We're Better Than This - Aren't We?

A friend recently commented in relation to the Arizona shootings that the rhetoric didn't cause the crime, but the crime should cause consideration of the rhetoric. You can have a reasonable argument about whether it's fair to blame the high-calibre comments of politicians like Sarah Palin and Sharon Angle for the actions of a disturbed individual, and certainly many on the right have been more than ready to argue about it, reasonably or otherwise. What's telling, though, is that amid all those denials no one seems to acknowledge the possibility that, regardless of whether it contributed to the shooting or not, the heated rhetoric and lack of civility encourages might not be such a a good thing. Indeed, Palin seemed more intent on stoking the fire further with yesterday's "blood libel" comments.

That got me thinking about how similar this is to the contentious debate about climate change. Putting aside one's view of the scientific study behind the premise that greenhouse gases are causing changes in out climate, has anyone on the political right considered that reducing the levels in the atmosphere might simply be a good thing regardless of ideology. You would think that the prospect of decreasing pollution and conserving valuable resources like petroleum for future generations would be a worthwhile end in itself, but neither major party seems inclined to go there.

Political rhetoric calls for much the same thought process, and thankfully the signs of progress are more positive. Whether or not you think maps with crosshairs designating the targeted political races or talk of "second amendment remedies" played any part in last weekend's tragedy is beside the point. Talk like that, along with baseless accusations that one's political opponents want America to fail, just isn't the way our politicians should be talking to or about each other. As President Obama said in his speech last night, we should be able to disagree without questioning each others' love of country. Doubtless, some on the right will use that comment to question our President's love of country, but hopefully most people will recognize that his admonition speaks to our better natures - and what's more American than that?