Thank you, Marc, for your excellent program. I have long enjoyed the range of guests and topics you have brought to our airwaves.
Your conversation with Mr. Frumm highlighted a number of issues I have long held with so many members of this administration, among them the selectiveness of facts, flexibility of accuracy, and seeming inability to accept opposing viewpoints. This behavior is repeated throughout the staff, most notably by Rove, Cheney, and Bush, himself. There is a frightening level of refusal to tolerate even the possibility that they might be the slightest bit incorrect in their actions, choices, or ideology- quite a Stalinist approach to governance. A wonderful example came during a television interview last fall, shortly before the election, when Karl Rove said something to the effect of "that may be your math, but I'm using THE math," when the interviewer mentioned the mathematical probability of the Democrat[ic] party taking control of both houses.
I believe this attitude, while having been effective in gaining [i will avoid the conspiracy theories about 2000 and 2004] and retaining the White House, is a grave disservice to our children. As a future educator, I hope to be able to instill in my students an open-minded, scientific approach to life and dealing with others, from the perspective of "this is one view point that might work, but are there others that might be more efficient, sustainable, or effective?" I also hold that this "cowboy diplomacy" is damaging our position in the world, reducing our ability to respond effectively to crises as they arise. When we chastise nations and peoples who are behaving in the same manner (Putin of Russia, Ahmedinejad of Iran, Hamas, etc...) as our administrator, we only confirm their accusations.
My sincere hope is that our next administrator will recognise this problem and behave in a civilised manner to bring our country back into the position of respect we once held and so truly deserve.
Thank you so much, Marc. Be well,
-gran
ps- I am glad you mentioned Jerry. In calling from Reisterstown, you mentioned he was in the hospital. How is he doing? Would it be possible to have him on as a guest some time? I am fascinated by his range of views... well... the range of things that get him riled up. Who is he?
Thank you, Marc, for your
Thank you, Marc, for your excellent program. I have long enjoyed the range of guests and topics you have brought to our airwaves.
Your conversation with Mr. Frumm highlighted a number of issues I have long held with so many members of this administration, among them the selectiveness of facts, flexibility of accuracy, and seeming inability to accept opposing viewpoints. This behavior is repeated throughout the staff, most notably by Rove, Cheney, and Bush, himself. There is a frightening level of refusal to tolerate even the possibility that they might be the slightest bit incorrect in their actions, choices, or ideology- quite a Stalinist approach to governance. A wonderful example came during a television interview last fall, shortly before the election, when Karl Rove said something to the effect of "that may be your math, but I'm using THE math," when the interviewer mentioned the mathematical probability of the Democrat[ic] party taking control of both houses.
I believe this attitude, while having been effective in gaining [i will avoid the conspiracy theories about 2000 and 2004] and retaining the White House, is a grave disservice to our children. As a future educator, I hope to be able to instill in my students an open-minded, scientific approach to life and dealing with others, from the perspective of "this is one view point that might work, but are there others that might be more efficient, sustainable, or effective?" I also hold that this "cowboy diplomacy" is damaging our position in the world, reducing our ability to respond effectively to crises as they arise. When we chastise nations and peoples who are behaving in the same manner (Putin of Russia, Ahmedinejad of Iran, Hamas, etc...) as our administrator, we only confirm their accusations.
My sincere hope is that our next administrator will recognise this problem and behave in a civilised manner to bring our country back into the position of respect we once held and so truly deserve.
Thank you so much, Marc. Be well,
-gran
ps- I am glad you mentioned Jerry. In calling from Reisterstown, you mentioned he was in the hospital. How is he doing? Would it be possible to have him on as a guest some time? I am fascinated by his range of views... well... the range of things that get him riled up. Who is he?