Pros Aren’t Always The Best Writers
Reader comments can help
Recently I read what I think of as a “red meat” political article — which is a description I use to describe the rabidity of fans it caters to; it has no red state connotation.
Even before I make my point, it would be natural at this stage for readers to wonder about the author’s ideology — and those who know me personally or have read me enough might well suspect where I’m coming from. But whether you and I agree on that means nothing where my point is concerned, as any thoughtful reader will readily agree.
The article urged us to move away from a particular state if we lived there and cared about our civil rights. While those on one side of the aisle might wonder why a given blue state might be singled out, their opponents might wonder if Trump is really cutting federal funding to a state that doesn’t recognize his authority. Both sides might do well to consider this:
People on either side might dismiss the article’s tone as it tries to scare some, even if the red meat satisfies them. Because of the topic, the general flow of comments by the readers was the expected lamentations about having to leave one’s home and find a new one…and I trust those of all political stripes can relate.
But I was really moved because I wasn’t so scared for them. It was easier for me to assume that life would go on as it was in all places…than to wonder if I might be wrong because the next Covid was tuning in the wings. Then I read what was easily the most useful reader comment:
My wife and I lived in this insane asylum for decades, but finally escaped to Kansas a few years ago. We would NEVER go back there. And the reality of being in an insane asylum is that it can seem normal when you are inside, but step outside and look back in through the window, and only then can you fully understand just what a sh*tshow it was and still is!
As proud as you may be of a routine, or even a conviction…how often is there room to reconsider, if you’re honest? It seemed easy to take pride in resistance to the melodrama I was a bit more susceptible to when I was much younger, but the contrast of being rudely awakened by complacency versus reassurance of not wasting wariness of potentially false alarmism was too much for me to ignore.
There are so many analogies this invites, for fun or terror. Whether ensconced in your original or new family, your profession or religion or party or an interest friends are devoted to…I won’t ask you to consider all potential fronts from which a new consideration can approach. Even asking yourself about one such possibility might tax the limits of eccentricity and loneliness.
Enough illustration. I’ll leave you to reflect. Especially on the sanity of where you’ve chosen to reside…for undoubtedly fulsome reasons — and in the best sense of the word.
I did not see any point in rewriting the comment in my own words, so I just added emphasis. I understand that anyone enticed by “red meat” attacks or hopes the article promotes their position may well Google part of the comment. I’ll save you the trouble (in part because such magnanimity will make me look good while implicitly praising those who are more moved by my main point): the article urged conservative residents to leave the state of Washington. Now, how do you feel?
