DGS49
Diamond Member
Many years ago, William F. Buckley had a weekly television program called, “Firing Line.” Buckley was the intellectual leader of the Conservative movement (he never held any elective office), and the program consisted of a weekly guest whose political party and position were different from Buckley’s. Buckley and the guest would discuss the issues on which they differed, and each would present their case using facts and logic. Usually the guest was a prominent liberal or democrat such as Kenneth Galbraith or Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and although they disagreed completely, there was never any antagonism, insult, or raised voices. At its best, the discussion resulted in a distillation of the issues so that the viewers saw where the real differences lay by the end of the show.
Imagine that.
That led to the short “60 Minutes” feature at the end of each program where a topical subject was “debated” by representatives of the political Left and Right. They sometimes got a little personal, but generally it was simply looking at two different sides of an issue. And it was educational at times.
Now, our political discussion has devolved into personal antagonism, insults, yelling, and slander. If someone disagrees with you it is because they are either stupid, blind, subversive, racist, elitist, or corrupt. The idea that “reasonable people can differ” is long gone.
And there is really no need for it. The positions of Left and Right are not so far apart that they cannot be reconciled to a pragmatic result or plan of action. For example, Conservatives don’t have to believe that the world is coming to an end to agree with measures to reduce consumption of carbon fuels, explore alternative energy sources, and look into engineering solutions to visible effects of AGW. Both sides have the same basic interests.
It is apparent at the end of this election season that most of us have been encasing ourselves in Echo Chambers, where everyone we talk to, listen to, pay attention to, or admire, is someone who agrees with us on everything. It might be Rush Limbaugh, Bernie Sanders, Sean Hannity, or Michael Moore. And you seldom learn anything valuable from people who agree with you. It is the disagreements that force you to re-examine your beliefs and your “facts,” and either modify your views or be able to defend them more convincingly. The major news media were the real "deplorables" in this election cycle, tailoring their "news" to promote political agendas and favored candidates. Seriously, where could you tune in to get objective coverage, or at least a mix of views (actually, "Real Clear Politics," for one)
This is one of the reasons why we are hearing so many tales about children being “afraid,” and people at a loss for “what comes next.” We have convinced ourselves that those who populate the other side of the political spectrum are evil or incompetent, rather than just being people who favor different solutions to the problems we all face. We have told our children that Donald Trump is dangerous –assuming that he would never be elected anyway, and now they are afraid of what happens when a dangerous person becomes President. But that was a disservice that needs to be corrected, both in ourselves and for our children.
Trump did not win an election to be Emperor or Dictator. We suffered through Barry's excesses and survived, and we will all be OK in 2020 as well. Shoot me if I'm wrong.
Imagine that.
That led to the short “60 Minutes” feature at the end of each program where a topical subject was “debated” by representatives of the political Left and Right. They sometimes got a little personal, but generally it was simply looking at two different sides of an issue. And it was educational at times.
Now, our political discussion has devolved into personal antagonism, insults, yelling, and slander. If someone disagrees with you it is because they are either stupid, blind, subversive, racist, elitist, or corrupt. The idea that “reasonable people can differ” is long gone.
And there is really no need for it. The positions of Left and Right are not so far apart that they cannot be reconciled to a pragmatic result or plan of action. For example, Conservatives don’t have to believe that the world is coming to an end to agree with measures to reduce consumption of carbon fuels, explore alternative energy sources, and look into engineering solutions to visible effects of AGW. Both sides have the same basic interests.
It is apparent at the end of this election season that most of us have been encasing ourselves in Echo Chambers, where everyone we talk to, listen to, pay attention to, or admire, is someone who agrees with us on everything. It might be Rush Limbaugh, Bernie Sanders, Sean Hannity, or Michael Moore. And you seldom learn anything valuable from people who agree with you. It is the disagreements that force you to re-examine your beliefs and your “facts,” and either modify your views or be able to defend them more convincingly. The major news media were the real "deplorables" in this election cycle, tailoring their "news" to promote political agendas and favored candidates. Seriously, where could you tune in to get objective coverage, or at least a mix of views (actually, "Real Clear Politics," for one)
This is one of the reasons why we are hearing so many tales about children being “afraid,” and people at a loss for “what comes next.” We have convinced ourselves that those who populate the other side of the political spectrum are evil or incompetent, rather than just being people who favor different solutions to the problems we all face. We have told our children that Donald Trump is dangerous –assuming that he would never be elected anyway, and now they are afraid of what happens when a dangerous person becomes President. But that was a disservice that needs to be corrected, both in ourselves and for our children.
Trump did not win an election to be Emperor or Dictator. We suffered through Barry's excesses and survived, and we will all be OK in 2020 as well. Shoot me if I'm wrong.