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Personal attacks solve nothing
Recently, as I was conversing with one of my friends, he asked me if I was offended by the fact that he disagreed with me on our current topic of discussion. I was surprised that he would ask me that, since we have a very open and frank relationship and I have always valued candid conversation.
I place great weight on his opinion and he always gives me pause to think about a contrary view. Later, I had time to reflect on his question and it started to cause me some internal concern. After all, just because two people may differ on a certain topic, does it have to lead to “offense”. I think not! In fact, as you look at the current national and state issues being discussed, they are peppered with comments like hatred, racism, neocons, liars etc. etc. etc. The fact of the matter is, as long as people utilize such personal attack language, we will never come to conclusions that are best for everybody. I was taught early in life, never to personalize or internalize disagreements, but use differing opinions as a platform to come to a more comprehensive conclusion.
The incendiary comments that we see in blogs or letters do not contribute to the resolution of a problem, but create a whole new set of problems. Free speech is a wonderful gift given by our Creator and enshrined in our constitution, but we would be wise to be topic orientated and leave the personal attacks where they belong……in the trashcan!
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas LeClair
Personal attacks solve nothing
Recently, as I was conversing with one of my friends, he asked me if I was offended by the fact that he disagreed with me on our current topic of discussion. I was surprised that he would ask me that, since we have a very open and frank relationship and I have always valued candid conversation.
I place great weight on his opinion and he always gives me pause to think about a contrary view. Later, I had time to reflect on his question and it started to cause me some internal concern. After all, just because two people may differ on a certain topic, does it have to lead to “offense”. I think not! In fact, as you look at the current national and state issues being discussed, they are peppered with comments like hatred, racism, neocons, liars etc. etc. etc. The fact of the matter is, as long as people utilize such personal attack language, we will never come to conclusions that are best for everybody. I was taught early in life, never to personalize or internalize disagreements, but use differing opinions as a platform to come to a more comprehensive conclusion.
The incendiary comments that we see in blogs or letters do not contribute to the resolution of a problem, but create a whole new set of problems. Free speech is a wonderful gift given by our Creator and enshrined in our constitution, but we would be wise to be topic orientated and leave the personal attacks where they belong……in the trashcan!
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas LeClair
