9/11...Conflict and Human Rights? 'Deck Reflections...

[Gary Rice]

Someone on another thread just called for my peace-making banjo sing-a-long today.

Not just yet. Read this first, please.

Jim raised an interesting discussion question regarding the 'Deck recently on another thread, as to whether people thought that the 'Deck was mean-spirited and not open to dialogue? Thus far, the interchanges on that thread have not been, um, as positive as I had hoped they might be.

Well, in this writer's opinion, we do seem to have some STRONG opinions on this Observation Deck. Does that however, mean that there are not equally strong opinions on other forums? As well, who would forbid anyone from expressing their opinions here? Have we come so far in this society as to fear to express our opinions freely in the face of determined opposition? If so, I'm afraid we've come too far. I'm certainly no attorney, but as far as I've been told, you still can't be sued for an opinion.

I do know, in the Lakewood Observer newspaper, that I've seen all sides of issues, and I've seen those here too. If the rhetoric and marginalization games have heated up from time to time, that just looks to me like all-too predictable and highly unfortunate consequences of conflict.

Let's take a look at "conflict" for a moment, as a stand-alone issue.

On this, of all days, I believe that is a fitting thing to do, as we remember and reflect on the outcome of the terrible conflict situation that transpired on our shores; indeed, since the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93, (that went down in Shanksville, Pennsylvania) was turned around over our very heads, any one or more of us could have therefore perished from conflict on that day.

From the coliseum in Rome, to our sports arenas, recreational and serious conflicts always seem to get everyone's attention, and the same seems to be the case, right here on the 'Deck. Conflict attracts crowds and the curious, and controversy keeps the fires of conflict burning. Even with America's first full-scale Civil War battle at Bull Run, people came out with their picnic lunches and fancy clothes to watch the battle. (Which turned out to be a BIG mistake when that battle turned their way!)

(That scenario seems to me to have a strong parallel with our hospital controversy, by the way. Lots of people have been "virtually" sitting on Lakewood's "Hospital Hill" with their picnic baskets, watching all of this stuff unfold, but now? That increasingly serious conflict threatens to turn on them and indeed, affect us all. Witness today's devolving 'Deck interchanges on several threads between otherwise well-meaning Lakewoodites)

The trouble is, that conflict, (whether verbal or violent) almost ALWAYS becomes unpredictable and escalates, until subdued by a superior force. (as did the heroic passengers of Flight 93) Then too, conflict often ends up colluding with "the law of unintended consequences", and that can produce effects that reach far beyond the issues that caused the initial incident.

True, there are those who thrive on conflict, and there are also unfortunately, those who benefit from it. Keeping a pot stirred up can work to the advantage of a few, and generally to the detriment of many others.

As a retired school teacher, having more than thirty years of classroom experience, I took a very serious position regarding the dangers of conflict. Indeed, educators have studied the roots of conflict and taught conflict resolution techniques for many years. It's one thing to watch well-paid adults duke it out on the playing field or the silver screen, and quite another to see children going at it. Conflict avoidance and conflict resolution skills are therefore, high priorities in schools today, with a distinct emphasis on students working together towards ironing out, or at least, living with, each other's differences.

While good progress has often been made in our schools, we adults certainly do not always provide a very good example for our children, especially with America's current political "win at all costs" mindset that tends to demonize people who do not happen to be in agreement with us. While political disagreement is certainly not a new thing, it has never, in my opinion, been as consistently vociferous, or as mean-spirited as it is today, and that's just in OUR country. It's a national and international problem, and not just a 'Deck question...

...and that sort of thing, to me, is just plain un-American.

My dear late dad, Robert Rice, a Lakewood teacher and WWII vet, was certainly in favor of retaining our hospital. At the same time, NEVER in his wildest dreams would he personally attack anyone having a different opinion than his. He felt that WWII was all about freedom, especially for Americans to speak their mind without fear of verbal or physical abuse or personal attacks, and with the expectation of getting a respectful hearing for their views.

Indeed, the idea of a respectful hearing for all is not a new one, In fact, President Roosevelt, during WWII, outlined four freedoms for people everywhere to have. It would be well to consider those today, as our nation did back then. They were:

Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, freedom from fear.

After the war, on December 10th, 1948, The United Nations approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for everyone in the world; a document closely resembling our own Bill of Rights.

I would now like to draw your attention to Article 19 of that Declaration:

Article 19
"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

To my mind, ANYONE wanting to abuse someone's opinion, whether on this 'Deck, or anywhere else, is potentially in direct violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

I therefore, honor my dear late father here, and the cause for which he lived.

Give your opinions here? Of course. Please do.

Whether you are for or against the hospital issue, whether you are concerned about what others may think, it may well be (as an American) that you have a moral and societal obligation to speak your mind and present your opinion. If an opinion comes along that you disagree with, by all means do so.

Just don't tread on the rest of us in the process...

...and if all this sounds a bit preachy or teachy?

I suppose it is. SOMEONE has to do it.

Now, as for my OWN opinion (and Dad's) that Lakewood needs to keep a REAL hospital in order to benefit all of us? Well, since we've just had that great Labor Day holiday, and I was thinking about all those labor songs lately, I would have this simple suggestion to offer:

...that all of you hospital supporters listen to Pete Seeger's "Talking Union" song, and particularly, the last verse, simply paraphrased here:

If you don't let them break you up...

...you'll win.

Remember the fallen. Today and always. Honor their memory.

Try to be the sort of person whom you look up to NOW. It does not matter who you were five minutes ago.

Then, maybe we can try that sing-a-long.

Back to the banjo...

[Jim O'Bryan]

Gary

As always thank-you for the words and the posts.

I just read through the document you speak of, and I really only find one
mention of anything that could remotely apply to what you are talking about.

The entire document would seem to underline all of the reasons we do not moderate the Deck.

Issue 5, with reference to "Cruel and unusual punishment" I suppose someone could wedge
into the discussion but only if you disagree with the comment. I actually feel they were
talking more about people in detention or prison.

.

[Gary Rice]

Never implied here that the Observer Project had any problem with any document.

Individuals however, can get pretty heated up at times, especially in chat rooms.

Sometimes you have to wonder whether they've had a couple of shots and a beer before posting.

Anyway, it's when that sort of thing starts to get out of hand....

That was all I was sayin'.

Back to the banjo

[Jim O'Bryan]

Never implied here that the Observer Project had any problem with any document.

Individuals however, can get pretty heated up at times, especially in chat rooms.

Sometimes you have to wonder whether they've had a couple of shots and a beer before posting.

Anyway, it's when that sort of thing starts to get out of hand....

That was all I was sayin'.

Back to the banjo

Gary

One of the drawbacks of texting and posting is, many people feel bravado behind a key
board. We all knew this going in, which is why we went with real names, and no deletions
after 15 minutes. Well it used to be longer but one person would come in, blow up a
conversation, they go back and delete the messages. That abuse gave us the 15 minutes.

I am glad you posted it, great read, the history of it is fascinating.

But it is a great document for FREE SPEECH as well, and that all opinions presented as
opinions are valid for discussion.

OK you get another one...



and so do we.

.

[Gary Rice]

Wow,

A musical time machine from nearly a quarter of a century ago....

How times change...

Just noticed the rebel flag grill cloth on one of the band's amplifiers...

Remember Southern Rock? Some of those bands would drape the stage with those "stars and bars" flags.

Not these days...

For the record, no Yankees were harmed during the making of that video.

'Course, nowadays, if I play with a musical group, I use a band saw...

If I play for dances, I like to use a jig saw.

If I play on the lake, or if this 'Deck gets a little rocky? I like a sea saw.

If I'm having a rough day, I look for a coping saw.

Back to the banjo...

[Corey Rossen]

Well it used to be longer but one person would come in, blow up a
conversation, they go back and delete the messages. That abuse gave us the 15 minutes.


.

Name, please (help it catch on).

My opinion - I think 15 minutes is still too long, a lot can happen (or reaction) in that amount of time.

Thanks
Corey

[Jim O'Bryan]

Gary

Back to that document you mentioned, outside of slavery and marriage and some stuff
about war there were these gems.

Article 18
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, with alone or in a community with others in public or private to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practicing, worship and observance.

Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 27
1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

2) Everyone has the right to the protection of moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary, or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29
1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full-development of his personality is possible.

2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by the law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order, and the general welfare in a democratic society.

3) The rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the Unite Nations.