Social Media, Free Speech, and Governments

Interesting case studies on how to use (and perhaps not use) social media in government - Charlotte NC is going down one path and Mecklenburg county (where Charlotte is located) is going down a different path. Good article here: http://bit.ly/cmP53c

Understanding before disagreeing

President Obama used a great phrase today in introducing Elena Kagan as his Supreme Court nominee - "understanding before disagreeing".

It's a great approach - listen, gather facts, understand the arguments, and then and only then make up your mind.

Certainly hope this comment truly reflects her approach. Now we just have to hope that the nomination review and confirmation processes are conducted in a civil and thoughtful fashion and not in the court of "outraged sound bites".

Respectful disagreement is a good thing

It strikes me that so much of our so called political dialogue in this country has degenerated to new lows. It seems like the rules changed when I wasn't looking. "If I disagree with your position, then my first response should be to demonize you" is the new rule.

What happened to respectful disagreement? As in, "I listened carefully to your points, I thought about them, and I happen to disagree - but - I still respect you as an individual and I look forward to debating with you again because I might actually learn something from someone as smart as you clearly are."

Where can you go to have that kind of discussion now?

It's time for more civil and thoughtful politics

Extreme, dogmatic, partisan.

Not words which come to mind when thinking about effective politics.

We have so many smart and thoughtful people in our country - we should have enough respect for each other to listen instead of shouting an extreme position and not listening to to others.

Respect, thoughtful discussion, active listening.

It's time now.