OPINIONS
The joy of debate
I admit, I salivate over the sheer pleasure to be derived from viewing “shout TV” debates on cable news networks, which are brimming with talking heads who refuse to go against their party’s political ideology.
In fact, the entire political debate in this country has become so divisive, that many of us outsiders view politics as the least desirable American occupation.
I wonder what factors have led to this division, which has extended far beyond the confines of Capitol Hill and the borders of cable news networks.
Is it a rash of paranoia stirred up by the Bush administration’s unpopular policies?
Or, is it conservative America revolting against the left’s desire to appease, equivocate and retreat?The “Blame America First” campaign, which rages overseas and pollutes Arizona’s Sept. 11 memorial, is soaring to new heights of popularity in the U.S. Credit for that can go to the plethora of liberal talking heads like the peace-loving Cindy Sheehan (who dreams of going back in time and killing the infant George W. Bush.)
With election season upon us, debate will erode into an acutely polarizing affair.
The party that champions tolerance will quickly dismiss a conservative’s viewpoints, as if legitimate dissent was the province of the sanctimonious left-wing.Opposing views on critical issues like gay marriage, immigration and war are quashed. The person who dares to make the opposing argument is compartmentalized into a variety of convenient stereotypes. “Racist.” “Homophobe.” “Islamaphobe.”
Mea culpas are flowing regularly from the Vatican these days, as Pope Benedict XVI continues to proclaim his “profound respect” for the “religion of peace.”
That same religion, hijacked by millions of radicalized Muslims, responded to the Pope’s “incendiary” words against the prophet Mohammed by fire-bombing Christian churches in Palestine.
Charged with furor over a movie that depicted his negligence in failing to kill Osama Bin Laden, former President Bill Clinton worked tirelessly to eliminate from the airwaves ABC’s unbelievably neutral “The Path to 9/11.”
The movie’s screenwriter, Cyrus Nowraseth, was blacklisted by liberals as a neo-con and his abominable connections to Rush Limbaugh and Christian missionary work (both slight connections, mind you) were “exposed” by the media.
I guess it’s time for me to publicly align myself with this so-called right-wing conspiracy that liberals say is eating away at the moral fiber of this country.
I oppose the legalization of gay marriage. I want to fortify the border.
I support the utilization of the Patriot Act as a tool which can prevent another atrocity like Sept. 11.
“Convert to Islam or die” videotapes broadcast from Bin Laden’s cult lead me to believe that moderate Muslims are failing to rally against Islamic totalitarianism. That said, I despise hate crimes, support legal immigration, a person’s right to worship how, where, or what they may, and an open dialogue between both major parties.
Am I homophobic? Am I a racist? Am I an Islmaphobe? Am I a Bush crony?
To invoke the spirit of Fox news, “I’ve reported. You decide.”
And feel free to disagree with every word I have written.
Volume
44, Issue 4. Today is
Jordan Currier
Mesa Legend