The Art of a Smear Merchant

Smear. What is the point? It seems to come from the extreme left more than the right, but what is its purpose? Why do we feel it is necessary to call names or tell lies to try to get our point across? In my experience it does nothing more than end any productive conversation, but some of us cannot seem to help ourselves. The majority of people who do the smearing are usually at the losing end of an argument. I recall some recent fights I have had with my wife, and as soon as one of us swears the fight/conversation is over. (Most of the time it is me who is doing the cussing ). At that point it does not matter what is said, no one is listening anymore. So why do we do it? I can understand the occasional slippage of the tongue in a heated argument, but what is the excuse for the outburst or the flat out disrespect of the other, when no discussion/debate is taking place. I do not get it. You would think that intelligent people would know better. Right?

Why do I bring this up? Ann Coulter, in her latest book, crosses the line. She makes a point to single out four women from Jersey who lost their husbands in the 911 disaster. Calling them "Harpies" and saying they are "enjoying the deaths of their husbands." To this point, the right has kept silent, for the most part, when it comes to name calling and smearing. (I only say this cause the left's Air America far overshadows anything the right has been spewing). As I stated above, what is the point? As soon as you sink to this level, the only people listening anymore are your devoted followers. All attempts of persuading or reasoning with the other side are null. Is it that they do not care, do they just want to sell books, but why limit your audience?

Years ago I worked in a youth group at a church, and every year we would take a group of teenagers to a training event that would equip kids to evangelize. For all intents and purposes this was a good thing, though a bit off. What I mean is, it was not really teaching them to evangelize, it was teaching them to argue. It gave them a better knowledge of their own beliefs and how best to explain said beliefs in different circumstances. Not exactly the best way to win someone to Christ. One of the first things I learned in youth ministry was this - it does not matter how much knowledge you may have, if the kids, (or people) do not know you care about them, they do not care about what you have to say. It is not as simple as just saying you care, you have to show it.

To sum up, this goes back to what I have been saying for a while now. Love. Love. Love. Love God, love people. If we would talk to people like they were...people, and showed a genuine respect (love/compassion), we might actually get through to someone. Not that everyone we show love/respect to will suddenly think the way we do, but it will break down barriers that might have been put in place because of this "Right Vs. Left" crap. We should embrace differences, not push them away.