In politics, it seems whenever anyone accuses someone of something the response is, in effect, "so's your old man."
For example, if I criticize President Obama over the IRS' recent harassment of Tea Party groups, the instant response is, Yeah, Nixon did the same thing! If I say the Justice Department overstepped its authority in grabbing up AP reporters' phone records, they say, Nixon tapped the DNC!
All true, folks. But can't we have a discussion about one thing at a time? Isn't this what Members of Congress do? Not listen to each other but come up with a worse offense by the other side? Try to win the argument rather than fix the problem?
Classic inability to communicate. Not unlike couples who sometimes do the same thing and don't listen to each other, but have to out-do the other. Doesn't do a lot to nurture the relationship, in most cases.
It doesn't work as a means toward resolving disagreements, either. I haven't heard anyone disagree, for example, that the IRS was wrong in going after the right-wing groups. I also didn't hear anyone say it was done at Obama's instruction (not the same as Nixon now, is it?). I haven't heard anyone say what the Justice Department did in going after the AP phone calls, without following proper protocols, was right. And, again, I haven't heard anyone say Obama ordered that, either.
When you hear a criticism of something or someone you support, instead of coming back with an attack or criticism of your own, why not try discussing that criticism? Hell, you might even agree find out you agree! None of us is perfect. We make mistakes. Or bad judgments. And how do we learn, or convince the other side, without a discussion?
Just a thought. You can disagree.
For example, if I criticize President Obama over the IRS' recent harassment of Tea Party groups, the instant response is, Yeah, Nixon did the same thing! If I say the Justice Department overstepped its authority in grabbing up AP reporters' phone records, they say, Nixon tapped the DNC!
All true, folks. But can't we have a discussion about one thing at a time? Isn't this what Members of Congress do? Not listen to each other but come up with a worse offense by the other side? Try to win the argument rather than fix the problem?
Classic inability to communicate. Not unlike couples who sometimes do the same thing and don't listen to each other, but have to out-do the other. Doesn't do a lot to nurture the relationship, in most cases.
It doesn't work as a means toward resolving disagreements, either. I haven't heard anyone disagree, for example, that the IRS was wrong in going after the right-wing groups. I also didn't hear anyone say it was done at Obama's instruction (not the same as Nixon now, is it?). I haven't heard anyone say what the Justice Department did in going after the AP phone calls, without following proper protocols, was right. And, again, I haven't heard anyone say Obama ordered that, either.
When you hear a criticism of something or someone you support, instead of coming back with an attack or criticism of your own, why not try discussing that criticism? Hell, you might even agree find out you agree! None of us is perfect. We make mistakes. Or bad judgments. And how do we learn, or convince the other side, without a discussion?
Just a thought. You can disagree.
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