ARGUING 101
Mark and I have had countless conversations about blog writing over the past few years we have formed our friendship. He has always wanted me to start my own website and get a blog going. I have been hesitant and not really sure I wanted to commit to something along those lines. His latest and greatest offer to me was that I could be a contributing writer to his Nemasket blog. This interested me and I thought I would give it a try.
We agreed that the focus did not have to be about the casino/lack of a casino or anything of that sort. It probably will be scattered for awhile, so I look forward to feedback from the many millions of readers that regularly read the Nemasket space. I hope you enjoy!
ARGUING 101
Several weeks ago, Mark and I were at a party with many of our friends. During the course of conversation, we became involved in a “discussion” about the upcoming override vote. As usual (except for Casino Issues), Mark was on the wrong side of the argument and I was “gently” pointing out that he was wrong. Perhaps the best way to describe the “talk” was to remind the readers of the Dan Aykroyd/Jane Curtin, Point Counter Point on Saturday Night Live. Our “conversation” went on for about half an hour. Needless to say, we both agreed Mark was wrong and moved on to some other topic. As it ended, I was amazed that the entire party was now in the dining room watching the “chat”.
Even more amazing was the reaction people had to our “argument”. Mark and I had driven to the party together and people were asking if one of us needed a ride home. We had to explain that Mark and I were fine. We weren’t personally offended about the conversation and yes we were going to disagree from time to time. On the ride home, both of us were laughing about how people were concerned that our arguing could hurt our friendship. IF THEY ONLY KNEW! Mark and I have had some great “talks” since we have come to know each other. Again, I cannot emphasize enough, that he is most often WRONG!
I do not think I can/could maintain a friendship with anyone that was not willing to argue. I don’t expect to agree with anyone all of the time. I love bouncing ideas and challenging each other’s points. I believe as long as you are willing to listen, be respectful and open, your opinions will develop and become stronger. Also, you may just learn a thing or two!
I think we need more Arguing Time in Middleboro. Everyone needs to take the time to listen to other people’s opinions and then react. There are far too many important issues that will be coming on the horizon. There needs to be an exchange of ideas and thoughts. We need to find a way to have people come forward and share. Every side has at least two sides, so before we make a decision let’s allow for some time to “talk” it over. At times, it may seem angry and yes maybe a little confrontational. As long as we are willing to respect each other, Middleboro will be a better community!
Themocracy
As I’ve said before, when I first met Rich he got up to talk at a selectmen’s meeting and I thought “Boy, what a blowhard”. Years after that night I’m still amazed at how dead-on my instincts were.
I am a self described “loony liberal”. I agree in principle with your comments about arguing (or “discussing”, if someone prefers), but I have to say that for a lot of things my heart just isn’t in it any more. There’s too much distortion, too many half-truths, too much misdirection.
I play poker Thursday nigghts with a table that seems to be mostly conservatives. When someione spouts the latest Fox News talking point, I’m sometimes tempted to talk back, but mostly I just shut my mouth and ignore it. Part of that is because we are there to play cards, not talk politics, but a lot of my reticence just comes from lack of interest – I’m not going to change their minds any more than they’ll change mine, so why bother? Shuffle and deal.
Perhaps strangely, the times I’m most likely to speak is when I agree – Yes, Nancy Pelosi IS an irritating $%^#@, yes, Democrats lie and fib and get me angry sometimes too.
But dammit, I still am NOT going to vote Republican!
Most of all I get annoyed by smug certainty. I am NEVER certain I am right about anything political – I just cannot imagine how any intelligent person could begin to think that they could be. Therefore, when someone (left or right, but the right does it more) insists that black is black and white is white and there is no gray, well, I stop thinking of them as intelligent.
And why argue with someone who is not intelligent?
Shuffle up and deal
Rich – Welcome to blogsphere. I look forward to your posts.
Congratulations on being one of the few people who can argue against someone without making it personal. I wish I could do that more.
PS – You should have a pen name. Just don’t let Bumpkin choose it for you:)
Thank you for your comments When will they and Tony! It was nice of Bumpkin to prove my point- Wrong Again!
Tony- I understand and feel your pain! I have to admit that at time I like arguing with the close-minded. I at times find it fun!
As a witness to the disagreement… I loved watching and listening!
Both sides made some valid points and the ‘back and forth’ between two friends, (who BOTH erroneously always believe that they are right), was both educational and entertaining! At the party I was aware that both sides had opposing views on the matter and I was hoping and waiting for the spirited debate to begin.
I have a huge amount of respect for both parties, and probably more so now, after watching said debate. It really was immensely entertaining and heated at times (my wife asked me later on if you guys were OK).
Middleboro, as a whole, does need more information on it’s issues, to be made available to the public. It also needs more debate on most, if not all, issues facing the Town.
If only we had some type of portal to convey this info to the public… like a website.
And as long as we are dreaming… a Town email system to share idea’s and information with our Town officials.
To all and Al is my witness, if you want to partake in some spirited(pun intended) debate, feel free to drop by the Central on a Friday Night!
Al- this sharing of ideas concept, with town officials! That sounds Radical!
Two weeks ago at poker someone asserted that global warming is fiction: some glaciers are growing, we have big snowstorms and so on.
I ignored it except to note that warming temperatures can cause more snow. I was tempted to get into the glacier stuff but decided it’s too complicated.
Last night he said it all again.
I just gnashed my teeth. What’s the point? If I wanted to argue with people who think it’s all some insane liberal conspiracy to destroy business, I can find plenty of those on the Internet.
Shuffle up and deal
As to Middleboro – well, honestly I feel the citizens of Middleboro make their own problems. I get the feeling that Tea Party “no taxes” mentality is pretty strong here. I think that’s about as dumb as it gets, but if that’s the bed the majority wants to make, well, they’ll have to sleep in it. Crappy schools, crappy roads, empty fire stations… shrug.