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asato_muraki at 10:41am on 06/08/2010 under politics
asato_muraki at 10:41am on 06/08/2010 under politicsThe world is full of so much information, and so little I'm sure I can trust. Had a talk with the hubby about his conservative talk radio addiction. Mostly because I truly believe that they are being paid to scare people, and to advance Rupert Murdock's personal agenda. I may be wrong, of course, but I like to find the most intelligent, articulate unemotional people on each side and hear what they have to say. (This means douche bags like Bill O'Reilly are right out, as is anyone who compares the opposition to Nazis or Communists - and goes double for anyone who compares them to both.)
It really scares me that my in-laws -- good, decent, smart people -- now will not listen to any source other than Fox News. *headdesk*
The hubby was irritated at me for mentioning the campaign of misinformation and scare tactics that led to the Prop8 win in the first place, and how it was all bankrolled by powerful religious organizations with a set agenda, geared to play on people's fears and prejudices. "Do you think people are that easily led?"
I just blinked, because... well, DUH. Of course they are, when you appeal to their fears and prejudices. Calm appeals to reason and fairness are simply not as effective. Also, this is why DIALOGUE is important - not grandstanding for the folks back home, but actually discussing the core of issues. This is something we've lost the knack for in America. That scares me. Both sides have managed to dehumanize the enemy to some extent, and there is no conversation.
Our founding fathers set up the judicial branch and wrote the Constitution in order to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. This is not a case of an activist judge overriding the will of the people. It is a case of the government we have in place working like it was meant to work.They set up our government, our Constitution, to be as broadly idiot-proof as possible. Thank you, James Madison. It's not perfect of course, but this is a textbook example of how it was meant to work, as a secular society.
Here is probably the best video I've seen explaining why the Prop 8 case went so badly for the defense:
"In speeches, no one cross-examines you."
It's often an ugly and brutal process to get yourself fully informed on a subject - it requires facing opposition to clarify your beliefs - and there are many situations in which I am simply NOT up to facing the process. In those situations, I refuse to state an opinion because I *know* I don't have all the facts. You *need* dialogue to fully explore an issue.
This is one of those cases where I do feel really, really certain about. Those who cling to the status quo will be left on the wrong side of history. Most issues are not that clean and clear-cut.
So many other things being hashed about now, that I don't feel capable of devoting time to completely understanding. And I just have to live with that, for now.
It really scares me that my in-laws -- good, decent, smart people -- now will not listen to any source other than Fox News. *headdesk*
The hubby was irritated at me for mentioning the campaign of misinformation and scare tactics that led to the Prop8 win in the first place, and how it was all bankrolled by powerful religious organizations with a set agenda, geared to play on people's fears and prejudices. "Do you think people are that easily led?"
I just blinked, because... well, DUH. Of course they are, when you appeal to their fears and prejudices. Calm appeals to reason and fairness are simply not as effective. Also, this is why DIALOGUE is important - not grandstanding for the folks back home, but actually discussing the core of issues. This is something we've lost the knack for in America. That scares me. Both sides have managed to dehumanize the enemy to some extent, and there is no conversation.
Our founding fathers set up the judicial branch and wrote the Constitution in order to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. This is not a case of an activist judge overriding the will of the people. It is a case of the government we have in place working like it was meant to work.They set up our government, our Constitution, to be as broadly idiot-proof as possible. Thank you, James Madison. It's not perfect of course, but this is a textbook example of how it was meant to work, as a secular society.
Here is probably the best video I've seen explaining why the Prop 8 case went so badly for the defense:
"In speeches, no one cross-examines you."
It's often an ugly and brutal process to get yourself fully informed on a subject - it requires facing opposition to clarify your beliefs - and there are many situations in which I am simply NOT up to facing the process. In those situations, I refuse to state an opinion because I *know* I don't have all the facts. You *need* dialogue to fully explore an issue.
This is one of those cases where I do feel really, really certain about. Those who cling to the status quo will be left on the wrong side of history. Most issues are not that clean and clear-cut.
So many other things being hashed about now, that I don't feel capable of devoting time to completely understanding. And I just have to live with that, for now.