Friend or Foe: A Perspective

[Robert Cooper]

While catching up on my reading of the transcript for the Kitzmiller vs. Dover trial (Intelligent Design) I came across the closing remarks from the judge. I found these words particularly useful:

"Good advocates, good lawyers, can fight in the most zealous and the most dedicated manner in a courtroom but then shake hands and cooperate ..."
- John E. Jones III, judge for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Source: http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/dover/day21pm2.html#day21pm390

I recall Winston Churchill saying much the same thing about Parliament.

I mention this now because I thought there might be some who could benefit from it.

Since I began lurking here, and certainly since I started participating, I've noticed most issues have more than one side, and advocates for different solutions discussing, debating, and sometimes arguing with one another.

A healthy democracy requires that issues be examined from all angles, if for no other reason than to be sure the solution fits and doesn't cause new problems. And as is often the case, some solutions work well under certain conditions, but not others. Sometimes solutions must be tailored to accomodate diversity.

I hope that at the end of the day, regardless of how much we disagree on the issues and their solutions, we can shake hands and cooperate in saving America and the world from Bush and his gang.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Good point

it is vital that you have an idea of all sides to a problem, because only then can you try and come up with a solution that can be most effective. But it is just as important to be civil with those who disagree with your viewpoint. If you aren't, you either find yourself upset and yelling all the time or you go to another site where everyone always agrees with you--and no progress towards a viable solution can be made.

[Robert Cooper]

3. politics of personal destruction

I find that to be the worst. It replaces substantive debate and quickly becomes the focus of the 'discussion'.

[dcfirefighter]

2. Comparing Congress and England's Parliament

Congressmen are generally very cordial on the floor and often very rude to each other in public.

MPs are generally very rude in parliament and very polite to each other in public.

[Robert Cooper]

4. different rules...

in parliament, the rules of slander are suspended: absolute free speech. Outside parliament, the rules of slander and libel apply, thus the more politeness.

To be honest, most of us with a parliament would prefer the rudeness not exist at all. Too often it's like a competitive sporting event.

[dcfirefighter]

10. thanks n/t

[AZBlue]

5. EXCELLENT post!!

And, I'd like to offer that this could apply across the aisle as well. It's the only way to get things done.

[Robert Cooper]

6. It has to start somewhere...

...even if we have to hold our noses to do it ;-)

But one of the worst things of the last election was watching Bush's camp citing quotes from those who competed in the Democratic primaries trying to take down Kerry. So much ammunition the democrats handed the republicans, so unnecessary.

I'm not suggesting self-censorship when it comes to issues, but a more fundamental recognition that issues are decided based on substantive debate, not mud-slinging.

[Just Me]

7. Exactly!!! That is what makes "democracy" a fabulous concept.

The resources of many minds working together towards the best, imaginable solution is what democracy is all about.

Thank you for an exceptional post!

:yourock:

[gratuitous]

8. Not a chance, canucklehead!

And since we disagree, you must suffer from debilitating suppurating pustules, which I will now inflict upon you using the power of my awesome brain.

Feeling uncomfortable yet?

No?

How about . . .

Now?

Damn.

:hi:

[Robert Cooper]

9. Argh!! Ya got me right between the corpuscles =8-} nt

[Robert Cooper]

11. kick nt