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capri0mniOn 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.
*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.
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.
- 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)
- 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. - 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.
