Reflections on the Presidential Election and the Loss of Respect
We have come through another election for the President. My wife and I again cancelled each again with our votes. We have been doing that for quite a long time. When we were first married, I use to brow beat my wife, trying to change her point of view and thus her vote.
I have learned to appreciate her point of view. Although we continue to disagree, we have come to to place where we acknowledge of the strengths of each others positions. As we discussed this election, we both agree that respect, moreover the lack of respect for the opposing view is a huge problem. Ironically, I felt that McCain and Obama respected each other more than the either party wanted them to.
I read an article that calls out the treatment of Bush. I agree with this article 100% . President Bush has been treated very unkindly by the media, with a general mocking of him at a extremely personal level. Some of it is down right mean. But the irony to me is that this was started by the 90s by the right. The same treatment of disrespect towards Clinton was only ratcheted up with the left towards Bush.
I like Rush Limbaugh, and I think he has a role. But the fact that he has complaining about this as well is amusing. He was one who is an instigator to this lack of respect for opposing views. But lets not forget, with people like Al Franken and Keith Olbermann who treat social conservatives and right wing Christians as pariahs. Neither side is one to admire here. Neither believes the opposing view has merit, and anyone believing in the opposing view is foolish, dumb and a moron. Hollywood treats social conservatives as naive boobs, and then wondering why such material does not sell in Kansas.
And with the 24 hour news networks, these views only are becoming sharper, as the one who can shout the loudest, often saying the most absurd thing gets the day.
In the end, we need to see the opposing view as someone who merit, with respect. But I am afraid that is in short supply and our new President will face a whole round of disrespect, sharper than before. It sells unfortunately. And it sickens
posted by Chris K. Brown at
8:11 PM
2 Comments:
Nice blog... but I have to disagree on your point that both sides have been equally guilty. As an example, President Clinton was IMPEACHED for lying under oath about, how should I say this, his oral indiscretions. OTOH, President Bush and his administration have approved the use of torture, politicized the justice department, leaked classified information for political motives, deregulated the financial markets to the point where they are destroying our economy, started an unnecessary (and maybe illegal) war, and appointed incompetent cronies to important government positions. The Dems (even Pelosi) have stated that they have no intention of pursuing impeachment proceedings, and instead are looking forward into the future.
Chirs - dang, enoch root brought the heat. I was simply going to approve the public nature of vote-cancelling among your Christian marriage. I emphasize the word 'Christian.' the concerns and words of Jesus are being played out in multiple (not monocultural) ways in our generation, and your marriage is a wonderful reflection of unity on essential, diversity on non-essentials. thanks for the encouragement you both are to me.
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