Of Donkeys and Elephants

We have 2 political parties in this country of ours, Republicans and Democrats; the former basically believes in a small Federal Governments, whereas the latter believes in a large Federal Government.  There are other subtle and not-so-subtle differences that are not pertinent to my comments; however, these is a growing 3rd party referred to as Libertarian.  Each party has an opinion, sometimes rational, it seems, and at other times, not so rational.  Each one of these parties is comprised of liberals, conservatives, and radical extremists.  But, based upon the First Amendment to the US Constitution, we are all free to speak and write what we think or feel.

But, what about the ethical consequences of our actions?  Do we have an obligation there?  Of ethics, Aristotle conceives of ethical theory as a field distinct from the theoretical sciences. Its methodology must match its subject matter—good action—and must respect the fact that in this field many generalizations hold only for the most part. We study ethics in order to improve our lives, and therefore its principal concern is the nature of human well-being.

the original team

If we indeed want to improve our lives, then we must be exposed to both sides of an issue in order to be able to ethically understand which direction or course of action to take.  No group was better at presenting these opposing views than 60 Minutes.  In 1967 Don Hewitt conceived of his new program, 60 Minutes, as a strategy for addressing issues given insufficient time for analysis in two minutes of the Evening News but not deemed significant enough to justify an hour-long documentary.   Point/Counterpoint, a segment of 60 Minutes, aired from 1971 to 1979, illustrated that two opposing positions can remain un-reconciled, and served, in three-minute debates between left- and right-wing critics, to agitate viewer emotions with ideological battles.

On Season 3, episode 18 of Saturday Night Live, 

Dan Aykoyd and Jane Curtain had the following parody of the 60 Minutes segment...

                              

Dan Aykroyd: Tonight on "Point/Counterpoint",

Jane and I will argue Federal Aid for Abortions.

Jane will take the Point for Federal Aid, and I

will take the Counterpoint against. Jane?

Jane Curtin: Safe abortions have always been available to the rich, Dan. You simply want to deny them to the poor, and if you succeed, poor woman will be forced to get them anyway. They'll be forced into the alleys with hangers, plungers and vacuum cleaners, risking death or mutilation. But you'd like that, wouldn't you, Dan, you sadistic, elitist, sexist, racist, anti-humanist pig!

Dan Aykroyd: Jane, you ignorant, misguided slut! Once again, you missed the point entirely. [ enraged ] Why should I pay hard-earned dollars so welfare tarts can have sex anytime they want, without regards to consequences? Haven't these bimbos heard of abstinence? I, myself, haven't had sex for two years - and I'm rich! Why should I foot the bill for killing unborn infants, anyway? I'll pay for something practical like sterilization - but abortions? Never! With one exception - if I had been around when your mother was having you, not only would I have paid for the abortion, but I would have performed it myself!

Jane Curtin: Thank you, Dan.

While many of us will see the humor in this skit, some of us will only see their own narrow points-of-view and not matter how hard they try to keep their eyes open and claim open-mindedness, their paradigms, perceptions, and pre-conceived ideas will never allow other doors to be opened, as they were for Morrison.

Of donkeys and elephants will explore the most radical of views from both sides of the fence political fence, including Boortz and his libertarians.  It will take a peek at those who may not even believe in democracy or in the republic for which it stands  It will open the closet door where "survivalists" hide.  Of donkeys and elephants will not be domesticated or saddled and ridden.  Of donkeys and elephants will not simply regurgitate the party line or will it bring an iron to iron-out the feathers it ruffles.  Of donkeys and elephants will honor both 60 Minutes and Aristotle in the way it opens its attitudes, opinions, and controversial doors...