Campaign Season
August 11, 2004

It's that time again.

Presidential election years are fascinating, and truly reflect the liberty we enjoy as Americans. But, I'm disturbed by some of the rhetoric that has emerged during the campaign for the highest office in the land.

I tell you this because the election campaign is in full swing, and already I'm fed up with all the nonsense. I'm very aware that promises are made by both candidates in an attempt to garner votes. When a candidate crosses the line — which they are known to do — that's when I get disgusted and decide, then and there, that person won't get my vote, period!

It was 1972 when I was able to vote for the first time. I was 24, having missed the chance to vote in 1968 because the voting age then was 21, and I was ten months shy. I was also a sergeant in the Marine Corps in 1972, serving in Vietnam. Jane Fonda had just made her infamous trip to Hanoi that summer. When men and women join the service, they take an oath swearing to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That means there are risks. It means they could be killed, wounded, captured, tortured, or dispatched in some uncelebrated fashion, as a consequence of wearing the uniform. That's one of the realities of war.

I believe every American should be actively involved in the political process, at the very least making sure they are currently registered to vote, or have updated any changes in place of residence so your vote will count on election day. Whatever your political stripe, get involved. This is one of the great privileges we enjoy as a free people, a privilege that has been purchased through the blood of our country's fallen service members. This is also why we have a Memorial Day every May.

Much debate has been going on in the media addressing the issue of whether the majority of the news outlets have a stridently liberal bias in their presentation of the news. I'll leave it to you to decide.

However, I have noticed an increasingly sharp edge in tone on television news programs, radio talk shows, and in the print media. I am sick of the rancorous debates that we are fed daily. In a shameless attempt to gain a greater share of the ratings, liberals and conservatives are intentionally pitted against each other in what is passed off as being fair. The level of disagreement in the denunciatory language often used aggravates me to the point that I rarely, if ever, listen to news programs of any type anymore. Even reading the news in an election year is laughable in its failed attempt to be objective. And the closer we get to election day, November 2, the greater the hysteria regarding the evils of each candidate, their party, and their policies.

I, like the vast majority of Americans, fully support a person's right to free speech. You may say what you like. I also have the right to not listen to you. There are also consequences to the things a person says. When I listen to a radio talk show, only to be driven away by the vituperative language of the host and/or guests, then I will not be hearing the paid advertisements used to keep the program on the air. This means I will not be purchasing their product. And no advertiser wants this.

Whether you are liberal or conservative, when you demean and debase people from the other position, you lose my support. I am disgusted with those who openly call President Bush a liar. You may truly believe this. However, to make such an accusation of a sitting president, particularly when we are in a state of war, is reprehensible. On the other side, I have heard snide and derisive comments made about Senator Kerry's wife being ugly. Where is the decency anymore? Where is the civility?

This "in your face" manner of presenting political issues is not something I find edifying. The apparent need by many to shout down or interrupt their opponents is rude, to say the least. Furthermore, I'm amazed when the guests on a program do not even have the courtesy to stop arguing when the host attempts to bring some sense of order back to the debate.

In a few more weeks, we will be having the presidential debates. These tend to be more civil in tone, something I would expect from two people aspiring to be the President of the United States. But, are we, the consumers of all this media hype, better served by what I call "combat journalism"? I don't believe we are.

Keep in mind that our military members are negatively affected by the discord revealed through our media.

As a Christian, I believe the playing field for political debate should always be done with respect and decency. The Golden Rule hasn't changed. Simply put — how do you like to be treated? Then treat others that way.

Wouldn't that be refreshing?