PECKING AWAY ON MY COMPUTER

One reader of my last column suggested that I lived in a cloistered world, cut off from the real world of those who interact regularly with our troops fighting overseas. This reader wrote:

“But one thing I must say with no disrespect meant, you are so naive as to what is going on beyond rounds of golf and long walks. While you are merrily pecking away on your computer, enjoying the life of a retired teacher, driving from this state to that one, all the while recovering from your surgery that your medical insurance "allowed" you have (the 13th stint in your heart, which by the way...when I'm your age I am sure I will not be given the opportunity to have) there are others who are living front and center with our men and women in uniform.”

That hurt. However, it is generally true. I am retired and I enjoy spending my winters in central Florida where, as time and health permit, I play golf and go for long walks. I may even be naïve, but not for the reason the writer gave. (Why the writer will be denied coronary stents in the future escapes me.)

All of us live in a cloistered world when you think about it. My critic lives in a world that involves regular travel with military personnel going to or returning from Afghanistan, Iraq or other overseas assignments. These personnel necessarily have a perspective on world and national events that the rest of us, thankfully, because of their service, do not have.

Consider, however, that teachers in the classroom have a perspective on school matters that most lay people lack. “Inside the beltway” has long been used (often in a derogatory sense) to describe the mindset of those who associate daily with the rhythm and procedures of Washington politics. Coal miners in Kentucky have a different view of labor unions and mine safety than mine owners or management. Religious people who regularly attend church have a different perspective on church matters than those who count themselves as Christians, say, but who attend church irregularly, it at all. Our very nature is to build a fellowship of friends among those with whom we agree. Whether the church, fraternal club, or political party, we tend to associate with those who share our values or interests. Hence, we tend to lead cloistered lives, generally shut off from dissenting views or broader vistas.

The success of alternative radio and television is a testament to the fact that birds of a feather want to flock together. We want to hear – and do hear – what we already believe. Few are the people who seek out and consider the views or opinions of those with whom they disagree. I know of one man who listens only to Fox News and has a headset radio so he can listen three hours each weekday to Rush Limbaugh while he works in the yard or in his garage workshop. I am not suggesting that is wrong.  But you surely agree that this man lives in a very cloistered world and must necessarily have a very biased, if not naïve, view of national events and their possible consequences.

I would not say, however, that he is any different from the majority of us who only listen to one radio or TV network for our news, who believe every e-mail or Internet posting forwarded to us, or who regularly read only the blogs of those with whom we agree. It is human nature.

I feel compelled to address the accusation that my retired life leaves me naïve about the real world. It is true that I have little contact with young troops serving our country on foreign soil. Nevertheless, my winter retirement community is heavily loaded with people who Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation.” These men and women (me included) served their county during World War II, or the Korean War, or the Vietnam War, or Desert Storm. They share different faiths and different political views, but one should never question their support for the president, the flag or our troops.

I would not call them naïve. They may not approve of the current congress. They may not have voted for President Obama. They may not like everything coming out of Washington these days. Nevertheless, they have been around long enough to know that the nation will endure and prosper beyond these tough times.  They read widely and discuss matters vigorously.  But naive?  Hardly.

They have seen politicians go on Communist witch-hunts, they have seen presidents lie, and they have seen politicians of both parties cheat. They have seen “big f---ing deals” that were supposed to save the country and other "deals" that people warned would destroy the country.  They can disagree and they can argue, but they do not have to say, “No disrespect intended,” for they respect each other.  They know what the other person has been through.

They know also that all information is biased; especially that information obtained from commercial news media, the Internet or blog writers, and those who's very career depends on generating ratings. They know from experience that they must look at and consider other points of view – and then consider the source. They will remain loyal to their political affiliation. And, yes, they will remain faithful to their religious views and social values. But naïve? They have too much experience spanning decades to be taken in by the “sky is falling” crowd.