{"id":5942,"date":"2016-02-29T23:18:18","date_gmt":"2016-03-01T04:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=5942"},"modified":"2016-02-29T23:23:40","modified_gmt":"2016-03-01T04:23:40","slug":"election-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=5942","title":{"rendered":"election update"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"photo-1453282716202-de94e528067c\"<\/a>Let\u2019s be honest: it\u2019s hard to talk about the 2016 election process.<\/p>\n

Wait. I take that back.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s actually not hard to talk about it; there are many<\/em><\/strong> who are talking. They just aren\u2019t all talking very respectfully.<\/p>\n

The reality is that we<\/em> don\u2019t always talk respectfully either.<\/p>\n

My sense is each of us is prone to falling prey to engaging in the ignorance or disrespect, trumping (tee, hee)<\/em> one aspect over another\u2026 ignoring some of the realities of this race, due to preconceived ideas or desired results\u2026<\/p>\n

For example \u2014 and please don\u2019t get mad \u2014 my desire here is to wrestle honestly and respectfully with the truth\u2026 \u00a0each of these statements is \u2014 [sigh] \u2014 true\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026 one party frontrunner has been regularly offensive to multiple people groups\u2026 another party frontrunner is under investigation by the FBI\u2026 multiple contending candidates have been caught in lies or mistruths\u2026 one candidate is touting socialism as a healthy form of economics\u2026 another candidate has articulated seemingly zero willingness to compromise\u2026 some have very little knowledge of foreign policy\u2026 and\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026 I think arguably all candidates have forgotten that whoever is elected will represent all<\/em><\/strong> of us \u2014 not just a few, loyal, select some.<\/p>\n

Part of the challenge is that we compare and contrast \u2014 suggesting that one person\u2019s lack of integrity in one area \u2014 be it personal or intellectual \u2014 is not as bad as someone else\u2019s. The challenge is that as soon as we make that conclusion, we often justify ignoring our preferred candidate\u2019s obvious (to everyone else)<\/em> flaws, and sometimes, often perhaps, then also justify in joining in the chorus of disrespect.<\/p>\n

Let it be said that there is nothing wrong with healthy, constructive criticism. But from my limited vantage point, there is nothing healthy about any adult calling another a \u201clightweight,\u201d \u201cdope,\u201d or \u201cenemy\u201d or referring to the size of another candidate\u2019s ears. That, my friends, is not constructive criticism. Dare I suggest it\u2019s not intelligent either.<\/p>\n

And so this day I come with two questions:<\/p>\n

First, what am I overlooking in my preferred candidate that\u2019s significant?<\/p>\n

And second, what have I ignored in my preferred candidate because the flaws of another make my candidate seem so smart, wholesome, and good?<\/p>\n

As I wrestle with those questions, my primary concerns in this election currently are as follows:<\/p>\n

(1) That we are overlooking what may be significant.
\n(2) That we are focusing too much on too few.
\n(3) That we don\u2019t have the best candidates in the race. (\u2026 Joe, Condoleezza\u2026 where are you?)<\/em>
\n(4) That we are not utilizing our critical thinking skills. And\u2026
\n(5) That we are justifying disrespect.<\/p>\n

As said, it\u2019s hard to talk about the 2016 election process.<\/p>\n

Change that: it\u2019s hard to talk about it thoroughly, wisely, and respectfully.<\/p>\n

Respectfully\u2026 yes\u2026
\nAR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Let\u2019s be honest: it\u2019s hard to talk about the 2016 election process. Wait. I take that back. It\u2019s actually not hard to talk about it; there are many who are talking. They just aren\u2019t all talking very respectfully. The reality is that we don\u2019t always talk respectfully either. My sense is each of us is … <\/p>\n

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