In defense of yelling
Laura Leslie wrote some witty words yesterday about a small protest in Raleigh. The story involved animal rights activists calling out a candidate for not using his influence to support their cause. Laura asked the activists if the candidate has responded to their concerns.
“Well, we sent him an email and a letter and we never heard back.” Look, I'm sympathetic to the goal of ending unnecessary animal testing. But I don’t know of any government institution that’s ever been changed by being yelled at. Next time, maybe they could pick up the phone and ask for a meeting. They might just get one. On the other hand, if they’d set up a meeting instead of a protest, I might not be writing about them, and you might not be reading about it. So what do I know, right?
I can't tell you the number of times I've been blown off by Very Important People when I called or wrote to them about an issue. I can't even count the number of ridiculous form letters I've received from our Senators in Washington, letters that have absolutely nothing to do with what I asked them about. Which is exactly why we have to yell sometimes. Which is exactly why we occasionally have to go public with questions even when a source declines to comment. Because unless we're making a loud enough noise, we won't be heard. And if we're not heard, we don't count.
- James's blog
- Login or register to post comments
- Email this page
Open Thread about yelling?
Don't know where else to post this right now. But, has anyone else noticed the lack of mud being thrown in the Gubernatorial debate this week(s)?
RE: Mud, I spoke too soon....
UGH
I just got this, and it disgusted me. I removed myself from their email list. I don't have time for ugliness in my email box. I have enough of it in my own life!
I think that plus yesterday's Mental Health forum was enough to push me into the Moore camp. At least to the edge of it.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Oh, give it a day.
I'm sure tomorrow his anti-Bev website will have new mud to throw.
; )
Give it a day . . . ya mean like this day?
Why would Reiff need to do throw mud on his anti-Bev site when he can get the Charlotte Observer to do it for him.
You're right though. There's been no hiatus in the mud slinging.
So what do I know, right?
Like she suggests, she doesn't know what she is talking about. A number of studies came out in the past decade that have shown direct action is remarkably effective at engendering political and corporate reform. I'll see if I can find them for you.
Obvious examples of the power of civic action: women's suffrage, Medicare, and the Civil Rights Act.
I'm not saying this particular action was useful, but direct action in general is an effective means of civic participation.
- - - - -
The GOP will try to suppress the vote in 2008.
And most change doesn't come after one try
It takes all the little protests, letters, lte's, big protests, etc. etc. etc.
I don't know...
It depends on what you are yelling. Content is key. You're not going to be heard if you personally attack the person you are trying to get to listen to you. I have been to many public hearings where a speaker attacks the board member and then expects that same board member to actually continue listening and ultimately agree with the speaker. It is absurd. It would seem intuitive that if you are trying to convince someone of the meritis of your position, you should not start out by insulting them. Would you listen to a salesperson who started their pitch by screaming at you how about much of an idiot you are?
true
Word to that. You don't want to lose your purpose.
That being said,
citizen is to government
is NOT like
salesperson is to potential customer
- - - - -
The GOP will try to suppress the vote in 2008.
That being said, citizen is
Agreed. I didn't mean for the analogy to go that deep. There is certainly a duty of the government to listen to the people. In the end, however, "government" and "people" are human and one's position is usually not well-served by insulting the party you are trying to win over regardless of the subject or forum.
Not usually, but sometimes
For example, trying to "win over" Liddy Dole on any issue of substance is an absurd waste of time. Which leaves a concerned citizen with one of two choices. Ignore her or yell.
Yelling at least has the potential for galvanizing opposition and getting the media to focus on her many shortcomings. I think that's the point of Laura's commentary. Dole won't pay attention, but perhaps the pesky public will.
Pay attention to what you might ask?
click here to learn more
Pay attention to this. These are the many shortcomings of Senator Dole. The Senate contest in North Carolina should be about this counter.
Will it be $500,000,000,000 by November?