Comments on: Reacting Personally to These Attacks is Pointless http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2006/11/02/reacting-personally-to-these-attacks-is-pointless/ By Meryl Runion and SpeakStrong, Inc. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:08:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Keyspearl http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2006/11/02/reacting-personally-to-these-attacks-is-pointless/comment-page-1/#comment-728 Keyspearl Mon, 13 Nov 2006 17:33:15 +0000 http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2006/11/02/reacting-personally-to-these-attacks-is-pointless/#comment-728 While many may disagree with Fox, it is not "speaking strong" to mock him. It implies to me that Limbaugh was unable to come up with a defense of his own position, so his only alternative was to attack the messenger of a different position. This seems to be the tactic of some people on both sides of many issues and only contributes to the polarization of our society and the difficulty in making informed, rather than emotional, decisions. Our own opinions feel like "truth" to each of us, but it is important to maintain open lines of communication in order to learn and grow. SpeakStrong aims to serve the goal of improving rational, intelligent communication -- something which most of us could stand to learn more of. I, too, applaud Michael Fox for not falling into the trap of responding in kind to Limbaugh's attack. While many may disagree with Fox, it is not “speaking strong” to mock him. It implies to me that Limbaugh was unable to come up with a defense of his own position, so his only alternative was to attack the messenger of a different position. This seems to be the tactic of some people on both sides of many issues and only contributes to the polarization of our society and the difficulty in making informed, rather than emotional, decisions. Our own opinions feel like “truth” to each of us, but it is important to maintain open lines of communication in order to learn and grow. SpeakStrong aims to serve the goal of improving rational, intelligent communication — something which most of us could stand to learn more of. I, too, applaud Michael Fox for not falling into the trap of responding in kind to Limbaugh’s attack.

]]> By: merylrunion http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2006/11/02/reacting-personally-to-these-attacks-is-pointless/comment-page-1/#comment-636 merylrunion Fri, 10 Nov 2006 22:55:59 +0000 http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2006/11/02/reacting-personally-to-these-attacks-is-pointless/#comment-636 I don't assume either were speaking the truth, I assume they were speaking about their own beliefs. I believe that Fox is in ernest since he once stumped for Spector, but I don't have enough info to be conclusive about that. If Fox falsely claimed Steele was against stem cell research, I'll say he erred or was out of line. My quick review gets mixed results regarding Steele's stance, but I am open to the possibility that his views were misrepresented. That is, however, beside the point I made regarding how Fox responded to Limbaugh's mockery of his symptoms. His response was exemplary of how to deal with that kind of attack, and if he is making false claims it doesn't invalidate the appropriateness of his response to Limbaugh. I don’t assume either were speaking the truth, I assume they were speaking about their own beliefs. I believe that Fox is in ernest since he once stumped for Spector, but I don’t have enough info to be conclusive about that.

If Fox falsely claimed Steele was against stem cell research, I’ll say he erred or was out of line. My quick review gets mixed results regarding Steele’s stance, but I am open to the possibility that his views were misrepresented. That is, however, beside the point I made regarding how Fox responded to Limbaugh’s mockery of his symptoms. His response was exemplary of how to deal with that kind of attack, and if he is making false claims it doesn’t invalidate the appropriateness of his response to Limbaugh.

]]> By: Kathleen http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2006/11/02/reacting-personally-to-these-attacks-is-pointless/comment-page-1/#comment-463 Kathleen Fri, 03 Nov 2006 13:36:41 +0000 http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2006/11/02/reacting-personally-to-these-attacks-is-pointless/#comment-463 Tactics are rarely a one-size-fits-all solution. Not that I have any idea what a good tactic for the Dixie Chicks would have been. But it seems clear to me that even in our so called modern world, and our so called progressive country, there are differences in how people react to men who speak out versus how they react to women who speak out. I think the reasons why are not simple, and are multi layered; and are not all without merit. I think it is a simple, if not happy, truth that women who speak out and who want to be taken seriously, must employ additional skills and instincts in deciding what to say and when to say it. Tactics are rarely a one-size-fits-all solution. Not that I have any idea what a good tactic for the Dixie Chicks would have been. But it seems clear to me that even in our so called modern world, and our so called progressive country, there are differences in how people react to men who speak out versus how they react to women who speak out. I think the reasons why are not simple, and are multi layered; and are not all without merit. I think it is a simple, if not happy, truth that women who speak out and who want to be taken seriously, must employ additional skills and instincts in deciding what to say and when to say it.

]]> By: Mark Cook http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2006/11/02/reacting-personally-to-these-attacks-is-pointless/comment-page-1/#comment-461 Mark Cook Fri, 03 Nov 2006 02:05:40 +0000 http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2006/11/02/reacting-personally-to-these-attacks-is-pointless/#comment-461 You assume that Fox and the Chicks are indeed speaking the truth. The Chicks are espousing an opinion as are the people who react to their comments. I would say the two are even. Fox is saying what he says is the truth. Is it? Prove it. Rhetoric aside, look at the facts. In Maryland Michael Steele is not against stem cell research as Fox says. Fox can say what he wants. Limbaugh can react. It appears your mind is made up as to who is the truth-teller based on the names and political bent. Shame. I had much respect for your opinion before now. Now I'm not so sure. You assume that Fox and the Chicks are indeed speaking the truth. The Chicks are espousing an opinion as are the people who react to their comments. I would say the two are even. Fox is saying what he says is the truth. Is it? Prove it. Rhetoric aside, look at the facts. In Maryland Michael Steele is not against stem cell research as Fox says. Fox can say what he wants. Limbaugh can react. It appears your mind is made up as to who is the truth-teller based on the names and political bent. Shame. I had much respect for your opinion before now. Now I’m not so sure.

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