August 11, 2008
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Be excellent to each other.
That's what Bill and Ted advocated, "Be excellent to each other." If you look, there is some variant of that in most major religions. Even in kindergarten we are taught to play well with others.
I've never heard a version of this that went on to say, "unless you don't like their [looks-religion-national orgin-politics-sense of humor...ad nauseam].
Orson Bean, who was blacklisted in Hollywood in the 1950's, recently had this to say, "These days, the left doesn't just disagree with right-wingers - they hate them. People actually shudder when I tell them I'm a Republican. I should have to carry a bell and yell, 'unclean.' It doesn't bother me, though. I've been on both ends. Being hated is like voodoo. It only works if you feel hated. And I just won't. I know it will pass."
Jon Voight has been experiencing some serious backlash for stating his views, including calls to blacklist him in Hollywood. (Sorry, not going to link to that post, I think anyone who starts out saying Voight is, "obviously entitled to say and write whatever he wants," doesn't really mean it. Particularly when he is calling to blacklist someone for their political views.
When Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks made her statement in England against Bush, my personal opinion was that I wished she had made it here in the U.S. rather than abroad, but it was her choice, not mine. I did understand why the Chicks received backlash from some of their fans, even though I thought it was overkill (if you feel that strongly about some else's political views, then by all means don't support them by purchasing their products, though, destroying product you've already purchased is just a waste of your money. But threatening to kill them? I call that terrorism.).
I've experienced that hate myself (though much more mildly), though, for saying I was a Libertarian or a Constitutionalist. I've experienced it here on Xanga, because of my politics (the people I genuinely care about, they may not like my politics, but they still seem to like me, for the most part. Fortunately for me I seem to have only lost one or two people I care about it by opening up on some of my political views.) and because I have friends whose SOs do not like me. Surely, most of those people are just Internet Trolls who want to upset people, but a few seem seriously hardcore in their hatred.
When I was in San Francisco, I avoided politics most of the time. Because otherwise kind and respectful people, would spew hatred if you didn't lean as far to the left as they did (and back in Texas, several people think I am a radical leftist, I just laugh). There were times when the venom in their voices actually frightened me (and for those of you who don't know a lot about me, I'm pretty pragmatic when it comes to fear. My dogs and I were threatened by a, likely crazy, homeless man, my response was to purchase a 900,000 volt stun gun. Some blogger here on xanga once threatened to rob my home, I reported them to the police. I don't really get scared—except for the ghost haunting the house I am currently in—I get prepared.)
Now, I know from living in red states as well as blue states there are people like that on all sides of the political spectrum. So, this isn't a blast the left post. It is a be excellent to each other post. I prefer to agree to disagree, not just scream louder (metaphorically speaking on the blogosphere) thinking if you just say it a little louder it will suddenly make sense to the other person. That is counterproductive, all you do is alienate the other person.
Perhaps, that is what some prefer? To only surround themselves with people who think exactly like themselves. If that works for them. More power to them.
For me? I would find that incredibly boring. I like people who will challenge me and also listen to me. I can think of one great blogger here in particular. She has disagreed with several of my opinions, but that hasn't stopped her from exchanging ideas with me and finding areas of common ground or being my friend.
I think it is great that so many people are so passionate about their political beliefs. We need that if we are ever going to engender real change. Just you know, be excellent to each other. And, party on dudes.
Comments (9)
You might have noticed this when you met me - I tend to rant wildly about whatever's bugging me at the moment, and when I find out someone disagrees, I tone down and polite up my point. It's a bad habit. But I tend generally only argue if I feel that I can change the person's mind in a way that's worthwhile, if I feel there's a point that has not been considered. If they still feel the way they do, fine.
Most of the people around me are extremely liberal, but there's just enough out of the mold to keep me on my toes. Which is the way *I* like it.
As a person who is a liberal, I also often feel assaulted and dissed when I express my views. And I hear various media persons all the time who seem to me to be imbued with venom towards people like me. I'm no longer certain where the line is between being passionately committed to one's views and being totally dismissive of anyone who has different views. There is much unexcellent, nontolerant behavior on both sides. Thank you so much for seeing that, and stating it here.
I also am very happy to agree to disagree, especially since there are so many other areas where we may find we strongly agree. Battlestar Galactica for one!
it's so much easier to just hate than to actually have to THINK about what/how the other person believes.
THINKING hurts (or so most people would have you believe)
@scifiknitter - I think demonizing the opposition (and I don't consider liberals or conservatives opposition, as I agree with each side on different issues) is one of the biggest problems we face as a nation. It is exactly why I value people like you so much, you are polite in your dissent. You are respectful of an individuals rights to believe as they choose.
@EliseTheStranger - Honestly, I didn't notice any ranting. My first impression was you were intelligent and pretty cool.
@Wild_Tigger_Kitty - I know, it hurt so much writing this, I had to go lie down afterwards.
just so the facts are known... It wasn't just the Chick's fans that caused all that backlash... It was a very organized boycott/persecution by Clear Channel Entertainment... so against the law that Congress held hearings on it and Your McCain slammed and bitch slapped the Head of CCE for doing it. I think that is the only thing McCain ever did that made me smile.
I run off at the mouth all the time but I will at least shut up long enough for someone to state their case. I truly believe that people don't need to see eye to eye on everything, you're right that would horribly boring. My problem is with people that don't seem to get that even if you may disagree you still need to be fucking human and RESPECT people whether you like what they have to say or not. I like this post. It makes me smile.
you make me happy.
I will argue until I'm blue in the face to try to make someone see my viewpoint (the lawyer in me I guess), but really, there's always a respectful way to do that. There's a lot of hatred on both sides of the political fence, and that's a real shame, because you never get anywhere being so confrontational and hateful. The only way to make someone see your side is to argue rationally and calmly, at least in my experience. When you go to extremes, the other side just feels more justified in their stance.
I have met some wonderful people on xanga who, on paper, I should have no business liking so much. Our views are diametrically opposed on a number of important issues, yet for the most part, we're all just people, looking for happiness, when it all comes down to it. "Be excellent to each other" is a great mantra to live by.
' "Be excellent to each other." ... "unless you don't like their [looks-religion-national orgin-politics-sense of humor...ad nauseam]." Sounds like (tv) Big Brother to me. Most reality tv is based on maneuvering people into hating one person then the next and getting them thrown off in spite of the 'fairness' of challenges.
The left is the new right. A lot of people have said that but hardly anyone thinks about how true it is. There are not just two sides, that is an artificial political construct to distract people away from the facts and so that everyone can get away with anything by blaming the others. If you are young you don't bother with that, you just blame authority, (possibly they are right too).
I'm a socio-anarchist and an existentialist and hated by all sides for my political beliefs and people of all religions have called me (often on Xanga) politely or less politely, evil and a fool and I wish I could block them in real life as I do on Xanga.
Just today two Mormon missionaries (there are always a few on the island) were in my shop. One of them said he'd never met a Jew before and was it true I didn't believe in Jesus Christ. I said I didn't doubt his existence but did not accept him as anything other than a historical character. A look passed between them. One of them put the book down he'd been about to buy and without a further word, not even a 'thanks' or 'bye' they turned and left. (Still, it could have been worse, they could have tried to convert me!)
That was a bit rambling, sorry, but your excellent blog got me going!
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