Quote:
Originally Posted by Jennifer5
I don't understand... what is the 'truth'? Why is it wrong to support something out of love? I think I'm missing important information...
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My household has seen a singing frenzy over the last few days: two Rosh Hashanah services Friday night, another two Saturday morning and afternoon, and two church services today...plus puppy-duty. Oy, we spent the afternoon today napping.
The "truth" I was referring to is, what I (and apparently Jimmy Carter) believes is a certain amount of racism in the more virulent criticisms of President Obama. Further, it's my contention that the Democrats -- many, if not most, of them -- seem perfectly willing to throw this truth overboard out of "love": love of Party, love of staying in power, love of staying "above the fray"...perhaps even love of Obama, whom they feel will be damaged by such race talk.
Also, the whole "love vs. truth" thing came up in another thread, and I thought this bifurcation is playing an interesting part in this particular situation.
I do "get" the
Realpolitik at work in President Obama pooh-poohing the racial angle of some of his more unhinged critics out there, but the motivating force -- whatever it is -- is not truth. The racism is there for anyone with eyes to see.
Perhaps this is why I love Jimmy Carter so much...and why the right-wing
hates him so much. He throws truth in their face...and it makes their heads explode.
He also throws truth at the center and left-wing. What do
we do with it? Do we ignore it as inconvenient? Do we pooh-pooh it as the musings of an elderly former President? Or do we recognize it and grapple with it...and, if we do, what is our motivation? Truth? Love? Something else?
I'm just asking. I think it's fascinating. And I think it goes to the core of how and when change happens.
For instance, I want the Democrats to stay in power, because I believe their platform and agenda most closely aligns with my own. (This is not saying much, considering we only have two parties, but...you know what I mean.) So, here's the question: how do I as a voter and the politicians I support balance truth and love. Truth would dictate forcing a conversation on race, or homophobia, or whatever...however, doing so might endanger their re-election, which would scuttle the whole damn thing.
Truth seems to be a minority-protection issue; whereas love seems to be majority rule.
I.e., love (with the Democrats) seems to help the most people for all the right reasons...but it doesn't necessarily advance issues of race or homophobia or immigration, etc.
Politics and governing, then, would seem to be a battle, where love and truth don't ultimately matter. Which means the premise of this whole thread is irrelevant. Irrelevant as it may be, however, these motivators still play a significant part in how decisions and policy are made, so I thought it was worth discussing.
I don't know if that clears anything up or muddies the waters further.
