Politics
Little Green Lies
In response to news of hackers accessing documents and email from the Climatic Research Unit at theUniversity of East Anglia, England,
Will Al Gore’s Oscar be taken back?
In all seriousness, his points were disputed at the time, but naysayers could get no respect. Mainstream media folk couldn’t wrap their heads around Gore’s being wrong, nor could the champions of the environmental cause fathom their efforts might be in vain. Heaven forbid anyone suggest that Mother Nature or God or Allah or fate or destiny might be just a tad more powerful than we mere mortals. Our climate is changing all the time, as it did prior to the industrial revolution. Forget the global warm-up following the little ice age, forget that the 1940s through 1970s were a tremendous cooling, bound to end at some point, forget that this planet has had measurable high periods and low periods, times of great weather disturbance and times of climatic calm, forget history and details and truth. Those points are all too boring; they don’t sell well; they don’t incite better treatment of our planet.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve gone green with the best of them. In many ways, I already was. I walk everywhere I can, or take public transportation. I turn out lights, unplug appliances, open the fridge door just once to take everything out or put everything back. I light candles, keep the heat low, seal my windows, wear extra layers, and use half-sheet paper towels. Don’t get my family or former roommates started on my ruthless recycling. I’m on an energy star computer, which goes nicely with my energy star printer, tv, dvd player, and lamps. I reduce, reuse, recycle, and even call junk-mail producers to have them remove my name from their lists. (All those AmEx “preapproved” offers kill trees faster than kudzo.)
I’m not suggesting we stop finding alternatives to our habitually wasteful ways. I am suggesting the fear-mongers zip their traps. They’re unconfident that they can inspire care for our planet on the principle it’s a good idea – doing good hardly spreads like a cool, new pop tune. But to take the fear-instilling approach, based wholly on false and inflamed ‘data’ is to tell the population of the planet a huge, compost heap of green lies. Lying to get what you want, in this case Earth-friendly behavior, is usually a great way to make sure no one ever believes you again (if they listen to you again at all). Why not have some faith and conviction in the idea that gong green is great for our wallets and our planet? Why not try selling the lifestyle on its actual merit, and resist the urge to give the public more reason to distrust scientists and the government?
If this green-going-gang would put a recycled newspaper in it, they’d emit less carbon. Isn’t that what we’re all after anyway?
Self Reverence
Howard Fineman is dead-on with his Newsweek piece about President Obama’s painfully frequent television appearances.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/216210
I could not agree more with his parenthetical note of the President’s “self-reverential” tone. Mr Obama does so often have a rather cocky countenance. He appears not only pleased with himself, but downright impressed. His tone of voice is too frequently condescending for my taste. He seems to think that everyone else in the entire international political community is beneath him. He even addresses us, his employers, as though we are not smart enough to understand what he really wants to say. There is a huge difference between making complex information comprehensive for the masses, and sounding like you think the audience is simplistic. Whatever doesn’t go his way, he starts pointing fingers like a siblings who each cry, “but he started it!” The perpetual incomplete state of his health care plan is Congress’ fault; they aren’t doing his job. Everything related to foreign policy is Bush’s fault. Underemployment and inability to put food on the table are the fault of hard-working people who fail to ’share their wealth.’ Mr President, it’s time to be a leader. A leader holds himself accountable, takes on problems one at a time, sees them through to the end, hires people with clean and relevant records, and always knows where every penny is going. A leader talks little, works a lot, and makes an appearance after the accomplishment is complete. A leader would praise his team and thank his supporters. A leader does not praise himself for setting lofty goals. A leader does not take on all challenges at once, then blame everyone around him for his lack of success. No leader asks millions of voters to hire him to be different from the last leader, and then upon receiving the job, complain that job comes with problems from his predecessor. He asked us to give him the problems of our country, and he promised us he could fix them! Now he’s eight months in, and he’s still complaining that his job is hard. Insert Debbie Downer sound effects here.
With three years and change to go, let’s hope that Mr Obama is a learner, a listener and an adapter. He must change his style and his tune to get the job done.
Blue Staters vs Red Staters
Growing up in Massachusetts and attending public schools, I certainly know a thing or two about life in a Blue State. I went to a private university in a Purple State (Swing State), where I was a student during my first presidential election as a voter. I’m now living in Georgia - still Red, for now. There are countless traits, beliefs, habits, and even mannerisms that define liberals and conservatives. From the stereotypes, like pro-choice liberals, to the surprises, like gay Christians, I have often felt there is one defining quality of each side’s mannerisms that is unavoidable and inarguable. Conservatives have a nice attitude; liberals have a nasty attitude.
As I’ve said before, I’m a registered Independent. This isn’t about the politicians; rather, it’s about their cheering section. Similarly, I haven’t met any Pittsburgh Steelers players. I mean no insult to them, but their fans are annoying. Seriously, a towel is not terrible. It won’t harm anyone. It does not make you tough or intimidating.
In social situations, conservatives rarely identify themselves as registered Republicans. They don’t announce their political views, nor do they ask for yours. They don’t criticize or join in political conversations. They don’t tend to care what you believe, or at least they don’t make an issue of it if they disagree.
Liberals, on the other hand, are notoriously aggressive. The liberals in my life from early grade school, through high school and college, to my staff and clients, have all shared that personality trait. They’re in your face. They need to tell you what they believe, that their view is correct, and they demand that you respond. If you agree, surprisingly, they get more animated. Are they hoping that together you’ll start a riot? If you disagree, they rip you apart, dis you and your family, and tell anyone they know that you are not an equal. We live in a free country, thankfully, and it’s nothing new to state that with that freedom must come a patient acceptance of everyone else’s freedom. I’m never one to cast blanket statements on whole groups of people, but I honestly cannot think of a demure, mild-mannered liberal in my life. And there are lots of liberals in my life. This idea of political personalities came up when I went out this past weekend in Atlanta. One of the new people I’ve met here put to words what I’ve been thinking for some time: “Liberals are rude.” For all their preaching of diversity and tolerance, acceptance and equality, they truly cannot tolerate those whose opinions differ from their own. They truly believe that liberals and conservatives are not equal. Liberals are superior, and the inferiors must be weeded out. It enrages me.
When election time rolls around, I get countless emails and phone calls from the left. These people aren’t asking me if I need any information before casting my vote; no, they’re telling me how to vote. They tell me whom to choose, which way to vote on ballot questions, and ask me to pass the message on. Ever been into a department store and had every sales clerk approach you with the same spiel? Ever been asked more than once by the waiter if you would like to order the special? The more someone pushes something in my face, the more I push back. I turn and run from people who don’t respect my independence. As a swing voter, you should be trying to win me, not tick me off. Here’s a tip for the left: BE NICE.
People initially join the bullies to avoid getting bullied. No one wants to be the loser if he can avoid it. In time, more and more levelheaded people band together and the bullies go down. I may be young, but this is a trend that’s not rocket science to observe in daily life and in the longer term political picture. I predict a big loss for Democrats in the coming years. Not the next election, necessarily, but a loss in registered Dems. I see a a growing number of Independents, Libertarians, and other minor parties. The cocky, ego-driven mindset of the liberal left is catching up with them.
Let’s all hope this humbles them, rather than enraging them further.
Please, post comments or email me at owner@purpleplease.net.
Globe on Gates
It is absolutely appalling for anyone to comment on this without all the details. What detail would help us? Maybe, the police report. Oh, but the Boston Globe pulled it off their website because of what it reveals. It is the media’s job to distribute facts for readers/viewers process on their own. Hiding the facts speaks volumes.
I think Gates hasn’t filed a lawsuit because he knows he has no case. He needs the media to stop harping on this issue, so that it fades from memory before people realize he never filed suit. If backed into a corner, I think he’ll claim to take the moral high ground. He’ll say he’s not filing a suit because he’s above the back-and-forth. He’ll take credit for ending the cycle, being the bigger person and being forgiving. He (and the Gov and the Pres) have forever tarnished the name of an accomplished, honest, respected officer.
