I don’t know if Roger Ray would ever take the time to read this blog but he had a column in today’s News-Leader that I could ALMOST agree with in content. He was speaking about the need for rational, civil discussion and how when he would provide marriage counseling that he would tell a couple once the name calling started the problem solving ended. I agree with that and thought for a minute that’s what Mr. Ray was doing in his column but then I looked closer:
“It is difficult for me to imagine ever being friends with the guy who wrote the Bush speeches which sold the war in Iraq to the American public but he is, at least, a conservative who is willing to be self critical and to consider the moral issues which really matter to the future of this country.”
Why is it difficult, Mr. Ray? Is the guy who wrote those speeches not a human being like you or I? Someone who has a family and feelings and needs and desires and wants? Just because someone is a hard core conservative or raging liberal doesn’t mean you can’t be friends with them because you disagree with their politics. In fact, if you want to have rational, civil discussion of political issues then you can’t go into a situation thinking they’re not worthy of being friends. If you imagine someone as being your friend first then you will speak and approach them in an entirely different manner than you would a complete stranger. Most of time that attitude will be more conducive to actual discussion.
Then Mr. Ray wrote these statements:
“While I frequently do not personally agree with their solutions, conservative Republicans such as John Danforth (read his most recent book “Faith and Politics”) and Michael Gerson offer their party an opportunity to actually engage in the meaningful search for solutions to the undeniable problems which face our nation rather than the divisive name calling and childish rants we are all growing so very tired of having to hear and read.”
“In a presidential election season it is a lot to ask to suggest that we calmly and intelligently offer our ideas about solving poverty, terrorism and health care but, clearly, shouting and name calling does not appear to be helping. Republicans, let me offer you a little advice: Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh are entertainers. They cannot be a replacement for conscience. Take Gerson and Danforth seriously before we meet one another in divorce court where everyone loses.”
Do you see the condescending attitude that is subtly coming through those statements? At first it’s easy to overlook because it sounds like Mr. Ray is just offering good advice for people to come to the table and discuss the issues without throwing around name calling. That, in and of itself, is a fine statement to make and one I would agree with in principle. However, if you read again, you will notice that Mr. Ray has not taken to task Democrats or liberals for the same behavior. He didn’t follow his advice to Republicans with advice to Democrats that Bill Maher and Al Franken are entertainers as well. Maybe point out that running up and calling someone a bigot or racist or homophobe isn’t a good way to encourage friendly discussion. (Then again, can you have friendly discussion if you refuse to even consider the other person could be a friend? Hmmm….)
Mr. Ray, for a minute you almost had me convinced you were for actual open discussion on issues.
If you want to talk about this situation in terms of a married couple, your column sounds a lot like the spouse who thinks all the problems in the marriage are the fault of the other spouse. They feel that if the other person would make a ton of changes to accommodate them then the marriage will be just fine. Unfortunately, in any broken marriage there are issues on both sides that are contributing to the problem and to say that only one spouse needs to examine themselves and make changes is not a wise course of action. In fact, I’m no professional counselor but I would venture to guess that first you would want someone to examine themselves to see what they’re doing wrong before they shift the focus to the other spouse.
Mr. Ray has a tendency to be very condescending in his articles. He thinks quite highly of himself and has a reputation of such in town.
He makes good points sometimes, but … well you got it.
I mean come on! When it the problem ever just one spouses problem? Poor logic going on there, but you already knew that.
I am weary of the Ann Coulters and Michael Moores of the world.
Nice post. As was yours on Christian Conservatives.
[...] issue of Mr. Ray’s condescending attitude in a blog entry dated November 8 entitled “Look Closer At Roger Ray.” I pointed out using examples of Mr. Ray’s column where he was being very partisan [...]