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I would be interested to hear more from our List Manager on the
frequency with which he has to admonish people to behave. I would also
be interested in his ideas and those of anyone else on why there is so
much disrespectful behavior in all public forums. The advantages of a
respectful debate would seem to be self-evident. So why do so many
people choose the "low road."
My speculation is this: somehow many people have come to believe
that "anything goes" in politics. A public discussion is equated with
politics so "anything goes" in any public discussion too. But how did
people come to believe that "anything goes?"
I think they got it largely from our national leaders of both
parties as amplified by the modern media. The list is endless but
events like Nixon's obvious belief that he is not bound by the same
rules as everyone else is notable. Clinton's extracurricular activities
in the White House probably helped too. The Supreme Court's recent and
obvious willingness to sacrifice the whole idea of the rule of law for a
temporary political advantage is but the latest example. In the end,
the idea that in politics and all public discourse, you can say anything
and do anything without any personal restraint is what too many people
now believe.
What worries me is that I don't think that there is any way to
reverse "anything goes" on the local level as long as the national
leaders stay on message that anything goes is acceptable behavior. On a
practical level, it comes down to saying that our list manager has a
very frustrating job. It's got to seem like he is trying to keep back
the sea with a child's bucket and shovel.
Thanks for reading. Now tell us all what you think -- respectfully.
Steve Cross
Prospect Park
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