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THANK YOU FOR NOT AGREEING

9/28/2011

 
 Thank You for Not Agreeing
    In Manhattan’s Union Square Park in the 1950s you could hoist a flag, stand on a soapbox, and harangue to your heart’s content. Haranguers ranged from scruffy wild-eyed communists trying to save the world, to wild-eyed preachers in clerical collars trying to save your soul. All were so utterly convinced of their rightness it brought to mind a wise observation: “Those most certain of their convictions are the least likely to have any logical foundation for them,” It’s a comfort since I'm seldom that certain of mine.
    On a recent blog, The Brute Within, I noted that the U.S. had outlawed “racism, sexism, and homophobia,” which elicited “...gays and lesbians are barred from federal marriage rights... that’s both segregation and homophobia. People of color and poor people are still herded into substandard neighborhoods...  that’s both segregation and racism. As for sexism, it's so entrenched in our systems as to be all but invisible..”  To that, I can only say, Amen. 
    Other readers disagree in ways I can’t affirm, but to all I say, thank you for your disagreements. I will never delete them. When I find myself uncomfortably certain that I am right, a small voice asks, “What makes you so sure?” Actually, I’m not.

    I try to find positions that rise from love, not hate, but in WW2, when bombing a hated enemy, I felt hate’s icy power and can feel it still.
    As a life form, I feel committed to life. I admire Albert Schweitzer’s “Reverence for Life,” but deplore so-called “right to lifers” some of whom condone  murder of those who disagree. Yet both of our belief systems are riddled with internal contradictions.
    I believe in non-violence but am outclassed by the Jain religion which rejects even violent thoughts.
    I don’t like being an omnivore, yet remain one.
    People are starving in the Horn of Africa while I shop in horn-of-plenty super markets.
    Republicans vie to be presidential candidates in what looks like a vicious Punch and Judy puppet show. Are these malicious clowns completely out of touch with reality? Or am I? 
    I have many other doubts, which may be why I don’t trust those who have none.  My doubts allow me to hope that those without any are more likely to be wrong than I.

Martha
9/28/2011 02:16:17 pm

Your loyal readers are safely assuming that your "Amen" applies, not to the existence of sexism, etc., but to the pointing out of those facts. On another note, intellectual uncertainty is fertile ground indeed.

rs
9/28/2011 11:01:58 pm

"herded into substandard neighborhood"?-wasn't that Poland?.
...love to disagree with such a fertile mind: and imagination.
thank stu

Jack Gescheidt link
9/29/2011 02:24:33 am

I too am often put off by those who claim 100% certainty and that they speak The One Truth; drawn to those who may have a strong belief, but always leave room for doubt. I like to say of my strong beliefs that they are for ME, not necessarily for anyone else to grasp onto. Take it if you like, and don't if you don't.

So, in conclusion, Stuart, if you run, I will vote for you...

urbisoler
9/30/2011 03:14:17 am

Stu - You are an agnostic in heart and mind but you will not allow yourself to admit it. Or is this an attempt at being even-handed? If so, you have failed. Behind those words of wisdom lies a liberal-thinking creature who snarls at anything that smacks of conservatism even when that conservative is convinced that we cannot continue to spend ourselves into oblivion. Haven't we had enough of Keynsian economics? Isn't it time to balance our economic thinking by reinventing Adam Smith?

Susan link
10/1/2011 01:32:25 am

Stuart, You only get better and better! Susan


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    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

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

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