Neonjade

Yes, I took the hook again. Sid didn’t call to let me know that he was going to design that special Civilization software for us, so I had to try something else. (See related articles, below.)

Great People with Good Intentions

I enjoyed the Coffee Party meeting that I attended yesterday. There were bright, energetic and caring people initiating civil discourse on a multitude of topics. Most of the attendees agreed with each other on most issues, so that made it a bit easier.

While the Coffee Party itself is non-partisan, I think most attending our Huntsville, Alabama meeting would describe themselves as fitting best with the liberal Democrats – no party was supported in full by anyone, or I don’t think that they would have attended. I would describe myself as most closely resembling a liberal Republican. Needless to say, I was the sole dissenter on a few issues.

Most everyone was very polite when I expressed my opposing views. I was only p’shawed and talked over once. However, the more I think over the discussions, the more I realize that this local chapter of the Coffee Party Movement is not for me.

Civility Doesn’t Equal Non-Partisan

To their credit, they told me that they appreciated my point of view and that they wanted me to speak up when I disagreed with anything. There was no vitriol dispensed, and I loved that everyone understood their issues enough to frame things with personal perspective. I heard not one slogan or one-liner rhetoric spouted as fact.

That was so refreshing that I enjoyed the meeting immensely until I started feeling that the general attitude towards anything that I disagreed with was “you must not understand how it really works.” To me, that translates to “no one would disagree with me if they understood my point of view.” To me that also translates to, “I have no reason to understand your point of view.”

We Need Both to Engender Positive Change

To me, while I much prefer politeness to throat ripping, civility can not be the sole goal if any positive progress is to be made. We need to learn how to work with opposing views instead of dismissing them or “exorcising them from misled individuals for their own good.”

I also think that I take a more boring and pragmatic view of activism than the majority. I appreciate that health care is THE issue of the moment. We’re also talking about a fast growing nationwide organization in the Coffee Party. I could see throwing in your local group’s voice on health care to the message that the lead group is pushing, if your group agrees with it.

However, at this point in the process, I don’t think a local chapter, a newly formed group of diverse viewpoints, can put together any message beyond announcing support of one of the options currently being discussed. No individual member admitted to reading any of them… but health care was voted as the first issue to tackle as a group. I got some weird looks for being the only member to not raise my hand on that one!

The Activist Group I’m Seeking

I would prefer to join a group that takes on issues at the ground floor and tracks them all the way through to implementation. I’d like to see politicians held accountable for their actions (and non-actions). I believe that you can only do that if you can ensure said politicians know of the people’s desires from near beginning. That way, the politician has to address his motives when countering those desires or face a short career.

Then, the group needs to make sure that everyone hears what effort was made and what was implemented – or not – in the end, just as loudly as they heard what was promised at the beginning. The media seldom does that, but a group of caring people could.

Also, if it’s a newly formed group, I would prefer to join one that starts small and local. One that tackles issues with focus and consistency, garners mass cooperation from all available viewpoints, and makes a measurable impact. Hopefully, controlled growth would occur with success and momentum.

Counter messages can outweigh the intentions of the group when you grow too quickly and the group is seen as a handy platform for any passerby with a gripe. Controlled growth would reduce messages like the post on the Coffee Party Movement in Huntsville, AL Facebook page that starts: “The Bible says the love of money is the root of all evil. The Republicans, and greedy corporations they represent, have pledged their allegiance, not to America, but to money and the Devil!”  (It was not posted by anyone that attended our meeting!)

Can You Help?

I’m hungry to contribute. I make lousy off-the-cuff verbal arguments, but I am great behind the scenes. I don’t have a ton of spare time, but I do have some. I want to join a group with tangible synergy that I would benefit and gain benefit from. Do you know of a group that I would fit, considering my viewpoints and expectations? Please let me know!

Also, please remember when commenting, civility may not be the only thing needed, but it is certainly one required aspect of mutual understanding!