Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Two People On An Elephant


Two People On An Elephant

Whether you make your home on the left shore or the right, it is nigh impossible to find a safe place to cross the howling wild waters of American politics these days.  There was a time when intelligent discourse could form a bridge betwixt the two sides, but listen for that now and you might as well put your ear to a shell.   It has become commonplace to hear presidential candidates regularly, and at high volume, call each other the sort of hateful epithets formerly unwelcome in the schoolyard and, astonishingly, be applauded for it.   I feel nothing but embarrassment at the spectacle.    All of which makes the recent passing of US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia noteworthy, and not for the reasons you might think. 

There was a photograph that surfaced amid the predictable, petulant firestorm that immediately erupted concerning Judge Scalia’s replacement; a photograph that, for me, elicited the most interest.  A picture of two people on holiday in India, sitting atop an elephant and beaming with obvious pleasure.  Judge Scalia and Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  One a hero of the right, the other a champion of the left, rarely in agreement in the cases they judged, yet apparently, clearly, good friends.  

It is now known that these two polar opposites were indeed close friends, or “buddies”, as Judge Ginsburg recalls.  They attended the opera together.  They teased each other with the sort of good humour that is indicative of an easy friendship.  (For example, regarding that elephant photo, when Judge Scalia pointed out that she had to ride behind him, Judge Ginsburg countered that it was all due to a proper distribution of considerable weight and nothing more.)  They respected each other’s intelligence and humanity, though they frequently, vigorously, disagreed on the cases they judged. 

I’m not sure when we began to demonize those with whom we disagree. It takes a certain kind of hubris to think one is right all the time, to refuse to make room for other ways and other opinions, but that hubris becomes dangerous when we condemn those who hold different views than ours or when, God help us,  we use our religion as a scythe to cut another’s humanity and patriotism to shreds.  This past week I heard a wise man say that we no longer look for information, but for ammunition, and I fear this is all too true.  

Recently  I received a letter from a reader who told me, although they had always enjoyed my blog, they were now “never going to read it again” because of a comment I made concerning a certain presidential candidate.  I wished them well, but couldn’t help but wonder how difficult it must be for them to get along in such a wide, wide world.  If we only associate with those who applaud our views, if we only read affirmation of our beliefs, if we never consider other opinions….. well, I guess we’re now seeing what that brings.
How I hope that photograph of those two smiling people
 on that elephant gets the attention it so deserves.

38 comments:

  1. My goodness, I really needed to hear this. Thank you for these calming, wise words and perspective. They give me hope.

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    1. I agree, Heather. This type of behavior is the reason why nothing gets accomplished in Washington. I can not imagine having such a job, where all you do is argue and fight in the nastiest of ways and the only work you accomplish is that of blocking the efforts of those who don't agree with you.

      As for someone who would stop reading you because they disagreed with a comment you made, Pamela, truly they live in a small, small sad world. Truly their loss.....

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  2. That is a nice story of the friendship between Scalia and Ginzburg. The country might be better off if we had more reaching across the aisles in friendship in Congress. Some past Presidents were noted for leading in that regard, inviting opponents to lunch in the White House, parties, golfing, etc. I don't stop following bloggers who have a different political or religious view than I do; we can learn from each other, you are right.

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  3. You are the first blogger I read who has approached this subject. I will not comment apart from saying 'good on you!' and to let you know that it is alarming to sit on this end of the continent and watch one of the greatest countries in the world being dragged down by what you describe. I wish your country well - I love it and worry about it.

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  4. Reminds me of the story about the 7 blind men describing an elephant. I have just about lost faith in my fellow Americans in relation to the state of politics. As a formerly avid student of politics, I have tried to stay out of the fray. I've always been a huge fan of Hillary and am sad that so many don't realize the chance we have. She may be old school, but she knows the right way to take our country and I just hope the Republican candidates will implode the old party and come out a new democratic republican party. Having said this, thank you for telling of the songwriter's heart attack. I sit and write this with a Holter monitor on and had a CT scan with dye today. Hopefully, it will all turn out well. It was a good reminder to us all that we need to keep abreast of our heart health.

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  5. We have a regular Monday night show on national television in which representatives from our different political parties answer audience questions on the matters of the day. It is usually civilised, polite (no personal insults or name calling) and with agreements on many different issues and disagreements being discussed for their merit. One thing all were in agreement of last night was when an audience member asked what their reaction would be if Donald Trump was elected President of the United States with the answer across the board being "God help us all"!! The rest of the world is afraid of the consequences of this scenario.

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    1. I meant to say that this is in Australia.

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  6. I love my country and I am so afraid of what the political scene has become. I am also very embarrassed. We do need another articulate, thoughtful, and knowledgeable person in the White House. Please God, help us.

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  7. Dear Pamela,
    My heart is breaking at the horrible turn our politics here is taking.
    Thank you for addressing this. Yes, the elephant photo should teach us a lot.
    And there are so many thoughtful, generous, wonderful Americans. We need a lot of people to stand up and say -politics apart - we need a peaceful, kind country. I could go on and on.... sad days. Sending warmest greetings to you all.

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  8. This needs to be said by many in different public venues. Thank you for this post.

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  9. Unfortunately, this kind of behavior isn't confined to politics. Schoolroom brawls and ad hominem arguments are also prevalent in the news media, entertainment industry, on facebook and in blogland. It is a symptom of a deeper issue in our culture. I am reminded of a verse in Scripture: "But if you bite and devour one another, take care lest you be consumed by one another" (Galatians 5:15). Taken to heart, the words written before and after that verse could change the world.

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  10. The farmer and I are on completely different sides politically - we rarely mention it. What does it matter in the giant scheme of things? We vote at election time and I suppose cancel out one another's vote. But our happy married life transcends all of that - and so it should.

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  11. Here here!! A wonderful example of civility in politics was the Massachusetts senate race between John Kerry and William Weld ( not all that long ago). The two polar opposites made a gentleman's agreement to refrain from negative attack ads. They engaged in spirited debate, but kept it civil. Kerry noted he would never win a personality contest against Weld, and Weld said he would never win a swimsuit contest against Kerry. They respected each other, and Weld shook the winner's hand at the end.
    What has happened to reasoned debate is that we no longer revere intellectuals...just personalities.

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  12. Balance and reason...good for one's diet and good for one's life.

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  13. I remember the Kerry-Weld race well as I am from Massachusetts. It's a great example of how simple kindness and common sense can work even in politics. Obama tried quite regularly and valiantly to reach across the aisle but has been rebuffed by a right wing which seems almost rabid in its mission to force their agenda. I have been an expat for 15 years and in that time I have watched negativity and blatant hatred take hold of our politics. I honestly never thought I would watch my beloved country entertaining the buffoonery of this election. I get asked about it all the time by my European friends; quite frankly, I don't know what to say.

    Thank you for this beautifully written post. People with whom we disagree do not have to be our enemies.

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  14. Thank you, Pamela, for expressing this so very well. I have also appreciated all of the comments made.

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  15. I completely agree with you and the comments I have read so far. We are a laughing stock or an outrage or terrifying to the rest of the world right now. I won't put a name to the cause of this. Suffice it to say that some people should just stick with reality tv.

    Thank you for posting this lovely tribute to sanity.

    Kay

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  16. Thank you for this post. God only knows what's happening with this world. I never realized how many illiterate Americans are. The Politicians KNOW. That's why the
    show and stupidity. I am embarrassed. There is Hillary and the republican from
    Ohio. He seems to be Adult . It's over the top, out of control. Trump is doing it for his ego, it's a joke to him. Most of them are just thieves
    yvonne.

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  17. Love the blog post and love the comments. Pamela, I am sure you are very happy to attract the civilized and thoughtful readers that come here to share your beautiful and thought-full writing and participate in such a positive fashion.

    We should all strive to be more like Edward: wag more, bark less, like those bumper stickers advise! The comments on your blog are definitely wagging more, and barking less. Would that our government take that to heart.

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  18. The still small voice of civility.

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  19. Your post hits the nail on the head!!! Civility, humanity, reason have been shifted to the back burner by most of those running for President. It makes me sad and mad at the same time. Where are the Statesmen that we need to represent every citizen of this country?
    I read a blog indignantobserver - written by a lawyer who has turned writer when not litigating.
    His posts and comments from readers make for an interesting read. The conclusions are similar, but from a man's point of view. If we keep a sane dialogue going, I pray the literate will teach the illiterate common sense.

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  20. Pamela,
    Thank you for always sharing such sound reasoning and using such wonderful words to do it. It's made me sad and a little embarrassed that our politicians are so hateful. I hope there are more in the country who can use good reason and sense when they vote.
    Karen

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  21. Thank you so much Pamela! When I first saw this photo, I felt the same as you. If only everyone was a bit kinder, more courteous, and understanding of their fellow man!

    Xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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  22. Thanks for this insightful post. It seems like we are at a time when the issues facing us are more serious than ever, and the lack of civility makes it hard to have an intelligent dialog on how to solve them.

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  23. Pamela--Your posts are always so articulate, and this one is just perfect. The current circus is indeed downright distressing, and I wish more of us "regular people" would call out these leader-wannabes and remind them that it's difficult to teach our children kindness, respect, and tolerance when the adults in charge can't even behave without name-calling and bullying.
    And in the spirit of friendly disagreeing, I "forgive" you for your previous post, which seems to prefer the Colin Firth version of P & P over the Kiera Knightly version. How could you??!! ;0

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  24. This may just be the best post you have ever written. Thank you.

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  25. Pamela, thank you for your insightful and articulate post. While I am, most likely, on the other end of the political spectrum from you, I would never stop reading your blog or any other source from which I gain so much enjoyment, merely because of differences of political leanings. What a closed off world that would be. Many of my best friends lean left politically, while I lean right - but, we get along and love each other dearly. And, thank you for the picture of Justice Scalia and Justice Ginsberg. RIP, Justice Scalia

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  26. If only elephants did not have to be subjected - like camels - to being ridden by tourists. I suppose it keeps them alive - although not well-treated - but I do despise the practice. Perhaps starting my own firestorm with this comment!

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  27. Those Republicans, started fighting the day after his seat was empty. No respect,
    I think they are the dregs of the earth. He was a great man.
    Speaking of Elephants, they may have a gene to cure Cancer.
    yvonne

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  28. I love this symbolic photo and this post! Part of what I've enjoyed about blogging is "meeting" articulate people with views different from mine. Even if we don't agree, we can learn through listening. I do hope Congress will honor the spirit of this photo and endorse a replacement for Scalia. I was quite impressed that the Republican senator from my state, Susan Collins, agrees.

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  29. About India : read this book.... I recommend it to you...
    http://vendangeslitteraires.overblog.com/2016/02/voix-de-femmes-invisibles-en-pays-tamoul.html
    Maybe translated into English...
    And thank you for your so wonderful blog, I like very much your photos !

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  30. Your comments are quite interesting considering your hateful (yes, your previous post was filled with hate for Mr. Trump) comment about Donald Trump. You seem to exempt yourself from needing to have civil discourse with those with whom we disagree. A few of your commenters here also seem to exempt themselves also and feel freedom to spew their hate for Mr. Trump and Republicans in general. I have no special affection for Mr. Trump, but feel that you are being very disingenuous here and allowing yourself a double standard.

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    1. Dear Mr. Laughlin,
      I beg to disagree. I don't believe I have ever written any post that was "filled with hate" as you put it. I freely admit to finding the statements made by Mr. Trump to be dangerous and divisive and I make no apologies for that. His candidacy worries me greatly as it seems to appeal to the worst in us. But to characterize any of my posts in the way you have is not only inaccurate , but unfair to boot.
      Sincerely,
      Pamela Terry

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!