Jim Stillman
Nevar
Is this the best we can do?
May 18th 2009 16:46
Not that anyone is likely to notice, it having been suggested that there may be six or seven misguided people, at most, who read my scribbles, but I am posting less and less on Orble and closing to write on and for Examiner and Worldblogosphere. In addition to the fact that they, or at least the former, pay far more, attempts that I have made to engage in dialogue with those opposed to my views have been totally rebuffed.
I am willing to take responsibility for this and accept that my inability to convince anyone to address issues and not engage in ad hominem attacks is the cause of this failure.
One problem, as I see it, is that we are all “preaching to the choir”. Those on the Right are read by only those for whom Fox News and Rush Limbaugh are the final – indeed the only – authority. Those on the Left ignore the popularity of Fox and dismiss it totally.
I cannot keep trying to have one specific writer on the Right stop using cutesy name calling and ugly hyperbole, all the while professing innocence. Thus President Obama is “B.O.(B.S.)” raising issues of racial body odor, Nancy Pelosi is re-named “Nasty” Pelosi, opponents are not wrong or hold incorrect positions, they are “lying weasels”, the President is equated with Hitler, and other excesses. The Vice President Joe Biden is “Obiden”, a reference I cannot explain but I am certain is equally clever, This language makes dialogue on a grown-up level impossible.
Another disappointment has been the bitter and excessive language expressed by individuals who are followers of Christianity and, indeed, a minister of that faith. I am not a Christian but am familiar with the slogan and bracelets bearing the initials, “WWJD”, standing for the question, “What would Jesus do?”
Would the founder of a religion that professes peace, understanding and love call the duly elected President of the United States a “lying weasel”? Would the founder of that faith spread gossip and unsubstantiated fake news stories (“I just pass them on and didn’t write it.) and hate – not pure honest opposition, but hate of the grossest sort?
I would have hoped not, but where are those who can still remain civil?
I am willing to take responsibility for this and accept that my inability to convince anyone to address issues and not engage in ad hominem attacks is the cause of this failure.
One problem, as I see it, is that we are all “preaching to the choir”. Those on the Right are read by only those for whom Fox News and Rush Limbaugh are the final – indeed the only – authority. Those on the Left ignore the popularity of Fox and dismiss it totally.
I cannot keep trying to have one specific writer on the Right stop using cutesy name calling and ugly hyperbole, all the while professing innocence. Thus President Obama is “B.O.(B.S.)” raising issues of racial body odor, Nancy Pelosi is re-named “Nasty” Pelosi, opponents are not wrong or hold incorrect positions, they are “lying weasels”, the President is equated with Hitler, and other excesses. The Vice President Joe Biden is “Obiden”, a reference I cannot explain but I am certain is equally clever, This language makes dialogue on a grown-up level impossible.
Another disappointment has been the bitter and excessive language expressed by individuals who are followers of Christianity and, indeed, a minister of that faith. I am not a Christian but am familiar with the slogan and bracelets bearing the initials, “WWJD”, standing for the question, “What would Jesus do?”
Would the founder of a religion that professes peace, understanding and love call the duly elected President of the United States a “lying weasel”? Would the founder of that faith spread gossip and unsubstantiated fake news stories (“I just pass them on and didn’t write it.) and hate – not pure honest opposition, but hate of the grossest sort?
I would have hoped not, but where are those who can still remain civil?
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i occasionally comment the Biviano brothers as they show some courtesy and maturity, and i am subscribed to RubySoho and Jeff Musall as i find their critical analysis to be top notch, but on the whole i dont enoy reading misinformation with no references or cheap racial slurs so i stay away from the majority of "political" blogs