Over at Shooting Suburbia I have part 3 of "Autumn Near Cedar Mountain 2012".
Over here, we have this:
I work near four courthouses and one hospital, and I've seen more than my fair share of demonstrations and protests. I've seen bot the incredibly self-centered (1199 SEIU/Healthcare Union closing down the main drag in front of the capitol for a pointless protest march over stall contract talks at a group home), the incredibly clueless (Westboro Baptist Church) and the incredibly genuine.
Whereas I don't have a single ounce of respect for the first two examples mentioned, I do have a lot of respect for the last one mentioned.
To me, I can truly appreciate the fact of not only when someone has a principle of belief that they're passionate about, but that someone is willing to do whatever it takes (legally) to showcase that principle/belief, no matter what the consequences may bring.
For example, we have an intersection about a 1/2 mile from my office building that I consider to be the modern version of Five Points. In other words, there are roughly five street that empty into this seriously screwed up intersection, and ungodly traffic jams are often the norm.
Anyways, the design of this intersection not only has created a few narrow traffic islands, but it has one very large triangle that is somewhat right of center in the street.
On a given day, no matter what the weather may be, there is a core group of individuals who protest Roe v. Wade. Unlike some of the more militant Right-To-Life protesters that the media seems to focus on, these individuals carry out their protests without rancor and without interfering with anyone's day-to-day activities.
Now, while my views on may be slightly different from theirs, and I do respect the fact that everyone is entitled to their own opinion on a given issue and everyone is entitled NOT TO BE BULLIED FOR VOICING THEIR OWN OPINION, I can appreciate that this small group of people have the courage of their conviction to do what they believe is right, consequences be damned.
They showcase their respective viewpoint without an in-your-face attitude behind it, and quite frankly, it's very refreshing to see a peaceful yet thought provoking protest. Why? Because more often than not, a civil discourse on a hot button topic can only create a better understanding and a deeper appreciation for an opposing viewpoint.
And, I think, that's all you can really ask for in the long run: The ability to get your opinion/viewpoint across without denigrating the opposition.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
8 comments:
Go on, give me your best shot. I can take it. If I couldn't, I wouldn't have created this wonderful little blog that you decided to grace with your presence today.
About that comment moderation thingy: While yes, it does say up above I can take it, I only use it to prevent the occasional miscreant from leaving thoughtless and/or clueless comments.
So remember, all of your comments are greatly appreciated and all answers will be given that personal touch that you come to expect and enjoy.
G. B. Miller
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
All good points there. I drove through a small mountain community a few weeks ago that has a well traveled highway running through it and encountered and anti-abortion demonstration. Hundreds of people hold signs such as "Abortion kills" were lined up on either side of highway. They stood silently holding the signs - it was a bit eerie. Possibly the desired effect.
ReplyDeleteLynn: That definitely sounds eerie, indeed.
ReplyDeleteWith this protest (and similiar ones that I've seen up in Litchfield where my family does the RV thing), I have seen zero interruptions of people's daily routines. You really can't help looking at it, 'cause its in a very highly visible area.
exercise your rights, but with respect to others...
ReplyDeletehow original...
good post GBM
Bruce: Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI try to be original every once in a blue moon, but yeah, a little respect goes an awfully long way.
I wish there would be more civil discussions and less "well, the other side sucks/is evil/is morally repellant" conversations.
ReplyDeleteM: It would be nice.
ReplyDeleteSadly though, you won't see those kind of conversations on FB.
I don't always understand the issues people protest over. In fact, I often don't, but I do respect their convictions, and appreciate when they don't try to actively disrupt my ongoing activities such as trying to get to work to feed my family.
ReplyDeleteCharles: In the end, that is all that we can really ask for:
ReplyDeleteRespect the people you're trying to convince/inform and changes are, you might get someone to change their opinion/viewpoint.