I've had a really hard time this past weekend, trying to get between friends who sit on opposite sides of the political aisle and stopping them from exercising what seem to be deep-seated pet bigotries, intolerances, and hard feelings... over what may or may not have been the motives of the AZ gunman. Attempts to get them talking *to* one another and not *at* one another were wholly unsuccessful. Another acquaintance quipped, "It's got pretty bad, Matt, when things are so bad *you're* the one urging moderation and being level-headed." I'm not sure if it was backhanded compliment, a full-on insult, or something else. Of course, many of the people I know believe my politics are crazy, "out there" or that at the very least I'm quite misguided.
That said, I believe I'm at the point I truly grieve for my native country. I don't believe people are going crazy, as some do. No. I believe a great many people are behaving publicly the way they have acted and thought privately.
Civilization requires work, maintenance, self and collective discipline from the civilized. Take it for granted, and you may well be finished -- and by your own self or collective hand.
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Date: 2011-01-10 03:08 pm (UTC)That said, I believe I'm at the point I truly grieve for my native country. I don't believe people are going crazy, as some do. No. I believe a great many people are behaving publicly the way they have acted and thought privately.
Civilization requires work, maintenance, self and collective discipline from the civilized. Take it for granted, and you may well be finished -- and by your own self or collective hand.