tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10119240.post4610931382391360181..comments2024-02-25T22:49:44.451-08:00Comments on Point of Contact - A Communications Skills Blog: The only political blog I will write all year – 2016 editionRich Gallagher, LMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14070819187873592934noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10119240.post-31302756410017232832016-07-30T17:51:17.213-07:002016-07-30T17:51:17.213-07:00Hi Ron - thoughtfully put. I see your point, but f...Hi Ron - thoughtfully put. I see your point, but from a slightly different direction.<br /><br />I agree that some people are irrational or incapable of dialogue, especially if they are emotionally or politically overinvested about an issue. Both sides are often guilty of this. My point is that if you play back their view of the world, *as they see it*, well enough that their head is nodding up and down, you stand your very best chance of engaging them in dialogue. You don't have to agree with them - at all - or sugarcoat your own views. You simply have to get where they are coming from, and do it first.<br /><br />Incidentally, this is a basic tenet of marriage and family therapy. I think the world would be a better place if everyone became an LMFT! Thanks Ron.Rich Gallagher, LMFThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14070819187873592934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10119240.post-53928454264827798582016-07-30T16:14:43.983-07:002016-07-30T16:14:43.983-07:00Sorry Rich, I'm with you all the way up to ass...Sorry Rich, I'm with you all the way up to assuming the people on the other side are rational actors. Sometimes they're not. Those on the Republican side who are rational actors are mostly keeping their mouths shut to avoid the wrath of the mob. There's no arguing with people who can't even acknowledge that they have the wrong facts, or no facts, backing their argument, who hate just because they've been told they should. You can't argue with people who believe that science is a global communist conspiracy to undermine the American way. There's no point in having discussions with zealots, because unless you're a true believer, they can't hear you. (don't try to respond with gmail, I never check that account :) )Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17078437560575591899noreply@blogger.com