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Sunday, December 21, 2008 10:38 AM CST
We've made progress, but there's more to be done
DISCLAIMER: The Courier provides our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. For a more in-depth explanation of our policy, please see our Rules of the Road. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.
We've made progress, but there's more to be done
By DONNA WOOD
The Democrats control Congress, Barack has won the White House, the president's approval ratings are the lowest ever, and the rats are abandoning the sinking battleship "Mission Accomplished."
But the war is far from over. Conservatives have some good points --- "big" government is prone to waste and pettiness, and no party is immune to the kind of arrogant greed currently displayed by Gov. Blagojevich. We must be watchful.
However, out there, lurking in our neighborhoods, schools and churches, are right-wingers so filled with venom and rage that they can barely construct a coherent sentence --- but they vote, and they blog, and they are vulnerable to the Rovian machinations of the far-right poison factories.
The Internet has fueled out-of-control behavior. Instead of debate about ideas, we get name-calling and crass disgust. I don't consider vomiting on an opponent to be a legitimate discussion strategy, but many right-wingers seem to think that an outpouring of bile passes for discourse. They're anonymous, or on TV, and either way there's no accountability.
I usually disagree with my colleague Dennis Clayson's weekly column. There are times when I don't understand his logic, or observe that he is defining "straw men," the better to knock them down. He likely feels the same about the columns on the other side of the page. But disagreements notwithstanding, I would never call Clayson deluded, idiotic, evil, satanic, a moron or any of the unprintable names I and my colleagues on this side have been called. And, when we meet in the halls at UNI, we have pleasant chats.
The name-calling doesn't begin to equal the racist assassination prayers and furious assertions of imminent Muslim invasions we've been hearing since the election. What is all this pent-up violence about?
I think a lot of it is based on racist, sexist thinking and a certain fury over not having the easier life that might have been if there wasn't so much competition. In the good old days, women knew their place and stayed in it or suffered the consequences. In the good old days, a white man with mediocre performance would not be upstaged --- or replaced --- by an intelligent, competent black man or (gasp!) a woman of any skin tone. In the good old days, no Americans ever had to worry about their jobs being taken by cheap Chinese laborers.
There's another theme: the sad songs of the so-called Christian right. Some believe that America was founded on "Christian values" that it now abandons, which is just flat-out false, regardless of what the thundering preachers proclaim. Many founding fathers were deist or universalist, and if Christian, of many varieties. The core ideas of liberty and democracy came from the Age of Enlightenment in Europe, not from theology. Anyway, since when has Christianity been a devoted friend of liberty and democracy?
Some are apparently terrified that if gays and lesbians can get married, they themselves will have to get divorced so as not to share a common category with "those perverts." Lighten up, people. How does love threaten marriage? If your son sasses you, do you take him beyond city limits and stone him to death? The Bible tells you to do that, shortly after it talks about homosexual behavior as an abomination.
A more subtle foundation for right-wing rage may be a desire to believe in a fixed path. Learning often leads a person to unexpected understandings and a need to act. It may require moral stands that aren't necessarily in the person's best short-term interests. It often requires that some treasured, comfortable belief be overthrown for a harder, more ambiguous trek. Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss.
I'm thankful for conservative friends and readers who disagree intelligently. I learn from them. But I'm amazed at the poison that bubbles up on the other side. It's building once again. What to do?
Mr. and Mrs. Right Wing, like the rest of us, need meaningful work and a decent income, and these require a robust economy. Right-wing fanatics need to be asked a lot of questions, respectfully, and we need to demand sensible answers from them. Anonymous bloggers need to grow a spine and put their names out there. And everyone --- I do mean everyone --- deserves to have good, affordable health care, as much education as they can absorb and a better future for their children.
May we all have a blessed Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah, vacation or whatever our preferences might be for this season. May we court peace, knowledge, understanding and right action.
But the war is far from over. Conservatives have some good points --- "big" government is prone to waste and pettiness, and no party is immune to the kind of arrogant greed currently displayed by Gov. Blagojevich. We must be watchful.
However, out there, lurking in our neighborhoods, schools and churches, are right-wingers so filled with venom and rage that they can barely construct a coherent sentence --- but they vote, and they blog, and they are vulnerable to the Rovian machinations of the far-right poison factories.
The Internet has fueled out-of-control behavior. Instead of debate about ideas, we get name-calling and crass disgust. I don't consider vomiting on an opponent to be a legitimate discussion strategy, but many right-wingers seem to think that an outpouring of bile passes for discourse. They're anonymous, or on TV, and either way there's no accountability.
I usually disagree with my colleague Dennis Clayson's weekly column. There are times when I don't understand his logic, or observe that he is defining "straw men," the better to knock them down. He likely feels the same about the columns on the other side of the page. But disagreements notwithstanding, I would never call Clayson deluded, idiotic, evil, satanic, a moron or any of the unprintable names I and my colleagues on this side have been called. And, when we meet in the halls at UNI, we have pleasant chats.
The name-calling doesn't begin to equal the racist assassination prayers and furious assertions of imminent Muslim invasions we've been hearing since the election. What is all this pent-up violence about?
I think a lot of it is based on racist, sexist thinking and a certain fury over not having the easier life that might have been if there wasn't so much competition. In the good old days, women knew their place and stayed in it or suffered the consequences. In the good old days, a white man with mediocre performance would not be upstaged --- or replaced --- by an intelligent, competent black man or (gasp!) a woman of any skin tone. In the good old days, no Americans ever had to worry about their jobs being taken by cheap Chinese laborers.
There's another theme: the sad songs of the so-called Christian right. Some believe that America was founded on "Christian values" that it now abandons, which is just flat-out false, regardless of what the thundering preachers proclaim. Many founding fathers were deist or universalist, and if Christian, of many varieties. The core ideas of liberty and democracy came from the Age of Enlightenment in Europe, not from theology. Anyway, since when has Christianity been a devoted friend of liberty and democracy?
Some are apparently terrified that if gays and lesbians can get married, they themselves will have to get divorced so as not to share a common category with "those perverts." Lighten up, people. How does love threaten marriage? If your son sasses you, do you take him beyond city limits and stone him to death? The Bible tells you to do that, shortly after it talks about homosexual behavior as an abomination.
A more subtle foundation for right-wing rage may be a desire to believe in a fixed path. Learning often leads a person to unexpected understandings and a need to act. It may require moral stands that aren't necessarily in the person's best short-term interests. It often requires that some treasured, comfortable belief be overthrown for a harder, more ambiguous trek. Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss.
I'm thankful for conservative friends and readers who disagree intelligently. I learn from them. But I'm amazed at the poison that bubbles up on the other side. It's building once again. What to do?
Mr. and Mrs. Right Wing, like the rest of us, need meaningful work and a decent income, and these require a robust economy. Right-wing fanatics need to be asked a lot of questions, respectfully, and we need to demand sensible answers from them. Anonymous bloggers need to grow a spine and put their names out there. And everyone --- I do mean everyone --- deserves to have good, affordable health care, as much education as they can absorb and a better future for their children.
May we all have a blessed Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah, vacation or whatever our preferences might be for this season. May we court peace, knowledge, understanding and right action.
More Stories from Columnists » Guest Column
Spenser wrote on Dec 21, 2008 11:29 AM:
" This article ...runs the gamut by addressing how competitive society is,while also adding everyone is entitled to good,affordable healthcare and children should have as much education as they can absorb. "
andydandy wrote on Dec 21, 2008 11:45 AM:
" I enjoy reading Donna Wood more and more lately. She makes it easy on me. After she insults and spews venom in the first paragraph, I quit reading her column. Maybe you should realize that most of us have gotten over the election. Maybe you should as well. "
conservativeUS wrote on Dec 21, 2008 7:28 PM:
" I find it disgusting and insulting that this woman calls the President Elect 'Barack.' Does she have a personal realtionship with him or does she just like acting condenscending?
While reading these boards for some time, it is hypocritical of her to say only those on the right blog and flame. This is not so.
I also think this writer is a disgrace to the University of Northern Iowa, not because she spews liberal non-sense, but because she hates those on the right as much as she claims they hate her and her homosexual friends and practices. "
While reading these boards for some time, it is hypocritical of her to say only those on the right blog and flame. This is not so.
I also think this writer is a disgrace to the University of Northern Iowa, not because she spews liberal non-sense, but because she hates those on the right as much as she claims they hate her and her homosexual friends and practices. "
rooster wrote on Dec 21, 2008 7:48 PM:
" More to do? Universal dental insurance would be a good place to start. "
whyonearth wrote on Dec 22, 2008 4:31 AM:
" I do agree that "Donna" may not like the name calling that may or may not be directed at her and her ilk, but she then loses any credibility by doing exactly what she is railing against. She refers to people that disagree with her as "rats", "filled with venom and rage", and "right wing fanatics"
But then she says, "I don't consider vomiting on an opponent to be a legitimate discussion strategy". I do agree with this statement, but I also believe "Donna" should paractice what she preaches.
I guess "Donna" is correct when she says, "Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss." "
But then she says, "I don't consider vomiting on an opponent to be a legitimate discussion strategy". I do agree with this statement, but I also believe "Donna" should paractice what she preaches.
I guess "Donna" is correct when she says, "Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss." "
Phil wrote on Dec 22, 2008 8:12 AM:
" 3192321608 wrote on Dec 21, 2008 10:35 AM:
"America was founded on "Christian" principles"
America was founded on a set of principles that are found in any number of religions, Christianity being one of them. These principles are also found in those individual who claim no religion to be their own, but believe in leading a moral and just life style.
So while America was settled primarily by Christians, and while the vast majority of those who practice religion in this nation practice a form of Christianity, its founding principles and values would be suitable for people of any number of religions.
The idea this country was founded by Christians for Christians (which I not claiming you said) is a fairy tale of the religious right. "
"America was founded on "Christian" principles"
America was founded on a set of principles that are found in any number of religions, Christianity being one of them. These principles are also found in those individual who claim no religion to be their own, but believe in leading a moral and just life style.
So while America was settled primarily by Christians, and while the vast majority of those who practice religion in this nation practice a form of Christianity, its founding principles and values would be suitable for people of any number of religions.
The idea this country was founded by Christians for Christians (which I not claiming you said) is a fairy tale of the religious right. "
Steady wrote on Dec 22, 2008 8:15 AM:
" Another article by a liberal explaining how we should come together - note she only points out the faults & name calling of "right wingers". Way to bring us all together. "
xdfred wrote on Dec 22, 2008 10:27 AM:
" The first paragraph sets the tone:
"The Democrats control Congress, Barack has won the White House, the president's approval ratings are the lowest ever, and the rats are abandoning the sinking battleship "Mission Accomplished."
Yet let's not discuss the congressional approval rating being even lower than the presdident's. Let's not mention that. I guess Mz Wood's vision of progress is simply electing more democrats. Pretty simple. And I really appreciate the lesson on name calling, including several hypocritical examples of name calling.
"Some are apparently terrified that if gays and lesbians can get married, they themselves will have to get divorced so as not to share a common category with "those perverts." Lighten up, people. How does love threaten marriage?" Where did this nonsense come from? All the majority of us want to do is preserve the definition of marriage. That's it.
"There's another theme: the sad songs of the so-called Christian right. Some believe that America was founded on "Christian values" that it now abandons, which is just flat-out false..." According to her, a known expert in US history, NOT! She should read the DEclaration of Independance, the Constitution, and the Federalist Papers "
"The Democrats control Congress, Barack has won the White House, the president's approval ratings are the lowest ever, and the rats are abandoning the sinking battleship "Mission Accomplished."
Yet let's not discuss the congressional approval rating being even lower than the presdident's. Let's not mention that. I guess Mz Wood's vision of progress is simply electing more democrats. Pretty simple. And I really appreciate the lesson on name calling, including several hypocritical examples of name calling.
"Some are apparently terrified that if gays and lesbians can get married, they themselves will have to get divorced so as not to share a common category with "those perverts." Lighten up, people. How does love threaten marriage?" Where did this nonsense come from? All the majority of us want to do is preserve the definition of marriage. That's it.
"There's another theme: the sad songs of the so-called Christian right. Some believe that America was founded on "Christian values" that it now abandons, which is just flat-out false..." According to her, a known expert in US history, NOT! She should read the DEclaration of Independance, the Constitution, and the Federalist Papers "
xdfred wrote on Dec 22, 2008 11:57 AM:
" Steady wrote on Dec 22, 2008 8:15 AM:
" Another article by a liberal explaining how we should come together - note she only points out the faults & name calling of "right wingers". Way to bring us all together. "
Spot on. To a liberal, coming together means giving up everything YOU believe in. "
" Another article by a liberal explaining how we should come together - note she only points out the faults & name calling of "right wingers". Way to bring us all together. "
Spot on. To a liberal, coming together means giving up everything YOU believe in. "
FAQ wrote on Dec 22, 2008 1:24 PM:
" I might believe one iota of this ... if the Democrats would call for and demand an investigation into the Freddie Mac scam. Isn't it amazing how the Demorats want to investigate anything that the Republicans might be involved in but suddently, they have no interest in ion vestigating the Freddie Mac-Ginnie Mae scandal. Nothing. I'm sure that it has to do with the fact that Democrats were the top 10 or 12 receivers of political contributions from Freddie Mac, does it? Good old Chris Dodd, Harry Reid, Barack Obamas, Nancy Pelosi, etc. are all up there in the top 10 list but there are no congressional hearings about these crooks and their dealings with this corrupt business. Hmmmm! "
hawkiiis wrote on Dec 22, 2008 5:20 PM:
" Wow...What another hypocrytical column.
Oh Donna's quote from the 4th paragraph: "Instead of debate about ideas, we get name-calling and crass disgust." ...followed by once again labeling Conservatives as racists & sexists in paragraph 7, is a perfect example! "
Oh Donna's quote from the 4th paragraph: "Instead of debate about ideas, we get name-calling and crass disgust." ...followed by once again labeling Conservatives as racists & sexists in paragraph 7, is a perfect example! "
conservativeUS wrote on Dec 22, 2008 5:27 PM:
" Ms. Wood points out how the internet has caused all these right-wing flamers to post their beleifs. UH, didnt Al Gore invent the internet? How about some teeth whitener? didnt al invent that too? "
rooster wrote on Dec 22, 2008 7:35 PM:
" "Anonymous bloggers need to grow a spine and put their names out there." Sorry Ms. Wood. I've already had death threats from your cronies on these blogs. I don't need them having my name and address. "
xdfred wrote on Dec 23, 2008 10:14 AM:
" Is this a taste of Mz Woods version of progress?
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=84278 "
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=84278 "
timbrackett wrote on Dec 23, 2008 10:31 AM:
" funny story. last night at work a staunch conservative republican co-worker approached me and asked if i was the timbrackett who posts on the online courier. i readily admitted to being said person and was able to hold my head high as our conversation ended because i have made no comments here that would cause me to feel shame. this co-worker and i disagree on just about every political issue, but because of the nature of my comments he is neither angry or bitter towards me.
i sincerely wonder if some here (from the left and right) would be so willing have their true identities discovered by those they see or work with on a daily basis given some of the hateful rhetoric i read here on a daily basis. "
i sincerely wonder if some here (from the left and right) would be so willing have their true identities discovered by those they see or work with on a daily basis given some of the hateful rhetoric i read here on a daily basis. "
conservativeme wrote on Dec 23, 2008 12:21 PM:
" Please Mz. Wood, come down from your mountain top and see what the real people are thinking about. It will do you a world of good. "
xdfred wrote on Dec 23, 2008 1:05 PM:
" timbrackett wrote on Dec 23, 2008 10:31 AM:
" funny story. last night at work a staunch conservative republican co-worker approached me and asked if i was the timbrackett who posts on the online courier. i readily admitted to being said person and was able to hold my head high as our conversation ended because i have made no comments here that would cause me to feel shame. this co-worker and i disagree on just about every political issue, but because of the nature of my comments he is neither angry or bitter towards me.
i sincerely wonder if some here (from the left and right) would be so willing have their true identities discovered by those they see or work with on a daily basis given some of the hateful rhetoric i read here on a daily basis. "
I'll give you a dollar if I can be like you. "
" funny story. last night at work a staunch conservative republican co-worker approached me and asked if i was the timbrackett who posts on the online courier. i readily admitted to being said person and was able to hold my head high as our conversation ended because i have made no comments here that would cause me to feel shame. this co-worker and i disagree on just about every political issue, but because of the nature of my comments he is neither angry or bitter towards me.
i sincerely wonder if some here (from the left and right) would be so willing have their true identities discovered by those they see or work with on a daily basis given some of the hateful rhetoric i read here on a daily basis. "
I'll give you a dollar if I can be like you. "
hillbillytea wrote on Dec 26, 2008 10:54 AM:
" america was founded on christian principals but they also called for seperation of church and state.good thing scince nobody bothered to ask the africans what religin they belonged to when they were captured and bought over here. "
wcf reader wrote on Apr 13, 2009 8:39 AM:
" ms. wood and i will disagree on probably most of her and my political view points.
her list of what she feels she is entitled to is far longer than mine.
i expect to be treated fairly and equally, i expect to be kept safe from harm from others and i expect to have my individual freedoms not infringed upon from others and/or the govt.
yes, it would be great if everybody had a 25 dollar an hour job or more, but its not going to happen without the aid of inflation, unless people take some personal responsibility and show their employer that they have value.
dems have a way of arguing reasonable points, irrationally...thus i don't agree.
first, one must agree that one must perform labor to have capital, and understand that capital is distributed based on the value of the labor you perform.
it gets back to common sense. if people had common sense, we wouldn't have the situations we do. if people had common sense they would know that education is important and that if you want a well valued job, you must distinguish yourself from the pack by means of acheivement.
the fact is, if govt. wants to be my parental figure, then i at least expect them to treat all their children equally, and teach me some life lessons.
most would agree that good parenting is allowing for some personal freedoms and room to make mistakes. it also requires parents to teach those making mistakes, what mistakes they have made so that they can avoid making them in the future (ie learn from them). most would also agree a parent who hands their kids everything they ask is doing a diservice to that child...why do we let our govt. be that parent? "
her list of what she feels she is entitled to is far longer than mine.
i expect to be treated fairly and equally, i expect to be kept safe from harm from others and i expect to have my individual freedoms not infringed upon from others and/or the govt.
yes, it would be great if everybody had a 25 dollar an hour job or more, but its not going to happen without the aid of inflation, unless people take some personal responsibility and show their employer that they have value.
dems have a way of arguing reasonable points, irrationally...thus i don't agree.
first, one must agree that one must perform labor to have capital, and understand that capital is distributed based on the value of the labor you perform.
it gets back to common sense. if people had common sense, we wouldn't have the situations we do. if people had common sense they would know that education is important and that if you want a well valued job, you must distinguish yourself from the pack by means of acheivement.
the fact is, if govt. wants to be my parental figure, then i at least expect them to treat all their children equally, and teach me some life lessons.
most would agree that good parenting is allowing for some personal freedoms and room to make mistakes. it also requires parents to teach those making mistakes, what mistakes they have made so that they can avoid making them in the future (ie learn from them). most would also agree a parent who hands their kids everything they ask is doing a diservice to that child...why do we let our govt. be that parent? "
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3192321608 wrote on Dec 21, 2008 10:35 AM:
America was founded on "Christian" principles and you sound Anti-Christlike. I'm glad you don't speak for all of us. "