This is my very first blog post - ever. It is really more of a test than anything else. I have decided to start this blog as an experiment; the idea behind the blog is to create a forum for legitimate and thoughtful discussions about difficult and challenging issues. As I will address in upcoming posts, I have been thinking a lot about where humanity in general and Americans in particular are headed -- especially in the context of what seems to be a peculiarly intense, vitriolic, and hateful atmosphere in the country right now. I have decided that instead of grumbling about it....
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| Grumbling Baby |
....I would at least try and do what I can to repel or counteract what seems to me to be an extremely heightened intolerance wrapped up in and supported by an almost willful ignorance. To say the least, that bothers me. I mean for example, take
this particular gem. Which is stirring up all kinds of
concerns, that will likely be met with all kind of
angry grumbling by
people with
everything to gain by being
intolerant and
nothing to lose. And there is
this and of course
that. And
this guy. And of course
that guy. Oh yeah and this
other guy who was the author of this
legislative dime-piece.
And my concern, as I will address in a later post, is that the
marketplace of ideas is no longer a functional mechanism (if it ever was) to test, contest, and press the validity of ideas. So I have decided to start my own little marketplace where ideas can be tested and debated. Although I have my political leanings, I am not interested in
partisan hackery. I want to create a forum where multiple view points can be shared and
eloquent dissent will be
encouraged. I want to think about current topics from
multiple perspectives and opposing viewpoints. And to the degree possible I want to deflate them of
hot air so they can be seen for
what they are and not
what they purport to be. I think it is the duty of every citizen to engage in debate about core issues that concern one's immediate political and social environment. I have decided to accept that duty and would ask that you join with me. Please feel free to post topics, suggest ideas and anything else to
get the ball rolling.
