Personally I think the best way, is to disengage. What I mean by that, is put your word out, and talk to those who wish to talk, not argue or debate, just talk, explain your side best you can and leave them be to decide for themselves. Dont try to convert people. They want to know more let em come to you. Dont play a preacher of some sort of gospel. If somebody says bad things to you online or however except directly, just ignore it, and do YOUR thing. If they say something to you in person, well.... at least they have balls or tits as the case may be, and you play it as you see fit.
I prefer my dirty work in person. If I am going to be wicked, mean, nasty, and cruel, not mention ruthless*, I want my opponent to see my smile as we duel. I dont normally engage or even acknowledge a slight, unless I feel a lesson in assholery is warranted for the particularly egregious offence. After all I, being the self proclaimed Emperor of All Assholes Everywhere, have to have some standards you know. Lessons should be memorable for all, dont you think?
*(My five best qualities.:devil
I digress, I believe that we must resist the temptation to engage every slight anywhere, and to limit our reactions to our immediate presence and the here and now. To do otherwise is to invite escalation to a point where it because so difficult to back down as to nigh be impossible. At that point the die will be cast and what results will be anyone's guess but most likely bode ill for all.
All sides need to quit their political teams, and try to become more dispassionate in their political disposition. This means figuring out what the rules are and agreeing to stick to them and NOT attempt to go around or break them and to unite against those who would. We need a firm set of rules we can agree on to set the playing field. We need to say TOGETHER these are the rules and we will do our best to follow them without fail. That if we decide to change them we must have consensus.
Lastly I think we need desperately to lower the stakes of our political game. I believe the intensity of our politics is directly related to the stakes involved. Government should not be so encompassing of our lives that mere elections can effect them potentially direly. I have no idea how to do this without major upheaval.
To StuPedaso good thread.
