tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531149316869318805.post676115821603096062..comments2023-10-12T07:59:04.002-04:00Comments on An Englishman in New Jersey: Healthcare Reform, Lively Debate and The Third PlaceGrahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11298215369738638280noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531149316869318805.post-21226004360523555452013-10-10T17:10:44.640-04:002013-10-10T17:10:44.640-04:00Thanks so much, great article and very useful info...Thanks so much, great article and very useful informationharry ad freehttp://harryadfree.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531149316869318805.post-43998066616812583262010-11-27T15:17:40.371-05:002010-11-27T15:17:40.371-05:00I'm the first one to cheer the Internet and so...I'm the first one to cheer the Internet and social media, particularly blogs, for giving voice to such a wide range of opions. Unfortunately, just as they do in a high school cafeteria, people tend to find the table that suits them well and sit there every semester. Righties tend to congregate to right-wing blogs, and lefties to left, often finding themselves in a soothing echo chamber. While it's admirable for people to have strong, well-reasoned opinions (I have a few myself) we all need to listen respectfully to the other side. This can be done with practice and a little bit of criticial thinking.Scrivener424https://www.blogger.com/profile/02121276279182613256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531149316869318805.post-34527936645645861912010-05-27T18:16:54.370-04:002010-05-27T18:16:54.370-04:00I've found this blog quite by accident, and I ...I've found this blog quite by accident, and I greatly appreciate the tenor of your comments. I am of proud English heritage, but of American lineage since the early 17th Century. I've been to England once, and had to be dragged home. I am unhappy with American public and private behavior these days, and trace it back to poor Dr. Spock, who indoctrinated American mothers and fathers with the "royalty" of children. His son committed suicide, and the good doctor apologized to the American public before he died. But he left a legacy of entitlement that we suffer for today. I am an Independent after a lifetime (77 years) of waffling between the left and the right. The middle is an uncomfortable place to be, but it is also honest for me. I can see the right and the wrong of both extremes, and would love to debate them but fear for my very life should I do so. I am upset with the health care bill because of the earmarks -- perhaps Congress could have done it in pieces? I am quite taken with Obama although I wish he would make clear the reasons why he could not stick to his campaign promises. He is much misunderstood and maligned because of his race, his age and his party, but I feel in time he could truly mark an intelligent course for the future. Dear me, I could go on and on but will not. Thanks for listening.jopetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09014091802346643818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531149316869318805.post-49145897667767351542010-04-03T10:20:42.728-04:002010-04-03T10:20:42.728-04:00Ms. Mous ;) - I don't think there are many peo...Ms. Mous ;) - I don't think there are many people that anybody can "convert" per se. I'm pretty open to people about being a "bleeding-heart liberal," and even make light of it, in certain company.<br /><br />What we can get out of talking face-to-face is an understanding of their point of view, while perhaps they can get a little understanding of where we're coming from. We can do that without getting to the rock-hurling stage! That, I think, is the point that Asha has been making.<br /><br />I think I've talked about this example before, but it's a good one. There was a guy who used to frequent a (now-defunct) local pub here. He was a staunch Republican, from a military family. Yet, we struck up quite a friendship. We were able to find some common-ground. He was pro-life (I'm pro-choice) - however, unlike a lot of pro-lifers, he was also (like me) anti death-penalty. I admired him for his consistency.Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11298215369738638280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531149316869318805.post-57100094077524242952010-04-03T09:19:22.285-04:002010-04-03T09:19:22.285-04:00I just groan when others feel the need to 'con...I just groan when others feel the need to 'convert' me. I typically do not share my political views with those who are not my close friends. I don't fear intelligent debate but I do fear the crazies throwing rocks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531149316869318805.post-4522390907469321242010-04-02T20:21:07.391-04:002010-04-02T20:21:07.391-04:00@Ian - I think that just supports what we're s...@Ian - I think that just supports what we're saying. I believe that the "venue" has some inherent problems. If you were face-to-face, there might not be the same problems.<br /><br />And this guy would not get you barred from the pub for having the beliefs you do! ;)Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11298215369738638280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531149316869318805.post-7654681621641935252010-04-02T20:00:05.953-04:002010-04-02T20:00:05.953-04:00I was chatting to an American guy on the Internet ...I was chatting to an American guy on the Internet last weekend who I have known for a few weeks now. We've had some really great discussions over the time I've known him. However, we started discussing Healthcare Reform and he became rabid!! I was not at all forceful in my views, I just commented on how free healthcare for all works in the U.K., and tried to allay his fears when he called me a "Communist" and banned me from his chatroom!!!! <br /><br />It would be lovely to have a lively debate, but it appears some do not want to listen.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15610316032049913186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531149316869318805.post-18732278519546029652010-04-02T09:20:08.978-04:002010-04-02T09:20:08.978-04:00@Asha - I think that the Internet, and in particul...@Asha - I think that the Internet, and in particular Social Media, can be very helpful for many different things. I think it can be good for listening to other people's views. I think it's great for collaborating with others. It's breaking down many boundaries.<br /><br />When President Bush was in office, and I was despairing because everyone around me seemed to be singing his praises, I realized that it wasn't as bad as I'd feared, because there were others who felt like I did. That was because of the Internet.<br /><br />But I do agree that its anonymity is a problem. There is definitely something missing out of the equation when we are not face-to-face.<br /><br />Perhaps the dangerous phase is when you REPLACE face-to-face with the Internet. The Internet can augment just fine.Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11298215369738638280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531149316869318805.post-2309045934404453542010-04-01T14:28:58.589-04:002010-04-01T14:28:58.589-04:00I agree that we need the Third Place, and the Inte...I agree that we need the Third Place, and the Internet isn't it. It's too anonymous. People are more likely to attack if they can't see the face of the person they're attacking. Obviously, attack is not discourse.<br /><br />In addition, I find that knowing a person online and knowing them in person can be two different experiences, depending on the person. We need to be able to look each other in the eye and say, "I hear you. I may not agree, but I hear you." This is how we build mutual respect.Asha Hawkesworthhttp://www.brighthill.netnoreply@blogger.com