According to Wikipedia, “the phrase ‘you’re either with us, or against us’ and similar variations are used to depict situations as being polarized and to force witnesses, bystanders, or others unaligned with some form of pre-existing conflict to either become allies of the speaking party or lose favor. The implied consequence of not joining the team effort is to be deemed an enemy.”
Perhaps the most famous recent statement of that rule is President George W. Bush’s assertion in 2001, “You’re either with us, or you’re with the terrorists.”
Essentially this is a binary view of the world, most interestingly shared by fundamentalist Christians and fundamentalist Islam, which many erroneously believe to be opposites. British scientist Prof. Richard Dawkins has flatly called both the most dangerous groups in the world today.
Those with a keen grasp of the obvious often say modern day America is the most divided it’s ever been since the end of the Civil War. And this flies in the face of Abraham Lincoln’s warning that “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Podcaster Seth Andrews this week interviewed Dr. Valarie Tarico, a psychologist, on the issue of this great divide and found that the self-righteous right and the purist left share insistence on 100 percent agreement, the proverbial marching in lock step. We have long known that fundamentalist Christian groups separate the world into two groups, the good and the evil, but too many left-wingers do the same on the other end of the political spectrum.
I have long despised the lack of political understanding of those who call me a Democrat when I show my dislike of Republicans. They seem to think, very simply, “if you’re not a Republican, you’re a Democrat.” Yet I railed against Hillary Clinton in 2016 and the only reason I voted for her reluctantly was that I believed Donald Trump to be an even worse alternative.
As I have said to friends and enemies, “For me, Trump is so bad he forced me to vote for Hillary Clinton.”
I certainly have had my problems with Dems. I despise what Hillary and Debbie Wasserman Schultz did to Bernies Sanders in rigging the 2016 presidential primary. I have serious issues with Nancy Pelosi and oppose her at times, as I do with Diane Feinstein.
Politics should be more nuanced than black and white, red and blue, Democrat and Republican, capitalist and socialist.
I share the outrage of conservatives and Republicans when certain speakers are banned from making their cases on campuses. I happen to be believe in free speech. How else can I explain why I permit the columns of Army Bob and Ranger Rick. At the risk of being misunderstood, I firmly believe that “even the village idiot has a right to be heard.”
I share the opinion of moderates that we shouldn’t always think someone who committed a faux pas so long ago doesn’t have the ability to apologize and change, as in the case of Virginia’s black-faced governo.
It is painful every day to see and read memes widely circulated on Facebook that under the guise of being humorous, widen the gap between Americans. It’s like Michigan State fans taunting and dissing Michigan fans, ignoring the fact we all live in the same state.
I am extremely weary of visual comparisons of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to a donkey and President Trump to an orangutan. I am sick and tired of supposed “jokes” that depict political enemies as buffoons, animals or cretins. They do absolutely nothing to advance any attempts at civil political discourse, honest disagreements and they do a terrific job of keeping us in an “us vs. them” mentality.
It is my firm belief that we never really did get over the Civil War and we’ve been in denial for more than 150 years. I also insist we collectively are going a very poor job of handling a rapidly and constantly changing society.
Some astute political, economic and social observers are warning that we are in the last days of the American Empire, and we are going down soon. We shouldn’t be surprised. Those who don’t learn from history are condemned to repeat it.
Mr Young
A very interesting article. Enjoyed the paragraph about free speech.
The “village idiot” being heard is not always a bad thing.
We use the term “free speech,” but is it really free speech?
The “village idiot ” understands free speech can be hurtful, they know of discrimination, being ostracized, shunned etc. Yet, they still say what they believe about the subject in discussion.
Being considered not intelligent, they take words that are mean to demean them. Like water “off a duck’s back, only the scholars are offended by words. They understand all the possible meanings words have and the context they are spoken in.
Labeled the “village idiot ” does have its “perks”… everyone knows you are a dunce, so 99% of the time they never take your “free speech ” seriously… hence physical harm rarely comes to you. Opposed to the scholar who may get punched by the person they are debating.
Every village needs at least one… so I willing volunteer went ever possible… invoking “perk #2,” they let me speak…. because I still have the right of free speech.
Some great points, David. As always you don’t merely pay lip service to this compatible diversity issue but you encourage all to embrace it as you show constant fair willingness to let even opposite views be heard on your local forum. This includes perspectives and positions with which you may personally profoundly disagree. In this you are setting a very clear and strong example for all of a level of reasonable and rational tolerance where it may be had. You are to be commended by all who read or are involved in your provided discussions. Having known you from our early teen days I can witness to the fact that you are no phony with convenient platitudes. This has been an enduring quality of yours. It is an essential element in an upright life of civility and justice. It is also the mark of true journalism. I, and surely many others, salute you for this.
I would observe that on all major issues, including those of life and death, wars, economics, major social policies and fundamental principles and future directions, a consensus within and among the masses is usually absent and at best only temporary. Historically, broad agreement on these things is the exception, not the norm. This reality is understandable and also clearly necessary.
There are certainly major events or endeavors which at times enjoy significant majority support among individuals and constituencies. But when it comes to deeply held issues coming from essentially opposite world-views that are attempted to be implemented, there are usually open divisions that occur within friendships, families, marriages, partnerships, government and nations.
You mentioned the bloody Civil War as a lasting example of severe division and conflict. Those living and involved back in those years didn’t come to some harmonious consensus. Not at all. One side simply overpowered and beat the other side into ultimate submission. The same was true in the American Revolution. This nation had its “loyalists”, “patriots” and “fence-riders”. No one could have it their own way unless they actually dominated the others. Two or more heads controlling any body is a freak of nature. There are always important things in this life that cannot be had both ways or in multiple ways at the same time and permanently coexist together. Other diversities can generally coexist for a long time. So, there is always a constant struggle to retain what is long-treasured and/or to make the painful changes in life that require gaining sufficient control of the situation to overcome the power of the opposition.
As the number of people increase and the diversity of opposite world-views get more polarized on basic issues of life and liberty, there will be increasing expressions and intensity in the struggle for dominance with regard to the present and future. It is a given in the ongoing human condition.
Is it possible to genuinely love others with whom you strongly disagree and still assertively move, even with force if necessary, to remove their control over some vital matter that may be at stake? Yes, of course it is. And it is at times needed at every level of experience. We’re called on to do that in certain circumstances. Such not only can justly and rightly be done, but in fact at times it ultimately must be done in various vital contexts of our lives. Some resolution can come through mere patient, even gentle persuasive speech. But some critical modifications must come through strong actions that create very costly conflicts. To not be willing to do so at the times when it may be necessary would neither be loving nor responsible toward all others you care about, nor toward your situational rivals in the matter. For them to win may not be good for them either. Not to mention further here our grave responsibility toward and under God in this life.
I’d love to read some other views and thoughtful discussions of this extremely important topic.