Letter-writer was not civil
Toolbox
Published: October 16, 2009
It was with some trepidation that I tuned in to the City Council meeting this week, wondering whether the intensity of emotions would cause the discussion to descend into unproductive shouting matches and finger-pointing. At the end of a long evening that clearly left everyone in the room numb and exhausted, I was relieved – and proud – that my fellow citizens had engaged in a process that remained predominantly civil without losing any of the power and dramatic effect of a community demanding answers and accountability.
I was therefore thoroughly disappointed the next morning, when I turned to the "letters" section of The Times Argus. Given pride of place at the top of the page, with a bold headline, was not an item representing serious exploration of possible solutions. That letter was relegated to the smaller font further down the page. Instead, readers were subjected to a snide and childish diatribe that resembled – in fancier language – nothing so much as the musings of the ubiquitous "tea party" fringe, whose ugly, red-faced taunts we are seeing regularly on the cable networks.
It is unfortunate that the piece was presented with such mean-spirited sarcasm, because its underlying premise has validity. In reviewing all of the materials and explanations offered by the City Council, while I am comfortable that they operated with the best intentions, I cannot say myself whether their judgment was sound, or whether they were well-served by the legal and accounting services provided. I think there is reasonable grounds for independent assessment. If and when we have those discussions, however, I very much hope that they will be pursued in the mature, sober and reflective spirit that many exhibited in their comments at the council meeting. Conducting ourselves with a measure of dignity and class should not only be the aim for future debate on this issue, but an enduring model for all constructive engagement on issues of importance to our community.
Since the piece in question called upon the wisdom of H.L. Mencken – who was a brilliant, prolific writer as well as an altogether egotistical crank – I will close with a further arrow from his quiver: "It is the dull man who is always sure, and the sure man who is always dull."
Kathyrn Guare
Montpelier
40