Print E-Mail AIM

Guest Column: Bring on the fight

By Nancy Simpson/ Herald guest columnist

The famous line from “Cool Hand Luke” – “What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate” — is a satirical quote by a violent character who cares little for humanity.

My enjoyment of the beauty of spring has been diminished because of the failure of our political leaders to communicate. So let’s call the kettle black, admit that it’s broken and stir together some hate stew.

What is unsettling to me is the amount of fighting and arguing that is occurring. I hear it at dinner parties with friends, I read it on Facebook and incessantly from the news media. It reminds me of an uncle I have who loves to argue. He is known to corner family members and get them going on politics. When things get heated he would laugh and say, “I really had you going.”

Most people admit they have a temper, so what kind of manipulation are we causing as we put our two cents on the Internet? I’d rather be beaten by sticks and stones. At least the abuse would stop once the ammunition was out. Sadly there is no end to words. They can degrade, diminish and dilute the worth of a cause or individual one sentence at a time.

The best advice I was given at my wedding was in contradiction to the old adage, “Never let the sun set on your anger.” My husband and I were counseled to forget what grandma said and get some sleep.

Harvey Dent says in Batman, “The night is always darkest just before the dawn.” When dawn comes life looks brighter. There is hope and love where none existed the night before.

Politicians are taught to debate their issues. Debate is a win-lose situation. The speaker uses passion to excite human emotion. The person who best applies elocution wins. All politicians have the ability to sway public opinion. It is their art form. We, the people apply our votes as a reflection of their opinions.

We, the people, also have a responsibility to make accurate judgment calls. I wish I could rely on my neighbor to offer advice, free of judgment or anger and full of information. Unfortunately, an educational remark rarely excites the masses and we are led by people who counsel us to “reload,” as Sarah Palin said, when really we should be congregating together.

Unified we have power. Divided we will fall. Let’s throw the old values of debate out the window and talk to each other like mature adults. Mature adults don’t throw eggs at passing political buses. Mature adults patiently consider other’s opinions before spitting out their own. Mature adults use the fire of their words to warm the heart and inspire those who are lacking instead of creating chaos in a world already filled with confusion.

There is good in the world and, believe it or not, there is good coming from this administration. There is much to fix as well. Where do I stand? Hopefully, next to you as your neighbor.

Nancy Simpson can be reached at nsimpson145@hotmail.com.