Another decade is almost in the books. It’s natural for all of us to look back and share our insights. Here are ten things I learned this decade. Read the rest of this entry »
Posts Tagged politics
Things I learned this decade
Dec 27
One of the things that makes democracy possible is the free and respectful exchange of ideas. This is why I’m appalled by disruptions of town hall meetings.
My disgust has nothing to do with my opinion about health care reform, although I don’t see why having a public option for health insurance is “tyranny.” Tyranny is one group of people try to impose their views on others through force and intimidation. I also don’t see why President Obama is a “fascist” for proposing changes in health care. Fascists in 1930s Germany stormed opposition party meetings and shouted down political opponents. They usually followed this with physical violence. Fortunately, these town hall disruptions haven’t denegrated to this level, but we’re getting dangerously close to that.
And don’t blow off my concerns by calling me a “liberal”. Liberal and conservative have nothing to do with this. What’s at stake is our Constitutional rights of freedom of speech and assembly. Read the rest of this entry »
Religion and politics
Apr 23
I recently surprised people in my Toastmasters club, as well as myself, by giving a table topic speech about Easter. One of my fellow club members was impressed. He said, “I think it’s great that as a Jewish person, you can give such a positive speech about Easter.” Still, I found it a difficult speech to give. It’s not because I have anything against Easter. In fact, I believe in the importance of respecting other people’s faiths. But ever since an experience at a previous Toastmasters club, I felt uncomfortable about controversial subjects such as religion and politics. Read the rest of this entry »
