Started by Clark Johnson
Nov 13, 2024

Ok, this was not what I expected!

Now that a week has past I am starting to gain some perspective. Today I watched this David Brooks YouTube video. It helped me make some sense of things. His approach may be useful for you as well.

David covers a lot of territory in 34 minutes. He gives his perspective on questions like:

Political Landscape

• How did the 2024 US presidential election reflect societal divisions?
• What surprising voting patterns emerged in the 2024 election?

Party Dynamics

• How do the Democratic and Republican parties differ in self-reflection?
• What intellectual approach characterizes the Democratic Party?

Historical Context

• What long-term factors have contributed to political alienation?

Intellectual Virtues

• What key intellectual virtues are important for navigating complex political issues?

Cultural Shifts

• What cultural changes are occurring in America?

Religious Perspective

• How does David Brooks view Christianity in the context of modern challenges?


• What religious perspective does Brooks suggest is needed?

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Final note: 20% of Lopez voted for Trump. On average, if you randomly chat with 10 people 2 of them will be Trump voters. Even here on Lopez, I need to do a better job of listening. This is my community.

Comment by Clark Johnson
Nov 17, 2024

Yes - This is a helpful perspective.

Trump and AOC are alternative solutions for “the problem”. Unfortunately, when we engage with each other we often argue for one extreme or the other. This is not helpful because neither is appropriate i ... Read All

Comment by Julienne Battalia
Nov 17, 2024

this could be very interesting starting pointhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/17/trump-aoc-voters‘A change from the status quo’: the voters who backed Trump and AOC

"Americans who elected a leftist Democrat and a Republican president say the pair share an anti-establishment spiri ... Read All

Comment by Ann Marie Fischer
Nov 16, 2024

Thank you for posting this. I found this discussion very helpful. I do think that we have to begin to listen to each other, and engage in respectful civil discourse about difficult subjects.

Comment by Julienne Battalia
Nov 16, 2024

I believe a community like Lopez could actually engage in productive conversations across the divide.
Maybe the Library could host a series of discussions with the caveat being that they have to have an equal number of Republican and Democrats and be lead by a mediator to increase the potential that all are heard and we do the h ... Read All