Who hasn't enjoyed fierce debates, where a couple of speakers contested each other's formulation of argumentation, in order to convince the opponent of their point of view? One of the requirements to hold such discussions is that one has the ability to listen to the arguments given and appropriately respond to them. Maybe most will confirm these activities, but lately I have serious doubts, whether enough people have witnessed a balanced debate.
Debates are useful; since antiquity mankind has seen this as a way to fathom certain truths - even to be informed with perhaps completely new facts, that could contribute to arrive at a conclusion - or (and) to be convincing to your group of followers. It sharpens the mind, as one has to analytically keep track and stay alert. Most of all, basic logic (another Greek word!) is essential. The last few days, I have witnessed a few disturbing things, which has truly made me slightly sombre about the general ability of people around to understand the rules of the debating game.
Perhaps, my previous blog would have been a sufficient show-case; the Supreme Court boss, who blackmails justice and free press to his liking, is wailing about "intimidation" from Western diplomats. Furthermore, last night, a televised discussion programme - traditionally being a critical broadcast, it was finally ousted from the public network, due to some censorship attempts. The theme was about the alarming trends in the Tatra National Park developers' mega projects, causing negative influence on nature.
In short, two activists and two entrepreneurs were to exchange their views. The whole debate was a useless repetition of the developers nagging of feeling to be put in a bad daylight, while the activists in vain tried to bring up factual trespassing. The entrepreneurs complained of the being the victim of demagogy, politicising the problem, and the like. Even one argument was applied; that the whole process was a democratic process - since the voted for politicians, who knowingly allowed murky practices, were chosen by the people [sic].
Another, and admittedly shocking, observation I came across on Facebook. As we all know, the great Pontiff Ratzinger is somewhat in an embarrassing situation, since it surfaced, that he has been informed from the onset on the child-abuse scandals in the US decades ago. Mgr Ratzinger, who was even then not completely without any influence, preferred to keep this hush-hush. Well, the magnitude of these practices was a bit more serious and more widespread than many would believe, so there is a serious problem. Changing his name to Benedict does hardly absolve him from this sin. In my view, a man having protected paedophile violators is no more than the devil himself. Pope or not.
Surprisingly, a Slovak group has been created, to support their Pope against all evil attacks. To give openly support to such a heinous criminal, is an indication how little respect these followers have for the victims, who were defenceless and traumatised for the rest of their lives. Believe it or not; almost five thousand followers.
People can make many mistakes - we all do. But willingly being superficial and ignoring facts is not mere a mistake. Yesterday prime-minister Fico spoke to journalists about a dialogue with the next Hungarian prime-minister, yet warning against any chauvinist-nationalist trends. Eh... what is his neo-fascist coalition partner doing? Need I say more?
MS
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