The poor standard of public debate (was Re: {Spam?} Re: [LINK] Stolen or copied?)

[Jan Whitaker]

At 04:56 PM 30/06/2007, Rick wrote:
> > What is really overwhelming is the seeming acceptance of
> > this by a majority of non-thinking citizens. Really very
> > disheartening.

I've been noticing quite a few instances of 'bad' to 'poor' public 
behaviour that is mimicing what they/we see as 
processes/approaches/'style' of the government. When 
governments/'authorities' lie, it becomes the norm for the general 
society to lie. When public officials make excuses for their own 
behaviour that they can't deny is screwed up, then no one takes 
responsibility for making mistakes or admitting they were wrong. When 
leaders are greedy and exploit their positions, then anyone who has 
power over others behave in the same way with little compassion or humility.

That's what I meant by 'it's too late'. The generational patterns of 
the last 10 years will take quite a while to overcome. It's not just 
the negativity and fear that is overt, but the unconscious patterns 
that are modeled and not spoken about because they are unconsidered. 
It's like parents passing along their bad habits, or disgruntled 
customers telling 10s of their friends when they have a bad 
experience in a store. The elected officials are role models whether 
we like it or not. They set the patterns and the systems that 
reinforce the patterns.

It's no wonder Howard invaded the NT. He has a pattern: Afghanistan, 
Iraq, Fiji, Solomons, Timor, PNG, regardless of whether cause was 
'right' or not.

Jan


Jan Whitaker
JLWhitaker Associates, Melbourne Victoria
jwhit at janwhitaker.com
business: http://www.janwhitaker.com
personal: http://www.janwhitaker.com/personal/
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Writing Lesson #54:
Learn to love revision. Think of it as polishing the silver for 
guests. - JW, May, 2007

'Seed planting is often the most important step. Without the seed, 
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