I am appalled at the tone and content of the “debate” about the orphan works legislations out there. In fact, I’m pissed. Jesus-friggin’-Christ in a chicken basket–what ever happened to professionalism and courtesy in our industry!? What ever happened to respectful debate where BOTH sides are seen for their positive aspects as well as those points which are not in agreement? What ever happened to debating issues rather than throwing insults, half-truths, and utter bullshit–where the only goal seems to be to belittle those who think differently than you do?
It’s worse than an elementary schoolyard, I swear. We were supposed to have learned better–in elementary school! For example, no hitting, no name-calling, share, listen, say “please” and “thank you”–these simple ideas have been lost in this so-called debate.
I am sickened by what is happening to our industry over this–sides are being taken and lines drawn so severely that reconciliation and cooperation seem virtually impossible in the future.
I am sure that mistakes were made (and continue to be made) on both sides. I am also sure that the intention to serve constituents is extremely important to both sides.
The thing is, both sides serve very much the same constituencies! By this bickering and unprofessional behavior, we are fragmenting the very group that needs to come together now more than ever. To win this one battle, we are going to lose the war!
Frankly, I don’t give a crap (anymore) which side of the debate you are on–there are valid and important points on both sides. And there is nothing wrong with saying “In my opinion, doing X is best.” However, there is no reason to say “Those who choose to do Y are bad” or, as has been happening, saying “this organization is bad because I heard they did _____” or “I read on a blog that they _____” or even “This group said they…”
Blogs are not journalism! Organization websites are not journalism. Forums are not journalism. They are not fact-checked and vetted and they are most certainly NOT objective in their writing. Yes, this blog included. It’s just me and I can’t possibly be truly objective no matter how much I try–I have no external checks and balances, and neither do any other blogs/forums/organization websites.
What we are doing to each other is far too often mean-spirited, spiteful, ugly, childish, and, for added injury, factually untrue.
I am brought to mind a story my husband told me. He was at a poker night at a friend’s house and one of the other players was a Republican who was railing against some point my liberal husband made. He was calling the Democrats all sorts of terrible names and spouting off things he had learned from Rush and FOX, as if they were absolute truths. Christopher (my husband) said, “You know, I don’t think the Democrats are perfect–far from it–in fact, I can easily list 3 bad things about them. I think the Republicans aren’t all bad either. I can list 3 good things about them.” He then asked the Republican, “Can you tell me 3 things you don’t like about the Republican party and 3 things you can respect about the Democrats?” The other guy refused, saying “There is nothing wrong with my party and there is nothing good about yours.”
I am feeling like the debate about the orphan works bills are turing people into the same type of thinkers as that poker player. And it breaks my heart.
We are better than that.
Leslie – I think we WERE better than that!
When I first visited this country as a teenager in the mid-80’s, I remember sitting around an evening campfire in Yosemite, tired after days of climbing. There was a debate amongst 10 or so people who were much older than me, that lasted for hours. It was lively, political and intense. But it was also really inspirational, as various people from all over the nation (and from vastly different social demographics) argued their points passionately. But there was no mudslinging and no personal attacks. The dialogue was intelligent and insightful. This made a huge impression on me and probably was the pivotal moment that had me fall in love with this country. I had stumbled upon a nation where a whole bunch of random people can express themselves articulately. A place where people argued their points exhaustively, ruffled some feathers and left the debate smarter, more informed and still friends.
What has happened subsequently, and what I suppose has been dubbed the “dumbing down of America”, is appalling. Hopefully common sense will prevail before all debates return to the dynamics of the elementary schoolyard. The orphan works legislation is serious business indeed.
Yikes
Just think what the world would be like if the same amount of passion was channeled into caring about each other and the environment. It would all become a mute point.
THANK YOU, Leslie!