The courage of one’s convictions
Written by Tim Higgins | | letters@toledofreepress.comOnce upon a time in this country, people were admired for standing up for their convictions. But those days are coming to an end. Instead, it appears that such behavior in writing, in politics and indeed in life is ridiculed more often than it is commended.
I have noticed this tendency both in the short time that I have been writing and commenting in the blogosphere, and more recently here in the editorial section of Toledo Free Press. No matter which side of the argument you’re on, it seems that there is always someone on the other who is unwilling to honestly debate the issue, but perfectly willing to attack the person putting forth the argument from the shadows.
In this, Toledo Free Press bridges the two worlds of the traditional newspaper and of blogging. All of its columns, including those of Editor In Chief Michael S. Miller and Publisher Tom Pounds, are printed under the name of the columnist (unlike other publications, which shall remain nameless).
Like other newspapers, TFP also prints all letters to the editor with the names of the writers. Where its columns are posted online, however, it chooses to take its form more from the blogging world; allowing those who wish to assume a mask of anonymity with clever (or in some cases, not so clever) screen names to hide their true identity.
There are justifiable reasons for such behavior in some cases, as employees (especially those of the city or state) may need to protect themselves from potential repercussions from their employers, while sharing their potentially invaluable insight on an issue.
Some of our Founding Fathers found concealed their identities when getting their views aired in the authorship of The Federalist Papers.
Of course with most of the writings of our Founding Fathers, the risks included the threat of arrest and imprisonment, confiscation of goods and property and even their lives, which might have given them good reason to choose such a course. Little jeopardy appears evident except what will naturally occur from showing a modicum of civil behavior or perhaps a backbone.
Honest debate has long been the cornerstone of free speech in this country, and as such should be encouraged and celebrated in all forms of media. The particular nature of many of the comments is little more than cowardly vitriol and should be neither encouraged nor celebrated. It more often casts a pall on the very process it participates in, doing little or nothing to influence those holding dissimilar or undecided positions, and honored only by those already agreeing with the commenter. These words do little more in most cases, than simply highlighting the emptiness in the arguments of those who believe that they can only win by way of ad hominem attacks.
Also interesting to me is that this apparently narcissistic feeding frenzy is not limited to nipping at the heels of those willing to put themselves on the line with a column, but that bottom-feeding behavior appears to make them equally happy (and in some cases even more so) when attacking each other with a mixture of venom and enthusiasm.
Surprisingly, and in spite of the ill treatment accorded to those writing these opinion pieces by their assailants, many return regularly to subject themselves to such abuse. While I can, let me applaud their efforts in the face of such public scorn and ridicule. Whether I agree with their opinions or not does not matter, their continued attempts to speak their minds demonstrates a courage shown by few of their detractors (or often, even their supporters).
As for those who appear to find amusement and personal satisfaction in these pseudo intellectual exercises of anonymous acrimony, let me provide you with additional ammunition for your attacks on me. I have included a link here to a posting on my own site on what I consider my core beliefs, to inspire you to new depths of contempt.
For while I will probably be given credit for little else, let it at least be said that I am willing to stand, using my own name with the courage of my convictions.
Columnist Tim Higgins blogs at http://justblowingsmoke.blogspot.com/.
I agree whole-heartedly, Tim. If you have strong convictions on a subject, at least be man(or woman) enough to put your name on it. I hope you feel the same way about our soon to come political ads now that corporations are “Citizens” according to five SCOTUS judges. If you’re going to say it, take ownership of it!
This comment was posted on February 12th, 2010 at 1:42 pmWell, when the liberal’s put forth lie after lie, after lie, on topics ranging from Global warming to ObaMaoscare, to G.W.’s record, …you have to battle these vomit eaters with the unremitting truth.
This comment was posted on February 12th, 2010 at 3:37 pmThat is often a difficult task when the mass media, unions, and edukrats, spoon feed their fellow travelers with nonstop fabrication of history and, it’s relevance to NOW.
Toledo, is a perfect example of what nonstop liberalism does to a community.Their pathetic designs for change only made EVERYTHING WORSE…EXTREMELY MORE SO !!
The proof is everywhere for the anyone to see.
“pseudo intellectual exercises of anonymous acrimony”
This comment was posted on February 12th, 2010 at 7:35 pmNow who in the world could that be?????????????????????????????????????
The courage of one’s convictions.
This comment was posted on February 12th, 2010 at 7:49 pmSince I choose to not post my name you infer that I lack courage. In other words you call me a coward? Wow, I was only pokin a stick at the poster that insults my party and my President. I’d be afraid he’d hunt me down and force feed me a bucket of his offal of choice,if I posted my name.
This complaint that people use screen names and the like on the web, gets old.
If the debate was about the content, the issue and not the person, which it usually turns into, it would be a different matter.
Or are we that thin skinned to not able to shrug off the comments?
And what benefit is there to knowing a persons name? Written by Tim Higgins, ya so?
The author is important, why?
It is the substance of the comment, not the speaker or writer to some of us.
Comments on the web are wild and rough shod at times, get use to it or don’t read them, or revel in the right of free speech.
“may need to protect themselves from potential repercussions from their employers,”
And also, from the repercussions from the political apparatus, city government, state government and federal government, let’s not forget the snooping by some in government in the public information of citizens and then using the information against the person.
This comment was posted on February 13th, 2010 at 2:52 pmPhil Jones: U.K., leftist climate change LIAR, stated over the weekend that the Earth, hasn’t been getting any warner for 15 years ?!And, that he FAKED the evidence !
This comment was posted on February 15th, 2010 at 2:21 pmKapturd: one complete and total FAILURE, is given a pass, for any blame for way too long by other leftist LIARS here , who are BLIND, to her total destruction in Little Detroit.
ObaMao:just another leftist liar who was elected by ignorant fools who weren’t told the real truth about him and his RADICAL AmeriKa hating friends / fellow travelers.
John Edwards : the compliant liberal press, carried his ADULTEROUS LIES ,throughout the whole campaign , just like they did ObaMao.
These same LIARS are re-writing history with the LIES about the ‘last 8 years”…I recall G.W.’s, 53 straight weeks of positive economic growth after 9 / 11, 4.5 % unemployment, and freeing 53 million Muslims, from torture, death, and tyrrany.
What do the Demonrats , remember…only the last 4 years when the Demonrats, took over control of Congress, and immediateley, slowed America’s growth with taxes, regulations, and deficit spending , not heard of in American history !
Wait until Freddie Mac’s 5% and Fannie Mae’s 6 %, of home loans that are about to go bad hit the markets !! These horrible government banks are going to need another $150 BILLION, over the $50 BILLION, we’ve already given them !!!
Real banks can only tolerate a bad loan precentage rate of 0.5 % !!!!!
So , whether you use a real name or not, liberal liars will always lie, misconstrue, and fabricate anything for their vile purpose of TOTAL CONTROL of the MASSES , by any means!
“Like other newspapers, TFP also prints all letters to the editor with the names of the writers.”
Most newspapers also review the letters to make sure the letters are germane to the topic and don’t post wholesale rants that are unrelated to the topic.
This comment was posted on February 15th, 2010 at 7:59 pmYeah, like all lying liberals, most newspapers AUDIT ( think the Yellow Blade ), letters to make sure the letters generally agree with the identical madness the rag expounds on.
So, let me keep my money, guns and FREEDOM !
You miserable liberals can keep the change !
This comment was posted on February 16th, 2010 at 12:15 pmPerhaps it is parroting once more?
“I DON’T listen to talk radio, but I’m told a local host routinely beats up on The Blade’s opinion pages for not identifying the writers of individual editorials.”
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100214/COLUMNIST45/2140302
Something has to fill the void, what with the previous mayor out of office.
This comment was posted on February 17th, 2010 at 9:30 am