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NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION: WATCH THE RIGHT!

1/16/2012

 
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_New Year’s Resolution: Watch the Right!           
    This year the holiday season began earlier than ever, Hallow’een, to New Year’s Day, a nonstop commercial debauch  followed by a few days of inane babble about New Year’s Resolutions. I usually tune that out too, but was suddenly struck with a necessary resolution: I resolve to listen to talking heads I do not agree  with.
    Like most people I know, I listen only to talk shows I agree with. This is insular and weak-kneed. How can I be critical of others who do that, differing only on who we agree with?  In addition, I treasure readers who disagree with me.
    I’ve always assumed differences in style: on the Left, mockery, travesty, satire, on the Right: condemnation, fear-mongering, and rage. But a quick look at Lou Dobbs Tonight reveals that to be wrong, or anyway, incomplete. Dobbs is relaxed and avuncular while calling illegal immigration from Mexico a “security crisis,” and Obama’s recent proposal to consolidate five government bureaus for small business, “a grab for power.”  It’s fear-mongering, yes, but warm and fuzzy, sort of. Mr. Dobbs bears watching. 
    I expect to be annoyed, offended, even outraged, but my cognate resolution is to correctly state their arguments and refute them reasonably and rationally. If I lose my cool or collapse into idiocy, I beg readers to let me know.

   

Martha
1/16/2012 12:17:47 pm

I am really impressed. I agree with your resolution, but I lack patience in this endeavor.

truman
1/17/2012 12:22:17 am

i agree, too much emotion altogether....might get worse?!!

urbisoler
1/17/2012 06:26:10 am

Re: Lou Dobbs on Consolidation. I missed it so I don't know how he rationalizes a power grab. On the face of it, this is a step (small) in the right direction. Nevertheless, it is likely (and perhaps primarily) a political move to illustrate that he really does listen to the right. What the country needs, however, are drastic cuts to bring the deficit in balance and reduce the debt. This he is not likely to do. This political season is likely to be the most brutal in my lifetime primarily because the Tea Party is tired of compromises that continue the tax, borrow and spend nature of government. Formerly, the GOP was willing to compromise which simply meant that we weren't going to spend quite as much as the left wants us to. I admit, however, that Reagan spent more than expected but the rational was to build up military forces to the point where the Soviets could not compete. It worked but it cost us dearly. As far as G.W. Bush is concerned, I voted for him because it was likely that he would appoint strict constructionists to the Supreme Court which he did. But the unfortunate slogan "compassionate" conservative and the usual politicians talked him into spending over his head.
Sing along, Stuart.
Somewhere - there's a place for us; a time and place for us. We'll find a new way of living - Somehow; someday, somewhere.


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    Author (Yuma, AZ, 1944)

    Being 90 years in this world,  with great kids,  great grandkids, great wives (two, one at a time) and great memories, I wonder why some people seem to have stopped loving the U.S.A.? I will wonder in print right here. If you wonder too, or can provide some answers, please comment.
                                   Stuart Hodes

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           With my friend, Nero.
                   April, 2012.
        Photo by Ray Madrigal

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