Posted on Apr 9, 2017
Is being open-minded a virtue, if it’s causing destructive ideas to spread throughout society?
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Yes, it's still a virtue- and I would argue that it isn't the open minded individuals who are mainly at fault for the spread of destructive ideas. Part of being open minded is having a willingness to consider other ideas but weigh the benefits and harm of different options before making a decision. Another part is being willing to reconsider your stance on a subject in light of new evidence. No part of being open minded forces somebody to act on or tolerate destructive ideas. Sound judgment does not go out the window just because you are willing to keep an open mind. One could even say that sound judgment is, in fact, a crucial part of truly being open minded. It's, instead, narrow minded individuals who are mainly at fault for the spread of destructive ideas. Once a narrow minded individual gets something ingrained in their brain, it's easier to push a 1 ton boulder up a hill than to talk them about their beliefs.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
That says it quite well and also points out he current problem, the narrow minded individual who just can't seen to learn anything even when something they support doesn't work !
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Ideas are not destructive. People who use ideation towards negative ends are destructive.
The latter notion is the one which our society is contending with.
For example, the notion that Black Lives Matter is perfectly reasonable. Many of the issues the group brings to the fore are worthy of discussion, and some of the police interactions that sparked the movement in the first place were truly heinous and worthy of protest.
What is not ok is to use the BLM events as an opportunity to light fires, loot, and otherwise accost passers-by. When that happens, the message gets lost and the situation devolves to rioting.
I can think of countless examples of this, but that was the first that came to mind.
The latter notion is the one which our society is contending with.
For example, the notion that Black Lives Matter is perfectly reasonable. Many of the issues the group brings to the fore are worthy of discussion, and some of the police interactions that sparked the movement in the first place were truly heinous and worthy of protest.
What is not ok is to use the BLM events as an opportunity to light fires, loot, and otherwise accost passers-by. When that happens, the message gets lost and the situation devolves to rioting.
I can think of countless examples of this, but that was the first that came to mind.
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MSG Brad Sand
1SG (Join to see)
The only thing I might disagree with is the statement about 'police interactions' because most of those, where the LEO who broke the law and faced the penalty of the law for their actions, were Red Herrings created by the media? Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Freddie Gray just being the examples that jump instantly to mind? Lies created by the media to push a false narrative.
The only thing I might disagree with is the statement about 'police interactions' because most of those, where the LEO who broke the law and faced the penalty of the law for their actions, were Red Herrings created by the media? Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Freddie Gray just being the examples that jump instantly to mind? Lies created by the media to push a false narrative.
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1SG (Join to see)
MSG Brad Sand - True, But I have Philando Castille here locally in Minneapolis and that awful shooting in Cleveland that went the other way.
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MSG Brad Sand
1SG (Join to see) -
Why doesn't the nation know the name Philando Castille? I mean beyond the fact that the officer was Hispanic? Because when the officer was wrong, he had to face justice. In truth, I would argue that the media plays a giant part in Philando Castille death because of the environment they created from their false reporting. Cops are being assassinated in the streets? Deadly force is authorized when one is in fear for their life...and the media has made blacks and LEO more fearful?
The Cleveland issues is another story completely. It is tragic when a child dies, but the police are as the victims there as much as anyone. If you are not aware of kids killing kids...and adults...in some area of our large cities, you are lucky not knowing.
Why doesn't the nation know the name Philando Castille? I mean beyond the fact that the officer was Hispanic? Because when the officer was wrong, he had to face justice. In truth, I would argue that the media plays a giant part in Philando Castille death because of the environment they created from their false reporting. Cops are being assassinated in the streets? Deadly force is authorized when one is in fear for their life...and the media has made blacks and LEO more fearful?
The Cleveland issues is another story completely. It is tragic when a child dies, but the police are as the victims there as much as anyone. If you are not aware of kids killing kids...and adults...in some area of our large cities, you are lucky not knowing.
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1SG (Join to see)
MSG Brad Sand - I support police as much as anyone. That doesn't mean they bat 1.000. Problem about the protests I've observed as that while there are folks out there genuinely mad at the situation at hand, there are many who are out there solely to commit or incite mayhem - and that is not ok.
What is more important though is that we are losing the message because we don't like the messenger. And that is a shame.
What is more important though is that we are losing the message because we don't like the messenger. And that is a shame.
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