The Last Crucifixion of Internet Civility
After a month absence, I felt the need to write a blog entry. I have been working, writing papers and commenting on others blogs, mostly politics oddly enough. I needed to write this because it has become perfectly clear to me that there is a large and very destructive force that has grown on the internet. It is called blogging in general, but, it is the subset of blogs that pretend to be open minded political discussion forums that are truly frightening.
The “Change” that President Obama talked about in the campaign was to decry the highly partisan lack of civility in Washington. I now believe this is a foolish and false hope. After years of mentally blaming Washington for the growing lack of civility, I am trying to avoid words like rude and ignorant, I find that they are simply the reflection of the vocal majority of partisans across the web.
How could any politician be civil, and honest for that matter, about what he thinks about any bill, platform plank or idea when the new age reporters will pillory any deviation from the acceptable line? Pillory is a nice way to put it.
Most frightening to me is that it doesn’t matter what the topic is, the self righteous are all over it. There are excellent fact and opinion blog entries, with a measured mix of those two things. The subsequent conversation goes immediately to partisan lines and then ultimately to two views:
1) Republicans (conservatives) lie and don’t care about anyone and want to keep everything for the rich
2) Democrats (liberals) are not so secret socialists who want to give everything to everybody except the rich
I really don’t care what the topic is, this will be the last word.
Unfortunately this has become the new tv talk show. Fox is bad, MSNBC is awful, talk radio is worse and now we have dashed my hopess for the last bastion of reasonable discourse.
So, my point? I have been criticized because what I write here is opinion, mine, so it is not relevant. I then participate over time in blog after blog where, in the absence of any qualms, partisans spend hours arranging facts to suit their opinion, dismissing other facts (usually using the source as the excuse) and creating a teeming circle of self indulgent groupies agreeing on each topic with gusto.
I am sure i will continue to search for the reasonable and honest forum of open minded people, I just have much less faith that they exist.
I would list the blogs but just find one, anyone, and view the future of America. Discordant people more willing to call someone a name than listen to a well crafted opinion based on a common set of facts. But mostly you need to remember, so you don’t get caught off guard on your internet etiquette:
1) Republicans (conservatives) lie (always) and don’t care about anyone and want to keep everything for the rich
2) Democrats (liberals) are not so secret socialists who want to give everything to everybody except the rich who should pay for everything
Oh yeah, if you disagree with the above, then you are lying or have a motive beyond your words. So be careful, you don’t want to step out of line and have a real discussion.
