At the bed and breakfast table sat a dyed-in-the-wool liberal and leader in the Democratic Party of Austin, a gracious hostess with a PhD in historical architecture, a couple celebrating their anniversary weekend, three of my friends, and I. We all had varying degrees of differences in our political views-- even among my friends and me. But that made a great mix for conversation, and we enjoyed it very much.
We even delved into the risky waters of politics, but that was interesting and even enjoyable because everyone remained civil, which seems to be a lost art in our world today. The liberal woman made a really good point about everyone needing to pay their part for education-- not just the property owners. I hadn't really thought about that before, other than the fact that property owners pay for everyone else's education year after year, and that didn't seem fair. If she had stated her opinion in a hateful way or even in a condescending, speaking down to everyone like we were stupid, I wouldn't have heard a word she said. But she stated her points succinctly and respectfully, and it made sense.
I get so tired of the ugliness on both sides of the aisle in politics, and especially on social media. When one woman posted on Facebook that President Obama had visited her son's school and actually patted her son's head, she said she regretted prematurely treating her son's head for lice, or something ugly to that effect. Shocking to read, isn't it, my liberal friends.
But actually, it was former President George Bush that had visited her son's school and had patted her son's head that she had made tacky statement about. How does it feel now?
Whatever side you're on, or even it you're in the middle, that statement should make you feel uncomfortable, no matter whom it was directed towards. Or the vicious cycle continues.
I can't look at that woman's posts now and consider anything she says as valid. I can say the same about those folks who pass on damaging rumors without even checking to see if they are true.
How are we ever going to come together and accomplish anything for the good of our country, our state, our community, our churches, schools and organizations, and even our own families if we can't be civil expressing our views and beliefs and ideas?
Speak with hate to attract other haters and to be avoided by everyone else.
Speak with wisdom and hate to be muted and disregarded.
Speak with wisdom and respect to be heard and considered.
