So it was about two months ago that I came up with this insane idea: Maybe if I address Conservatives politely, and engage in relatively civil debate, I will be able to better understand them, and their perspective.
I really wanted to know more about them, and about their beliefs. You see, for me personally, the national discourse between Americans has gone a little too haywire for me. There really is a lot of hatred being thrown around.
So, I started posting on a popular Conservative blog, and I made myself stick to a basic rule: maintain civility at all costs. That hasnt always been easy. (more below)
When I first started posting on the blog I had pretty high hopes actually. I really thought that I might be able to get to know some of the posters on there, and gain some insight into their worldviews.
Problems arose really quickly. Right when it became clear that I was a "liberal" the slam fest basically started. I kept trying to stear people clear of the personal attacks, but to little avail. A wonderful assortment of euphamisms, insults, and jeers were thrown my way.
I made it clear to people that I thought such personal attacks were cowardly, and useless, and ultimately that I didnt give a shit what some person behind a computer screen typed in my direction. It was an empty threat, fueled by anonymity and a certain amount of "internet courage."
There were some people that would listen to my point of view, and basically stick to discussing issues or ideas. And that's all that I was hoping for. I have respect for those who were able to get past the partisan crap and discuss things. A great deal of respect.
For the most part, the experience has been a pain in the ass. I have to admit that some things I see written there drive me crazy, and I do my best to reply with as much class and composure as possible. Ya, sometimes I just end up in those long, drawn out arguments that go nowhere.
The thing that gets me most is the amount of times that people just resort to calling me stupid, or insane, or treasonous, or whatever, instead of just responding with evidence and arguments.
I won't lie. There are times when I go right after people, when I call them out on things that I find to be untrue. I attack arguments, however, and not the people. I may have slipped a couple of times slightly, but for the most part I have held my compusure well, despite repeated attacks on me.
Through it all, the experiment continues. You see, I have this feeling that the divide that I hear about in this country isn't as horrible as Michael Moore and Ann Coulter want me to believe.
I have this weird idea that one half of this country cannot survive without the other half, and that the best thing would be a greater understanding between us. At the very least I think we should be able to discuss things without completely freaking out on one another, without acting like a bunch of children. Some days, after reading a post where a person accuses me of being a treasonous-moonbat-liberal-psychopath just for expressing a different view, it all just sounds like a bunch of idealistic bullshit.
But, I refuse to give up. I dont give a damn, and no matter what, I still think that theirs is a viewpoint that is worth trying to understand, that they are just as important to this country as anyone, and that they have as much right to their opinions as I have to mine.
The only ones who can change my mind about that are the conservatives themselves.