On Civil Discourse

It seems to me that the pulse of civil discourse is thin, erratic and weak. The fact is that civil discourse is dying of old age. Its time, it seems, has come and gone. One can no longer disagree without offending someone, some cause, some special interest, or some sensibility. It is best to open one's mouth as little as possible, to utililize language only when necessary to obtain life's absolute necessities.

When sick it is necessary to at least offer the doctor some information regarding symptoms. When asked a question it is necessary to make a polite reply, but to do more is dangerous. To actually voice an opinion is very dangerous.

The cost of an opinion could well be one's career, one's reputation, one's status in the community. It is best to pretend that no one opinion is any better than any other opinion. It is best not to judge anything or anyone. One can be labeled, and once labeled one's life will change.

I don't want to be labeled as a Democrat, a Republican, a Conservative, a Liberal, a Chauvanist, a Bigot, or any of the other numerous labels. I do want to be able to hold a reasoned opinion and to voice my opinion without being castigated for having done so. I want to engage in civil dIscourse in order that my views can be heard and examined and in order to hear and examine the views of others. I cannot learn from others if I do not know what they think, feel and believe. They cannot learn from me if my thoughts and ideas are immediately rejected upon some partisan grounds.

I am weary of having to listen to radio talk show hosts, CNN, Fox, pundits, political operatives and government officials in an effort to be an informed citizen. Fox is partisan, CNN is partisan, Talk Show hosts are partisan. The narrative they weave is a partisan narrative designed only to pursuade. This is not intellectual discourse and it is certainly not civil.

I would like to have a reasoned, respectful and civil discourse with those with whom I disagree. For instance, I would like to be able to say that I do believe that our nation is moving towards Socialism without being attacked as a moronic alarmist. Perhaps we should be moving in that direction. Socialism is a term, it has a definition, it is neither moral or immoral or necessarily right or wrong. It is simply a form of government. It is not a four letter word. I might be convinced to take a different view by a reasoned argument.

I feel that it is ill advised to tell an enemy, in advance, that my forces will engage for eighteen months and then come home. It seems to me to be a poor strategy; still, I might be convinced by a reasoned argument.

I feel that Afghanistan bears a good deal of resemblance to Vietnam. I know that the Vietnam war could have been won. The definition of won is straightforward. The communists would not have taken over the administration of the country and one million persons would not have been killed or imprisoned when we left. I feel that the war in Afghanistan can be won. I have a reasoned argument in support of my views, but I dare not pose it too often or I will be labeled.

I feel that the rules of engagement in Afghanistan should be changed. I cannot understand why we do not employ cruise and tomahawk missiles to destroy Taliban strongholds. I cannot understand why we do not attack any position in which we find the enemy, whether it be a private home, Mosque or otherwise. I do not understand why many Americans think that our presence in Afghanistan is not justified. I cannot imagine why we do not put more pressure on the Pakistani government; still, I might think otherwise if I could have a civil discourse with someone who thinks differently and who presents a well reasoned argument.

I do not understand why our President was not more impassioned in his speech at West Point. I cannot fathom how anyone could have watched the reaction of the cadets in the audience and not observed how little they empathized with the President's speech. I don't think they wanted to hear about the cost of prosecuting the war, especially in light of the huge expenditures that have occurred both during the Bush administration and now in the Obama administration. I think they would rather have liked to have a rousing, committed, and heartfelt committment to prosecute and win the war in Afghanistan. Again, to win, is straightforward. The Taliban is destroyed, Bin Laden is killed along with all his cadre, Pakistan is cleared of terrorists, and the threat of terroism to the United States is repelled. I don't think they wanted to hear that we will play until halftime, forfeit the game, and come home; still, I might be convinced by a civil and reasoned argument.

It would have been fine with me if the President had simply said, "this war was a bad idea and I am bringing the troops home." It is the half measures that I question.

Is there anyone out there who wants to engage in civil discourse?

Comments

[Dennis Palmer]

Amen,allow our soldiers to fight and win or quit and bring them home.