The difference between people who support ideas and causes taken up by the right versus the people who support ideas and causes taken up by the left has never been more striking and apparent (to me) then at this particular point in our country's history. So too, the difference between how that difference is displayed and shown. I've been trying for some time to figure out a way to discribe what most of us have seen (on TV) or witnessed; but I could never quite get the words to flow in a way that would express what I was seeing and feeling - I've come across something that does it for me.
First, for those who don't know, I'm very pro-life and anti-abortion; in the past I was just the opposite. Second, most of you know that we just passed the 'anniversary' date of Roe vs. Wade and there were many demonstrations, both pro-life and pro-abortion, held in many cities. Third, I was directed to the site I'm going to link to from Belmont Club (link).
The tactics used by both sides in this demonstration, which took place in San Francisco, looked to me to be a shining example, of the types of people on both sides and the tactics used by people on both sides. To be fair, yes, there are some whackos on the right, they are shown (since they showed up) in this pictorial report. However, they are far and few between compared to the whackos on the left that appeared to be the backbone of the left wing protesters. I acknowledge everyone's right to dissent, but that right does not mean destruction of property (which DIDN'T happen at this demonstration). Does the right to dissent include calling those who disagree with you names? Cursing at them, throwing things at them? Etc?
In closing, I encourage you to click on this link (link) and view the pictures for yourself. The author adds very little commentary as the pictures pretty much speak for themselves. He (or she) tarnishes his entry with his 'last page' - although I found it interesting and amusing. The link is only 3 pages long so I encourage you to see what I'm talking about.
When you've gone there, come back and comment - please.
The folks pictured, are they typical examples of who's on the right and who's on the left? Or do they only represent pro-life and pro-abortion advocates? As you read through the pictures and commentary, do both sides appear to be exercising their right to demonstrate, or do the tactics of one seem correct versus the tactics of the other side?
Comments and opinions welcomed.
More Later
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
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6 comments:
I take issue with this entire post. It’s stereotyping veiled in a pro-choice post. If there’s one thing I really hate, it’s being put into a category of people.
What category should I be put in?
I’m white,
I’m an engineer,
I’m liberal,
I’m middle class,
I have excessive tattooing on my torso,
I was born and raised in Middle-America,
I’m a father,
I listen to heavy metal,
I graduated from high school with a 4.00 and from a Big-Ten University with a 3.5,
I’m pro-death when it comes to a bundle of cells,
I’m pro-life when it comes to killing prisoners
Putting people in categories is foolish. It makes it us against us rather than what it should be:
Us against Them.
Them, being those wealthy individuals who are in power and want us to keep fighting with each other and labeling each other so we’re so consumed with it that we don’t realize that they are the ones who are making our lives more difficult.
i like your blog....
:::add to favorites:::
Strangely enough I agree with you L- however, the powers that be do not have any kind of corner on the market in terms of being devisive. All it takes is someone, anyone, with an opinion. Some people tend to classify their bias as morally superior, rather than just the opinion it is. I think people are entitled to hold their own opinions. Don't ask me to condone yours or anyone elses. In a world of different people we will hold differences. We can disagree respectfully, but disagreement is a given. If push comes to shove, I am not going to shut up because someone doesn't agree with me. I am just as entitled to voice my opinion as you or anyone else is. If I see something in my culture I disagree with I am entitled to verbalize my disagreement, and so are you. The government, no matter who is in power, can't tell you what to think. I think it's a cop out to say it's the government's fault people disagree.
Lawryde -
Actually I didn't/don't think of it as stereotyping - as I stated, I see the difference between those on the right and those on the left. I think the photos showed that difference but I think it extends beyond the abortion issue.
You asked - what catetory you should be put in, then you answered it when you said "I'm liberal" - you further 'conformed' to that image when you you said you listen to heavy metal, are excessively tatooed are pro-abortion but soft on capital punishment. If I met you on the street that is the exact image and idea I would think of you before you even opened your mouth. Once you verified my thoughts with your speech ...
BTW - the posting wasn't about abortions or the protests, it was about how we have become a country of polar opposites. The photo pages merely magnified what I've seen on many issues other than abortion.
You say putting people in categories is foolish, yet you fit neatly into the category of 'liberal'. I fit fairly neatly into the category of 'conservative', however I don't mind, in fact I'm proud of my label.
I disagree with you final paragraph but you summation would be typical of what I believe a liberal would say, my disagreement would be typical of what a conservative would say.
If you saw me on the street after work, you'd think I was one of your conservative buddies. At Caterpillar we have to dress office appropriate, and that certainly isn't showing tattoos. In fact, I go further than most and almost always wear a tie to work. I like to look classy. I rub shoulders and hold conversations with conservatives all day long. I can be an intelligent presence in the boardroom, and then go hang out in a tattoo parlor and chat with the artists.
I'm not a typical anything. I'm sure you think all those liberal protesters are idiots based on the way they're dressed. I agree with them, and I'm about three standard deviations above the mean when it comes to intelligence.
You know what? I'd most likely vote for John McCain in a presidential election over almost anyone the democrats could muster. Why? I don’t really agree with him on all his positions, but I think he's genuinely interested in the well being of the American people and not making a name for himself in history or making his bank account bigger.
Lawryde:
The fact isn't that the left are dumb, a lower class or even crazy. You have some poster children down here in California who make your movement, dumb, low class and crazy. I am everything you are except the engineer, tatoo and Big Ten thing. But I am pro-life, including anti-death penalty. Yet, tell me something about those pictures. Tell me what calling Bush a fascist on a poster has to do with the Pro-life walk that occurred in SF? Tell me what it has to do with homosexuality? Nothing... It appears some militant leftists wanted to crash a parade. Sure, they have the right of free speech, but dude, c'mon!!!
Michael, I linked your blog story here to kind of a Liberal vs. Conservative blog called "Bring It On" www.teambio.org. I wanted to draw attention to those photos you linked because it is dead on to what I hate about some of the left's idiology. We could use your help on the right side of that blog once in a while as well.
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