Presidential election, 2016

[Bob Butler 54]

(11-19-2016, 12:25 AM)Classic-Xer Wrote: You're seeing what happens and witnessing the negative results when there's a major divide/difference/gap that exists between the level of character or the content of ones character. I consider myself to have a fairly high level of character and I prefer to hang out and socialize with those who have higher levels of character. I'll drop down a few notches in character in order to directly and effectively engage with certain progressives on an equal playing field.

I'd watch the difference between a gathering of people of high character, and a gathering of people with the same values.  We recently had a discussion involving appreciation of classical music making fans of classical music feel superior to fans of country and western.  The resulting perception if one isn't a fan of classical music is arrogance, which can result in hostility.  Now, I'm not particularly obsessed with either form of music, I tend to jump styles a lot, but have favorite songs from both traditions.  Still, It seems politically impatient and just rude to be snobbish and superior.

But to me you come across as a strident partisan rather than a person of high character.  This is not to say you are alone in this.  We have no lack of people here with quite variant positions that I perceive of as strident partisans.  I guess you could claim that intensely clinging to one's beliefs might be part of having a high character.  Still, do the extreme partisans advocating blue perspectives come across to you as having high character?  Do they not make it clear how they perceive you?  

I appreciate any effort you might try to make in engaging with progressives.  We need more of that from both sides.  I don't know that being willing to listen and reducing the antagonism and hostility ought to be described as dropping down your character, though.  At least from my perspective, people of good character ought to be able to listen and share, ought not to be so defensive about flaws in one's own perspective, so aggressive in demonizing one's opposites.