So I'm two steps from the supper table—heaping salad from the garden, spaghetti, homemade rolls, yum!—when the phone rings. I get it, and a woman asks, "Are you the one who writes all those letters to the editor about the Highway 34 project?"
All those letters? I think I sent one letter, an edited version of this blog post, to the Madison Daily Leader on the subject of expanding Highway 34. That letter ran in print in May 2007.
I mention that I write a lot and ask if the caller has read my website. She says she has nothing to do with computers. Let's not get too carried away with calling newspapers "legacy media": I still get a lot more comments around town about my occasional letters to the editor than I do my daily blog output. (Then again, folks who want to comment about my blog don't have to wait to bump into me at the grocery store.)
Anyway, the lady caller, who avoided naming herself until the very end of the call, said she agreed with my suggestion that we build more turning lanes on Highway 34 rather than making it a full four-laner all the way from Lake Madison to I-29. "We've got other roads into Madison," she said. She'd rather see us improve Highway 19 up from I-90, not with four lanes, but just decent shoulders where folks would have room to pull over (she's right: I've biked Highway 19, and there's not a lot of room between your wheels and the ditch).
The caller expressed disapproval of the various Highway 34 Four for the Future signs around town. She suggested I balance that message by writing another letter to the paper on this topic. I noted that I've already written on the topic, and that a letter from a different voice in the community might be more effective. "Ma'am, why don't you write that letter?"
"Oh, I don't want my name in the paper. I'm just a peon."
Peon? There's a word that doesn't pop into every phone conversation. I asked the woman who she thought I was. I'm not money; I'm just a local who say what he's thinking. I'm no different from you, I told the caller. What's stopping you from writing that letter?
"I'm intimidated by the folks with money."
Intimidated. I've heard people say it before, in person and online. Folks around here are afraid of the simple business of saying what they think. There's this strange idea that if we engage in simple civil discourse, if we take a firm public position on anything, the "folks with money" in Madison are going to come and take away our birthdays.
But seriously, what does the caller think would happen: she'd write a letter to the editor, and the Highway 34 boosters would come over and tear up her rosebushes?
The caller wouldn't pin her intimidation to any specific outcome, but despite my polite urgings, she wouldn't commit to writing that letter herself.
Looks like I still have work to do. I'll keep trying!
It always amazes me how many people will ask others to carry their water for them. They love to either complain or express their ideas to everyone but the person or people who could actually make a difference, but would never consider taking their thoughts directly to the folks who could perhaps benefit from their perspective.
ReplyDeleteNow she wants you to carry her single-minded water for her? Why don't we deserve a safer 4-lane highway 34 and an improved highway 19? If the underlying question is public safety, which it seems to be, let's have both. In fact, highway 81 north of Madison is crappy too, but at least has a shoulder to pull over on.
Maybe it is normal behavior for some folks to expect others to carry their water up the hill for them, but if we believe in our opinions, we should have the courage and confidence to say what we believe, rather than worry about things that don't exist.
I have opinions. But I general keep them to myself unless I trust the people that I am dealing with to listen, take me seriously, not make it personal and not attack me for my speaking out. In this “your with us or against us” if you disagree with me your unpatriotic environment it’s harder to be sure your engaging in civil discourse and not just opening your self up for attack. I’m not saying I’m trembling in fear of losing my birthday. There are just very few issues I would be will to be the public face for my side.
ReplyDeleteSome people have skills that make them leaders, spokes person for their beliefs. Others want to encourage (as the women calling Corey did) the leaders to keep pressing on. I’m not saying these skills can not be developed if a person was willing to put themselves out there and be vulnerable. But it’s harder to develop those skills now.
Even though I am not an outspoken, letter writing, water carrying leader, I do try to listen to people I may disagree with. I try to understand their point of view. I also keep my un-charitable thoughts to myself. After all, I want to encourage civil discourse.
I also use my vote knowledgeable.
A Peon
PS
I have no opinion on the Highway 34 “Four the Future” but I like to listen to others that do.
I too don't like to stick my neck out, but there have been a couple of occasions where I got fired up enough and wrote a letter to the editor. I don't know if it influenced others or not, but at least it hopefully made others think about the reasons others opposed or favored a proposal. If you get upset enough, you'll find you won't mind putting your opinion in writing.
ReplyDeleteFreedom of speech (writing) and expression ... It's what the blogosphere is all about, right?
ReplyDeleteI've attracted some weirdos as a result of my book authoring, even to the extent of someone theorizing on Amazon.com that I might have cosmic connections to "Beelzebub."
There is not a thing I can do about such attacks, except laugh. Who knows? Maybe I am a sorcerer!
My weed garden is still intact after all these years of babbling in print and online, and I don't have time to rip up anyone else's weeds.
One might think twice before committing outright libel, however. There could be poison ivy in that weed patch.
I find Cory's blog to be in part an accessible community forum that a person does not find elsewhere. Rarely do people go to commission meetings as we should. It has made me wonder if the city and county could set up web pages for community feedback on public issues. They do have email, but this be more of a comment and feedback area that everyone can see. They and the rest of us might be surprised and even enlighten by what other people are thinking. John Hess
ReplyDeleteanon 12:21.. great idea! I for one would utilize the website. Not always am I able to attend a council meeting and have the meeting minutes posted and a place to leave feedback would be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteJohn and Pennyp, you two are talking about exactly the sort of website I've been researching and thinking about designing for the State Legislature. Every government, local, state, and beyond, should look at putting up an interactive website where citizens can participate in the conversation rather than just being consumers of information.
ReplyDeleteI am sure if Roundsy can find money for laptops, he should be able to pull a couple thousand out of the same place and develop the website. :-)
ReplyDelete