Submitted by Fred on

Open Your Mind!

Categories
Lifestyle

In these politically charged times I am amazed at the number of people who I truly like and respect who are diametrically opposed to my political point of view.  

I think I have my feet on the ground and have a balanced point of view and am willing to listen to both sides. However, when I listen to some of my opposing view good friends I question my sanity. I think to myself,  Is this what the twilight zone is like?

The cop out resort is not to discuss politics at dinner with good friends, but what good is that?

These are "strange days indeed" and where is John Lennon when we need him?

Comments

Submitted by Judy_Mauer on Thu, 03/29/2018 - 21:23

Permalink
Judy Mauer

Where is John Lennon - indeed. Imagine ......
Vincent Chirico

Good friends, by definition, are so because they listen, which often leads to understanding and conciliation. There should be more dinners with opposing view good friends. Happy Holidays everyone!

Submitted by MarilynGenoa on Thu, 03/29/2018 - 22:35

Permalink
Marilyn Genoa

wonderful comments and thoughts to begin a joint holiday weekend. Happy Pesach and Happy Easter to all who celebrate. I know our family will be bringing new discussions to our Seder table tonight

Submitted by VincentPetraro on Thu, 03/29/2018 - 23:20

Permalink
Vincent Petraro

Fred, you posted this a few weeks back: "One of the most valuable things my father ever taught me is that "There are three sides to every story: your side, my side and the truth"."

It is sort of the same with political views, we all start from a different place due to upbringing, life experiences, education, etc. Being amazed that people think differently than you is the first hurdle to overcome. Have an awesome Holiday weekend, Fred and all!

Submitted by Fred on Fri, 03/30/2018 - 00:41

In reply to by VincentPetraro

Permalink
Fred Klein

Well said and same to you !
Gideon Schein

We live in such a polarized society that calm discuzsion about opposing poltical view, However Fred you are so right, never stop trying.
Victoria Drogin

Love what Vincent wrote. My favorite quote on the subject is: “If you can’t argue intelligently for both sides of an issue, you don’t understand the issue well enough to argue for other.” :) I do wish that people didn’t make it personal.
Great perspective Fred.

Submitted by VincentPetraro on Fri, 03/30/2018 - 02:51

Permalink
Vincent Petraro

Thanks Victoria! Interesting how you wrote about arguing both sides - when my children were in High School - they participated in Lincoln Douglas Debating (one on one debates) - they had to debate both sides of every issue at every meet. There were 4 rounds, randomly selected, so they had to debate each side twice. The research alone, in preparing both sides was amazing, let alone the actual debates! I used to Judge the debates (and even coached one year) and the students were knowledgable and always well prepared and well spoken. As Judge, I never was able to judge a student form the high school my children were attending, so it was all very fair!
Kelly Welles

I feel as though we are trapped inside a syllogism and that our communication skills at their current level are insufficient to bridge this divide.
Gail Koelln

I'm reading a great book on this subject called, "The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion" by Jonathan Haidt. Check it out, Fred (and everyone else)!

Submitted by NeilHollander on Fri, 03/30/2018 - 06:36

Permalink
Neil Hollander

I think it started for me with the resistance that took place over the Trump election . I found those on the losing side and their behavior to be disgusting . Damning the Electoral College and making excuse after excuse as to why they lost . It was a first for me . Watching my fellow Americans become so trivial and hateful over a Presidential election . The campaign was bad enough but most of the time if not all the time the results are swallowed with minimum vitriol and angst . So yeah ...... Sore losers and cry baby's aggravate the hell out of me . And in the face of of all that were the personal attacks and nasty comments . It is downright EMBARASSING and exposes the worst in us . Human Beings are greatly flawed . I escape to the woods with my animal friends . They are not warmongers like the humans . Exhausting and stressful it has become my friend. And I am as much to be ashamed as anyone .

Hollander Sends
Fred Klein

We have had some interesting dinner discussion and haven't we?
Corey Bearak

Happy Birthday!

And for your post,

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GJY8jJkDoMY

Add new comment

Restricted HTML

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a href hreflang> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote cite> <code> <ul type> <ol start type> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h2 id> <h3 id> <h4 id> <h5 id> <h6 id>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.