Posted by
TheRationalRight on Sunday, October 12, 2008 10:42:22 PM
I have decided to change the name of my blog to "The Rational Right." I do not mean to imply by this title that the left cannot be rational as well. I mean to convey that my views come from the right, but I intend to maintain a rational discussion when I represent my views. I pledge to respect the rights of others to rationally represent opposing views.
Americans have increasingly resorted to name-calling and insults to promote their views by denegrating opposing views. I am pleading for a return to civility in our discussions.
I recently defended the conservative viewpoint on a liberal blog. I was respectful in tone, and I cited sources to support my assertions. I was called a variety of names, as were McCain and Palin whom I supported in my post. I was told to "STFU," and one blogger declared that "anti-intellectualism should be a crime." I was disappointed to hear that sort of anti-first amendment rhetoric from the "other" side.
Later, I viewed a discussion on a liberal blog here at Town Hall. I was similarly disappointed to hear the conservative responders resorting to name-calling and insults, including suggestions that the liberal blogger get off "our" website.
Wake up, people! "Their" side and "our" side are BOTH guilty of prejudging the other! Liberals are not bad people just because they are liberals any more than conservatives are good people just because they are conservative. As a conservative-minded person myself, of COURSE I will usually disagree with the point of view of a liberal. But we HAVE to maintain a forum for rational discussion. We need to try to persuade each other through logic and reason, not through emotion and insult!
One side or the other is going to lose the presidential election. We hear that if Obama loses, it will be because of racism. We hear that if McCain loses, it will be because of irregularities in the voting registration process allowed by some states. Both sides are undoubtedly preparing their anti-other party bumper stickers, like "Charlton Heston is My President" (after Clinton defeated Bush 41) and "Selected, Not Elected" (after Bush 43 defeated Gore).
I challenge both sides to pledge to show respect for the other. And I challenge both sides to pledge to support the winner.
My father supported Nixon over Kennedy. My older siblings have related a story about how my father wore his Nixon pin until the election, then wore a Kennedy pin after the results showed that Kennedy had won. This was Dad's way of showing his respect for the choice made by his fellow citizens.
Now THAT's patriotism!