two former Demcrats, Pat Canan and Irma Delson, have started a project they call "PEARL". i can't remember what it stands for, but the gist of the idea is that they join the Republican Party in order to pull it back to the center. ok, that's one option, and it's so full of problems i can't even begin to list them. but i'll let this letter from the today's GT speak for me:
Lesson on road to common ground
Two things you should always do, speak your mind, and learn from your mistakes. It is also nice when you can fix the mistakes you make. I recently made the same mistake twice.
I let my fear of the "L" word as well as my stereotype of the Birkenstock wearing, tie-dyed loving, soulless LEFT leaning tree hugger take over my brain. After reading about PEARL I was determined to stop a liberal takeover of the Grand Old Party. I publicly attacked not only the project but also the two people at its core.
The problem was I did this without ever meeting Pat Canan and Irma Delson or discussing their reasons, and ideas. We in the middle call this open dialog and preach how both parties need to do this more often. I recently met with Pat and Irma, and to my pleasure and more horror I discovered they are not an evil couple sent by a liberal devil to destroy anyone or anything. They are two people who are as upset with the far left as they are with the far right — something I can relate with. They are trying to promote dialog between moderates of both parties and truly believe we must learn to talk with each other and discuss the issues. As they put it to me, "we can disagree, but we need to find common ground we can work with."
After meeting with Pat and Irma the only thing I can do is apologize, thank them, and welcome them to the Republican middle.
Ken Real
Adair Village
the key part of the message is the final sentence: Welcom to "the Republican middle." the word middle means so very little; what Ken sees as middle Betsy Close probably sees as godless pinko leftist radicalism. the key thing here is the Pat & Irma are now Republicans, and whatever they may say about moderating the party and opening channels of dialogue, they have turned their back on what our party stands for. they have repudiated our platform and turned away from those of us who believe that the candidates and policies we advocate for — Sara Gelser, Sam Sappinton, Mario Magana, our 3 county commissioners, quality public education, a clean environment, Troops Out — to work on their inter-personal communications skills. fine; that's a choice.
so is the choice to believe in the principles of your community, and to accept the simple fact that humans frequently disagree. the PEARL project has nice aspects to it, but it's not very smart strategically. the Willamette Valley Forum is seeking the same goals, and actually doing it much more visibly and powerfully by bringing in nationally known speakers and then following up with opportunities for dialog and action. but at the same time, those of us who differ on the political aspects of these issues can continue to work within the context that aligns with our principles. and we can do it with respect for one another.
the PEARL project has forgotten, in the end, that we're talking about political parties. politics is where we stand up for what we believe and work to promote those beliefs. in democracy, that means a certain amount of competition, some argument and struggle, and, ultimately, compromise. the Constitution was a great compromise; the Bill of Rights exists because of compromise. the PEARL project wants to do away with people disagreeing. it's uncomfortable. i understand that. i want to be right about everything, and i want everyone to acknowledge i am right about everything. aint' gonna happen. so i'll push for what i believe in, i'll oppose those who are promoting things i see as wrong, and i'll try to retain respect for the differences (until they piss away that respect, as the Bushies have done). but i won't abandon the Democrats just because i want everyone to be nice to each other. i have more respect for my beliefs than that, and more respect for my ability to have my very strong opinions and still keep my eyes and ears open.
(ps, i have heard Pat & Irma make their pitch in person. i don't buy it. but i have listened.)
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