Frankly, I have to admit the bullying campaign tactics of Proposition 1 and their ilk have me peeved. This piece is a bit of a rant, and perhaps a pointed gloat at the results from yesterday's election.
Let's start with an example of the type of garbage the Proposition 1 supporters put out - an editorial by Lance Dickie of the Seattle Times.
There are lots and lots of folks who care about transportation who don't like this plan. Dickie evidences what appears to be the final PR strategy of attacking the good citizens of this area who recognize a fatally flawed project when they see one. Calling honest, hard working, folks, no matter what age 'complainers' or 'delusional' is insulting and self-destructive.
There is a reason the project was fatally flawed - it has to do with fatal flaws in the administration of the project. Some folks might blame staff, some the politicians. They certainly have some responsibility - but the lion's share belongs to those who manipulate them - their legal counsel.
That said some recent words I disagree with, but still found worthwhile. The Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Leonard Pitts recently wrote a wordsmith's lingo-centric column on the subject of Political Correctness.
To me political correctness is about actions, not language. But Mr. Pitt's words still shed light on the subject - and are therefore valuable.
Evangelicals may tell you that God is Truth. Let me suggest a contrarian perspective - that it is in fact truth which is god. Words are not reality - they are a way for our species to have conversations about what is real. Those conversations are 'truthful' only if they benefit of the participants - even if it is just one individual talking to him, or her, self.
Truth is found in the living of individual life and the relationships we build. Capitalism and Democracy are useful tools of merging this motley mess into a productive, and respectful, whole.
Anyone who tells tries to tell you otherwise - that there are shortcuts - is dangerous, creepy, and a troublemaker.
