As promised, here is my young and amateur evaluation of the presentation (of both sides representing the opposing viewpoints) at CU Boulder by John Ashcroft.
For John and supporters: Professionalism. In any public speaking event, it is utterly important to display professionalism. Supporters of Ashcroft and his message braved the Boulder crowd to show up in mass and hear what another fearless leader has to say. Ashcroft presented his message in a professional appropriate manner for a public forum and presentation. Those who were actually interested in what he had to say, listened and added applause at all the appropriate moments. There was some grumblings of disapproval in the crowd after displays of opposition, but it wasn’t like any fights were breaking out. Mr. Ashcroft, however, proved to be extremely sensitive to the remarks, questions, and demonstrations of the kind of people you expect in Boulder, the people who don’t like the John Ashcroft’s of the world. I think the best approach for Mr. Ashcroft would be to laugh off their remarks and move on the next subject; instead he answered insults with insults, and was no better off in my eyes than those who disrupted his speech.
For those in opposition: I do commend each and every one of you for what I view as a noble cause. I hope that others were inspired to learn and educate themselves, to wake up from a television and entertainment and consumerism induced slumber to see that there is much room for improvement for the people of the United States and the world. To accomplish this, however, we must maintain peaceful discourse. I think the opposing ideas of Mr. Ashcroft need to presented in a much more tasteful manner. The two leading women and the several protestors of Ashcroft end up scaring away (I believe) the people they need to join their cause before they can engage them in such a peaceful discourse. Play by the rules and find better and more creative, more understandable ways to market and publicize your objections, your viewpoints, your political stance, and you will gain more supporters. Yelling at political figures (who generally are supposed to be respected even if they haven’t earned it) will often - to use the language of some people at this event - make you look like a crazy person and a hippie.
Take a lesson from Martin Luther King Jr. and from Ghandi, both amazing people who did not try to drown out the voices of those they disagreed with, but instead were able to creatively make their own message more appealing and attractive that their opponents were no longer of interest to the people.
Disclaimer: I am enrolled in a Revolutions and Social Change course at Metro State this fall, under the instruction of an incredible and knowledgeable professor, Dr. Robert Hazan. As an extra credit assignment for this class, I participated in the Anti-Columbus Day Parade. I have attended presentations of both the liberal and the conservative kind at my campus and in Boulder. While my first reaction and thoughts on politics usually side more to the left and border on revolutionary ideas and principles (thanks to Hazanism) I mediate my tendencies with my background in business and believe that, in today’s society, peaceful solutions can be reached through enough discourse and well planned, well-thought out, and well-run strategies and campaigns.
see also Al Gore in Denver
