September 2006 Archives

What’s important to me in the present climate of extreme political dissent and division in our nation is that all voices be heard. I don’t believe in censorship or in ignoring those I disagree with. Besides, in my world, it’s more fun, and sometimes fruitful, to debate with someone rather than simply pretend they never voiced an opinion contrary to my own. The issues that divide us will not be resolved if each side preaches only to the choir. That will result in a solidification of polarities; it will not reestablish the common ground which has been lost.

This present blog originated as a comment I sent to a fellow blogger in response to one of his blogs. It concerned an allegation of liberal media bias, to which I took exception. For whatever reason, he chose not to publish it on his site, and that’s okay. Believing a rebuttal is in order I’ve decided to post it here instead. I’ve only made a few very small changes.

What is really important to me is getting beyond self-serving political rhetoric and bias to the essence of a thing. The other day I saw this comment made on a Jaime O’Neill column – “Just be glad that we do not have Bubba (the intern's friend) and his band of slippery cowards at the helm now!� I concur that Clinton’s infamous BJ with Lewinsky was kind of slippery (of him). I liked him as president, but was very angry with him over that incident, and thought he had acted like an irresponsible ass. I still do; but I'm presently witnessing much worst breaches of trust.

What is important to me is to find some common ground with my fellow Americans, specifically those I strongly disagree with, and in particular where politics and the governing of our nation are concerned. I’ve found it all too seductive to allow anger and blame to cloud my judgment. I’m not saying I’m never correct in my views, but in the present state of extreme national polarization of ideals does it really do any good to be right when others feel equally right, and no one is willing to compromise with the “other side�?

What’s really important to me is to figure out why “…telling the truth is a revolutionary act� as George Orwell so aptly stated. Perhaps it becomes more obvious when we look at the first part of that quotation – “In a time of universal deceit…� Our Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, is a perfect example. Every so often he comes out of hiding and appears in public, makes statements that once again have people screaming for his resignation, and then disappears.