There's an old saying, "Reasonable people can disagree, and still be reasonable." What you are pointing out it is that (for a variety of reasons) the polarization of views in Canada has meant that many on both sides view those on the the other side as unreasonable. If you disagree with me, you must be some kind of idiot. The way the human works, that then becomes the label for the opponent - the idiot. Once so labelled, while there may be disagreements on some issues (and agreements on others), the "other" cannot be viewed in any way as other than unreasonable, no matter the issue.
Your effort is laudable, and certainly needs repeating, but I am skeptical that it (or others like it) will have any appreciable effect in changing attitudes/beliefs. Yes, people can change, but the evidence pretty strongly suggests there has to be a genuine desire to change, for whatever reason, before change is possible. It may be that on August 19, Trump will provide the incentive we need to start to effect the needed change(s).
Your opinion is valid but I respectfully disagree. People were not always aligned into political tribes. Perhaps some may be swayed by a reason article. Direct attacks on your country do tend to get people to stand up and respond, whether it is a protest, or a product boycott or an online petition. Maybe this article will turn out to be a tiny push in the right direction. At least I want to believe that it will help.
No, of course you are right. Even today not all people are aligned by political tribe. So yes, I was somewhat overbroad in my assertion, although I do think it applies to most of those who are so aligned. And yes, I too hope Fred's piece has some positive effect in this regard, and that perhaps a cumulation of such pieces from a variety of sources has and ever greater impact. It certanly can't hurt. I do think it more likely than not that August 19 will pass without an agreement, and that Trump will escalate, which may turn out to be that triggering moment for Canada.
Brilliant! (And I live in California.) Regardless whatever else you're angry about, Canadians *have* to take the pus sac in our White House at his word and *band together* to protect yourselves from the destruction he has inflicted on our side of the border.
A lot of us despise this jerk. And a lot of us depend on Canada to stay strong--to give us hope.
There's an old saying, "Reasonable people can disagree, and still be reasonable." What you are pointing out it is that (for a variety of reasons) the polarization of views in Canada has meant that many on both sides view those on the the other side as unreasonable. If you disagree with me, you must be some kind of idiot. The way the human works, that then becomes the label for the opponent - the idiot. Once so labelled, while there may be disagreements on some issues (and agreements on others), the "other" cannot be viewed in any way as other than unreasonable, no matter the issue.
Your effort is laudable, and certainly needs repeating, but I am skeptical that it (or others like it) will have any appreciable effect in changing attitudes/beliefs. Yes, people can change, but the evidence pretty strongly suggests there has to be a genuine desire to change, for whatever reason, before change is possible. It may be that on August 19, Trump will provide the incentive we need to start to effect the needed change(s).
Your opinion is valid but I respectfully disagree. People were not always aligned into political tribes. Perhaps some may be swayed by a reason article. Direct attacks on your country do tend to get people to stand up and respond, whether it is a protest, or a product boycott or an online petition. Maybe this article will turn out to be a tiny push in the right direction. At least I want to believe that it will help.
No, of course you are right. Even today not all people are aligned by political tribe. So yes, I was somewhat overbroad in my assertion, although I do think it applies to most of those who are so aligned. And yes, I too hope Fred's piece has some positive effect in this regard, and that perhaps a cumulation of such pieces from a variety of sources has and ever greater impact. It certanly can't hurt. I do think it more likely than not that August 19 will pass without an agreement, and that Trump will escalate, which may turn out to be that triggering moment for Canada.
"mind". Human mind. And I proofed it 3 times before posting. Another vagary of hte human mind.
Brilliant! (And I live in California.) Regardless whatever else you're angry about, Canadians *have* to take the pus sac in our White House at his word and *band together* to protect yourselves from the destruction he has inflicted on our side of the border.
A lot of us despise this jerk. And a lot of us depend on Canada to stay strong--to give us hope.
Don't let him stop you.
Too long and will make no difference.
Truth