Nov 25 2008
How To Disagree About Politics and Be Taken Seriously
It seems that many people here and on other blogging networks love to write and share their political views for the world to see. I haven’t agreed with everything I have read and I’m sure there are people who have disagreed with me.
However, I do see a lot of people who feel that a viewpoint other than their own is something akin to a sin against nature or something that must be destroyed as soon as possible.
I know that I’m guilty of letting my emotion or personal opinion getting the better of me sometimes, but for the most part I try to keep it on track. Sure, my political leanings are to the left, but I don’t mind taking shots at any place on the political spectrum - show me a politician who hasn’t done something worthy of criticism and I’ll….well, it doesn’t matter what I’ll do, because they don’t exist.
With that in mind, here are some suggestions to keep in mind for entering into a political debate and wanting to be taken seriously, or at least have your opinion heard.
1) No name calling - It’ s one thing to call an opinion “stupid” or worse, it’s another to call the person who has said opinion “stupid” or worse. For example, a lot of people called Sarah Palin stupid for some of the things attributed to her during the campaign. In my opinion, there are many things she said which I believe are misguided, or even wrong. But the woman is far from an idiot. Imagine a friend of yours or even your child saying something to you which you believe wholeheartedly to be incorrect. Would you call them derogatory names? Probably not.
2)Do your research - Whenever I hear something scandalous or astounding coming out about a politician, I do two things.
First, I look at the source. Michael Moore and Rush Limbaugh, as two such examples, are both entertaining to certain groups and both have large followings. Both also have well known political leanings and as such, must not simply be believed without question.
The second thing I’ll do is look for an objective opinion, particularly when it comes to political ads. There are plenty of places out there to find out how “truthy” these are, just try googling them. Barring that, look at critiques of ads from both sides and try and judge for yourself.
3) No potty mouth - A lot of times it isn’t the message that I object to (even if I disagree with it), it’s the way the message is being conveyed. Swearing at me doesn’t show me how passionate you are so much as show me how unstable you are.
4) Vote! - You wouldn’t believe the number of times I’ve has someone strongly disagree with me, or criticize some politician/political party and when I’ve asked them whether or not they’ve voted, they say they don’t bother.
If you want me to respect and listen to your opinions when it comes to politics, you have to at least be a participant in the process
Very good point. A lot of people act like their opinions are the ONLY opinions possible, and that you’re an idiot if you differ with them. There’s such a thing of “agreeing to disagree” with respect.
I agree with this in principle, but in practice, at least my own practice, I would fail in two out of four “rules”. I swear, a lot, like I’m the offspring of a trucker and a sailor. And I’m certainly not above name-calling. But the majority of my pieces fall into the categories of partisan politics, op-eds, and fake news, so I feel as if I’m allowed to use name-calling and curse words in those genres.
When I actually engage in a political discourse, I’m usually much more calm. What I think you have to realize is that as bloggers, we’re here to share our particular point of view. If that ruffles feathers, so be it. Them internets is the ultimate bar, and as such, we are merely barroom philosophers-some learned, some decidedly not. We can decide whom to debate by the nature of their writing.
I’ve found that most people that have a dissenting opinion from mine are the ones that follow lockstep in their own ideology. The ones that disagree with parts of what I have to say welcome a discussion without ad hominem and dismissive statements.
I guess it’s a pick your battles type of thing.
@threedegrees
I fail at some of the rules myself from time to time. And within the context of humour and within the blogosphere, it’s hard to stick to them one-hundred percent of the time.
The post was more meant in general terms. From time to time there are issues that touch you in a way that remaining calm and objective aren’t possible. I just think the more you are able to stick to the suggestions, the more you’ll be able to be heard.
Thanks for your response.