the MSM is much more important to the whole of society. However, our response to that entity, is based on our own perception of what is reality. I try to keep that in mind when I read, hear, etc. I do wonder how many do though?
Currently I will say that I think the media has a picture of 'terrorism' being committed by a very small number of extremist Muslims, that the can countered with the likes of David Koresh or Timothy McVeigh. Problem is, neither of these had widespread backing, such as the polls we read several times a year including 'friendly countries' like Egypt and Jordan. In fact, these men and followers were widely condemned, from the right and left. In churches and from without. From pro-gun and anti-gun. So too down the line.
I think
youre completely right, I once thought of the slogan, there is no truth only perception, because you cant convince someone of anything really, and I do find, a lot of liberals and liberalism, trying to excuse islamo-nazi terrorists, or muslims bad behavior with christian bad behavior, which
#1 is moral equivalency, and unless someone is perfect, all or bad, according to moral equivalency.
#2 the number of white extremists, are very low, and are condemmened as you said, but another thing, america has only been around for 230 years, and it took care of its racism, while the middle east, continues its racism of christians, jews, and any muslim who is not muslim enough for them.
3# white supremists in america, are not comparable to muslim extremists because they are worldwide, and have power in some countries, while their are few, and barely enough around the world, to fill a stadium, if all attended.
#4 the media is lying about the numbers, they claim its 2%, but its really 10-20%, give or a take a few percentage points, the liberals in general, have a real problem with seeing good vs bad, with making moral judgments, and while not everything we agree is good or bad, we have to be able to say, this is good, this is bad, its boundaries, and society needs them. Not all cultures are equal, in terms of human rights, how they treat their women and etc.
#5 I tend to see liberals, speak in half-truths, and avoid topics because of fear of offending people, while conservatives, are very critical of their party, and government, because they knew big government was less accountable to the people
#6 I believe conservatives are more open to discussion, and are less threatened by disagreeing then liberals in general.
