One of the things that I always tell my students when they’re doing research papers for class is not to pick a topic to which they do not want to find an answer. What that means is, sometimes, students are so passionate about a topic that they are unwilling to actually cast a wide net, in terms of research. I often find this to be the case with issues like abortion, homosexuality, and the causes of poverty. This makes sense because these are all issues of who’s in control, what’s right, and who’s to blame. Sometimes, people’s identities are so wrapped up in a point of view that, without it, their sense of self might crumble. That’s why, when challenged, these people get angry and turn into finger pointing and the old rhetorical technique, ad hominem (which literally means “to the man.” When you can’t find fault with the argument, find fault with the man).
I think research is a valuable endeavor inside and outside of class, because it gets people to question real issues and how they know what they know. Regardless of the belief in question, I feel that engaging in actual research makes people more knowledgeable and ethical. To say that one knows something without being willing to look at the consequences of that belief—that is a dangerous thing. If belief leads to action, then unquestioned beliefs lead to acting without question. And that is a recipe for fascism. Society quickly turns into some twisted game of social Darwinism, where those who win are the ones who’ve historically had access to power.
For me, political discussions involve actual research on both sides. It involves looking at reputable documents like voting records, campaign platforms, and ethical journalism—not OpEds. It doesn’t involve opinions, commercials, talking heads, or flippant speeches. I am very invested in politics because it is THE engine that forms and regulates the possibilities and freedoms of its citizens. For this reason, I find it difficult to quibble about a candidate’s middle name, their personality, their skin color, their age, gender, etc. For me, I want to know—for a fact—that I’ve got a concrete idea of what they’ve done in the past and what they say they will do. When someone vying to control my freedoms lies about what they’ve done or changes their stance to gain a vote, a red flag goes up. I am being asked to trust an unethical person with my civil liberties. This is why I cannot vote Republican or concede to the ethics of the current Republican ticket.
For me, politics isn’t just another four years, especially when my civil rights as a lesbian and as a woman are called into question: the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the overturning of newly formed hate crime laws, the overturning of domestic partner benefits at work, the overturning of my rights for hospital visitation, the overturning of my adoption rights, the overturning of my ability to pass on property to my partner—all this, aside from the question of whether or not I can marry my partner. My civil liberties should not be a wedge issue. No one’s civil liberties should be a wedge issue.
Let’s call it what it is: wedge issues are a distraction from the truth about global diplomacy and domestic affairs. Not only does it insult me, but as a human being—as a person who deserves rights—it has been difficult for me to even understand how someone could shrug off another person’s civil liberties. It’s as if when one is not a woman, when one is not a homosexual, these “things” become less important. In essence, I become a “thing.” My freedoms become another “issue.”
Why do I say all this? Because, while I am happy to talk about strategies for running a country, and what policy needs more developing and what might falter, I do have trouble responding to heresay, edited videos, outright lies, bigoted smears, and cherry-picked research. I am happy to talk policy. I am happy to do this. To argue about a lapel pin or who danced on Ellen, especially when my rights are up for grabs, it’s beyond what I can respond. This is because it makes me see how, when we as a country do not focus on the issues, I become less important than someone’s alleged rockstar status, someone’s pregnant teen, and a Senator’s middle name. And I cannot accept that.
I just sent the following message to Senator Obama's campaign website. If you think it's a good idea, please contact the website, too. I'm also going to contact MoveOn.org.
...
Hi,Thank you for taking the time to read this. I know how busy the campaign is. I normally don't do this, but I think I have a simple idea that could stop the smears against Obama. The idea is this. Average people can stop the smears against Obama by creating their own video campaign on YouTube.All people would need to do is take videos of themselves, using their camera phones.Imagine an ad on YouTube that says:"Senator McCain, you have told us all about what you feel Senator Obama can't do. Tell us, what can YOU do?"The key is to:1. Keep it short.2. Stick to the facts.3. Directly address Senator McCain, asking for answers.People WILL watch these on YouTube, especially if they're all over the place. Eventually, the news stations will report on it. And then, McCain gets called out by the ordinary Americans he says he's so "in touch" with.And the thing is, since Senator Obama is sticking to the issues and the facts--and Senator McCain isn't--McCain tactics will be (respectfully) exposed.It's one thing for you all to talk about the facts of McCain's campaign. It's quite another for average folks to do it.People tune out obvious campaign commercials. They won't tune out real people.You all could make it considerably easier, because we could just text the videos to you--and you could screen them and publish them on YouTube. I'd be happy to help in any way I can. I'm a freelance editor, so my time is my own. Let me know; I'm willing to help.I believe in Obama. I also believe that average people should be able to make their voices heard. I believe that politicians should have the respect for their voters to talk about ISSUES--not rely on smears to gt elected.I really think this could work. It would stop the smears and put all the negative attention back where it belongs.Thank you, again, for your time.Sincerely,Gina Patterson
