Archive for January, 2010
And The Contestants Are…(You Read It Here First)
by John Weckerle
Yes, we were there – and only us. As the deadline passed for the candidates to register for the Town of Edgewood’s upcoming election, New Mexico Central – and ONLY New Mexico Central – was on hand to witness the last chance for the willing to become the possible. It was, perhaps predictably, a moment that will stand out among some, but not many. Amidst the cheers and well wishing*, we were fortunate enough to get the names of the candidates for the upcoming electoral event. »» And The Contestants Are…(You Read It Here First)
Let’s Step Back…
by John Weckerle
We begin the new year, if a little late, with at least the first part of a wish list for the upcoming 12 months. We’re not sure we’ll see any of this, but at least in our opinion, it would be good to see at least some of it.
In the coming year, I’d like to see our national discussions focus a little more on what we have in common and the goals we all wish to achieve. As Abraham Lincoln famously stated: “A house divided cannot stand.” Differences in philosophy, ideology, and belief are a fundamental part of any free society, but they seem to have been endowed with far more influence over the nation’s business than seems appropriate. These differences are natural, but they have become extreme in their ability to result in divisiveness and discord. The tendency seems to be to insist that the “other side” is wrong and must be thwarted, regardless of the issue at hand or any potential partial merit of the “other side’s” position. A refusal to listen, to accept that there may be more to learn, to reconsider our positions, and to respect those with whom we disagree on one issue or another is not the sign of a healthy, free, and truly democratic society, and I’d like to see a greater focus on solutions as opposed to arguments.
The unrelenting clinging to ideology we see on both sides of virtually any important issue these days is divisive and counterproductive. All too often, we are willing to cast aside or ignore fact, reasonable analysis, scientific consensus, and logical debate wherever they do not fit into our particular ideological systems. Beliefs are fine, but we should always remember that the it is the world, and not our worldview, that is real, and we should be willing to adjust the latter when confronted with hard fact or reasonable logic – or at least acknowledge that two different but reasonably intelligent people, confronted with the same or similar information, may come to two very different logical conclusions. »» Let’s Step Back…