[quote=faterikcartman]Eavesdropper, that’s a pretty smooth way to avoid confronting any of the important points Hasting’s brings up — are you a politician?[/quote]
And, faterik, I am nothing if not smooth.
Seriously, I agree with a great many of the points he makes in the article (if you go back to the post, you’ll see my statement about my own feelings concerning the subject matter). The issue I have is with the source of the article, and the headline in particular. Having worked on newspapers in the past, I am aware that headlines are usually the work of editors, or someone other than the writer. However, I don’t think that is the case with this opinion columnist.
I just think that we are so incredibly polarized as it is, and I have major problems with those who add gratuitous polarizing purple prose to their writing in an effort to pull in readers whose political compasses are inoperable, their needles being stuck in one direction, leaving their owners completely unable to find their way. I am certain that the author already has a large faithful (perhaps fanatical?) following, so I fail to see why he finds it necessary to add fuel to the already out-of-control flame under the political/economic kettle. (I may not be much of a politician, but I am skilled in the abusive use of alliteration, am I not?)
Like others on this thread, I agree with many of the author’s points, and believe that others should think seriously about some of them. I just don’t see the need in presenting them under a headline meant to incite those who need no additional encouragement. And I see definite potential for great harm if writers, news reporters, bloggers, and pundits persist in doing so, no matter what their particular political persuasion (jeez!! I’m doing it again!!)
Content-wise, I appreciate your link to this article, faterik.
