2005 November 18 | Random Fate

True debate is key for a democracy, but debate is not simply labeling the “other” side.

Ann Althouse recently has been labeled many things, with the appellation granted after what was obviously only a superficial reading of whatever she wrote they are using as evidence for the label. For example, recently at her blog Althouse while writing on a different topic she quotes from something she posted last year :

I noticed from my Sitemeter that I’m getting referrals from the Washington Post, so I check over there and see:

Jim Rutenberg in the New York Times watched television commentators and “livebloggers” last night. …

“Just after 10 p.m., the Democratic Web blogger Ann Althouse wrote . . . : ‘A glob of foam forms on the right side of his mouth! Yikes! That’s really going to lose the women’s vote.’ “

Oh, I’m blogging as a Democrat? Well, I read it in the New York Times, so it’s probably true. Did Rutenberg read enough of my blog to see that I’m voting for Bush, or is he just concluding from the fact that I don’t mind saying that I observed spittle in the corner of Bush’s mouth that I must be opposed to him? Maybe Rutenberg is assuming that these bloggers are all so partisan that if they say one thing against a candidate, they must say everything against that candidate.

I suspect anyone who has read more than one post at Althouse would never think to label her a Democrat.

I have seen this behavior repeated with reference to blogs, not only by the infamous MainStream Media (MSM) but also by other bloggers.

Labels are too simplistic, and frequently when applied by someone else, outright wrong.

Why is this labeling dangerous? The Bull Moose Blog sums it up quite well in “The Dysfunction“:

Wise Democrats, Republicans and Independents must develop an alternative to the politics of polarization. Talking with centrist Texas Democrats this week, the Moose was struck by the longing for a new politics of national unity. Folks don’t want Democrat or Republican answers, they want common sense “performance based” approaches. Politicians who realize that will surprise in 06 and 08.

And the Moose dined with an Independent candidate who is addressing the leadership dysfunction - Kinky Friedman - the next Governor of the Lone Star State. The Moose experienced the Vulcan Mind Meld with the Kinkster over the imperative of a politics that transcend the typical partisan divides.

Democrats should certainly fight and oppose the unwise policies of the Bush Administration. But, it is critical that bi-partisan alliances emerge to address the current leadership dysfunction. There is too much time before the next election to allow a leadership vacuum - America cannot wait two to three years to confront both national security threats and serious domestic concerns.

By now it must be apparent to honest Republicans that the President is failing the country. Some few brave voices in the GOP have defied the Administration on issues ranging from torture to the budget. Democrats should welcome these allies.

Put country first.

Stop worrying about which “side” is winning, this isn’t a horse race.

Find an alternative to the politics of polarization, the simple-minded “argument by labeling” before it destroys us from within. Engage in true debate that is not a death-match because guess what? Odds are despite the differences, those you are debating love our country as much as you do.

Don’t demonize your fellow citizens with the same broad brush used to condemn our enemies.

Put our country first.