ROUGH DRAFT
If you really, really don’t understand how to meet the new standards for comments on this blog, let me help you by providing a few helpful hints. And if you really do understand, but just want to be petulant and accuse me of bad faith, playing favorites, yadda-yadda, I’m going to give you the hints anyway.
- First, remember that you don’t have to worry about the standards, and can keep getting away with being a jerk, if you have the guts to stand up and identify yourself, rather than being a big wuss and hiding behind anonymity.
- Remember (and yes, I know some of you will refuse to believe this no matter how many times I prove it to be true by my actions), it’s not what you say; it’s how you say it.
- As you write, always try to express your ideas in a way that will actually change the minds of people with whom you disagree.
- As a corollary to that, don’t write in a way calculated to win cheers and attaboys from those who already agree with you, or to give yourself a jolt of vindictive satisfaction.
Bottom line is, if you internalize and act in accordance with those last two principles, you will never have your comments deleted.
Unfortunately, given the present polarization of political attitudes, some of you will refuse to believe that those other people can ever be persuaded. You think there are people like you, and people like those others, and any attempt to reach across the divide with reason is futile.
If that describes you, you’re in the wrong place. This blog is not for you. I started it for the same reason I do what I do for a living — I believe that good-faith dialogue has the power to bring us together over what we have in common. If all you want to do is shake your fist and shout slogans, there are plenty of other sites out there for you.
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But, but, but. . .
How can you expect others to do things you’re not willing to do yourself?
I don’t know, Mary, but you can do it if you try.
Brad writes:
“As you write, always try to express your ideas in a way that will actually change the minds of people with whom you disagree.”
Out of all the discussion on this blog I’ve only changed my mind once. That was on the smoking issue. I was ready to leave it alone, as is, but the passion from the pro-smoking crowd has convinced me that we need to continue vigourously promoting non-smokers rights. I had no idea there was so much passion in favor of people’s rights to pollute our air. So Brad, here’s an example of the opposite effect from that intended by the arguments from a particular group. It has emboldened me to take a hard-line stand.
First of all, I’m not the one who put forth the exhortations above. I’m not the one who rambles on and on about “civility”.
Second, I didn’t say, how can ONE expect others to do things HE isn’t willing to do HIMSELF. I said, how can YOU expect others do do things YOU aren’t willing to do YOURSELF? (It shouldn’t surprise me as much as it does that you, a journalist, don’t understand basic grammar.)
If YOU (Warthen) aren’t willing to forego dishonestly conflating patriotism with agreement with your opinions, and accuse your detractors of “defeatism”, and instead to honestly and forthrightly put forth reasoned arguments in favor of your position, how can YOU (Warthen) expect others to confine themselves to reasoned argument?
It’s a serious question, but I’m not surprised that you are incapable of giving a serious answer.
It has emboldened me to take a hard-line stand.
Posted by: bud | Aug 22, 2006 8:28:13 AM
Then, I marvel at you, paradox. You stand in favor of less freedoms.
This runs contrary to your other beliefs that I’ve enjoyed elsewhere. Consistency?
Not so Cap. I want more freedoms. And one of those is the freedom to breath clean air. I’ve chosen side on this issue out of necessity.
There was an article in today’s State paper about smoking restrictions in the USC dorms. Now that is quite a change from my time there in the 70s. The various types of smoke in the air made for a memorable, if not healthy, time.
My recreational time there in the 90’s would have been hampered there as well. On that point, we can both agree.
Sweet, sweet honeycombs…they’re not small, no, no, no!