Scott's Dream For The Upcoming Political Season
It wasn’t that many years ago that people could actually have intelligent political discussions without resorting to clichés and name calling. People had their own opinions, but also respected that others may think differently.
Obviously, that has changed in the past ten years or so. The rise of multiple cable news channels, along with the AM talk radio boom, led to not only the rise of Howard Stern-ish political shock jocks, but the cottage industry of paid experts whose entire careers consists of spouting talking points on both radio and television.
Add to this brew the continued use of the internet, and the emergence of politically-oriented blogs that don’t have any obligation to present actual facts, let alone both sides of an issue. It’s a sad state of affairs when made-up internet stories are now utilized as facts in the mainstream media.
I’m sure some of you are going to read those above paragraphs and automatically assume which side of the political fence I’m on. No, you can’t. The sins of one side are just as much part of the other side’s game. Sean Hannity may sneer “liberal” as if it’s one of George Carlin’s “Seven Words” to anybody who doesn’t agree with everything he says, but Democrats are just as guilty when describing a Republican.
There’s absolutely no civility in politics these days, even though there really is little difference these days. The fiscally responsible side spends like a long-lost Kennedy cousin, and there’s not a Democrat who wouldn’t sell out his virgin daughter for a political contribution.
Yes, I’m also guilty of a cliché or two in that last paragraph, but the point is that despite the rhetoric and the silly games of one-upsmanship, it is business as usual in Washington. At what cost, though?
With this environment, is there any real surprise when we hear of a nonsensical violent act like the type that occurred this past weekend at a church in Tennessee? I’m actually shocked that there haven’t been more shootings, bombings, or other acts of violence against people or groups of people that have different beliefs.
I’m not blaming any persons or organizations for the actions of Jim David Adkisson. Yes, he reportedly targeted this church because of his hatred of so-called “liberals”. This same crime could have been perpetrated against an anti-gay church by somebody who hates Bush. It’s the climate of close-minded hate that I despise. Neither party has the one and only answer on any single issue, let alone an entire agenda. As the various social, economic, and environmental issues become more essential to our future life and well-being, we must put aside the labels and the games and actually begin working together. We’re heading towards a few months where we’re going to bombarded by political rhetoric. My hope is that we don’t repeat the circuses we endured in 2000, 2004, and 2006. Hey, a boy can dream.
Obviously, that has changed in the past ten years or so. The rise of multiple cable news channels, along with the AM talk radio boom, led to not only the rise of Howard Stern-ish political shock jocks, but the cottage industry of paid experts whose entire careers consists of spouting talking points on both radio and television.
Add to this brew the continued use of the internet, and the emergence of politically-oriented blogs that don’t have any obligation to present actual facts, let alone both sides of an issue. It’s a sad state of affairs when made-up internet stories are now utilized as facts in the mainstream media.
I’m sure some of you are going to read those above paragraphs and automatically assume which side of the political fence I’m on. No, you can’t. The sins of one side are just as much part of the other side’s game. Sean Hannity may sneer “liberal” as if it’s one of George Carlin’s “Seven Words” to anybody who doesn’t agree with everything he says, but Democrats are just as guilty when describing a Republican.
There’s absolutely no civility in politics these days, even though there really is little difference these days. The fiscally responsible side spends like a long-lost Kennedy cousin, and there’s not a Democrat who wouldn’t sell out his virgin daughter for a political contribution.
Yes, I’m also guilty of a cliché or two in that last paragraph, but the point is that despite the rhetoric and the silly games of one-upsmanship, it is business as usual in Washington. At what cost, though?
With this environment, is there any real surprise when we hear of a nonsensical violent act like the type that occurred this past weekend at a church in Tennessee? I’m actually shocked that there haven’t been more shootings, bombings, or other acts of violence against people or groups of people that have different beliefs.
I’m not blaming any persons or organizations for the actions of Jim David Adkisson. Yes, he reportedly targeted this church because of his hatred of so-called “liberals”. This same crime could have been perpetrated against an anti-gay church by somebody who hates Bush. It’s the climate of close-minded hate that I despise. Neither party has the one and only answer on any single issue, let alone an entire agenda. As the various social, economic, and environmental issues become more essential to our future life and well-being, we must put aside the labels and the games and actually begin working together. We’re heading towards a few months where we’re going to bombarded by political rhetoric. My hope is that we don’t repeat the circuses we endured in 2000, 2004, and 2006. Hey, a boy can dream.
Comments
Have a nice day.
Kurt
Kurt