41. Did You Understand the Barack Obama Piece?
Barack Obama
It’s very important to the grasp of Powerful Peace that I clear this up. I don’t take any pleasure in one side humiliating the other; quite the opposite. I know being centrist still means being in the minority in the US, but it’s my belief that if I “lean right” or “lean left” according to political inclinations, I’ll put myself in some danger of falling down. In fact, I stand straight up in the middle, and measure each issue on its merit, not basing my opinions on what some affiliation tells me I should think and decide.
Please let me know if you share this vision. Sometimes this position of listening to all sides, and respecting all persons for the inherent value of their point of view, seems pretty lonely.
Article #39 is an observation on the profound nature of the world’s opinion of us, and our opinion of ourselves, as it relates to the election of this unique individual. Please do review it in this context: Barack Obama: 9/12 and 11/5.
Copyright © 2008 by Jack Oatmon. All rights reserved.
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I find it interesting that because I have strongly defined beliefs that I may be relegated to being a lemming (”not basing my opinions on what some affiliation tells me I should think and decide”). I think (those who know me may debate that point) that just because I support a certain side, that does not mean I’m lockstep with them. I more and more see elections as a choice between the lesser of two evils.
I am not resigned to voting for a party because it’s MY party. I am inclined to vote for the party that most closely reflects my values. The choices this time were very close to 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other.
The only thing that caused me to vote the way I did was the fact that the supreme court may be seeing a couple of retirements this go around. I’m in favor of constructionist judges, not those who whittle away at a constitution I spent 20 years of my life defending. Just personal opinion.
I am quite familiar with Mr. Oatmon, he is a dear friend and I hold him in very high esteem. That being said, I think the following 2 axioms are very appropriate: If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. : If you stand in the middle of the road you will get run over.
Mr Oatmon DOES stand for great ideals, but his domestic political ideas have always made me do a double take of the mind.
Although your comment may appear to oppose what I’ve written, Eric, I completely agree with everything you wrote – except for the universal applicability of the two axioms.
I agree that just supporting a party does not mean that an individual is a lemming, because typically a person does line up on the issues more on one side than the other. You highlighted an important idea.
I also felt that this contest was “6…and a half dozen”. That’s where I was as we got closer to election day, and I really gave each candidate (and the outside parties, as well) a thorough scrutinizing.
Your comment is especially valuable because it illustrated how what I intended to say can sound like something else. I didn’t mean to imply that everyone who favors a party is mindless, but that some people mindlessly support parties. I’m sure every reader could agree that it’s possible to be irresponsibly supportive of a person. Hitler had quite a following and, probably, a lot of those guys had second thoughts as they saw the devastation unfold…but many chose to follow the herd against their own conscience.
Here’s an example – Rush Limbaugh has a large fan base, and many among them are good friends of mine. Unfortunately, a handful of these admirers call themselves “Ditto Heads” to emphasize that they put so much trust in Rush that it pretty much doesn’t matter what he says any more. They agree, regardless. That’s a frightening power.
Mr. Limbaugh, if you’re reading this I hope you don’t take it as an attack. In fact, I agree with some of your points. I also agree with some of the points of your arch-rival, Al Franken.
THAT’s where Powerful Peace is found. Extreme polarization is very destructive to basic human dignity, common courtesy, and a mutual effort to carry the population forward. In the United States, we should agree to be Americans first and strive to make a better America with the give and take modeled by our founders. Spewing venom at one another instead of dialoguing on solutions sends a very different message to the world…and especially to our children.
Oh, and for the readership, as far as being a dear friend is concerned: I agree with that most of all. During our service as SEALs Eric and I put our lives in each other’s hands without hesitation. I believe that the willingness to debate, while fiercely holding the deepest respect and care for a friend, may be the finest illustration of true Powerful Peace.