The sarcasm and rhetoric is heating up regarding the Recreation Area Management Plan.
I’ve been here a month and I don’t think an issue of The Interior News has gone without a story or a letter regarding RAMP.
This week's issue of The Interior News is no different.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a great controversy, hearing the arguments posed by both sides and then trying to determine a course of action, which may include ideas coming from both sides of the debate.
Debating an issue is an important part of the decision making process, you never know where a good idea is going to come from.
Having to express your opinion to try and convince others is the best way to clarify your position.
Weaknesses in your position will quickly be pointed out to you.
The trick is to accept there might be a weakness in your argument and trying to resolve that weakness.
That is the first step to making your argument stronger.
If you find your argument is wrong, find the correct argument.
There is no respect attached to holding on to a flawed argument as there is with admitting you’re wrong.
Flawed or untenable arguments are easy to spot.
My paternal grandmother once told me the people who speak the loudest, usually have the least to say.
Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to witness how spot on my grandmother was.
So, it is disappointing to see the opponents of the RAMP, be they right or wrong in their opinion, continue to bring up the same old divisive ‘us’ against ‘them’ argument.
The ‘us’ being those that have lived here for a long time - whatever that is, and ‘them’ are those people that haven’t lived here long enough - whatever that is.
I suggest to those who oppose the RAMP, look at the proponents as your neighbours, because they are, no matter how long they’ve lived here, then sit down and find some common ground - without shouting, then we’ll listen.