Tolerance

Betty Ford died last week.  She was one of the most gracious, classy, but outspoken first ladies our country has ever seen.  She opened the eyes of the public regarding breast cancer, substance abuse, and women's rights (in opposition to her husband).  She showed that we could disagree and still be agreeable.

Too often in today's political discussions, there is little or no respect for the other side of the issues.  Those with opposing viewpoints are made to appear ignorant or evil.  Both sides of the congressional aisle are eager to throw their opposition "under the bus" in order to be re-elected.  Good, honest debate about issues facing our country is very seldom heard. 

Unfortunately, most Americans believe everything they hear on the "news" and read on the Internet, almost all of which is biased.  Everyone is quick to point out bias on the other side, while ignoring the obvious bias of their sources.  Democrats complain about Fox, and Republicans complain about mainstream media.  There has always been bias in journalism, but never has the level of disrespect on both sides been as obvious as it is now.

I have had two interesting experiences that demonstrate this in connecting with old friends via Facebook.  Both have been raised in and around the same area all their lives, both are very liberal, and both are very intolerant of others' opinions.  My old friend from the neighborhood managed to take any post of mine and turn it into a political rant. She hated President Bush and any conservative representative.  After asking several times for her to stop trying to convert me and turn everything into a political issue, I cut ties with her.  The other friend lives an alternative lifestyle--no problem to me.  This man posted several items about how Republicans are ruining the country, including George Bush, who in his not-so-humble opinion, is responsible for everything wrong with the country starting in 1776 until the end of time.  He posted several "news" items from the Huffington Post about the stupidity of every Republican candidate.  I have to admit I posted a few opposing viewpoints from the Heritage Foundation just to make him angry--not my finest hour.  A comical post about welfare abuse apparently was too much for him.  He insulted me as being insensitive and eliminated me as a contact.  The intolerance of these two people, along with their insistence that their opinions are the ONLY opinions that matter, is very sad. 



Betty Ford asked that Cokie Roberts speak at her funeral about the way "it used to be."  When Ms. Roberts' father was a member of congress alongside Gerald Ford (on opposite sides of the aisle), both men could discuss differing viewpoints civilly.  They would apparently go to lunch together and decide ahead of time which issues to debate.  I have a feeling a lot more was accomplished in those days.

Until we start looking critically at the information to which we are exposed, I don't think the incivility will change.  Being able to speak your mind, no matter what you believe, is one of the greatest freedoms we have in this country.  We need to remember that other opinions have always and will always exist.  Being tolerant of other viewpoints is essential in insuring that the right to free speech is maintained for all of us.

Civility

I have found that I am becoming more tolerant of others' opinions as I get older.  While I have my own definite opinions, I have no problem letting other people express their different opinions as long as they're civil and also respect my beliefs.  However, I am learning that not everyone has the capability of being civil in a public forum. 

One of the best things about Facebook is the ability to reconnect with people from your childhood.  I was very happy to find a childhood friend after more than 40 years had passed.  We had a wonderful time reminiscing about the old neighborhood, the old school, and old friends.  However, whenever I posted anything with a political theme, She bombarded my page with lengthy diatribes against the people for whom I vote and support.  Several messages were rambling, angry, misspelled posts that should have been embarrassing to her.  She sent me speeches from members of Congress with the instructions to "watch with an open mind." 

I asked her to stop trying to convert me and refrain from stirring the political pot on my page.  I was accused several times of "drinking the kool-aid served by Rush Limbaugh." I find that reference offensive, knowing how many people died as the result of a madman.  I was accused of being mean-spirited, ignorant (of the facts as she sees them), and unable to make a decision without the help of (as she calls it) "Faux News."  She obviously has bad opinions of public education, too.  Her children are home-schooled.  By her.  Very frightening when you look at her grammar, spelling, and unwillingness to accept any opinion other than hers.

After a while, almost everything I posted on Facebook was subject to her rants about the evil Republicans and how they're destroying America.  I deleted most of them for two reasons. 

(1)   I have many well-educated, compassionate, very nice Republican friends on Facebook who would likely take offense to her nonsense.

(2)I have many well-educated, compassionate, very nice Democrat friends on Facebook who would likely be embarrassed by her nonsense.

 

While I disagree politically with about half of my friends on Facebook, I have never been attacked for my beliefs until now.  Most of my friends respect my opinions, as I do theirs.  It's the fringe lunatics on both sides of the spectrum who make it difficult for this country to come together and take care of the problems we are now facing.  I learned a long time ago to eliminate unneeded stress in my life wherever possible.  So, Laura, I have "unfriended" you.  I am sad that you could not respect my right to have an opinion other than yours.   I wish you much luck and hope you live a long, healthy life.