Four letter words are disrespectful. Be nice to one another. Bernie Sanders shows us how to criticize respectfully even as we make revolution.

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Most of us approach a strange puppy, kitten, bunny rabbit or human baby with a smile, maybe even reach out and pet it, talk gently to it, and smile. Occasionally we meet another adult who smiles for everyone they meet, makes friends easily, sometimes even foolishly. More often than not, however, people approach fellow human adults with some reserve, especially those of the opposite race. Over time we've become jaded if not downright paranoid. I think major media bares much of the blame for at least some of our bad public relations, particularly with the way we relate to other races, the police and public officials.

Influencing societal values, has, in the past, been played by Churches, the Bible, the Chiefs of tribes, books, newspapers and magazines. Now societal values have come to be influenced more by major media, mainly the Teeee Veeee, and, more recently, social media over the internet. And these means of brainwashing have become the most effective of all time! Why? Because they are easily, even lazily absorbed and sometimes fun to become involved with.

It is a sad fact that major media is controlled by corporations whose profits are more important than the needs of community. Because of this it is unable to play the most vital role of a 4^th Estate in the political arena, to help us keep a truly democratic government. This is why I can so easily blame major media for bad public relations, for pessimistic view of the world, for our fears, for injustice. We need major media to function for the benefit of all of us as a community, not just on behalf of the few. We need to be influenced to do the right thing by our fellow travelers in this "valley of tears" called "life." We need major media to help relieve tension between races, encouraging us to be polite to one another, to respect one another, to hug one another in the face of threats, instead of encouraging conflict. We need fairness in presenting competing views of the most intelligent people in society, experts in their fields. We need honesty in reporting, not cover-ups. At this time, we are not getting the highest standards of reportage and thought. We get just the opposite, another problem with capitalism.

We can't immediately solve that problem, but there are some things I would advocate we do in the meantime. We must all try to get through our problems and protests -- and a revolution -- with some degree of respect for one another. A four letter word is disrespectful. WE should try to remember that it is hard for anyone to hate us when we show them we have high regard for them as for ourselves. If a policeman stops you, show him respect and he will surely think you have good judgment and will want to protect you. To the policeman, I would suggest he or she express anger by presenting a ticket rather than a gunshot. WE, as revolutionaries, need to have the good will of our policemen. Remember, they also feel our pain, they are also victims of the power elite.

There are respectful ways to protest and to be critical. Look at all the speeches of Senator Bernie Sanders who has shown us how to be critical without being disrespectful. He is very effective. Try out his methods, and see how popular you will get to be, even among your opponents. Viva la revolucion! Pal Simon

Authors Website: http://palsimonsintelligentsia.org

Authors Bio:

Palsimon, formally educated in journalism & law, is an independent progressive activist & writer, focusing on guarding integrity of media & government. (.)