End of the Week Coffee Break
Is America really as Divided as the Mass Media Portrays?
I hope that my writing serves as a catalyst for intellectual reflection, debate and at times just a good-natured laugh. I intend to write on topics current in America — hopefully from a perspective of thought not rigorously tied to one political dogma. Thinking about productive outcomes is perhaps the best way to describe my desired outcome... or at least my motivation for thoughtfulness and debate.
This week's kick-off blog focuses on the mass media and its seemingly increasing desire for Americans to be divided... but are we really as divided as they insist on us believing?
This past week voters in Kansas overwhelmingly rejected a state amendment that would have explicitly stated that there is no right to an abortion in the state's constitution. The ballot was struck down by 18% percentage points. Heading into this vote the mass media would have explained to us how this was not possible. Kansas is a state that Donald Trump carried by 15% percentage points a mere two years ago — I know many say "great" and many, many others say UGH in capital letters — but of course this is not my point. My point is the mass media has fed a narrative that the country is divided and if a state was carried by Donald Trump or any Republican then it is not possible that the same state can support a pro-choice abortion stance. Kansas this past week has shown us that this is simply not factual. We just witnessed a 33% swing (these types of numbers are unheard of) between a Trump margin of victory to a striking-down of an attempt to roll back abortion rights.
The majority of the country is pro-choice on the subject of abortion. In addition to the polling average I just stated about Americans' thoughts, I often look to our friends and leading trading partners around the world to find a point of reflection on issues as well. I have a strong view that viewpoints are best understood relative to a base index. For example if we all agree that a Mercedes-Benz is a very well built automobile across its line-up of luxury cars then we can argue about whether a different manufacturer has a great sports car because it is "better than" the Mercedes-Benz reference point. (or vice versa, the sports car competitor has failed because it is worse than our luxury reference basis of Mercedes-Benz) On the case of abortion rights I have investigated where our European friends stand. In line with the polling of the majority of Americans our European friends almost all fall under a "pro-choice" right to choose legal framework. But importantly all have time restrictions on how long the "right to choose" exists.
In a sampling, Germany, Italy, Norway and Switzerland set the time limit at 12 weeks, while France and Spain move the time limit to 14 weeks. The longest period of time for the right to choose an abortion in Europe exists in the Netherlands and the UK which both set the time limit at 24 weeks.
So given our glance at our reference points derived from our friends across Europe and given our knowledge that the the majority of Americans are pro-choice why do we not have legislation that reflects these parameters? Pro-choice legislation that has a time limit between 12 to 24 weeks and exceptions for the life of the mother should be almost automatic. The two end-points of complete restrictions except for rape, incest and the life of the mother at one end or unlimited rights through month nine and the moment of birth at the other extreme end are losers with the majority of Americans and out of bounds compared to our our reference point of European allies — but unfortunately it is these two end-points that we are fed by the mass media.
It is a shame. Let's instead recognize that America is a great country and we are far less divided than what we are being spoon fed! Starting off with pro-choice legislation with restrictions to around 20 weeks and exceptions for the life of the mother would be a great start. And the fringes outside that have the the right to continue to argue their cases — but that currently does not reflect the majority viewpoints of America and her allies. And remember the "right to choose" means that we can also celebrate all the people who choose not to have an abortion — life is great and should be celebrated!
Enjoy your weekend and whatever your version of a "cup of coffee" you have to relax. Until next week, all the best.
About the Creator
Peter Majar
Reformed Investment Banker deeply focused on Technology Company Operations and Strategy.....have chased many rewards and discovered "The Journey is the Reward".....
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Sukkot War
It was unexpectedly we were just going to a venue to hear a concert. And just in the beginning of it, we heard this loud sound. And everything was shaken, everything was sudden. Even the earth shaked like never before and exploded before us. People were running and scattering. People were screaming and running. People were no longer dancing and celebrating. And now the world was on Israel again, the world was focus on terrorism. And we were shakening as a nation, now realizing some of the victims of the terrorism as hostages were taken while others were killed suddenly. And families wanted answered and families wanted closure. Hostilities were rising and crises was evident. Our nation was in an uproar. And we wanted justice. We were refusing to back down because of all the bloodshed. The unnecessary bloodshed from an incident that should have never occurred. And as our nation moved more into the war, we saw justice. But we did not intend for the mass slaughter of more innocent lives. War is ugly. War is vicious. War is terrible. And many turning on us both friends and allies. Yet there were supporters some who knew what we were doing. We were trying to bring justice. We were trying to survive. We were trying to protect our future. And the darkness of war twisted our fate. It twisted our destiny. And as we further went into the war we were prevailing and becoming stronger each day. Why do these so-called warriors hide behind their people? Why do they hide in the hospitals? Why do they hide in the homes and tunnels? It becomes evident that they want to destroy no matter what. That they want to rid the world of us when they started this plot in the beginning. Did they not know that it would lead to this? Did they not know that it would accomplish more deaths? Yet they did not resist. They did not fight hatred but embrace hatred. And now we are in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. And hope seems fading. Hope seems fleeing. But we have to come together. We have to fight this with the rest of the world. We have to come together against death and hatred. We must begin to work together with the rest of the world. Terror cannot be fought alone. And the war deepens, the war rages and the war embolden. The terrorists' supporters cast a night of bombs over us. Just when negotiations have come to light, they seek to annihilate our people. But we were not alone, thank God, our allies came for us. Our allies bursted the bombs in the air. Our allies from Great Britain, our allies from America, and yes our allies from Saudi Arabia. We now realized that this fight against terror, this fight against hatred and this fight against death is gonna be won by justice. Even in our villages, our towns, and our cities which were terrorized by terrorists. Our people are not afraid anymore. Our people are brave. Our people are strong. Our people are willing to fight for life. They see danger as no more threat. They are willing to fight to preserve the land. And they walk without fear and they are against hatred and terror. Because they have become numb after decades of threats, hundreds of years of hatred, and centuries of humiliation. They are free. They walk proudly and they are unafraid. For instance, one of our brave women, who was fighting to keep her family safe. Who had no other alternative but to face her accusers and her attackers outside her home. She bravely stood against their guns no longer resisting, and the attackers walked away. That's how brave our people are and that's how much a people of faith we are. We will not back down any longer.
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When David Cameron ended His political career He probably thought as did the rest of us, that was the end of His career. Cameron believed that the rest of His life would be memoirs, after dinner talks, and appearing with the UK's former Prime Ministers at ceremonies like the Cenotaph during 'Remembrance Sunday'.
By Nicholas Bishop3 days ago in The Swamp
Comments (1)
A great read, Pete! Looking forward to next week's :)