While many people feel righteous by hurling vitriolic comments and retaliatory responses to opposing political views, the fact is that in doing so, we are degrading ourselves and each other while diminishing our collective power by reinforcing distrust and division.
When we are divided - Who wins?
There is a sickening proliferation of four-letter words used to describe people on the left and right of the political discourse. Those on the Left will defend their position because they have been maligned by the Right with falsehoods and twisted facts. Those on the Right claim the same thing and can easily point to some of the most offensive words used to describe their intellectual acumen by the Left and the insulting rhetoric hurled to their most prominent political figures.
Very few of us would be able to pinpoint the exact moment the first offensive insult was hurled because this type of hateful rhetoric has been in place for far too long and passed on from parents to children without questioning.
We are inviting everyone who still has a sense of propriety, common sense and a modicum of class to join us in "starving the beast" by ignoring, blocking, or avoiding retaliating against celebrities who, rightly or wrongly, seem to be representative heads or mouth pieces of a political party.
As women we should be appalled at the names being used to describe the Alaskan celebrity. As women, we request that our cherished male friends would join us in avoiding the slurs and using her name.
If we are to have civilized discourse we must admit that this type of communication must be replaced with truth, facts and respect.
The woman that shall remain nameless from here on out, has done nothing positive to enhance our lives, our communities or our Country in the minds of many. However, she does not deserve to be used as a sick form of entertainment, nor as a repository of our frustrations or ill will. Our National discourse is not a game.
THE GAME
Radio and television personalities make their millions by keeping listeners engaged. Some use fear and hatred to do so, others retaliate with hate, and relentless sound bites. Both sides are engaged in a game mentality of "us" vs. "them". This is good for profits, but harmful to America, our families, and ourselves.
The line was crossed a long time ago and talk radio can no longer be considered entertainment, nor should it ever be considered news.
Both radio and television have an "off" button. We can refuse to purchase anything advertised on those show. We can get off the couch and vote. We can verify the information that we hear by using reputable sources that can show proof of their statements. We have the right to be polite, respectful and organize to demand concrete changes that benefit "We, the People" from our elected employees.
Violent rhetoric has no place in our society, a Nation of laws has civilized venues in place to effectuate changes and express our thoughts and opinions.
We have a moral right to avoid feeding the flames of hate, racism, bigotry, anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim, anti-Hispanic, and anti-government rhetoric. It is within our power to 'starve the beast.'
We would do well to remember that WE are the government. Hating our government is hating our laws, our Constitution and ourselves.
We may want to observe that our means of information are based on the 'news' specifically chosen by popular networks. The amount spent on news that affect our lives, our country, or the world, are relegated to sound bites that are quickly politicized.
There is no longer a separation between facts and opinions.
Major networks have flooded their newsrooms with 'experts' representing the two major political parties.
The actual 'news' are promptly lost in the shuffle of voices drowning each other in a barrage of opinionated rhetoric. Other networks invite people from opposing views to attack, interrupt and get a sense of 'home court advantage' that will make them seem as the 'winners' in this facsimile of a sport event or macabre game.
In this game, we all lose. We did not gain insight, nor learned anything factually relevant. We wasted our time and the relentless message of negativity does nothing to enhance our quality of life or solve pressing problems that never seem to be addressed.
The media feeds into a frenzy that rewards outrageous behavior, inappropriate rhetoric and shock and awe. It is up to us to 'starve the beast' and set the tone of how we should be treated.
OUR COUNTRY
Americans have always had HOPE, LOVE, DETERMINATION, RESILIENCE and a heart that reacts with COMPASSION and positive ACTION when their neighbors across the country/world are in need. (Arizona shooting, 9/11, Katrina, Haiti...) We are AMERICANS but we are also HUMAN BEINGS who shine like diamonds when we give in to our true nature.
Respect starts with us. Please join us in avoiding mentioning those who profit from negative rhetoric and constant media attention.
The pledge below is open to men and women who have the same desire to elevate needed and painful discussions into a realm suitable for mature adults. Adults who wish to be treated with the same respect they accord others regardless of their political affiliations or points of view.
THE PLEDGE
We pledge to use respectful discourse when expressing our political opinions.
We pledge to 'starve the beast' and not use the name of those who fuel the flames of hatred and discord.
We pledge to state facts and avoid derogatory personal comments when we choose to respond.
We pledge to support our elected officials in the daunting job of representing the best interest of our country and to vote out of office those who don't.
We pledge to maintain a tone that will foster PEACE in our communities, homes and hearts.
TWITTER
The Hash tag #DontMentionHer is already in use on Twitter for those who are sickened by the amount of negativity and attention given to someone who brings nothing positive to our National discussions.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011
Many of us will make New Year's Resolutions of a personal nature, such as lose weight, save money, start a family or continue educational goals. I wish you perseverance and success in whatever you endeavor to achieve and, above all, I wish you PEACE of mind and PEACE in your heart.
My personal New Year's resolution is to continue the process of living a more 'organic' life when it comes to family food preparation.
A WISH
I do have a wish that involves getting more people involved in helping each other rather than helping themselves. As stated in an earlier post regarding the 99ers (those who have lost their unemployment benefits after 99 grueling weeks of searching for non-existent jobs), it is my hope that those of us who can help someone will gladly do so.
If you are in the business of hiring or finding someone employment, please go to HelpThe99ers.com and see if you can help these families get back on their feet. If you can help someone with an immediate need, do not be shy! help is needed and much appreciated. Simply connect with a 99er on the forum and reach out!
OTHER IDEAS
For those needing other ideas, let me tell you that all you have to do is step out of your front door and see the need in every community for volunteers who will help gather non-perishable goods and deliver to soup kitchens and food pantries.
Step out a bit further and sign up as a volunteer to help teachers in the over crowded classrooms. The job of making copies, gathering materials or shopping for classroom supplies allows the teachers to do what they were hired to do: Teach!.
Teachers are wearing too many hats as unlicensed counselors, surrogate parental figures, shopping assistants, secretary and receptionist at the same time. That is definitely not in their job description and yet, we expect them to be more every single year while using them as scape goats for a deteriorating school system they did not create.
The schools are usually glad to get other adults help children read at grade level or doing one-on-one Math to help them become proficient in subjects in which they feel lost because they require a little bit more time without distractions to understand the concepts.
If you choose to be a mentor, Thank YOU! for helping a child, a community and, by extension, our country.
For those who would say: "That's the school's job", I would like you to take a step back and take a look at the conditions of the schools.
It is against the law to turn children away because they are bursting at the seams. They must be able to squeeze as many kids into crowded classrooms as possible. Period. Let the teachers deal with it!
Some of these kids sit on the floor because there are not enough desks available, yes! this happens in the United States and not far from my front door, in a middle class community with too many homes and not enough schools.
One of our teachers in Middle school purchased several desks out of his own money to make sure less kids would be sitting on the floor.
Several teachers I know allocate part of their salary to purchase school supplies because parents can't afford to send $25 - $50 a year to cover costs or think "that's the school's problem".
When we have a classroom with 40 kids and 20 of them show up without a pencil, notepad or glue sticks, the teacher knows they have to supply what is needed or the kids will fail to learn.
We seem to forget that teachers have bills due, mortgages, kids of their own and elderly parents to help and support. I don't know a single teacher that does not have a Staples or Office Depot account and I assure you, it has nothing to do with their own needs, but those of your kids and mine.
Once upon a time I thought I help out at the school for a month or so and ended up staying for a decade. I know these hard working Americans and I have to tell you, some are Republican, Democrat, Jewish, Catholic, etc, and it does not matter one iota.
They all share the same frustrations and relentless dedication to our children. I have seen them struggle daily attempting to keep every child in their room from falling through the cracks. Their sheer determination is impressive.
Someone once said: "Helping others is a very selfish endeavor".
I hope we all decide to be selfish in 2011.
What is your New Year's Resolution?
My personal New Year's resolution is to continue the process of living a more 'organic' life when it comes to family food preparation.
A WISH
I do have a wish that involves getting more people involved in helping each other rather than helping themselves. As stated in an earlier post regarding the 99ers (those who have lost their unemployment benefits after 99 grueling weeks of searching for non-existent jobs), it is my hope that those of us who can help someone will gladly do so.
If you are in the business of hiring or finding someone employment, please go to HelpThe99ers.com and see if you can help these families get back on their feet. If you can help someone with an immediate need, do not be shy! help is needed and much appreciated. Simply connect with a 99er on the forum and reach out!
OTHER IDEAS
For those needing other ideas, let me tell you that all you have to do is step out of your front door and see the need in every community for volunteers who will help gather non-perishable goods and deliver to soup kitchens and food pantries.
Step out a bit further and sign up as a volunteer to help teachers in the over crowded classrooms. The job of making copies, gathering materials or shopping for classroom supplies allows the teachers to do what they were hired to do: Teach!.
Teachers are wearing too many hats as unlicensed counselors, surrogate parental figures, shopping assistants, secretary and receptionist at the same time. That is definitely not in their job description and yet, we expect them to be more every single year while using them as scape goats for a deteriorating school system they did not create.
The schools are usually glad to get other adults help children read at grade level or doing one-on-one Math to help them become proficient in subjects in which they feel lost because they require a little bit more time without distractions to understand the concepts.
If you choose to be a mentor, Thank YOU! for helping a child, a community and, by extension, our country.
For those who would say: "That's the school's job", I would like you to take a step back and take a look at the conditions of the schools.
It is against the law to turn children away because they are bursting at the seams. They must be able to squeeze as many kids into crowded classrooms as possible. Period. Let the teachers deal with it!
Some of these kids sit on the floor because there are not enough desks available, yes! this happens in the United States and not far from my front door, in a middle class community with too many homes and not enough schools.
One of our teachers in Middle school purchased several desks out of his own money to make sure less kids would be sitting on the floor.
Several teachers I know allocate part of their salary to purchase school supplies because parents can't afford to send $25 - $50 a year to cover costs or think "that's the school's problem".
When we have a classroom with 40 kids and 20 of them show up without a pencil, notepad or glue sticks, the teacher knows they have to supply what is needed or the kids will fail to learn.
We seem to forget that teachers have bills due, mortgages, kids of their own and elderly parents to help and support. I don't know a single teacher that does not have a Staples or Office Depot account and I assure you, it has nothing to do with their own needs, but those of your kids and mine.
Once upon a time I thought I help out at the school for a month or so and ended up staying for a decade. I know these hard working Americans and I have to tell you, some are Republican, Democrat, Jewish, Catholic, etc, and it does not matter one iota.
They all share the same frustrations and relentless dedication to our children. I have seen them struggle daily attempting to keep every child in their room from falling through the cracks. Their sheer determination is impressive.
Someone once said: "Helping others is a very selfish endeavor".
I hope we all decide to be selfish in 2011.
What is your New Year's Resolution?
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