Uncivil Discourse: Rambling thoughts

by: linkert

Thu Feb 08, 2007 at 01:56:32 AM CST

http://www.mncampaig...

I'm not sure if I could summarize the evening justly with this diary entry, but really wanted to put some thoughts down about what Garvis had to say.  And perhaps more importantly, what it meant to me.  I was very moved by the discussion tonight, and have been very deep in thought all night.

As he indicated in his interview with Joe, there are a lot of people who are making money, and gaining power, by pissing off people like me.  More often then not, these people and institutions are more likely to be gaining that power because they can make me angry (I guess it's easy to make me angry).  In fact, they gain power, as I give it to them.  They gain my financial, intellectual, and social power and resources.  More often than not, these institutions tend to be against something, or for a position or goal that is really, unrealistic, and doesn't factor into the other sides' needs and positions.

So in the end... what is accomplished?  Let's say an issue is resolved, like gay marriage.  What happens to FRC(Family Research Council) or HRC(Human Rights Campaign)?  Would they become less relevant?  Would they lose the power, and access to money they are currently getting?  Perhaps they realize this, and so they push for the debate to continue, and stand so firmly in their positions, so far apart from each other, so that the issue cannot, and will not ever be resolved fairly to them.

I'm reminded of an interesting document I found on the Legislative Reference Library website about the history of the Interstate system here in Minnesota.  There was a fascinating chapter about the planning of 35E going through St. Paul.  A group known as RIP 35E formed in opposition to a 35E being connected to I94 and was pushing for the Highway to go through one neighborhood, arguing for it to be a parkway.  They fought against the construction of 35E for years, and were successful in part.  It is because of them you have to slow down to 45 mph when you go through downtown St. Paul, and why commercial traffic has to go over to Robert Street to continue on their way to Duluth.

What happened to RIP 35E?  I don't know, but would guess that since they did lose in court, and the freeway (or parkway, as it were) was actually built, the group broke apart, and RIP 35E faded into history.

What were to happen if Minnesota were to pass a "Marraige Protection Act", and constitutionally made it illegal for same sex marriages here in Minnesota?  Would that be the end of the discussion?  Would locally the FRC and HRC fade into history?

What do I take away with all this?  Because I gave some money and time to a cause I believe in, did I actually accomplish something?  If I really did want to make an accomplishment, is this the best way?  I don't want to be part of the machine that's dividing our community, I want to be part of the community that is bringing people together, and finding real solutions.

I think about MNcampaignreport.  I have really enjoyed Joe's work, and love the diary we are using.  I am also impressed with the fact that this site is now in Daily Kos blogroll, and is being set up as a central front for liberal and Democratic races here in Minnesota in 2008.  My heart tells me this is a great thing. 

Then I have to take a step back... and look at the larger picture.  I see the huge politcal battle happening in 2008, with Dkos, MNCR, and other liberal websites lining up on one side, and Townhall.com, and MDE lining up on the other.  What will happen, I cannot say, but I know the political fight will not be pretty, for either side.  No matter who wins.

Do I really want to be a part of that?

No.

I want to be on the side that gets things done... that accomplishes something.

How do I do that?

Please feel free to suggest ways for a guy like me to actually help our community accomplish something.