02-11-2016, 12:40 AM
I've noticed a weird trend on this site. Discussions or debates usually involve people putting their best arguments forward immediately and then discussing the merits of them. But on here, "discussions" are like poker games where cards are kept close to the chest. Instead of just saying, "You're wrong because of X, Y and Z", posters are instead saying, "You're wrong but I'm not going to tell you why - you'll have to figure it out yourself". Then follows a tedious exchange before said poster relents and starts to engage. Is the idea to build up some dramatic tension? In any event, I wish it would stop and people would get down to tin tacks quickly. I'm not interested in being a devil's advocate and I'm not intent on winning a debate at all costs. If someone else has a good point to make, I want to hear it.
I'm willing to wait for further medical and epidemiological developments which unfortunately will take time to occur. At the political level, though, the possibility that the Zika virus might invade the US and leave widespread birth defects in its wake will raise the issues of climate change and abortion. After all, even if this scare turns out to be a non-event, there will always be the possibility that real dangers will follow in its wake. After all, the ISIS attacks in Paris and the attack by ISIS admirers in San Bernadino haven't led to anything more recently, yet the hysteria inspired by them continues to be a real election issue. For middle America, a personal question would be asked about what should be done if a loved one contracts a virus which may create birth defects which will create lifelong impacts on the whole family. People are uncomfortable when told that they can do all the right things but still be dealt a bad hand, as with cancer.
I'm willing to wait for further medical and epidemiological developments which unfortunately will take time to occur. At the political level, though, the possibility that the Zika virus might invade the US and leave widespread birth defects in its wake will raise the issues of climate change and abortion. After all, even if this scare turns out to be a non-event, there will always be the possibility that real dangers will follow in its wake. After all, the ISIS attacks in Paris and the attack by ISIS admirers in San Bernadino haven't led to anything more recently, yet the hysteria inspired by them continues to be a real election issue. For middle America, a personal question would be asked about what should be done if a loved one contracts a virus which may create birth defects which will create lifelong impacts on the whole family. People are uncomfortable when told that they can do all the right things but still be dealt a bad hand, as with cancer.