Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2013 08:46:33 -0400
From: Taylor Kish
Subject: Teachable moment Part II – and for me, too
I thought I was being clear but maybe not.
I don’t care if PBO Guy called “the authorities” or not. I don’t care if PBO Guy called the FBI or took out a full page ad in the Independent Weekly. Were the children really in danger or not? Was action required or not? What action might have helped those children (and the “mom”) THEN and NOW?
This is the Chatham Chatlist. We only know what PBO Guy posted. I did not intend to be nasty. It was PBO Guy’s story. I used his/her post as an opportunity to discuss: 1. action to relieve danger and 2, Chatham County conservatives versus Chapel Hill liberals.
If we discuss it here and now, we may be better prepared to ACT today and in the future. I think discussing possible actions in the face of dangers today is a whole lot better than whining about my past failures and who I might have called to make me feel better. It does not matter what you or I could have done, should have done, might have done, the moment is past for those children, the mom, and PBO Guy. We ALL lost. I share PBO Guy’s regret. That is why I used PBO Guy’s story as a teachable moment FOR US ALL.
The distinction between a Chatham County conservative and a liberal is a conservative ACTS; personal, responsible ACTION; in RESPONSE to a real need. PBO Guy’s action was a post to this Chatlist that prompted a response; an action from me. I was not there to help those children but my post may inspire others who read this to act in the NEXT moment instead of failing to act.
A liberal wants to feel better so they want somebody else to DO something (e.g. “the authorities”). The danger did not prompt PBO Guy to act in the moment but, to feel better, posted on this Chatlist. The liberal may not be able to get anyone else to act but a liberal can always “call the authorities” to act. After all, that is the authorities’ job! Besides, it might be unpleasant if I have to confront the mom face-to-face. She might not make me feel good about myself. But it is the authorities’ job to face that unpleasantness.
I guess PBO Guy wants to inspire others to share his commitment to “call the authorities” the next time. I want to inspire us all to APPROPRIATE ACTION in the moment.
Gene may allow these posts because I made it about Chatham County. 😉