Who are all these Jackasses? The Myth of the Opinion

Philosophically, what is an opinion in a free society? Specifically, how do we judge an opinion? You are free to speak - and write - but how is an opinion more valid than another? Oh dear. Here I go again. Taking on a subject matter that goes way beyond my wisdom.

There are, I suppose, two ways to go with this. One, is to accept that everyone is entitled to one and just move on. The second, is to demand opinions are informed and verified by facts. Therein, in the second version, lies the kicker: One man's facts is another man's myth. Everything is challenged now. Some people dare not consult facts that don't fit their world view. It's a sad state of intellectual relativism. It's also a form of "absolute despotism" Americans fought to defeat when they achieved independence.

As a Canadian, I marvel at how Americans consistently debate about their country. I wish that there was more of this in Canada. Here, we get very antsy whenever someone challenges alleged universal truths about who we are. But that's not the point here.

Are Americans in denial regarding their existence? The fad now is to assert that America is failing to meet its own promise. Hasn't that always been the case in recent U.S. political culture? What nation on earth even bothers to try? Is America decadent as Rome was during Juvenal's time? Perhaps. The country isn't perfect but I do dare anyone in this post defy my proclamation that no nation asks as many questions like Americans do. It swirls all around us at blinding speed. By George, in one large sweep America benefited from the ideas of Franklin, Monroe, Marshall, Hamilton, Henry, Jefferson, Madison, Jackson, Lincoln, Teddy, FDR, Truman, Ike, Kennedy and Reagan (to name a few off the top of my head) and everyone and in between. Each with a major impact on the land. If you were to map the political and ideological colors of America it would knit quite a quilt.

As professor's Commager and Nevins pointed out, American pre-eminence in the political realm was as indisputable as the Italians' in art and Germans' in musical field; statesmanship was the American specialty."

Whatever one may think about America or how they interpret its history, you have to admit it's one energetic place with a communication problem.

Can anyone write anything anymore without being mercilessly attacked by flat headed boobie's? I know. I'm asking too many questions. Still, you can't write an intelligent piece about Bruce Springsteen without some nut job railing against Springsteen for being a closet communist. One can't tackle or question certain aspects of global warming without being accosted by some crazed leftist environmental militant. Hamilton and Jefferson, Lincoln and Douglas battled a true debate with merit. What's our excuse?

Many who roam around acting as guardians of truth see themselves as protectors of true American ideals. Who is a true rebel anyway? Chomsky? Ok, he's just plain crazy; like Bobby Fischer. Or are they so crazy that their raw genius allows them to see the truth and that the truth they unveil is too uncomfortable for us commoners? Is Buckley a rebel? Fonzi? What are we rebelling against? Who are the real liberals? True conservatives? Don't we all have a bit of libertarianism in us? I know I do.

Part of the problem is that everyone comes into a forum with an under siege mentality that borders on stupidity. It becomes rather tiresome to read the same people recite the same stances on several issues as if the is truth self-evident.

That's the very definition of intellectual stagnation many complain about. And politicians are pretty damn good at using this as leverage to gain votes. The extreme variances of special interest are murdering the very fabric, original ideas and raison détre of who we are in North America. Of what we aspire to be.

Some claim they are conduits to taking us to a better place. The leaders in the Age of Aquarius. I beg to differ. They are polarizing actors in society. Many people think that their anti-whatever posturing actually embodies what the Founding Fathers expected of Americans. Somehow, I do not think Madison or Jefferson would be impressed by the decadent lengths we go to get our points across.

It is essential to employ intellectual discipline or the opinion becomes worthless. There's a big difference between a rant, an genuine, well-reasoned opinion and being opinionated. The pseudo-dissidents and patriots are just as guilty of this.

Alas, that's the price exacted to have freedom. It allows for all sorts of interpretations to be forwarded. A moderate, healthy society can cut through whatever bull shit is hurled at it.

Where does Western culture stand on this?