Friends, we don't always agree with one another here at WaddyIsRight, but we express ourselves respectfully, we listen to alternative points of view, and we don't descend to name-calling and ad hominem attacks. This is, in other words, a forum for mature adults who believe in the basic precepts of American democracy. Unfortunately, those precepts have never been less secure in American culture than they are today. Civility is -- how shall I put it? -- circling the bowl, and in a few years there may not be much good will left in this country.
The campaign to smear our President as a criminal and a traitor, which is just now winding down, will be replaced, it seems, by a campaign to label him, and everyone who supports him, as a racist, a white supremacist, even a terrorist. The inflation of our rhetoric is getting out of control. Granted, we conservatives are not immune from this baleful habit. We too use outrageous rhetoric at times to tarnish the image of our enemies, and we express intolerance as well. The point is that this explosion of hatred and of vitriol in America is fundamentally un-American, and if it continues it will be the undoing of our constitutional system, of the rule of law, and of democracy itself. These things simply can't endure if people have no respect for one another. The orderly transfer of power from one leader to another, or from one party to another, just won't happen if red and blue America see each other as despicable.
What can be done? We happy few with a grip on sanity can model maturity and civility, to the best of our ability. We can switch off the worst manifestations of toxic and irresponsible "journalism". We can also make a point of listening to and pondering the merits of alternative viewpoints, no matter how silly they may appear at first blush.
In the end, though, we have to acknowledge that a tidal wave of lunacy and narrow-mindedness is sweeping over not just America, but the Western world. We may not be able to keep the barbarians on the other side of the gate forever. We frankly may not live in a democracy much longer. The freedoms that our ancestors took for granted -- we may have to struggle to preserve, or even to recapture, them. These are sobering thoughts, but they are, I'm afraid, the honest truth.
Am I being alarmist? You tell me. I would love to be proven wrong.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2019/08/17/cancel-culture-spreading-left-right-perpetually-offended/2009132001/
After reading the article, I have come to the conclusion that perhaps we all ought to grow up and start respecting one another (which I have been saying all along). I do agree with you that perhaps we won't have a democracy much longer if this continues on and perhaps that is the master goal. The hate coming from all sides (well, truth be told, mostly the liberal/left side)is just so frightening. I just wish folks would tone it down and get that grip on reality. Which, comes to another subject; what is reality? The press states this or that, same with "reality" shows. The likes of the Kardashian's or Kaepernick is not reality. So, how about showing the real people who struggle every day from racism, ageism, financial ruin and so on. Sadly, I can't prove you wrong on being a alarmist.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy: I have so many different opinions here. First, I acknowledge having used arguably name calling, arguably ad hominem terms such as "candy ass" to describe the left but I respect your wish that your blog not be disgraced by this shortcoming and will pay better attention.
ReplyDeleteThat said: Having had close personal contact with very assertive people in my corrections career I have become convinced of the rightness of the term "hoist them on their own petard!" Meet them face to face, on terms hopefully of your choosing but with resolve to visit upon them, if necessary, all the unpleasantness they casually manifest. I've seen this tactic work, when you are in the right, when you are just, as we who suppress the criminal certainly are.
Jack, I think it is safe to say, I do believe we have all used name calling, curse words etc at some point. I am certainty not innocent. There are people out there who just like to push buttons for kicks. Now, as I have gotten older, I just find that using bad words is not fitting--use big words and common sense to get your (your- general) point across.
DeleteDr. Waddy and Linda: Its key, I think, is to consider the origin of the intense antipathy obviously manifested now between the left and the real America. Linda, as you noted, the most aggressive and profoundly disdainful opposition is directed by the left to all who doubt them, question them, nay, stand up to them. It started in the '60's (I know, I saw it first hand) when my gargantuan boomer generation, far too many of them that is, naively believed the Marxist message from historically despised but somehow now admired faculty misfits on the campuses to which we flocked.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy and Linda: Their totalitarian prejudices have been institutionalized in the American academy, in a significant portion of the legal profession by the baleful influence of the history of British and American legal progress dismissive "Critical Legal Studies" school in many law schools and by the by now very obvious takeover of the "Democrat" party by unapologetic far leftists.
ReplyDeleteFor an agreement manifesting mutual respect for the democratic process and for objective discussion of issues it is NECESSARY for the element which introduced this presently deplorable state of irreconcilable antipathy to back down. We on the center right did not precipitate it; they did! We, after a period of disbelief in their now very apparent totalitarianism, hesitated for long until their onslaught confirmed for us their (perhaps literally) murderous intentions. Consequently, we most certainly do not trust them. Why, how foolish it would be to do so!Their surrender is unlikely.
And so, this may well be resolved only on the ideological,cultural,political and God forbid, even more materially decisive field of combat, as have so many historical contretemps.
Jack, I wonder why more republicans in DC are not standing up and correcting these dems/liberals? I keep thinking this undertone is due to lobbyists and those who owe to the big money people. It is troubling to me.
DeleteDr. Waddy and Linda: So Sara Silverman thinks it odd that "this thing" (cancel culture) has invaded primarily the left. She should consider historical examples of the left devouring its own; for example in the French Reign of Terror and in the Chinese Cultural Revolution of the '60's. Like fire, totalitarian madness often takes on a "purpose"of its own and consumes those who set it. She ought to consider the Bedlam Asylum of 18thcentury London, where it was considered great fun to gawk and shout at people in the throes of mental disease. Just imagine suddenly being thrust into one of those cells oneself. The humor would disappear instantly. Having been burned by the PC madness in which she has exalted in performance, perhaps Sara Silverman now has reason to pause.
ReplyDeleteLinda: Yeah, why are so many Republicans and a steadily decreasing number of Conservatives so apologetic about their views? The left doesn't apologize, heck no, they go for the political jugular everytime. Maybe it is money but you'd think the left would crave that too (eg. the Clintons and millionaire Bernie).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the words of support, Linda! I agree that there is a HUGE disconnect between the real America (beloved of Jack) and the America that is portrayed in the mainstream media. Journalists want people to believe they are living in a country full of racists, throttled by violence, barely getting by economically, and more "oppressed" than any land in history. It's all nonsense, but when you report negative news anecdotally, and ignore all the rest, you can get people to believe almost anything. Our only hope is that people will tune out the journalistic white noise and open their eyes to the truth.
ReplyDeleteJack and Linda, I don't think either of you are guilty of profanity OR imbecility. Sure, some colorful language now and then spices up our dialogue, but we're not here to tear people down on a personal level. We're hear to discuss ideas and values, and that's what we do. How do we speak to the occasional liberal who ventures into this space to vent his spleen? We listen, we welcome him, we state our very different points of view respectfully. We are, I would say, modeling what American politics ought to be like.
And I agree with you, Linda -- obscene language is for shitheads! Ha ha.
Jack, I'm pondering your assertion that our national descent into name-calling and hysteria stems from the Left, and I'm not sure. It seems to me that democracy often degenerates into demagoguery, and, the more democratic a system becomes, the less do rational arguments hold sway, and the more raw emotionalism carries the day. Maybe that's the elitist in me coming out in the open. Or maybe it has nothing to do with the elites and the masses -- maybe there's just a natural ebb and flow between reason and emotion, and no civil society endures forever. Perhaps every social order is rocked by a temper tantrum eventually. I just don't know. Some of these questions may be above my pay grade.
It's interesting that "cancel culture", i.e. Puritanism, now flourishes on the Left, but as you point out, Jack, there's plenty of historical precedent for it all over the political spectrum. Sarah Silverman is only surprised by it on the Left because she thinks, like all leftists, that her side is inherently superior in terms of morals and intelligence. You and I both know THAT'S a laugh, at best!