Hopes for rational, humane voices

Today’s shooting of Congresswoman Giffords has hit me pretty hard. It feels like our country, and I guess the entire world, has lost its sense of humanity. We increasingly talk over each other, and fail to listen to the validity, and necessity of differing opinions. For one reason or another, we’ve stopped having rational and principled conversations.

I thought democracy was supposed to be about discussions, rhetoric (in the original sense of the word), intelligence, faith in diversity both in identity and beliefs, and that despite of our differences we are united in being part of one humanity (ok I’m over-reaching here; being united in being American is more accurate, in this country at least). But it’s no longer like that here; “Democracy” has become a dogmatic adherence to our group’s ideal: the tea party's defense of individual liberty, through smaller government and a deep faith in the constitution, or the progressive’s belief in the importance of meeting basic human needs such as health care, protecting the environment, and education. Both world views have a core of truth. Instead of realizing our own view’s imperfections and short falls, we’ve polarized to extremes.

Radio and TV political pundits on both sides spew hate and spread fear. News in our country has stopped being about the nuances of complicated issues that matter; we have 24-hour “news” shows that are about ratings. And ratings are really about selling advertising slots. These shows are about entertaining gossip, well entertaining to some. The news that gets reported is dumbed down, over-simplified, and told with an unhealthy dose of fear and hype.

Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said today at a press conference in the aftermath of the shooting: “I think it’s time as a country we need do a little soul searching, because I think that the vitriolic rhetoric that we hear day in and day out from the people in the radio business and some people in the TV business, and what we see on TV, and how our youngster are being raised. It may free speech but it does not come without consequences. Arizona has become the mecca of prejudice and bigotry.”

Keith Olbermann has a very honest and critical reflection on the nature of our national dialogue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq38Nnf4pOw

I hope that today’s tragedy will be the inciting incident that helps us see the real danger of condoning violent imagery in our discussions about each other: Ms. Giffords opponent said in campaign literature, “Get on Target for Victory in November Help remove Gabrielle Giffords from office Shoot a fully automatic M16 with Jesse Kelly (Giffords’ November opponent).” I hope that we can return to the time of open, intelligent, and PEACEFUL dialogue. I hope that we can see and respect each other’s humanity. I hope we can dispense with fear-mongering, racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and see and respect each other as brothers and sisters.