Tell The Truth: Who’s Been Bullying Who
The internet is a strange, yet consummately wonderful place. It allows for a feed from thought leaders and journalists, and with a new age real time speed emphasis, with the ability of other, and different on a granular level, voices to respond. It is a wonderful, even if still difficult, medium of interaction. Twitter is the epitome of it all.
Some will say Facebook, but I think Twitter is a far better avatar, especially for those that really think about hard news, current events and some sort of equilibrium of differing political discourse. Is it a little rough, unfiltered and harsh because of the proverbial 140 character limit? Sure. Absolutely. You hope that the friends you make are equal to the knowledge you take, whether you agree or disagree at any given point in time.
And then comes a day where a small fish gets accused of “bullying” by far bigger fishes. As if simple political and moral distinctions and views are “bullying” or otherwise unconscionable among people that have been agreeing and disagreeing/parrying with and against one another for give or take a decade.
Instead, I was always taught to go into a forum, argue like hell for what you think you must and/or right, and then go have a cocktail with your adversary, or at least shake hands and walk off with the understanding there are two sides to any legitimate argument. And, I will be honest, the “fight like hell” part is always job one. Indeed, criminal defense attorneys are schooled to zealously do just that.
So, recently, I was accused of “bullying”. By a friend with a perch several exponents above mine. I tried to explain. I apologized. And I got nothing in response but for the initial intellectual scorn and accusation that I was “bullying” the big fish.
But for the sadness, both on a personal and interpersonal plane, and greater intellectual one, I might laugh instead of cry. But I cannot. I will not.
The times are severe. The moment is critical. Let us all rise above this type of impertinent interaction. You can still respect and admire people you occasionally have real and very hard differences with. And you can talk to them. Both sides will be all the better for that discourse.
Trying times, civil rights, equality of justice, and the American experiment itself, depend on all of us.
[If you didn’t know, that was not just Slow Clapton in the video but also the one and only Yvonne Elliman too. She is, and always has been, special.]
Grain of salt.
When hassled, take with much water as required.
I know the feeling bmaz. It’s a time when ordinary people are expected to be cap in hand at all times when addressing their “superiors.” But, you know, if they really were superior, this country would not be in this mess. Most of the billionaire class seem to be suffering some variant of Jerusalem syndrome, starring themselves as deities. The journalists, almost without exception, seem to know no history, international affairs, finance, or civics. The politicians… yikes. And all of the people who serve them are blandly collaborating with lunatics, knaves and fools.
Lost is the brilliant idea of this country: that the collective wisdom of all of the “lesser” people is greater than all the smirking arrogance of the aristocracy.
Illegitimi non carborundum. Bad Latin, but good advice.
Yes. Thank you, that is exactly right.
It seems impossible to bully one more powerful than you are. Bullying involves a more powerful player attempting to humiliate someone less powerful for personal gain, and to bolster the bully’s fragile ego. Perhaps your colleague’s idea of bullying is like Vizzini’s notion of what’s inconceivable. Ask Inigo Montoya.
America suffers from a great deal of bullying, from the school playground to the White House. Corporate board rooms have their fair share, as does the Internet. I haven’t seen much of it on this site.
America does not suffer from too much democracy, or too much debate about what resources should be public or to what aims those resources should be put, or what restraints are proper on the conduct of public officials, from the park ranger to the president. We do suffer from a great many bullies trying to cram down and shut off such debate. This site is a welcome antidote to them.
bmaz,
Here’s my quick take, fwiw, w/o knowing the substance of the discussion, thus:
Seems that you actually must have hit a nerve, a weak spot in his arguments, with this person- one that he knows is valid, but doesn’t want to face up to/ admit.
My 2 cents.
bmaz, I’m sorry to hear about this. I love following your twitter feed be*cause* of your no-holds-barred advocacy of your point of view…though I’m glad I’ve never been on the receiving end…[yet] :-} Also, this is one of the main reasons I’m not on Twitter, since I don’t possess skills like you and Marcy.
*
There seems to be so much anger simmering underneath just regular life, these days. It’s very disturbing.
It is incumbent upon you to have that drink, with or without that adversary. It’s like taking the waters at Lourdes except without all that religious faulderol. Yes, the traditional recipe was “you butt heads and then you go slam B-52s or belly button shots, depending on the adversary”. Those days are gone, but you can at least carry out your part of the bargain. Go and abstain no more.
I’m sorry for this O/T here, but maybe you haven’t heard about this, happening now:
Jayne MillerVerified account @jemillerwbal [4 separate tweets, I’ve only posted two of the links]
Apparently they have worked for Ken Cuccinelli and others, but don’t know much else yet.
Here’s more from the WaPo:
FBI searches Republican political consulting firm in Annapolis
There are ties to Manafort and Stone evidently.
Here’s something from Open Secrets, May 2016:
Scam PACs drawing FEC attention
a little late, but the firm has all sorts of interesting connections … and the local page of the WaPost doesn’t say that the raid is about Cuccinelli’s campaign, it says that the manager thinks the FBI agents might be interested in Cuccinelli’s campaign … a bit different from what’s reported elsewhere as objective fact. Grains of salt and all that, but here’s the link …
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029050332
Thanks.
Sounds like a sincere apology…whatever took place.
Pfui.
“Bullying” is the last refuge of the intellectually humiliated. In most cases it means they lost. To the extent it is “bullying” they are crying because you won’t applaud their ignorance or allow it to persist unchallenged. This is the go to tactic of bigots. My advice for you (because I like you) is grow a thicker skin. Perhaps they might benefit by taking up a gentler hobby like crochet (only the one needle and it’s dull so they’re unlikely to cause themselves or others injury).
I don’t feel guilty about anything I’ve ever written and I’ve never apologized for it either.
You have done well. Bully for you!
bmaz, this one’s for you:
Stephen Holt @SteveBHolt
Links to:
WINNERS AND LOSERS OF THE RECENT NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST
Dan Cluchey; 5/11/17
Zeynep TufekciVerified account @zeynep Zeynep Tufekci Retweeted Stephen Holt
Heh, thanks!!!!
bmaz, I have a comment in moderation…could you let it out?