Trying to add more light than heat to the conversation.

[capri0mni]

On Saturday evening I posted a link to the news of the mass shooting in Arizona without comment besides the fact that it made me sad. But over this weekend, I also realized that I need to do more speaking up. I am still reluctant do open a Facebook or Twitter account, but I can still do things like write letters to the editor, at least once in a while (I think the last time I even attempted it was back in 2004).

Today, the local call-in radio show (on my public radio station) was inviting people to call in with their ideas. And if you couldn't call, to send an email. I couldn't get to the phone before the hour was up, so I got on-line after breakfast to send them one. And I got hung up on the wording (And what's the etiquette on formal email salutations, these days, especially if you're not sure who's reading it on the other end? Do emails need the same sorts of salutation and introductory remarks as traditionally posted mail?).

So here's where I say the same thing over and over, while I figure out the best way to say it. I wouldn't mind if you shared your preference in comments.

Main point: It's time to expand the concept of "Fighting for our freedom," and "Honoring those who serve" beyond the military.

NB: In this community, the military (especially the Navy and Air Force) has been the number one employer since World War 2. So anything that could be construed as "dissing" the military is potentially incendiary, and thus my nervousness regarding the wording of my argument.

1. I welcome this examination public discourse, at this, and any other time. In a democracy, especially, language matters. However, I believe that simply putting a check on things we should not say is not enough. (erm, no. Never mind)
   
   
2. The tone of our public discourse is shaped as much by our silences as our shouting. And over the last decade I have become increasingly troubled by how the concepts of "Fighting for our Freedoms," and "Honoring those who serve," are used almost exclusively in reference to the military.
   
   Yes, our military men and women should be honored. Their bravery and sacrifice on behalf of our nation is nothing short of awe-inspiring. But it takes more to defend our democracy than picking up a gun and facing down an enemy. Teachers, librarians, and citizens who sit on juries are also "defending our democracy," and "serving our nation." Perhaps, if we honored these people in the public arena, as a class, in a similar way that we honor the military, than perhaps our democracy would feel less like a war zone.
   
   
3. Over the last twenty years or so, but especially since 9/11, the phrases "Defending our democracy," and "Honoring those who serve," have been used, almost exclusively in reference to military service. But there is more to making the world safe for democracy than picking up a gun.
   
   Perhaps if we also honored our teachers, librarians, and citizen jurors, as a class (as we do with military servicemen and women), and did more to recognize their roles in keeping America the great bastion of freedom that it is, then maybe our democratic process would feel less like a war zone.

*Sigh* and now, the day is basically over, and we're on to the next news cycle. Reminds me a bit of this recent XKCD comic: http://www.xkcd.com/844/ -- writing "good code" is very much like "writing good."

Oh well, I think this is something I need to work out and get out there in one form or another, even if it's not to this particular radio program on this particular day.

Comments

[kellan_the_tabby]

Purely as a sop to your potential audience, I might change 'there is more to making the world safe' to something like 'there are more ways of making the world safe'.

The first makes it sound like the military isn't enough -- which of course it's not, if that's _all_ we had then safe is hardly a word I'd use, but given the audience at hand? That's probably more than they can accept. Introducing the idea gently, though, via 'other ways'...

Maybe? Too wishy-washy? I dunno.

As a concept, though? Yeah. I've been wishing since middle school or so that teachers, at least, got more recognition for hat they do. Course my mom taught, so I may be biased...

[capri0mni]

On Thursday of this last week, Craig Ferguson had Alex Kingston from Doctor Who as his second guest of the night. His first guest was Gary Sinise (of CSI: New York).

And on Saturday, as I was having breakfast, I was planning on writing up an entry about the irony of the juxtaposition. Because Every Damned Time Sinese is on the show, he promotes the U.S.O. and preaches the importance of "Supporting our troops" and how they're "Defending our Democracy."

Now, I have nothing against the U.S.O.; in fact, I think anything you can do to spread access to the Arts (and yes, television shows and stand-up comedy count as "Arts") to people in bleak and boring places is a fantastic thing. But the way Sinise talks, you'd think we were still having to gun down the Redcoats on our doorsteps. ...And Doctor Who is the most anti-military show I can think of...

(and now that I wrote that all out, I'm wondering if that's why C.F. had Sinise on: to counter the notion that all his recent fanboying is somehow "un-American.")

But then, when I logged on, I got my first hit of news of what happened, and suddenly, my fannish squee lost all its lustre.

Meanwhile, in a local city here (Portsmouth, Virginia), on Christmas Evening, someone commited arson at the main branch of the city's public library, in the book drop chute.

If you ask me, that's also an act of terrorism against democracy. And you have to hunt through the news to find any information on it -- on the night it happened, it got maybe one line of the evening news.

Granted, the library was closed for the holiday, so it was empty of people, and the fire was put out in five minutes. And there was no permanent damage to the books. But the smoke and soot drifted through the hole building, and it will now be closed for three months, and cost the city $100,000 to clean up.

Why isn't this being called an attack on our democracy?!!

Because it is. It So Is.

[kellan_the_tabby]

Arson at a library. See, that's been a trigger of mine since...well, let's just say I named my new Nook Hypatia and leave it at that.

[ long angry rant redacted ]

Cos you already know. ARGH.

[capri0mni]

Sorry for the trigger... I should have thought about that before posting the details.

It's just so angry-making and sputter-inducing that soldiers get honored for "Defending our democracy!" but librarians get mocked (as cultural figures).

And why the hell isn't this connection made more often?

Yeah. You already know, too. ARGH.

[kellan_the_tabby]

ARGH ARGH.

And no worries, by 'trigger' I meant more 'makes me rant with rantiness' than the usual meaning; I ought to have been more specific.

[pedanther]

That kind of trigger is usually called a "push-button topic" in the internets where I hang out, if that's any help in future.

Hypatia, huh? Have you seen/are you going to see the biopic?

[kellan_the_tabby]

Ooh, thank you, yes, that's a much clearer usage.

And I hadn't heard of the biopic -- but I will definitely have to watch it! That sounds really awesome; thank you for pointing it out to me.

Summed Up, Nonviolence FTW!

[chronographia]

I'm at a loss for how to structure emails of that kind. But your argument reminds me . . .

There are a series of commercials focusing on the parents of a young person dealing with their offspring's decision to join a branch of the military. The young person always cites their desire to serve and be a part of 'something greater,' to which I always respond (often loudly), "Have you considered the Peace Corps*?" Or another part of civil service?"

Both of which help society at large, are on some level (abstract or otherwise) personally rewarding, and no one needs to get blown up in the process (unless you're clearing a minefield or something).

You talk back to insurance commercials, I talk back to military propaganda. What can I say.



*Wikipedia notes that the Peace Corps was included in W's War On Terrorism. It's quite a valid way to 'defend liberty,' even in his eyes.

Re: Summed Up, Nonviolence FTW!

[capri0mni]

Yes, I know those military ads. Pffts! I talk back to them, too... when I'm not so utterly disgusted as to be rendered speechless.

Or Vista! Vista's good, too (Peace Corps domestic sibling).