Divided We Stand
As I look at America today, what speaks more loudly than anything else is how much we have become a divided nation. This staggering fact brings me great sadness, as I am a firm believe that through unity one becomes stronger, and division can result in downfall. What comes to mind, during what many felt was a strong acceptance from Mr. Bush was his acknowledge of this division, and his attempt to create a more united America. To date, I do not think that anyone from the Democatic party has been nominated for a job in his cabinet, nor has a Democrat been nominated to the federal judiciary. Last I heard, most democrats were in fact excluded from meetings and breakfasts had at the Capitol that did not involve Senate or House business. Although there was a statement to unite, the behavior is exclusionary by definition and heads in in the direction of division.
Some other points regarding division as they exist. Several comments have been made in the media, and have appeared on various blogs denouncing outrageous remarks made by Dick Durbin and Howard Dean. I am not defending these men, as the remarks made were in fact inappropriate. But let us be fair. What about the remarks made earlier this week by Republican John Hostettler? During a debate on the House floor over a measure that would have put the House on record ass opposed to coercive and abusive religious proselytizing at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Hostettler said that, "democrat's can't help themselves when it comes to denigrating and demonizing Christians." Here is the article: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apwashington_story.asp?Category=1153&slug=Congress%20Religion. Having the gun in his bag and pleading guilty to a charge of concealing a deadly weapon is not the issue here, but this is how many may have heard of Mr. Hostettler for informational purposes.
I have gone on record stating that disparaging remarks made, and those made by Dean and Durbin were in fact inappropraite and name calling and smearing are not what brings people together. But how many would come to the same conclusion about Hostettler's statements? Would there not be a spin to explain, minimize, underestimate or defend them? To me, nasty and inappropriate remarks are just plain wrong no matter who says them.
So here is my question for the day: Do you believe that America has become a divided nation?
If so, why? What, if any, steps can be taken to unite us more together? Should Mr. Bush make good on his promise to appoint more Democrats to his cabinet and the judiciary? How can be built this country back up towards a state of unity and not division?
Thank you for your minds.
Some other points regarding division as they exist. Several comments have been made in the media, and have appeared on various blogs denouncing outrageous remarks made by Dick Durbin and Howard Dean. I am not defending these men, as the remarks made were in fact inappropriate. But let us be fair. What about the remarks made earlier this week by Republican John Hostettler? During a debate on the House floor over a measure that would have put the House on record ass opposed to coercive and abusive religious proselytizing at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Hostettler said that, "democrat's can't help themselves when it comes to denigrating and demonizing Christians." Here is the article: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apwashington_story.asp?Category=1153&slug=Congress%20Religion. Having the gun in his bag and pleading guilty to a charge of concealing a deadly weapon is not the issue here, but this is how many may have heard of Mr. Hostettler for informational purposes.
I have gone on record stating that disparaging remarks made, and those made by Dean and Durbin were in fact inappropraite and name calling and smearing are not what brings people together. But how many would come to the same conclusion about Hostettler's statements? Would there not be a spin to explain, minimize, underestimate or defend them? To me, nasty and inappropriate remarks are just plain wrong no matter who says them.
So here is my question for the day: Do you believe that America has become a divided nation?
If so, why? What, if any, steps can be taken to unite us more together? Should Mr. Bush make good on his promise to appoint more Democrats to his cabinet and the judiciary? How can be built this country back up towards a state of unity and not division?
Thank you for your minds.
13 Comments:
What would be the criteria for unity? Is unity a requirement at all costs? I think this nation is divided over two main philosophical camps, moral absolutism, and moral relativism. These two ideologies are totally incompatible; you find a lowest common denominator and you have relativism all around. That would be repugnant!
As long as these two camps exist, there will always be division. My suggestion is eliminate moral relativism, and you got yourself a plan for unity!
Now, let the sparks fly!
UL,
Although you have not defined what you mean by moral absolutism, based upon your own website, I am going to make some assumptions about what you mean.
Sounds like a recipe for racism and facism, if you ask me.
Just my old humble opinion.
Fair statements, Scott, and perhaps my knee jerk reaction to this concept of moral absolutism.
So let me ask this:
Would it not be a safe statement to say that to unite us, that the Republicans now in power can make an effort to reach across party lines to include Democrats more in their administration and judiciary? Why would that not be a good move, in your opinion?
But Scott, Mr. Bush specifically said that his goal was to unite this country and that one of the ways he would do it was by appointing more Democrats to his administration and to the juidicary. So far, can you name one who has been appointed? If so, I will gladly eat humble pie.
You are right, Scott. The ONLY Democrat serving in Mr. Bush's cabinet.
Do you know any on the judiciary?
When was Mr. Mineta appointed, if you know?
Actually, Janet Remo, Mr. Clinton's downfall, was in fact a Republican.
My quesiton is about why this country continues to be so divided. One of the reasons that is it so, in my opinion, is because we have a president who is himself a divider by definition. What that means, is that he intentionallys seperates people in his thinking, beliefs, actions and policies. Part of that separation is consistently borne about in his actions taken by his cabinet and judicial appointments.
Forgot to add:
scott, the craig and Underground l, I am very interested in how you weight in about the post above concerning the statement of Mr. Hostettler.
I am waiting for Carl Rowe and his machine to make John McCain appear to be a coward.
I think America's always been divided. What worries me more now is that we're losing our system of checks and balances. I'd rather see some true division.
Hi Barb!
About Hostettler's comments regarding Democrats demonizing Christians, your link doesn't have the full dialog so I'm a bit ignorant of the full situation. My gut tells me that Hostettler's comment, though perhaps verifiable, is incindiary (sp?) at best. I don't know what his political objectives were whereby his statements were necessary. This seems to me to be a rhetorical blunder. Unless the AP has left out a lot of what happened, he had better be ready to support his rhetoric logically or be ready for a fiery comeback.
Perhaps what I will do is educate myself more and if I have more to comment, I'll be back. If I'm not back, well, make this my stand on the situation. See ya'll.
Doug, I am with you 100 percent.
Mr. Bush is beginning to create division within his own party. This morning I heard Linsey Graham questioning the decision to remain in Iraq, and the need for an appropriate timetable to withdraw. Mr. Bush's popularity rate is at an all time low.
This is my country, and the country where I was born, my father was born, and my children were born. To see it being changed the way it has makes me sick.
Like you, Doug, from now I, I refuse to get involved in the spin game and going around in a circle like a hamster on a wheel, spinning and spinning until I get dizy and cannot get off. I will state my case, and come out fighting.
Craig, Scott and Bruce-ter, ul
Do you care about the 1700 men and women who have been killed, countless other people injured, billions of dollars spent on this war, money taken from your taxes and mine?
"the only "groups" people can get away with hate speech is towards the military, Evangelical Christians, Catholics and Jews."
I thought right wingers didn't like the "culture of victims". Well, turns out many of them absolutely love playing the martyr. Pardon me if I don't feel sorry for you, because it's a load of baloney.
Point to me where a public figure somehow "gets away" with hate speech against Christians. Have you forgotten about last week already, when Dean got blasted for saying the Republicans were a party of Christians? He didn't even insult Christianity, and look at what the reaction was.
Meanwhile, Christian fundamentalists continue their hate speech agains gays. Bush just spoke at the Baptish convention and promised to ban gay marriage in the US Constition.
So I don't buy your little sob story. Not when it's white evangelicals in the most powerful positions in this country.
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