the survival of democracy: bridging the gap
03/02/2005 02:31 a.m.
i sit back here now, and i'm thinking; is the world really as polar as everyone makes it out to be? or are the loudmouths just getting the stage?

in the realm of politics, it seems that you're either this way or that; yes or no, with or against; there is always a divisive line that we can hide behind if we've got nothing to go on of our own beliefs, and adopt those of the predefined roles so adamantly; but, what happened to being in the middle?

i hold my personal viewpoints on issues, you can talk to me and ask me why i feel what i feel, and most of the time, i'll be able to tell you exactly why. but i won't bite your head off for disagreeing with me; and i may actually end up agreeing with you if you present a solid argument. And i'd like to think of myself as a fairly flexible person... i won't automatically discount any opinion that doesn't sound exactly like mine; to be unswayable is just as stupid as not having any opinion at all. be informed, but when the situation changes, one can not go on forever without adapting to the new climate. it seems that fewer people than ever are willing open up the doors and see what's across the street.

i take part in a gay rights activism group, and i love what i do with them. however, most of the people there re just as 'us vs. them' as the very people that are discriminating against them; and for a group that, at it's base is supposedly fighting that mentality, it is only reinforcing the walls put in place to divide us. if one side believes the other is unmoving, what incentive will either side have to attempt to make peace?

we need to find an open ground, and bridge the gap. the loudest people take the stage, and the loudest people are usually those most convicted for their cause, and thus will generally have the most dipolar of opinions. we must not allow the screaming of these facets to overtake the civilized discourse that we are all capable of. so please, can't we just talk?
I am currently Thoughtfull
I am listening to the dismemberment plan the city