"Yes, we need to stop this....after Republicans
get a taste of their own medicine for a few years." - PCS
"An eye for an eye would make the whole world blind." - Mahatma Gandhi
I don't recall ever using a quote from the comments section for a blog, but after serious consideration I decided to proceed. I never edit any of the responses in the comments section, and that leads to some lively discussion. Vive la difference!
The quote above is from a regular visitor with whom I share many differences, as well as many similarities. The "this" he's referencing is partisanship. The quote was in response to the previous post, "Why Can't We Debate?". You can take a look there if you want to see the entire thread before continuing.
If you were to take the quote at face value, you would have to come to the conclusion that patriotism is when you care more about revenge against the other party than you do about the welfare of the nation?
I don't believe PCS feels that way; not in a million years. Beneath that mind-numbing liberalism beats the heart of one who loves America. In the midst of verbal sparring, one often says things that, given time and thought, they would probably revise. If you've read some of my previous posts you'll see that I am as guilty as the next man.
The need to "get even" is something we learn early in life - it's certainly not innate. Just for the heck of it, I went to Google and typed in "revenge" and there are websites dedicated to the "art of revenge". Some of them are directed at ex-spouses; most just dedicated to responding to a perceived injury or insult. It kind of took me by surprise, as revenge is not something I consider in the course of an average day; I would have to guess it's the same for most folks.
"There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness." Josh Billings US Humorist (1818 - 1885)
I have never been introduced to Mr. Billings previously. It turns out that was his Nome de plume, his real name being Henry Wheeler Shaw, and he was a well known humorist with a number of attributable quotes. Just an FYI.
When we argue with our significant other, especially in the early stages of marriage. the argument of the moment can easily escalate by opening the closet door and dragging out past grievances for display. You don't need to be a psychiatrist or a marriage counselor to know that type of argument rarely solves anything, and only leads to continued, contentious stalemate.
It seems to me it works the same way in politics.
It seems ridiculously naive to suggest that Congress accomplish anything prior to the August recess, but seeing as how they work for us, does it seem that much to ask?
Oil prices continue to fall; whether you wish to ascribe the reason to the President's lifting of the offshore drilling ban, or Congressional threats to investigate speculators. I believe that the majority of Americans want to use all of our resources, but based on political considerations, the majority party refuses to act.
It also reeks of naiveté to suggest that they could act any differently, on either side of the aisle, since we perceive most of them as only being interested in being elected and staying there.
I, for one, think it's time they kept their butts in their seats and worked all through August if they have to.
The vast majority of Americans are responsible people. They live their lives to the best of their ability, raise families, and would never do anything to intentionally harm the welfare of their fellow citizens.
We have to trust each other:
Trust in the fact that demonstrating a desire to work together will bring oil prices down even further.
Trust in the fact that most environmentalists are reasonable people, and their concern about the environment is not only genuine, but most often beneficial to future generations.
Trust in the fact that the men and women who make up the oil companies, coal companies, nuclear power companies, and natural gas companies do their utmost to protect the environment, dedicating millions of dollars to research and development of cleaner, safer technologies.
Trust in the fact that there is nothing we can't accomplish as a nation once we set our minds to it. We have the resources and some of the best brain power in the world.
Trust in the fact that forgiveness is the balm of progress.
Hopefully, someday, hydrogen power will prove to be the panacea. If you click on the title of this piece you'll be taken to a site called "Global:Ideas:Bank", where you can find some interesting information on the progress that's being made, as well as some of the problems that researchers are trying to overcome.
PCS, I'd like to thank you for giving me the idea for this piece. I have come to appreciate your frankness, as well as your ability to use your rapier-like wit. You can't enjoy writing without appreciating witty replies. I'd be happy to share some bull and a beer with you anytime.
Can you imagine Congress sitting around, having a beer and actually trying to accomplish something? I'm not sure how many "happy drunks", or "miserable drunks" there are on Capitol Hill, so we'd have one of two outcomes, both of which would benefit the country:
1.) The "happy drunks" are in the majority and progress is achieved.
2.) The "miserable drunks" beat the hell out of each other, are arrested, put in jail, and new folks are elected to take their places. Progress is achieved.
One more quote from Josh Billings for my fellow bloggers:
"About the most originality that any writer can hope to
achieve honestly is to steal with good judgment."
Makes sense to me.
7 comments:
In 1968 as a bunch of college kids were getting whacked by Chicago's finest at the behest of Jerry Rubin, the Democratic party was inside the International Ampitheater committing ritual suicide. Who can forget Sen. Abe Ribicoff castigating Mayor Daley from the rostrum and Mayor Daley (another Chicago Ward Heeler) standing in the crowd obviously screaming , "F**k you" back at the Senator. The Democrats have never recovered from that seminal moment. Yes, they elected Billy's brother Jimmy and Hillary's husband Bill, but they are still paying the price for that original circular firing squad. The current antics of Nancy and Harry are just the latest incarnation of the Democrats institutional inferiority complex. They have to blame their inability to get thier act together on something, so they might as well blame the Rebooblicans while they are really taking it out on the folks. It is beginning to look more and more that they are going to sink Obama's chances with their continuing foolishness and leave us with the oldest president in our history. I just hope McCain picks a good veep.
Do you really think McCain has a chance? What happened to the straight talking McCain of 2000? A man who at the time I thought would make a far better President than Bush. McCain has become complete and utter scum in his campaign to become President. Yet I doubt he has reached his nadir of nastiness and half-truths in his campaign. I'
m starting to believe that the "swiftboat" campaign of 4 years ago will be seen in retrospect as a pretty mild campaign. I swear that I will never vote for a Democrat or Republican that questions another persons patriotism.
Watson, I know that you are a forgiving Christian. But you expect Democrats to forgive even as you write post after post castigating them. Where is the forgiveness there?
As for quotes ... how about this one?
"An eye for an eye would make the whole world blind." - Mahatma Gandhi
As a card-carrying, bible believing Christian you should be all about "an eye for an eye". Of course the saying predates the bible and means that the law should provide equitable retribution for the offended party. Where is the equitable retribution for the Democrats? We are citizens and patriots of this country and we feel the Republican-led Congress has truly screwed us over. Ok, let's forget about revenge and just ask for "an eye for an eye".
I agree on the patriotism issue. Do I think McCain stands a chance? I think he will win! Not because he is the best candidate or better than Obama or because some spectre-like Rovist conspiracy will besmurch Obama. I think he will win for three reasons: 1) The Democratic Party simply cannot run an effective presidential campaign without multiple foot wounds. Wheteher its Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Nancy Pelosi of Harry Reid. Someone will say something that will screw the pooch. 2) Other than the mantra of "Change" and "Yes we can", Obama has no platform to run on. He has no political experience. His rock-star persona will take him up through the conventions. When things get rough I think he will be revealed as an empty suit being manipulated by the liberal arm of the Democratic Party. 3) Sad to say (and I sincerely mean this), racism still runs deep in this country. On election day there will be many Americans who, once they are alone in the voting booth, will not vote for a black man with a funny name. We simply have not come that far yet. I am no fan of McCain and I hope I am wrong, but I fear I am not.
PCS: "An eye for an eye" is Old Testament, not the teaching of Jesus Christ. How can one not castigate Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the rest of the Dems for scurrying out of town without doing anything. The Rep's have said they'll stay in town, and they'll go along with the crusade against speculators and research alternative energy sources, all the Dems have to do is what the latest polls show 75% of Americans want - start drilling here. If I were only concerned about the Rep Party, I'd encourage you and all other Dem's to continue to disregard what the people want and see what happens in November. At this point, I don't give a rat's ass about who gets elected, other than for President; I'd just like to see them stay in D.C. until they come up with a plan that uses everything we've got. Not some plan that only satisfies the far left wing of the Democrat faithful. As far as your obvious inability to forgive, forget, and move on - I'll pray for you and you can do the same for me.
Typical "pick and choose" Christian.
I "choose" to "pick" you as a friend - God Bless You!
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