Tuesday, December 05, 2006

He's Stupid

“…Bill Clinton is an idiot…” “…George Bush is too stupid to be President…” “… police are pigs…” How do you feel about these statements? I’m very uneasy when I come across personal attacks.

It’s a lazy method of expression. We seem to fall into two groups on things we support and things we don’t and each of us moves between the groups. Group one honestly expresses considered opinions about actions and policies. The other group just provides the background noise.

It takes some effort to do a little research and to reach down deep to decide how you stand on an issue. And then it takes some courage to express that opinion in a group that seems to think otherwise. Honest debate could spring up if more of us would try doing just that, though we might risk some ridicule. But, then, isn’t getting a right to the jaw for a good argument preferable to false praise for mindless chanting?

By the way, if you don’t agree with this, you’re a stupid pig.

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4 comments:

Dennis said...

I think we treat politics like sports loyalties. If Iraq or the Katrina mess happened on Clinton's watch (and either COULD have) 80% of us would be on the opposite side of these issues from where we are now.

fred m said...

Good analogy. The problems we face call for serious discussion. I also like your 80% comment. Those in the 80% have given a disproportionate power to the remaining 20% to swing elections. That’s certainly not a criticism of the smaller group, just recognition of what the majority have given up.

Anonymous said...

It is amazing to me that anyone would submit themselves to such ridicule. In this environment, why would anyone want to enter the political arena? I have a suspicion that many good people stay away.

fred m said...

I agree. I think that if many of those people who stay away would serve for one term only, the "politics of personal destruction" would diminish. I the "career" concept feeds the beast.