I don’t live in a world that limits my choices to either/or. Nor am I constrained by the if/then principle.
Either/or suggests that we have a choice of two reasonable options. I’m either liberal or conservative. Either capitalist or socialist. Either for national healthcare or against it. Either Pro-Israel or Anti-Semite. Either pro-choice or pro-life.
The if/then principle jumps to absurd conclusions in an effort to quickly validate one way of thinking while vilifying another. In short, it’s a convenient tool to avoid discussion, intellectual consideration, and the acknowledgement that another point of view could have merit.
If I care about Cecil the lion, then I must not be concerned about aborted babies. If I support mandatory background checks, then I want to take away your guns. If we let gay couples marry, then degenerates soon will be marrying animals. If I disagree with another's words or actions, then I'm intolerant of that person's gender, race, religion, sexual identity, or political ideology.
I have the capacity and open-mindedness to think through an issue. To consider all sides and, most importantly, be willing to admit that I may discover legitimacy in arguments from other points of view. I am not a shill for politicians, corporations, special interest groups, fanatics, or any other person or group attempting to further their own agenda.
I will continue to explore varying points of view, to never let others hijack my voice, to always...ALWAYS...think for myself.
Timothy Condron