OT
Brundy,
I just wanted to tell you I feel much more comfortable with your position as the way you are explaining things (to me anyway) "feels" much more sincere and respectful. Wouldn't it be a "hoot" if due to our changing the tone of our dialog and focused less on trying to sway one another, wouldn't be a
"hoot" if the resulting respectful and empathetic tone produced both proponents and opponents to begin allocating more brain energy towards finding common ground and as a result if actually happened?
The change of tone makes me feel less defensive.
I don't think this is so impossible as I bet if you look throughout the history of our country, many examples could be found where a solution was implemented, mutually gratifying for both sides, as a direct result of changing a debate from an adversarial nature to a more communal one? (I hate any words that begin with "comm"!)
There are no negative connotations here but each side should start preparing for the worst but hoping for the best and exhorting more effort to coming up with a way to co-exist with what ever unfolds. Sometimes it’s not what we say but how we say it that hinders others from listening in a constructive manner. Anything is possible in America!!
JMHO & GLTY,
Nez
Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
Benjamin Franklin
