Anyone who believes that every individual film must present a "balanced" picture, knows nothing about either balance or pictures.
--Edward Murrow
Democracy is a great conversation, a community defined by the scope and substance of its discourse.
--James David Barber
"Believing is seeing and not the other way around."
--Errol Morris
"There are in fact no masses; there are only ways of seeing people as masses.”
--Raymond Williams
The email to me:
Those quotes are nice, but what you all dont realize is that I, you, or any other average American had nothing to do with all the evil stuff that has happened in our country, but the average American has for decades been the first to help all around the world. So when you all teach about hating America and then trying to tear it all down with redistribution around the world, you are actually hurting decent hard working Americans. Not the Politicians who cut under the table deals to secure themselves and their the families. This country is filled with wonderful people who want the government to back off and stop with the regulations. Everyone is not equal and people who work hard and love the way their country is, should not be punished. There was a Socialist party back in the early 1900's and the country sent them running to blend in with both Republicans and Democrats. If the government doesnt stop,(being a innocent bystander), there will be a rebellion. Obama got the benefit of the doubt back in 08 because we where fed up with Bush. But the Dems have abused their power very badly and they will be held accountable. This time period will be in the History books as when America decided to squash Socialism and the liberal philosophy. Its ok, we just need to clean up both parties and the "Tea Party", I think will do both.
My response:
1) We are citizens of this country, and as such, we are complicit when we do nothing to stop the evil that our country does. A quote from Howard Zinn in regards to your claim that "average Americans" are not responsible for the evil their country does
2) There is no such mythical creature as the “average American.” Try to use specific examples if you want to illustrate your points.
3) Who is the “all” you are referring to… you are writing to one person. Can you supply me with your understanding of who these “all” are and why you would insist on lumping me in with them—rather than responding to me as an individual?
4) What “evil stuff” has/is happened/happening in our country (or that we are doing overseas)? Can you explain what you mean when you say this?
5) You state: “So when you all teach about hating America and then trying to tear it all down with redistribution around the world, you are actually hurting decent hard working Americans.” Do you have knowledge of my teaching or are you making gross assumptions? If you have experienced my teaching perhaps it would be helpful if you supplied concrete examples? Is criticism of one’s country (or anything else) necessarily hatred? Does a parent that works with their children to correct destructive behaviors hateful of that child?
6) How would redistribution tear down our country—can you explain? Are you trying to make the claim that our country depends (and was created upon) inequality and injustice? Interesting claim ;)
7) How am I hurting “hard working decent Americans” and can you provide me with a concrete example of how I am doing this?
8) Who are these “wonderful people”?
9) Is regulation a bad thing? Can you provide me with specific examples? Are you able to imagine how regulation could be necessary or good?
10) How are people “who work hard” hurt by my understanding of the equality of people? Have you read our country’s foundational document “The Declaration of Independence”? How does that jive with your claim?
11) You state: “There was a Socialist party back in the early 1900's and the country sent them running to blend in with both Republicans and Democrats.” You have no understanding of this history. I would be willing to provide you a reading list if you were truly interested about this—kind of get to know your enemy. As it is right now you are so clearly uninformed about what you are talking about, that you couldn’t convince anyone of your points (unless you are talking to people equally ignorant of these histories). Once again, my goal is the development of critical thinking and historically informed citizens, it doesn’t matter to me that you have different views.
12) “If the government doesnt stop,(being a innocent bystander), there will be a rebellion.” Vague statement that is ridiculous in its simplicity. Take some time to explain what you are talking about here? “Doesn’t stop” what? What “rebellion”? By whom/where/how/why? I truly want to know—can you explain for me?
13) Would you care to explain what the Tea Party stands for and what it will do for us?
14) Do you use any government service? Any—should we get rid of them?
15) Have you read Matt Taibbi’s latest article on the Tea Party in KY? Here it is, feel free to comment on it if you want—of course try to read it all the way through and if you want to debate his points try to use specific examples
Last, but definitely not least, I would like to encourage you to understand political discussions/dialogues as an opportunity to engage with different ideas, to interact with people who are different than you, and to refine your own ideas. Try not to shut the rest of the world out--those that are different than you and/or those that think differently. Otherwise you will miss out on a lot ...
Peace,
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