Special Thanks to the “Judge” for consistently providing common sense in a world short of that commodity.
(This is his article my name only exists because I requested and received permission to post it.)
Submitted by Karl Neathammer on Tue, 03/01/2011 – 4:08pm
Recently, there has been much discussion about civility when engaging in dialogue about our politics, and I find it somewhat quaint that many people think that this is a relatively new phenomenon in the history of American politics.
I find it even more amusing, that certain people of Carson City actually believe that this type of incivility does not exist in Carson City.
For the uninformed, politics in Carson City can be dirty, nasty, and despicable.
And, for those of us who have engaged in local politics, there is not enough water in Lake Tahoe to completely cleanse one of the political filth that is directed at those who dare to speak out on any political issue, or run for political office.
Let me present my case!
On June 7, 2006, they gathered at the Brewery Arts Center. “They” were the courageous individuals who had stepped up to the political plate to run for the various local offices of Carson City. At that time, there were candidates for City Supervisor, School Board Trustee, the Assembly 40th District, Justice of the Peace, and District Attorney.
As I took my seat, and waited for the various candidates and incumbents to share their thoughts with the audience, I was given two handouts to read. Without going into too much detail, I was shocked at what I read. These scurrilous pamphlets called my good friend, and fellow Vietnam Veteran, Bob Crowell, a “thug” among other things, and then went on to imply that my good friend, Supervisor Shelly Aldean was a “communist”.
A subsequent investigation by myself showed that two members of the Carson City Republican Central Committee handed out these pamphlets. And, to the credit of the Carson City Republican Central Committee, when they were made aware of the actions of these two miscreants (a mother and daughter team) they were politely asked to leave the organization. However, the damage had been done, and good people’s reputations were maligned.
Although many people have decried the general deterioration of civility in our politics, Many classical conservatives are especially concerned about how our public discourse often goes wrong: the seemingly inbred penchant to personally, intentionally, and to callously castigate our political opponents. By that, I mean characterizing those with whom we disagree as some how morally bankrupt, or at least as approximating some such contemptible and unpardonable state of being.
Even though political demonetization has been around since the beginning of our fair Republic, I, and many other classical conservatives, think there is far too much heated and hateful rhetoric in our political discourse, we find it more extreme in its content, lacking substance and depth, and aided and abetted by the talking heads of radio and TV, (on both the left and the right) and now, exaggerated in the age of Internet anonymity, any substantive dialogue is virtually impossible.
When we engage or listen to this type of inflammatory rhetoric, one must keep in mind, that a person’s reputation, well being, family members, and their life’s prospects may well, if not inevitably so, be jeopardized when we viciously slander those in opposition to our political views.
When blind and hateful emotionalism, shrouded in self-righteousness and an ill defined “patriotism” and moral superiority, absent a clear intellectual foundation for one’s ideas, and done so for no other reason than to demean your opponent, you have in effect demeaned yourself, defeated your own frail argument, and have committed a grave injustice against your community, state, and country.
If, collectively we engage in such behavior, we should all be ashamed!
Please do not misinterpret the issues that I am presenting!
Our public discourse should not take on the streamers of an “Ice Cream Social”, as the issues confronting all of us, are far too complex, the need for rational public discourse is vitally important, the relentless pursuit of the truth too important, and far too pressing to wish other than robust public discussion, which ultimately will benefit and guide the course of our country.
If not, the result will be an increasing twisting and justification for unwarranted hostility, which will do more harm to the body politic and to Carson City and the State of Nevada. It contributes to a climate of public ill will and mistrust that now passes for discursive and balanced dialogue.
However, there is nothing feeble or subservient, nothing treacherous or disgraceful, in showing decency to those who oppose our classical conservatives precepts. Au contra-ire! Our precepts require it from us, as does the welfare of our ideas and our vision for a stronger Republic!
As I stated in the beginning of this written opinion (or as many of my fellow “conservatives “ in Carson City have categorized my editorial contributions to Carson Now as “cheap diatribes”) let me educate you with the following facts: I ran for political office in 1998, and presented myself as a classical conservative candidate. I presented my ideas and opinions as to why I believed I could represent the citizens of Carson City, in the Assembly 40th District. I mounted the “public rostrum” and was ready to defend my positions on a myriad of issues, and instead of attacking my positions; my wife was called a “cheap Mormon whore”.
Politics in Carson City is dirty, nasty, and despicable, and unfortunately will remain so, unless you are ready to change the dialogue!