“I’m Right. You’re Wrong. End Of Discussion.”

East Of Lake Amistad, Texas

February 26, 2023

Driving US 90 in West Texas gives one time to contemplate the meaning of life -- and pretty much anything else.

Our divisiveness popped into my mind this morning somewhere between Sanderson and Del Rio. Right versus left, religious versus secular, race versus race. How did we become so intolerant of people who we think are doing something wrong? Or is the question how did we become so sure that the way we see the world is the only right way to see the world. Even some Christians have become intolerant. Last I checked, that's not what God or Jesus had in mind -- but maybe I'm wrong.

I wondered if there is some common area in these differences -- or as Jim Ryan would say, "can we at least agree ...."

It seems to me whether your left or right, "woke" or not, religious or secular, we could agree that the following are reasonable ways to be:

Be kind - I saw video of a hearing where Tom Cotton was less than respectful of Merrick Garland. He could have made his points without being so arrogant. We need a whole lot more kindness than arrogance. A subtopic of "be kind" would be to be respectful to each other.

Be curious -- about your own beliefs, thoughts and feelings as well as those of others. "Check your assumptions." "What cognitive biases are involved in my thinking?"

Be understanding - that we don't need to be the same to love and care about each other.

Be humble - don't be so cocksure that you ... I was going to write "that you are right" but perhaps I mean cocksure about many things!

Don't lie - we can disagree on many things but lying when you know what your saying is not true is just plain old wrong.

Be inclusive, not exclusive - borrowing a phrase from President Reagan, we need to tear down these walls between our tribes.

All these ideas are just corollaries to the Golden Rule I my hopefully humble opinion.

Just sharing some thoughts I had this morning.