Archive for September 6, 2009
Stop Calling Your Brother Names!
by John Weckerle
Lacking any significant local messes on which to comment, at least for the moment, we turn out attention to a situation that is often seen locally, and yet is symptomatic of factors at work nationwide – the nature of discourse on public issues. In a commentary posted last week that I cannot find at present, a CNN reporter bemoaned the deterioration of the way in which public debate is being conducted on a wide variety of issues. The piece was not partisan, and gently chided both sides for their behavior. It is disappointing to see how far this business can go. As the author pointed out, those holding a right-of-center view are often branded by their opponents as fascists or right-wing radicals; those to the left are likewise vilified as socialists or elitists. Especially over the last couple of decades, we seem all too eager to abandon the real subject at hand, refuse to listen to any viewpoint other than our own, accept opinions as fact, and descend immediately into name calling and accusation. We are losing our ability to listen, and replacing it with a talent for shouting. »» Stop Calling Your Brother Names!