Journalists

I'm disappointed sometimes by the public discourse. The media handles politics like they do sports, playing the high points like a super bowl narrative. That's not journalism, of course.

Journalism, unlike most of our media sources, is objective, thorough, and fact-based. Opinions are rare and honestly admitted, interpretations are rare. These days, journalism itself is rare. Did you know that the U.S. ranks 45th for journalistic freedom. That's pretty far down the list.

Sources with journalistic integrity are perhaps rare. Reuters, the Associated Press, the Washington Post, perhaps ... others? Are there any whose agenda isn't driven by ratings and income? What should be our response?

Tantrum Tactics

Fractured!

The political divisiveness we see today is much like what happens among children when one thoughtlessly blames their sibling for absolutely everything that's wrong in life. It's tantrum tactics, the need for an enemy to oppose and blame until you get what you want.

Wise parents will demonstrate for their children how to think clearly and interact reasonably, they insist on truth, and they lead by example. Irrational and unreasoned turmoil are the antithesis of a healthy family or community.

Imagine a family that, over the years, is split further and further apart over issues that could have and should have been resolved. Is a nation any different?

Now imagine a nation, divided over how one category of people should be treated.  There's a high price for such refusal to grow up.

Mexicans are not the problem. Muslims are not the problem. Refugees are not the problem. And neither is NATO or China or the climate.  Of course.  Perhaps the central problem is our divisiveness.  Perhaps if we were less opposed to each other, we might find solutions for what needs solving.  If we were clear on the goals and less focused on winning, perhaps we might make progress.  If we paid more attention to what works and less on our preference, we might see beneficial progress.

It makes you wonder, doesn't it.  How's my own thinking on all of this.

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Tantrum tactics:

1. Demand
2. Escalate
3. Attack back
4. Malign, accuse, denigrate, assign motive
5. Huff, puff, blow harder, lie, obfuscate

Best examples today ... Some Republicans and some Democrats (unfortunately, in positions of significant influence), and some two-year olds.