Trouble

Here's an interesting irony, and it's not new. Among the people who know me - even if it's just from Fakebook - I have a certain ethos. And, because of that, some label me with certain attributes that are based on my education, my critical thought processes and my insistence on looking at all sides of an issue before drawing any conclusions. And even then, those conclusions are always subject to revision. I have no problem being "wrong," I have a huge problem with perpetuating lies, misinformation and blind loyalty to an ideology - any ideology. In fact, because of this, my opinion on many and diverse issues is often sought. I don't always have clear answers, but I always have the desire (and ability) to seek the truth. Critical thinking is, in fact, the core of what I taught for many years at Sacramento State. And, when it comes to issues that are not intractably polarized, my opinions are typically respected - which is not the same as adopted or agreed with. I do not "insist" that anyone agree with me. But I would hope that evidence-based truth is accepted.

However, when it comes to highly polarized issues, issues that are controversial or contentious or, sadly, combative, I, all of a sudden, am an uneducated "libtard," have not "done the research," have been "conned" by the "liberal media," and, when it comes to those who really do not know me, I am part of the "indoctrination of our youth." I have addressed each of these accusations on several occasions, I will not rehash them now. Suffice it to say that those who say and believe such things are revealing their own ignorance, lack of critical thinking (and, often, education), or, too often, is a result of their indoctrination and blind loyalty to an ideology. And, it is an ideology applied without consistency and one most cannot even articulate.

So, when it comes to some things, I am as I have been called, "the smartest person I know." While flattering, that sentiment packs much into it that I am uncomfortable with; I do not see myself as any "smarter" than anyone else. I have different education and experience (and much of that experience is decidedly not "smart"). Be that as it may, when it is an issue that you have already made up your mind about, I'm an idiot. And the funny thing is that, for the most part, I am not going to your "house" telling you you're wrong. And I almost never resort to calling anyone "stupid." Yet you'll come here (whichever virtual platform this is appearing on) and "educate" me, as though a bachelors degree and two masters degrees (one of which was just a dissertation short of a PhD - all of which require extensive research skills and are centered on communication, rhetoric and CRITICAL THINKING) somehow missed what you and your "research" have to share.

There is a reason why I stopped engaging in what has become political discussion here. It is because it is no longer political discussion. It used to be about solutions, about equality, about democracy. And don't even start; my bachelors degree was a dual major - political science and journalism - you trying to correct me by proclaiming, "No! we're a republic," only reveals your ignorance. And these discussions never, ever used to accuse the other side of "un-Americanism." All sides used to hold our Constitution as sacred. No more.

If you know me - really know me - then you are aware of how I approach sometimes difficult issues. Some of you have even come to me asking what I thought about some things because of my education, my insight, my research skills or my reputation as an educator. But on too many issues, you don't want to know the truth, you don't care about the Constitution's protections for those you deem unworthy, despite what the Constitution itself says. Y'all know what I think about all that's going on. You won't change my mind with your so-called "evidence," unless that evidence puts Alex Pretti's gun in his hand; unless that evidence shows that a gang of paramilitary wannabe cops (because real cops abide by the Bill of Rights) did not pump several shots into his body as he was laying on the ground unarmed; unless your evidence can show he was doing anything other than helping someone else and photographing it; unless your evidence can convince my eyes they did not see what they saw.

We, these United States of America, are in real trouble. Too many of you don't care. You will when they come after you, but by then, it will be too late. This nation has been called the greatest experiment in self-government ever. At just shy of 250 years old, the experiment might be failing. It will take "the people," all of us, to reassert our place in government. They work for us, we are their constituents, not their subjects.