Hi folks,
sorry, but all the "either/or" diatribes in this endless debate bother me.
the "Rush Limbaugh" technique of ad hominem and "straw-person" arguments never
really achieves anything meaningful, I have observed. I propose we start
instead with compassion. This means acknowledging more than has been
acknowledged thus far in this debate, it means admitting that all the people
here discussing are trying to do the right thing, as they understand it. I'm
not saying give up the ghost, at all, but respect for the essential goodness
of all involved seems a pre-requisite to me for a worthy discussion. My God,
we've had Hitler, always a bad sign that an argument has become de-centered.
Could we possibly tone "down" (really "up") the rhetoric to one of universal
love? the love for the animals we discuss here should also include
unconditional love for humans, especially those trying to find their path.
I'm sorry to sound so preachy, but our ability as humans to work together is
crucial to saving this planet. I don't mind discord; it is productive, but
name-calling, blaming, etc.--what a failed opportunity! It creates stasis, as
this argument has shown. The only way out of the stasis is for each group to
say (and Mean), "I respect who you are and where you are," and then disagree
with statements and facts, not this endless "you are bad, I am good" stuff
that I keep reading. If we are going to save the world, we'd better learn how
right here, right now, and I believe that means an acceptance of the good that
is in people--recognizing that in their core, people want to do the right
thing.
Love, Jane
Love, jane
