Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Objectivity


Though I have been very rigid in the past and I may still be unknowingly in some ways; I am starting to see that lack of objectivity is an epidemic disease these days. The world has become so black and white with the “Are you fir it or agin it?” mentality.

A few years ago when my mother visited Ireland, merchants would take the pulse of their customers on how they felt about the Catholic / Protestant debate. Depending upon how you answered their questions directly related to the service you got or the accommodations you received.

I’ve been known to change my mind on my strongly held opinions. There is good and evil in everything and those with open minds can see both sides. Eventually you do have to decide how you feel about all important topics, but one should still tip their hats and acknowledge that which is good in even the worst ideas. However, it seems that most people are no longer willing to meet half way or even 33% of the way.

When you are able to compromise you are better equipped to benefit when things don’t go exactly the way you wanted them to go. That which is brittle is apt to snap. That which is supple will last much longer. Fear will always over-rule logical thought.

P.S. I wrote this piece about a week before the Clatsop County Democrats went totally crazy and moved even further away from being able to reason and comprehend ideas that aren't as rigid as their goose stepping core crazies. This is no way to win new diverse thinkers into your exclusive club. I am glad I switched my registration to independent where people are still allowed to think for themselves and consider the issues without the overlord power-brokers pulling the strings from behind the curtain.

17 Comments:

Blogger Beth said...

“Why should I try to have the same opinion today that I had six weeks ago? That would make me the slave of my own judgment.” Stendhal

5:36 AM  
Blogger Auntie said...

"We will never have a shortage of stupid people" - Darev2005

6:00 AM  
Blogger Zoe said...

The black and white world is why I don't write too often about anything too controversial. I'm a grey kind of person. I like to look at all sides of things. Most people don't.

7:20 AM  
Blogger Jaggy said...

I'm all for debate and compromise... until I'm buying a car. If the salesman can't meet my low price demand, I will walk off the lot. End of story. It's yes or no.

I don't get bothered much when I'm on local car lots now though!

7:28 AM  
Blogger JustRex said...

Auntie, you make me blush. I don't think I've ever been quoted before.
Guy, there are things that I am rabidly fer and agin. And some things I will refuse to comment on for fear of being lynched by the local denizens. I'm willing to compromise on alot of things purely for the fact of making life easier for everybody. And I think it would be good if I stayed out of Ireland. There are times I'd like to slap that whole island silly. England, as well. But Scotland is safe for the moment.

7:58 AM  
Blogger Hallie Travis said...

Guy, the part of your post I most identified with is: "Fear will always overrule logical thought". Fear has been driving this community for too long now. It's time for a group of middle of the roader's to take this place back from the crazies. We can't stand by while another lynching takes place - and YES - I meant to use that word - LYNCHING. The CCDCC is going around town, thinking they are the "Elites" in this county and the rest of us are simple, dumb, uninformed people. I in fact, am against LNG. Don't smear me; I know you folks can stand to have someone in your midst you disagree with. I've read every single document associated with Bradwood and haven't been persuaded it's what's best for the community, given the costs to the river long-term. That said, I don't hate anyone who supports it, I listen to them. I hear their arguments.

What kind of person would I be if I only surrounded myself with people who agree with me? I'd be narrow-minded, myopic, elitist, extreme-all the things that the Democratic Party has become here in Clatsop County. Join me and others in being willing to challenge this corrupt organization. It is time to overthrow them and take it back in the name of democracy.

10:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am a independent! I'm for lng, I don't admit it to many people for the fear of backlash by the ones who are against lng, I have a business to protect.
I am in shock over the democrats kicking two very good people out of their party.

11:40 AM  
Blogger The Guy Who Writes This said...

Beth if minds weren't meant to change than a lot of those in the convincing business would be out of work.

Auntie, and Darev, right on.

Zoe, that's why I've been avoiding it myself lately. Any news to share from you?

Jaggy, that's where you have the power of the purse. Either way they will still try to take advantage of you.

Darev, I may talk about the middle east some day. You've inspired me.

Moderate Democrat. It will be hard to shake out the entire membership. The best you can hope for is to change the leadership, which will be hard since so many of the party faithful will have to see the lack of logic in their present dogma. As for LNG, not being convinced tells me that you are indeed flexible and have an open mind on the issue. If you've been following along here, I used to be dead set against it. One of the reasons I changed my mind is because I think that every community should bear some of the burden for the energy they consume and the waste they produce. We produce way too much garbage, and if it were a local problem people would waste less. We consume energy without thought to where it comes from and which other communities have to shoulder the burden for us to have it. How about a sliding scale where the rates communities that shoulder some burden get a break on the price, but communities that don't will have to pay 10 times the going rate, kind of a douche bag tax.

Anon, It is a wise choice to keep it to yourself while in business. I make a habit of not supporting business that put up any sign of opinion, even if its an opinion I share. It is really bad business to alienate virtually half of your customers. I have a long memory and there are businesses I still don't support that had signs up years ago. So you folks that have your No LNG signs in your window, my money is going to someone else...I'm just sayin.

12:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am also a Democrat, and am completely appalled by what the CCDCC did...we NEED to get more moderate (and intelligent) democrats on that committee! It shouldn't matter if a person is for or against LNG, as long as that opinion doesn't cloud good judgement.

The LNG issue isn't technically a political one, so the CCDCC has absolutely no business making it their primary focus. We need CHANGE!!!!!

I will be checking to see if there is an opening for a precinct person in my precinct

3:25 PM  
Blogger g said...

if it's any consolation, i pray for protestants and democrats every day.

7:35 PM  
Blogger Zoe said...

Nothing yet.

7:59 PM  
Blogger Mike S said...

I'm an Indy, always early for stuff, and generally 'middle of the road'. I find the extremes of most subjects never paint a clear picture. There's generally a need for good & bad in everything, as my good may be another's bad.

This does NOT apply to fuel policies created by politicos without scientific and engineering input.(perhaps they all have relatives in the 'alternative fuels & platinum sales biz'!) Buncha $%#^&*$$# SH*ITHEADS!!!

Old Indian shut up and go back to cave now.

2:13 AM  
Blogger The Guy Who Writes This said...

Anon, I'm sure they have a screening process and a secret hand shake. There might even be funny hats involved. But seriously, I hope that you and like minded people can restore sanity to this group or irrational ass-hats.

g,and they prey on you, still.

Zoe, Actually it was rude of me to ask. I'll read about it when you post it. My love to you and BP.

Easy Mike, you're retired now. You shouldn't be wound that tightly.

5:46 AM  
Blogger loopymamain06 said...

The shape of things to come ...is already here: Icelands Government collapsed this week, and a city owned utility did this:http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/..._city_raises_electric_rates.html

the article is NOT just about rates...please read

loopy getting down off her soapbox quickly

7:51 AM  
Blogger The Guy Who Writes This said...

Loopy, the link doesn't work.

8:54 AM  
Blogger g said...

and i forgive them.

7:03 PM  
Blogger The Guy Who Writes This said...

g you're a good guy, but that will not deter them from dragging your ass over the coals. Hopefully you will soon become no longer news worthy.

5:36 AM  

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