With Today’s Political Climate Being What It Is….

In today’s society, I find that many people inevitably exist in three states of awareness when it comes to ideology/politics.
1) They are completely oblivious [low-information]
2) They are somewhat in tune with an ideology, but their information comes from hearsay [oftentimes friends and social circles]
3) They are engrossed in ideology/politics and oftentimes this is backed by data, which they can point to, that affirms their beliefs.
The challenge we have as a society is not so much that we have these three buckets of people, it’s that the most vocal are oftentimes the most blind to any of those whose opinions differ.
And thus, Reverend Rothman will stand on the podium and tongue-in-cheek give a sermon on tolerance.

I find that so many people find themselves unable to see another person’s viewpoint, it does surprise me a bit.
I’ll try to use a couple of analogies that will work for people both in my literary circles as well as other general circles.

Hillary Clinton. So many people are hugely polarized over this woman. Let’s simply take one item from her basket (many items to choose from).
Benghazi. Those of you who know me, know that I am a huge supporter of the military in ways that I make obvious and in other ways you’ll never know. Given that, I’m also a big believer in the buck stops with the head of the organization. Nonetheless, I’ll go ahead and say this – It is completely and utterly reasonable that Hillary herself may not have had a clue or been aware or had been a deciding factor in any of it. Would others have some blame or were there mistakes that should be rectified. Of course. Is there an argument to be had that Hillary is innocent and should be left out of it. Sure. I could argue that side. Are the opponents who want to see her blamed wrong? Nope. I could easily argue that side just as well.
Knowing that there are two valid view points, it makes it easier for me to be measured in my view of Hillary Clinton.
I can see how Hillary (assuming she’s not quite as self-aware as I might otherwise hope) would be flummoxed by the opposition accusing her of Benghazi. I can see how she’d yell about right-wing conspiracies, because she reasonably doesn’t believe that it was her fault.
But going any further on her will lose the point.
Let’s go to religion or more specifically people who espouse religious beliefs.

John C. Wright is an author who has been controversial of late. Regardless of what people think he says, if you read his blog (http://www.scifiwright.com) you’ll find that he is a devout Catholic. And being such, his commentary is in line with anyone who is deeply religious and has beliefs that are founded in that religion.
It doesn’t matter whether it is Catholicism, Islam, Judaism, or anything else – he is espousing thoughts that are congruent with his religious beliefs (which many believe and many wholeheartedly disagree with.)
Let’s just say that there are those on the ideological spectrum that find religion or more specifically, people who are overtly religious … troublesome. That being said, Mister Wright has been the victim of many a brigade of accusers that lay all sorts of accusations at his feet.
I bring this author up specifically, because I had an opportunity to meet him this past weekend and sit down for lunch. I’d never talked to him before, but if I’d believe the screaming hoards of accusers, you’d think John was the Antichrist.
A Jew sitting down with the Antichrist? What the heck am I thinking?
Let’s just say that I sat down with him, his wife and a couple of others, none of which I’d ever met previously.
It was a thoroughly engaging and delightful set of conversations, and no, we didn’t always agree – but it was a pleasure to sit with a clearly intelligent person who had strong opinions (as do I) and talk about them.
At no point in time were feelings hurt, nor were there any situations that even had the slightest hint of awkwardness. It was truly a delight.
I was left a bit surprised, and I’m ashamed to admit it. I’d allowed some of the public accusations to infiltrate my expectations of this man. Is he a saint? I think he’d laugh at that. No, not a saint by any stretch – but he’s a funny guy who has well-trodden beliefs and opinions. He’s a take it or leave it guy, and that I can respect, even if I don’t always agree.

I go back to what my grandfather taught me ages ago, “Don’t assume the other person who you don’t agree with is evil, they probably have well-founded reasons for believing what they do.”
That being said, I approach my life that way; trying to understand what folks are about and even when I disagree, trying not to be disagreeable. I teach this to my kids as well.
I suppose I have one wish for the folks who feel the need to express their morale outrage by accusations and maligning of others … try to give consideration to others that maybe just maybe they too have some well-founded reasons for doing what they do, or believing what they believe.
You don’t have to agree, but please try to be a bit more of an adult about things.
Here, let me help – a puppy AND a kitten picture!