Quote:
Originally Posted by Talk Host
What if you had a big party at your home and a fairly large number of the attendees entered into a loud political discussion in the kitchen and it became heated at times. Then some of the other guests started to complain to you that it was straining their enjoyment. What would you do?
Would you ask the political group to tone it down? Would tell them to shut up? Would you ask them to move their discussion outside? Would you ask them leave?
Or, would you tell the non-political participants to suck it up. What if some of them started to leave as a result?
Lets say for a moment that you went into your kitchen and mustered up the courage to tell the political participants to please respect your home and tone it down a little. Then one or more of them looked you in the eye and said, "this is America by God, and I have my first amendment rights to express my views anywhere and anytime I choose." Let's say you reminded them that this was your home and they were invited guests there, and they said, "it makes no difference, we'll do and say what we please, when we please." What would you do?
Now, lets say you ask the political discussion to step out to the lanai and continue their discussion there. At that point, several of them responded, "OUTSIDE, how dare you tell us to go outside, what do you think we are "second class citizens?" "Tell the others to go outside if they don't like what we are discussing, or tell them to not listen"
Okay, let's take this one step farther and say the political group is finally out on the lanai and you go to the dining room and join in the general party talk with the others. Now, several of the lanai group comes into the dining room and starts, "They sent us outside, so you pantywaists can't hear us, who the hell do you all think you are. Are you all happy now that those of us who want to discuss politics are sent away. I hope the host and hostess are happy with themselves for dissing us."
I'm curious how you would handle this situation.
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I see your analogy, TH, and I was going to raise you another one. But when I started to write it inside my head, it began to turn into a mini-series.
I have to tell you that I do not think that business and politics can mix, unless you are in the business of politics. Business and politics just cannot mix. At least not for very long. And in today's political environment of such polarization, attempts at discussion seem to get lost or trampled or drowned out or whatever and that makes it even more difficult, actually impossible, to mix business and politics. (Hey, TH, btw, I didn't see you at that party or I would have introduced myself.)
Anyway, from the beginning of the political forum, I thought, "Uh, oh. Do they really want to do this? Politics and business? Bottom line? An eventual no-win."
But, hey, my opinion on the cost of doing business did not keep me out of that forum. It was not my business, after all. So I would go in there, every once in awhile, with my moderate opinions and my concerns for people who, although they work hard, cannot afford health care coverage.
And sometimes I would even take a little attempt or two at humor along. But then no more. I stopped. I had my reasons. And besides all that, there was that thing where I finally noticed that I could not keep myself out of there when the moon was full.
(uh oh, I think it's waxing gibbous right now.)
Then came the change to the subscriber forum. Looked like a business decision to me. Business and politics cannot mix. Not for long. But I knew that from the start. I have known that since I was a kid, growing up around a little business. A little business that personal politics were always kept clear of.
Bottom Line Boomer
PS: If ever I do write my analogy for all this, and if it does indeed turn into a mini-series, and if I can get HBO interested, I hope all of you here will let me know who you want to play you. TH, I am thinking maybe Brian Dennehy for you. I think that's his name. That "Cocoon" guy. You look kind of like him in your picture.