Spring Break
Controversy, criticism essential to create progress
Alex Stephens
Issue date: 2/20/09 Section: Opinion
My article last week on church behavior probably infuriated many Collegian readers, if not causing them to throw down the paper in disgust and curse my name for writing such blasphemy.
Admittedly, there are many things about my piece that deserve alteration and clarification, and admittedly my hindsight is much better than my foresight, but, kind readers, as fellow columnist Ryan Nowell phrases it, I entreat you to hear me out once more.
Whenever columnists rant about touchy subjects, whenever the political pundits embarrasses themselves, or tear some inept politician a new one, or even when the Collegian published "F*** Bush" -- all of them are acting out of one emotion: the love for their country.
What? How does a critic's comparison of George W. Bush to the Antichrist translate into love?
It's simple. Dissenters rant and rave about what they dislike in American society because they care about their country and its well-being. The phrase goes, "dissent is the highest form of patriotism," and I couldn't agree with that more.
America, and indeed the world in general, is always progressing. Often not in a positive direction -- it seems to degenerate at times -- but our cherished right in America to free speech is what keeps Uncle Sam in line and indeed makes us a better people.
What would happen if Republicans in Congress became like-minded with the Democrats? What if no one protested the invasion of Iraq, Vietnam, Korea, the World Wars and so on? What if no one was critical of the stimulus plan, of offshore oil exploration, of the corn industry, of our involvement with Israel, of Obama-infatuation, even of the way dog breeders operate? Puppy mills would proliferate, that's what!
We got a taste of what happens when no speaks out, and we are reminded of it every day in the financial world.
Just yesterday, yet another bank was accused of what The New York Times described as "massive ongoing fraud" to the tune of $8 billion. Last month the biggest scam artist in the world, financier Bernard Madoff, was finally wrangled in, and for years companies have been caught too late, costing millions of jobs and taxpayer dollars. The world seems to collapse when society slacks on oversight, and that's just in American business.
Admittedly, there are many things about my piece that deserve alteration and clarification, and admittedly my hindsight is much better than my foresight, but, kind readers, as fellow columnist Ryan Nowell phrases it, I entreat you to hear me out once more.
Whenever columnists rant about touchy subjects, whenever the political pundits embarrasses themselves, or tear some inept politician a new one, or even when the Collegian published "F*** Bush" -- all of them are acting out of one emotion: the love for their country.
What? How does a critic's comparison of George W. Bush to the Antichrist translate into love?
It's simple. Dissenters rant and rave about what they dislike in American society because they care about their country and its well-being. The phrase goes, "dissent is the highest form of patriotism," and I couldn't agree with that more.
America, and indeed the world in general, is always progressing. Often not in a positive direction -- it seems to degenerate at times -- but our cherished right in America to free speech is what keeps Uncle Sam in line and indeed makes us a better people.
What would happen if Republicans in Congress became like-minded with the Democrats? What if no one protested the invasion of Iraq, Vietnam, Korea, the World Wars and so on? What if no one was critical of the stimulus plan, of offshore oil exploration, of the corn industry, of our involvement with Israel, of Obama-infatuation, even of the way dog breeders operate? Puppy mills would proliferate, that's what!
We got a taste of what happens when no speaks out, and we are reminded of it every day in the financial world.
Just yesterday, yet another bank was accused of what The New York Times described as "massive ongoing fraud" to the tune of $8 billion. Last month the biggest scam artist in the world, financier Bernard Madoff, was finally wrangled in, and for years companies have been caught too late, costing millions of jobs and taxpayer dollars. The world seems to collapse when society slacks on oversight, and that's just in American business.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
Lester L. Washington
posted 2/20/09 @ 11:57 AM MST
WHEN PEOPLE CANNOT DISCUSS AND ATTACK HEATED ISSUES (NOT PEOPLE), CHALLENGE YOUR THINKING, CHANGE WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THEM, DISCLOSE ABUSES, FILE GRIEVANCES, SEEK DUE PROCESS IN A FAIR ENVIRONMENT, WHAT IS THE NATION COMING TO?
NICE PIECE AND WE FEEL YOUR ARGUMENTS. (Continued…)
Post a Comment