Rishawn and Abdul

Masson’s Blog recently posted about Republicans and Democrats being at each other’s throats and the prisoner’s mentality that has manifested itself here locally.

I think that description applies pretty aptly to the local blogosphere here in Indiana. It reminded me of a recent post over at Taking Down Words blog titled “Law License Flap: When To Let A Story That Really Isn’t Much Of A Story Go.” I’ll let the content of the post speak for itself, but the ensuing orgy of insults disgusted me… and these people are on MY SIDE!

Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and RiShawn Biddle were verbally assaulted in this thread to a point that makes my heart hurt.

Example:

“abdul is a complete moron with a mouth bigger than his ego (if you can imagine that)…”

“She owes you no explanation so shut the xxxx up.”

“Beth = Matt Simmons, the moron who’s running Brizzi’s issueless negative campaign. (he’ll be about as popular as mike murphy by the time this is all done). He’s the same moron who’s running that dumb TDW-wannabe blog about Indianapolis. Zzzzzzzz.”

“You guys are real thinkers…first guys, learn how to write. seriously, you guys are bad. Remember that scene from Top Gun…you stink!”

“Are you billing the State for posting on the blog, Beth? Must be nice to get those insider blow job contracts!”

As my readers know, I’m about as liberal as they come… but when it comes to ad hominem attacks that’s where I draw the line.

RiShawn and Abdul are both conservative pundits. RiShawn works for a conservative newspaper and Abdul works for the local extreme right wing AM talk radio station. At times I find RiShawn to be condescending and aloof. Abdul can be bullheaded and dogmatic… SO WHAT???? Neither resort to personal attacks to get their points across. RiShawn is VERY well read in statistical analysis and theory. Abdul will invite both sides of a topic to speak on his show and he lets both sides talk. It’s obvious to me that he’s got a bias, but he doesn’t let that bias affect the interview.

I’ve had debates with both RiShawn and Abdul on their blogs. Neither have ever stooped to personally attack me. I’ve learned from both Abdul and RiShawn. They’ve challenged me to seek, to dig, to understand the topics that they post about.

I know they have a bias going in… but so do I! There isn’t a person on this earth that doesn’t have some kind of bias, especially when it comes to things political. If a person thinks he’s not biased in some way or another he’s either a fool or a liar.

I think an email response from Abdul says it best, “Good spirited debate is a great thing. It’s the only way to get to the truth. Let’s keep the dialogue going.”