This is not my first time blogging, but it is the first blog that I have dedicated exclusively to actual intellectual content of some kind as opposed to personal thoughts and narratives of my life. There are many issues in contemporary society that I feel strongly about. Though I may disagree with you (or in fact, most people) about many things, I believe that-especially in a context such as this-a mutually respectful dialogue can occur while simultaneously dealing with real issues, something I that I think has been missing in American public discourse for quite some time. Vehement disagreements between opposing sides have lead to vicious attacks on the character of one's opponents-what is known in the world of logic as the ad hominem fallacy. I hope that in blogging and discussion on this "progressive" site (whatever that means), these problems can be avoided and the issues discussed with minimal acrimony.
I feel it is important for differing opinions to be presented and heard respectfully, but not uncritically. I am a philosophy major, and therefore find myself endlessly frustrated by the inconsistencies, self-contradictions, and lack of serious forethought that permeates much of today's discourse. To respect another's opinion is not the same thing as accepting it, and should not be misconstrued as such; neither should disagreeing with it be viewed as disrespect for it. I hope that others here share my view and that we can then have meaningful, critical, yet respectful discussions about important issues.
Now that I have probably overstated the point and repeated myself, I will spare anyone reading this further torment in hopes of continuing on to other topics at a later date.
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I agree with you. I think that people confuse acceptance with respect and that more people should learn to actually listen to what others have to say. Differing opinions should not be seen as disrespect, but instead we should welcome different views because those views may be the key to fixing the worlds many problems. I liked your blog.