Everyone knows that NRA members are right-wing, dyed-in-the wool Republican while all those environmentalist agitators are left-wing Democrats.
Or are they?
Yesterday I heard an in depth report about issues of environment versus energy.
The report was about Rifle, Colorado . It covered the changes brought about to a relatively sleepy community when it was discovered that Rifle sits atop one of the largest natural gas fields in the US.
Booming economic times but messy environmental impact.
In this case what what struck me as so unusual were responses from various locals. They were not what one expects because we are so conditioned to typecasting everyone.
One, a hunter, standing with his fellow hunters with their rifles and gear, says "yea, the moneys good but we have to protect environment. So I'm voting Democrat. They're better for the environment" Then, in answer to a follow-up question, he continued "no I'm not worried. I'm a NRA man all the way, they'll never take my gun!"
Another was a local real-estate broker. She tells how she moved to Rifle a few years back for the peace, quiet and natural beauty. She is an environmentalist but appreciates the economic boom that keeps real estate prices rising - "Compromise is necessary" to ensure the money keeps rolling in.
Of course the point here is that it's not all black & white as is usually portrayed by the talking- heads and other purveyors of so-called "news".
Nothing annoys me more than having my entire world-view judged by my opinion on or support of one particular point of view.
It is a pervasive malady everywhere in what passes for political discourse. You favor/don't support abortion? You must be a left wing /right wing nut. Medical coverage for all? Bleeding socialist. Enjoy hunting? A radical conservative.
In an earlier post I noted that Isaiah Berlin has brilliantly argued for the possibility of different values, being held by individuals or societies, that are equally valid though not compatible. There is no single truth that encompasses all.
It applies equally to an individual. None of us are so monolithic that our whole life outlook can automatically be judged from a particular opinion we hold.
As a footnote, the strangest thing is that I had to come to Israel and listen to a French 24 news station (English -language) to get this in-depth report on Rifle, Colorado. But that's another story.
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