For Or Against?
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Kimmi
Therapy Thursdays
Tags: calls, fighting, McCain, Obama, personal, political, Politics, sarah palin, support
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Fascinating post Kimmi dear. (And thanks for calling all those people!)
I think that this is a particularly important question for progressives, because it has long been thought that we let conservatives set the tone for a debate. They state something, we react. So from that perspective, it’s important that we are for something, establishing our own tone, our own standards, our own ideas, and let the right react (in lieu of always being on the defensive).
On the other hand, in a race this close, I tend to feel like we have to pull out all the analytic tools we’ve got at our disposal, one of which is to critique the “other.” If we only talk about how great Obama is, we miss the opportunity to convince others how not great McCain is. Normally I would prefer to come from positivity, but in a race this close, I’m willing to pull out whatever tricks I got.
im reminded of a great quote from the movie, thank you for smoking:
” i dont have to prove im right, i just have to prove youre wrong”
theres a funny lesson to learn from that..
Thanks Courtney! I hear what you’re saying. This race is really important, and engaging in critical debate is important, and helping someone determine the better choice for President by highlighting the differences is important. I guess I believe the best sell is belief, passion and basic truth. I don’t think it’s good to pray on people’s fears, which is what McCain and Palin represent to me… leadership that breeds a culture of fearful prisoners. That’s the worst kind of convincing.
Cesar, that’s a great line, and at the heart of why people are dying from cigarettes. It’s a very manipulative mode of operating. Yuck.
Although I try not to make others ‘wrong’ it can be hard. Focusing on what the other person is doing wrong makes me feel stronger, for some reason. I think it often feels easier to be against something but don’t we just attract more of the thing we’re against when we give it all our attention? It’s interesting because isn’t the real strength in the ability to focus on what we stand for, no matter what?
I saw Michelle Obama on Larry King the other night and she was so focused on what she and her husband stand for. Even as she was asked about the character attacks etc. she never wavered. She refused to speak negatively about McCain and company, even though I think most people would understand if she did.
I’m learning something about strength and positivity from her.
Hi Kimmi –
Just catching up on some of your posts. I love that you asked this question . . . in fact, I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately!
I’ve always been a confident debater and have never hesitated to take on anyone whom I feel is missing the point or is flat-out wrong — you know, like anyone who thinks McCain/Palin is a viable direction for America, right? But recently I’ve been going through a profound change.
I’ve noticed that I’m increasingly uncomfortable being *against* anything. It feels defensive, weak, somehow off-balance. Without ever making a deliberate decision, I’ve somehow begun focusing on — and expressing — what I’m *for”. It feels strong, centered, purposeful, empowering.
And I’m noticing that it’s creating an easeful effect in all of my interactions. As my positions — still as entrenched as ever — are expressed in a more positive way that doesn’t force others to defend their positions, there’s room for a relaxation and a gentleness to enter. It becomes easier to connect.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the fact that I seem to get more of whatever I focus on. And I began noticing that being “against” produces a lot more conflict in my life. People much wiser than me have said that we’ll never get peace by hating war; we will achieve peace by loving peace. I think I’m finally beginning to understand what that really means and how deeply powerful it is.
And I’m certainly feeling more peaceful these days. Of course, knowing that our Lame Duck is finally limping away dragging his broken wing behind him is definitely contributing to the sensation!
Is it January 20th yet???
Peace.
Deborah