What's Really Important "The Pen IS Mightier Than The Sword"
I was just thinking how grateful I am to all those who have posted comments on my blog(s). Then my thoughts morphed to what a convenient venue this is for allowing the expression of opinions. Finally, I appreciated how it allows for the creation of a working dialogue on issues that are so important to us as a world, nation and species at this time.
Interestingly enough, so far there have only been comments agreeing with my own. This makes me wonder if only people of similar mind-set are reading them, and if others are, why aren’t they expressing their disagreement? I do at random read some of the other blogs on the Post site, and post comments. So far only one has been answered, and this was by email, not by posting on site. There is one blog that doesn’t post any comments received, and I wonder why. If one is not interested in how others view their opinion, or is unwilling to be challenged, why not just write a personal diary?
Just recently, while watching a new movie which I enjoyed very much, Shooter, which has a lot to say about how people are controlled and manipulated by governments and those above and beyond governments (a topic for another blog), I felt a moment of helplessness to change things for the better. I’m not a political leader, not a warrior in the sense of having skills as portrayed in the movie, nor do I have great wealth I can use to influence society in some big way. Than it dawned on me that I do have some small talent to write what I see and feel, and I recalled that famous quote by Robert Bulwer-Lytton, “the pen is mightier than the sword.” You know what? That is true! When the truth comes out, if only by one person that is heard, or by many individuals each expressing their own view, there is great power.
I'd like to see more people expressing their opinions in the public forum, and not just in private conversations with friends. The more opinions expressed where many others can see them, the greater the chance more people will be encouraged to follow suit; and THEN, maybe there will be the motivation for leaders to change the way they do business. After all,votes usually follow opinions.
We in this nation really need to know how others feel about the issues of the day, the more the better. It's too easy to get isolated and stuck in the views of the media, politicians and corporations, and never "get" that there are a lot of other people out there who perceive things the way we do, and that perhaps there are not as many believing to the contrary as others would have us think. And, maybe things should be changed in alignment to how we view things, because there are a whole lot of others who also want them changed in the same way.
Perhaps when this happens in a grand way, "we the people" will finally be emboldened to take our nation back from the petty bureaucrats and those in leadership who have become corrupted by a sense of entitlement. I remember a line by “deep throat” in All the President’s Men in which he says, and I paraphrase, we are dealing here with mediocre minds.
We sit in our homes, stare at our Tvs, read our newspapers, and just ignore it all, or perhaps get angry and depressed over events that appear out of our control, and beyond our ability to influence. Maybe they aren’t. Perhaps avenues of expression are open to us, but we aren’t taking advantage of them.
One does not have to be a writer or have the gift of eloquence. An opinion is valid whether written by a poet, or expressed by a person with no apparent writing skills. A paragraph is as good as an essay, a sentence better than no paragraph. What is important is any expression that others can see, and realize that they are not alone in how they feel. We all talk to one another every day. Writing is just talking on paper.
I’m simply encouraging anyone feeling the need for change to let others know they believe that. A comment on a blog, a note in the 49er (in the Post), or a letter to the editor in any newspaper, are formats already set up and easy to use. Go for it!
Comments
If it were possible to take the nation back through writing Dragon, people would be getting sore wrists all over the nation. World war 3 will not be with the middle east or China, it will be with elites, why else would they need to hire and arm armies, why do you think we are using up our national guard in this fight right now. In a real attack on this country we are helpless.
People all over the world decry American policies around the world but often think americans are really wonderful people. What are we missing here?
Its not even that we are missing it. Thousands marched in the streets against the war and only C-span puts an hour of discussion on TV from callers on it in their early morning show. And half those calls going to equal timers claiming there were more pro-war protesters than anti war protesters marching.
The loudest voices in this country aren't the majority voices and never have been. They tend to yell loud enough to keep get their feet in the door and then push a little harder and open it a little wider and so on and so forth until here we are today and the majority of the people haven't figured out what to do about it or how they can take it back. Unfortunately, the majority in this country find the behavior they use repulsive and refuse to use those sorts of tactics. So, for now, we are kind of stuck. We don't want to lie, use, abuse, misappropriate, cheat, etc... to get what we want (even if we think its better for all) because we really do believe in America, Land of the Free. God Help Us.
Posted by: Diana | March 27, 2007 01:15 PM
The pen is mightier than the sword when people know how to use the pen AND how to digest what the pen produces. In our current world, literacy is being reduced to spitting back words from the page, from the television, from emails, from blogs.... without the necessary critical element which sifts and massages the words to bring meaning to light. Yes, the pen is mightier than the sword, but in today's world the sword is shiny and seductive, while the pen-holders are being framed as elitists and eggheads by those who lack the critical-thinking skills to read not only the words, but the meanings of the words.
The pen is mightier than the sword when people honor and respect the pen.
Posted by: Renee | March 28, 2007 11:19 AM
While I have been raised to believe that what you say is true and that if we could only open up the dialog and share we could wake up the masses and have a real democracy, it has come to my attention that the way it is now is more like Diana describes.
Movies like 'Who Killed the Electric Car'.... another great example of preaching to the choir while SUVs burn down the roadways and nobody cares until there's no more gasoline and it's too late anyway.
My thin lifeline to hope is in what I can DO more than words I can throw out, because this isn't a dialog, it's a verbal equivelant of slash and burn. I can't take any more pontificating on Elizabeth Edwards' cancer as a political ruse, for example. It's all too ghastly and beyond the pale.
Posted by: beanie | March 28, 2007 07:28 PM
There is a Margaret Mead quote taped to my computer that reminds me why I do a blog, write letters to the editor, call and write my legislators and drive my friends crazy trying to engage them in discussions about what is going on in our county. The quote is:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
All of us who care, who take a thoughtful approach, are willing to listen to others’ points of view, and use reason rather than rants, can make a difference. It may be a small difference but when you have a lot of people, each making a small difference, it can add up to big changes.
Posted by: trish | April 30, 2007 08:53 AM
I am doing an inquiry on power, my main question is, 'is the pen mightier than the sword?' I am still undecided on which view is correct but i do really agree that we need to start expressing or opinions, your blogs has really hepled me to get other peoples opinions, yours and your commentors. though they are all alike in thier opinions they have backed them up and wil help with my personal opinion at the end.
Posted by: chelle3 | August 7, 2007 03:00 PM
chelle3, I appreciate you taking the time to both read and comment on this blog. I'm glad that the opinions of some have helped you in some way to form your own opinions. That in itself should give you an answer to the question about which is mightier, the pen or the sword.
I do welcome all kinds of comments, including those who might disagree. It appears that those commenting, and perhaps reading my blogs have been those that basically agree. I find that reassuring, but do wonder why those who might be in disagreement have not commented. The blog is on a newspaper site, so certainly anyone is welcome to read them and comment. Even though a large percentage of the readership of the paper is right wing, they have not bothered to partcipate. Not much I can do about that.
chelle3, thinking is always more powerful than not thinking, and nothing facilitates right thought and critical thinking more than being informed. This is why in my opinion, the pen IS ultimately mightier than the sword.
When people are informed, and allow the information they do have to direct their thinking and action, they will make right decisions. When enough people do that, I believe there will be no place in our world for the "sword." War is the refuse of the weak. A person may be controlled by the sword in the outer world, but their soul and mind remains their own, no matter what, and ultimately that is what surfaces in the end.
It is necessary to take up the sword at times because others force it upon us. When we live in a world ruled by enlightenment, where everyone understands we are all on the same planet, and all have the same basic needs and desires, the violence which springs from fear, based on insecurity and created by ignorance, will end, along with war.
Posted by: Stephen | August 7, 2007 05:33 PM
Userful blog. Thanks!
Posted by: Debikf | September 20, 2007 06:01 AM