Readers Write: Messages differ on approach to the world

The Island Now

In the past few weeks, our free media has afforded us the opportunity of hearing from three men who hope to influence the thinking of the public on matters of great importance. 

If you have been paying attention, their messages have been clear. They do not agree on everything. 

Pope Francis and Bernie Sanders, unsurprisingly, differ on religious matters but they meet strongly on social issues. In simple and heartfelt terms, they ask us to take care of our environment for the good of all. 

They urge us to care for the least among us, the poor, the children, the elderly, the infirm. They both believe that striving for economic and political dominance has caused so much suffering and moral decay.

Without pointing fingers and screaming, with utter sincerity, they speak to their audiences with respect and love. 

We have been privileged, by means of total saturation, in the case of the Pope, to see his face, to hear his voice, in two languages, and witness his simple loving attention.

Unfortunately, while Sen. Sanders has attracted huge crowds everywhere he speaks, the media has neglected to give him the reporting and airtime that his message deserves. 

The media has provided more than enough time to candidate Trump because his noise attracts viewers, and therefore, profits from advertisers.

Francis and Bernie, if we can be familiar, have earned admiration.  Bernie, remarkably, for someone in politics, has declared that he will not engage in a negative campaign and even had the courage to speak before an audience, students at Liberty University, perhaps the most prominent evangelical school in the U.S. 

In sincere terms, he admitted they were likely to disagree strongly with some of his opinions, but he appealed to them on the morality of his social message.

The third man who hopes to persuade his listeners has mysteriously appealed to the worst elements of our nature. Admittedly he is speaking for the  disenchanted, the angry. 

The reasons are undeniable but when have aggressive, unreasonable, loud, exaggerated, threatening, impatient, and ad hominem arguments attracted positive peaceful solutions?

Esther Confino

New Hyde Park

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