tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7123326368423499292.post6504028319400002364..comments2023-10-08T08:48:18.513-04:00Comments on The Dalai Grandma: Hatred ArisesJeanne Desyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07800258273705288582noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7123326368423499292.post-16495429217397773402010-03-21T20:05:52.045-04:002010-03-21T20:05:52.045-04:00I had to step into a crowd of Tea Partiers the oth...I had to step into a crowd of Tea Partiers the other day to retrieve my bike. The office of our Congresswoman is below the coffee shop I frequent, and so I was leaving after a nice cup of joe, the newspaper, and a blog post. I found the whole experience confounding. I'm no fan of this insurance reform bill because I don't see a private industry ever "reforming" enough to entrust our health with (which is what we end up doing to a great extent right now), but I find the Tea Party to be such a morass of fear and hatred, and poorly informed about the specifics of the health care bill, as well as most other things. They seem powerfully reactive, but barely touching reality. <br /><br />I had no idea, upon seeing these people, how to respond. I tried to smile, tried to remain calm, but mostly I felt a mixture of anger and sadness at the prejudice and misinformation being spewed. Part of me wanted to say something, anything, but really nothing seemed of use. I was one guy and they were 30+ men, women, and children with a loud message. So I just walked between them, unlocked my bicycle, and walked off. <br /><br />To me, the most disappointing thing is that there really hasn't been much honest, intelligent discussion about health care and where we might go as a nation. The moment ideas come up, from whatever party, they seem to get mired in pundit double speak and politician ribbons designed to smooth out disagreement and ensure re-election. <br /><br />I hope your friend, and people like him and us can provide something to spark a shift. I actually think that even within the Tea Party, there are people accessing some wisdom, and maybe could be part of making things better - if they could crack through the crusty, nasty coating on the outside.Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13920234350446745482noreply@blogger.com