If truth be told, many if not most of us often find accepting some of life’s “inescapable realities” exceptionally difficult. Realities such as: “we are all mortal beings”; “nothing is truly free”; “freedom of speech not only applies to what you and I agree with, but also the views of others we may take exception to”; as well as the at times very unwelcomed annoyance—“there’s always another side of the story.”
And for some reason the realities regarding “free speech” and “other side of the story” kept coming to mind as I read a particular opinion article on page 4 of the Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, March 11-12, 2023 edition of our local newspaper the Parsons Sun.
One authored by Mr. Rod Haxton of the Scott County Record and titled “Empathy is not one of the 3 ‘Rs’ in the Legislature.” An in my view politically biased article; apparently triggered by Representative Pat Proctor’s (R-Leavenworth) reportedly expressed views regarding certain activities at a Leavenworth school.
Views that said article reflects were articulated by Representative Proctor’s following statements: “I find it impossible to believe that an entire grade of third graders and fourth graders, all on their own, decided to draw rainbow flags and talk about LGBTQ and spell those things out on their artwork.” “I find it impossible to believe ... they were not coached to do that by the teacher. That’s just implausible in the extreme.”
Although I seldom if ever find any personal agreement with Mr. Haxton’s published views, I never the less rather routinely lend them my eye and attention as they are included in the Sun. And in doing so I more often than not find said articles to not only typically include a drawing attention to what Mr. Haxton considers to be the intolerance, lack of empathy, etc., of the Republican Party in whole or in part, but also a demonization of those expressing views counter to his.
For example, the herein referenced opinion article doesn’t just rationally present “another other side of the story” relative to Representative Proctor’s herein reportedly expressed views. But rather, also sets out to in length demonize Representative Proctor for his reportedly expressed concerns, as well as others of like or similar views. Via a mixed bag of demonization tactics including, but not limited to, expressed or inferred claims of Republican racism, bigotry, hate, fear mongering, intolerance, lack of empathy, close-minded views, etc.
And in reacting in such “intolerant manner” to the expressed views of another, the herein referenced opinion article also demonstrates the human shortfall of “projection,” whereby through ignorance, oversight, or intent one accuses others of being and/or doing that which they the accuser often actually are and/or do. An often at best very counter-productive behavior it seems we all must personally avoid using and/or guard against being distracted by—as we each in our respective ways seek, and/or strive to share our view of, . . . “the other side of the story.”
Although I seldom if ever find any personal agreement with Mr. Haxton’s published views, I never the less rather routinely lend them my eye and attention as they are included in the Sun. And in doing so I more often than not find said articles to not only typically include a drawing attention to what Mr. Haxton considers to be the intolerance, lack of empathy, etc., of the Republican Party in whole or in part, but also a demonization of those expressing views counter to his.
For example, the herein referenced opinion article doesn’t just rationally present “another other side of the story” relative to Representative Proctor’s herein reportedly expressed views. But rather, also sets out to in length demonize Representative Proctor for his reportedly expressed concerns, as well as others of like or similar views. Via a mixed bag of demonization tactics including, but not limited to, expressed or inferred claims of Republican racism, bigotry, hate, fear mongering, intolerance, lack of empathy, close-minded views, etc.
And in reacting in such “intolerant manner” to the expressed views of another, the herein referenced opinion article also demonstrates the human shortfall of “projection,” whereby through ignorance, oversight, or intent one accuses others of being and/or doing that which they the accuser often actually are and/or do. An often at best very counter-productive behavior it seems we all must personally avoid using and/or guard against being distracted by—as we each in our respective ways seek, and/or strive to share our view of, . . . “the other side of the story.”
—William James Moore 03/13/2023
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[The above was also included in the Public Mind section on page 3 of the Parsons Sun’s Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, March 18-19, 2023 Edition.]
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"Click" on the below image to view the Rod Haxton article to which above "The Other Side of The Story" is responding to:
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