For the past three years, my workplace has been such that I cannot express political views. I am sure there are similar situations in faculty rooms everywhere. We are the folks in the corner who smile at the character assassinations and vile epithets attributing horrendous and false things to the Bush administration. It's similar to what Akhenaten probably endured the same sort of behavior from the priest of Amon.
Actually Ellen, you'll find roughly the same behavior, and possibly the same language, at any grouping of the kids who go to the school. The target may be different but the motivations aren't.
I would agree. It's the extremes that are the problem. Rational, pragmatic views are the key to any issue. From the five tax increases and international negotiations of Reagan to the welfare reform and balanced budget of Clinton, the most effective US presidents have always been the most pragmatic. They may speak on the fringe, but they govern to the center where most Americans are and would like them to be. There's nothing worse than a truly ideological liberal or conservative - they tend to ignore reality.
Outside of places like this one that are overtly political, I generally keep my opinions to myself, or discuss them very gently. I have encountered many situations such as this, usually brought on by liberals, but sometimes right-wingers, where it is assumed that everyone in earshot is in mental lockstep with the speaker.
Perhaps its easy for me as I have no expectation that others agree with me. I anticipate that I have both common ground and differing opinions with every person I meet. In thinking this way I would never presume to express an opinion in a manner that assumes agreement before the subject has been breached. Especially not with strangers, and most definitely not with groups. It's just not polite.
I would love to shout out a "shut up and sing" sometimes, or flat get up and walk out, but that would be rude, and impair others' enjoyment of the event, so I won't.
Would that we had such consideration from the other side.
This reminds me of a recent encounter with a self professed tolerant liberal of Chevy Chase, MD (richville for liberals). We were invited to a small dinner party. It was assumed that we were liberals and the talk was all about the new messiah (President Obama)and their hatred for religious people. After telling us about how small minded the people are from where he grew up, one "gentleman" said that Catholics hate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This was following me mentioning that I am Catholic. The other people laughed. I only said that I should tell that to all of the African Americans that attend my church and then we politely excused ourselves and left.
The day after the election, there was a loud festival atmosphere in the hall of students celebrating the winner. They were also using vile racial epithets against students who chose not to participate in this impromptu party. Believe me, while the liberals are out in force, there's resentment simmering underneath the polite facades. If things don't work out as magically as the press and mosaic of supporters contend, there will be change in 2010.
For the past three years, my workplace has been such that I cannot express political views. I am sure there are similar situations in faculty rooms everywhere. We are the folks in the corner who smile at the character assassinations and vile epithets attributing horrendous and false things to the Bush administration. It's similar to what Akhenaten probably endured the same sort of behavior from the priest of Amon.
ReplyDeleteActually Ellen, you'll find roughly the same behavior, and possibly the same language, at any grouping of the kids who go to the school. The target may be different but the motivations aren't.
ReplyDeleteI would agree. It's the extremes that are the problem. Rational, pragmatic views are the key to any issue. From the five tax increases and international negotiations of Reagan to the welfare reform and balanced budget of Clinton, the most effective US presidents have always been the most pragmatic. They may speak on the fringe, but they govern to the center where most Americans are and would like them to be. There's nothing worse than a truly ideological liberal or conservative - they tend to ignore reality.
ReplyDeleteOutside of places like this one that are overtly political, I generally keep my opinions to myself, or discuss them very gently. I have encountered many situations such as this, usually brought on by liberals, but sometimes right-wingers, where it is assumed that everyone in earshot is in mental lockstep with the speaker.
ReplyDeletePerhaps its easy for me as I have no expectation that others agree with me. I anticipate that I have both common ground and differing opinions with every person I meet. In thinking this way I would never presume to express an opinion in a manner that assumes agreement before the subject has been breached. Especially not with strangers, and most definitely not with groups. It's just not polite.
I would love to shout out a "shut up and sing" sometimes, or flat get up and walk out, but that would be rude, and impair others' enjoyment of the event, so I won't.
Would that we had such consideration from the other side.
This reminds me of a recent encounter with a self professed tolerant liberal of Chevy Chase, MD (richville for liberals). We were invited to a small dinner party. It was assumed that we were liberals and the talk was all about the new messiah (President Obama)and their hatred for religious people. After telling us about how small minded the people are from where he grew up, one "gentleman" said that Catholics hate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This was following me mentioning that I am Catholic. The other people laughed. I only said that I should tell that to all of the African Americans that attend my church and then we politely excused ourselves and left.
ReplyDeleteI am simply a student and I face animosity towards myself and other republicans. By the way, I did not mention that I am only in high school.
ReplyDeletewww.rightinthewrongstate.blogspot.com
> balanced budget of Clinton
ReplyDeleteHere ya go, Mike - http://rightontheleftcoast.blogspot.com/2009/01/clinton-budgets-did-not-balance.html
The day after the election, there was a loud festival atmosphere in the hall of students celebrating the winner. They were also using vile racial epithets against students who chose not to participate in this impromptu party. Believe me, while the liberals are out in force, there's resentment simmering underneath the polite facades. If things don't work out as magically as the press and mosaic of supporters contend, there will be change in 2010.
ReplyDeleteThere's a polite facade? Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteReal change, Ellen K, or Hopenchange? ^_^
ReplyDelete