OK, “subjector” isn’t really Latin, but I wanted to add a P.S. to my last posting about subjectivity, and “let the subjective person beware” sounds so much more profound in pseudo-Latin. I’ve been thinking that my Howard Dean-like cry, “scream your subjectivity to the sky!” needs a qualifier: make sure you allow everyone else to do their own screaming along with you.
This, it dawned on me as I did my deep thinking while driving around today, is what makes the difference between irritating ranting and raving (per conservative talk radio) and interesting dialogue and discussion (per public broadcasting). A common denominator between almost all the organizations, people, and issues that push the button for Laurel and me is that they try to shut down open and honest discussion.
Along these lines, I’m proud of how well I’ve been able to keep my finger off of the KXL pre-set button on my car radio. The cocky, misinformed, uncourteous voice of Lars Larson doesn’t enter my brain anymore—except for a brief falling off the wagon today when I heard him say, “Why should 25% of Oregon beaches be off limits to people because of the plover [bird]?” Having just read in an Oregonian article that actually it would be dogs, camping, campfires, and driving, not people, that would be prohibited on certain beaches during spring and summer to avoid disturbing the western snowy plover, I instantly turned to Oregon Public Broadcasting to avoid hearing more of the lying liar Lars Larson, to borrow the wonderful phrasing of Al Franken.
It doesn’t bother us to agree to disagree when everyone concerned is committed to expressing the truth as they understand it, and respecting other people’s understandings, but it absolutely frosts us when facts are twisted in an unethical fashion, or someone in a position of power ignores opposing views in an attempt to maintain that power. Those who express strong views have to be equally strong advocates of letting others express their own strong views—even when the two sets of views are opposed. The Bush administration’s failure to do this is a big reason why we’re looking forward to the Kerry-Edwards ticket (my prediction and heartfelt wish) taking over the White House in 2005.
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