When Discusion Becomes Shouting

Good debate and discussion is the fuel of democracy. Name calling and demagoguery muddy the democratic process and side-tract issues which need to be addressed. This form of public shouting and "pot-stirring" serves very little purpose and, to my thinking, ultimately sabotages the credibility of the speaker. Most folks simply want to have their concerns heard and be welcomed into the whole process; name callers and demagogues, to my thinking, are more concerned with creating upheaval which clears the way in its wake for sought after attention and publicity upon the speaker. The more boisterous and outlandish the remarks, the greater the attention value.
Our county faces many pressing issues and many exciting possibilities. We must remain focused on achieving the best overall solutions. This is hard and long work. It will not get done if we let the process degenerate into personalities and rancor.

Mr. Alderman, your posts on etater belie your remarks here. Calling people "communists" there or even "socialists" here is meant not to 'succinctly frame a complex idea', as you want us to believe above, but rather is a way to pander and solicit sharp emotional responses. To frame the up-coming local foods community covered dish dinner and informal forum on planning to plan as a "debate" or some sort of 'clash of the titans' with winners and losers is "pot stirring" at its most obvious and flagrant form. This beginning informal discussion about planning is not about the people who will be talking.....its about ideas and ways to map the future for a community to succeed. The hour long dinner will be followed by brief remarks by anyone who signs up to speak during the dinner with remarks limited to only two to five minutes depending on how many wish to speak within a total allotted time of one hour. There will be no Lincoln-Douglas style debates. Of course everyone will also be invited to sign up for consideration to be formal members of an upcoming task force or to be adjunct members. It is anticipated that all meetings of such a planning to plan task force will be public meetings with time set aside for public comment and participation. It is an "open large tent" concept. These are very difficult tasks and if they are to bear any fruit must not be waylay-ed by reducing the discussion down to name calling and personalizing. I ask that if you and your ilk wish to participate, we will hear your ideas and not your shouting.