Because of my time working with Abdul, I operate with certain assumptions. Most elected officials, media types, and lobbyists are not bad people. They are sincere. They think what they do is generally right, and the best course of action. They also spend a tremendous amount of time with each other, and are friendly. It makes it difficult to criticize friends. They also have tremendous prejudices towards certain groups.

The folks that gathered yesterday are met with distrust because they are new. They aren’t dressed the same, they have no law degrees, they lack the same knowledge of the workings of the establishment, and have little desire to do so. They just want to stop getting screwed. 

Here is why I hate politics.

Instead of the two groups actually talking to each other yesterday, the media, the lobbyists, and some elected officials hung out on the fringes and mocked the protestors.

They never listened to the presentations. They didn’t engage anyone. They just mocked, and tried to dig up evidence of their own pre-judgments. They did not talk to Jerry Titus, Dave Bond, Paul Ogden, or any of the serious, thoughtful people that were asking thier government to do better. They pointed out the kooks and laughed.

I was interviewed by Jim Shella, whom I respect. He ran a great piece at Noon. The 6 PM news was a disgrace. Instead of using my minute long quote on why people were gathered, and why they were angry, Shella used the end of my statement where I lost my train of thought. Immediately after that quote, I stopped talking, and ended the interview. He was cruel towards the Campaign for Liberty woman. He clearly took a comment from one of the speakers totally out of context. He clearly had an agenda, and found tape to support it. It was very disappointing.

I’m not going to take leaps. I won’t ever say that any journalist has been bought off, because I don’t think they are. The shame is that some journalists, lobbyists, and elected officials will ever sit down with Paul Ogden. They won’t take the time to talk to Melyssa. They won’t give Dave Bond the time of day. They have no idea who Jerry Titus is. (No offense Jerry, it isn’t your fault.) 

If people in the “establishment” are tired of being mocked and ridiculed by bloggers and protestors, and eventually voters/viewers, I have a suggestion. Open your mind and have lunch with them. Hear their concerns. I always tried to do this at WXNT. The people that aren’t in ties and suits are just as serious about their government as you are.

Politics isn’t war. It’s about dialogue. If you think it’s war, and your side is always right, then you are wrong.