I am trying hard to listen, and this is someone who is speaking clearly: Open Letter to the Democratic Party, from a sad American, via (yes, you see, I really am trying) Instapundit.
a poet’s notebook
More on Dialogue
14 responses to “More on Dialogue”
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I so hearily disagreed with that woman’s position that I left several comments to her open letter and invited those who still don’t get it to c’mon over to http://www.kalilily.net. We’re pushing hard over there.
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I disagree with her, too — but I’ll not dismiss her. She does not dismiss me.
It grieves me to hear that Air America (which I’ve not listened to) is following the Limbaugh road. I want to view liberals as people of reason and heart; people of true compassion and respect — not just shouters from the “other side”. -
I am an Orthodox Christian. I have a friend whom I know only through the blogosphere. We have exchanged Christmas Cards and birthday presents. Last year when my husband and I had no money to buy gifts for the kids’ Christmas, she sent us money, unsolicited. We support and respect each other as much as we can, having never met in person.
She is an atheist. We stand on opposite sides of the fence on many issues, yet I know she’d back me up in a pinch as I would her. Is it really that hard to listen and try to get along with each other…to understood what it feels like to walk in another’s shoes…to see the vibrant and beautiful person that encases the “issues?”
For me it’s not. I think for many Americans, it’s not. What gets airplay is that which is sensational. It’s why I’ve stopped watching TV and listening to talk radio…I just can’t take it.
I appreciate and value those who are willing to try and listen to each other. We all could stand to brush a few chips off of our shoulders.
I couldn’t stomach voting for either candidate and wrote a name in this year. It was the only choice I could make with a clear conscience… -
I think it is sometimes difficult to listen, to hear each other. It is difficult for me to understand how someone can look at the facts, and choose against them — because it is not all opinion, after all; there is still a reality from which opinions can be developed.
But difficult or not, I believe it is important. Not just in politics, as you point out, but in our moment-to-moment lives — those oh-so-personal, so-very-political, lives. -
I’d be almost willing to bet that this piece was actually ghost-written by a GOP operative. Those points sound identical to the list of talking points that you hear coming out of that camp these days. Bush hater and faith hater and Kerry has no plans and blah blah blah blah blah. Whatever.
She’s no swing voter- she’s party faithful. There was no way that person would ever vote for a democrat. Just more Big Lie spin. -
Oh, the goddess, Maggie — I hope you are mistaken.
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Bob Somersby answers the talking point lie that Democrats “defamed and ridiculed” conservatives:
Why did this reader vote for Bush? He says the Democratic Party has “belittled his beliefs, dismissing them out of hand,” and has “addressed him publicly as intellectually challenged for holding to the faith of my fathers.” Oops, sorry—one clarification. The readers says the Democratic Party and/or those people who purport to speak for it has engaged in this behavior.
Let’s ignore that expansive escape clause and think of the Dem Party proper. We think it’s time for readers like this to name the names of actual Dems who have actually belittled them in this manner. Who exactly “addressed him publicly as intellectually challenged for holding to the faith of his fathers?” Was it Southern Baptist Bill Clinton, from Hot Springs, Arkansas? Was it Southern Baptist Al Gore, from Carthage, Tennessee? Was it Jimmy Carter? Was it Joe Lieberman? Was it John Edwards, from the reader’s own state? Or was it French-speaking John Kerry himself, the haughty man who dares to wind-surf? If so, when did this insult occur? When exactly has any Dem leader ever behaved in the manner described? When exactly did the Dem Party belittle the reader’s religious beliefs and “address him publicly as intellectually challenged?” When exactly did this occur? Or did it really occur in a dream? Or perhaps in a rant on talk radio?
See, the stuff in that letter just didn’t happen. It’s more propaganda from the right, trying to frame the winners as “victims.” And it’s more right wing spinning bullshit. -
I think it is sometimes difficult to listen, to hear each other.
You have to know the person first. You have to come from the view that they are a valid human being, who has experienced life, a life that is different from yours.
It is difficult for me to understand how someone can look at the facts, and choose against them — because it is not all opinion, after all; there is still a reality from which opinions can be developed.
You’re saying their choosing against them. You are already on the defensive. Perhaps taking the time to know someone, the life experiences they’ve had may help you to understand how they view the facts. My reality has been vastly different from yours. You know very little about me, and I about you. If you stated a particular view, without my knowing who you are (and let’s face it, I don’t know you at all) then I won’t understand why you chose to interpret the facts the way you did. But if we took the time to explore each other’s lives, the understanding would be greater. Then we could hear each other. But if we start listening with an attitude of, “I don’t understand,” and “How can I disprove this person,” or “I think this person is a right wing mole,” then I doubt any inroads will be made.
Just my not so humble opinion of course.
Blessings to you on your journey and I hope that you can remain open to talking with others. It’s the only way this country is going to come together. -
You have to know the person first. You have to come from the view that they are a valid human being, who has experienced life, a life that is different from yours.
If we have to know each other first, we’re in big trouble — but I think we can do the second without the first. And I think it’s perfectly reasonable to start from the position that I don’t understand — that, after all, is the position from which I am curious enough to learn. -
& Maggie, thanks for the quote — I think this is right on. Anyone who listens to Limbaugh or Fox will hear the same arrogant nonsense aimed at the Left. Unfortunately, we hear it from some Republican office-holders, as well.
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If we have to know each other first, we’re in big trouble
Why? -
Check this out:
http://www.FromASadderAmerican.blogspot.com
for
An Open Response From a Democrat -
Laura,
Because we mostly don’t know each other, and the only way we will know each other is if we can begin from a position of respect, if not understanding. -
Thank you for clarifying. I wasn’t sure where you were coming from there.
I tip my hat to you across the ether…
/latest comments
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