I Just Can't Get a Date

[TexasTowelie]

By Dr. Brian Carr
President, Behavioral Health Associates, Lubbock, Texas, 1991-Present
Chairman, City of Lubbock Board of Health, 2013
Submitted on August 22, 2013 - 12:47pm

I just can’t get an invitation no matter what I offer. I have stated my commitment to a fair debate and have offered to let the other side pick the location, advertise as they desire, and bring all the forces they can for their viewpoint.

Despite this effort to entice I get no takers. Those on the extreme right don’t want a fair debate.

Our own Congressman has held “listening sessions” across the 19th District for the last two weeks. I guess by listening he meant that we are to listen to his distortions and outright lies. No verbal exchange has been allowed and questions from the audience had to be written down and then screened by his minions. Oddly, those questions that might be difficult to answer simply disappear.

Long-standing KFYO 790 radio has become a parrot of the pre-determined view of the closed minded, championed by former councilman Paul Beane and rabid Robert Pratt. Dissenting views are screened out and only the faithful followers of neo-conservatism are included.

At the state and national level the extreme right carefully constructs their public venues. Attempts to literally “smear” the opposition result in such non-events as the recent “poop-gate” where allegations of pro-choice supporters bringing in jars of urine and feces are claimed but no one can be found who actually saw the evidence.

Tall tales have always had their place in the West but usually the storyteller would admit to the exaggeration in the moment. Surrounded by their supporters the Extreme Right claims victory and relishes that no opposition exists (primarily because it has been denied entry).

I was recently informed that I had been considered for a panel discussion to be hosted by Covenant Health Systems regarding the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) but that this was vetoed because of a concern that I might want to debate the other panel members (including State Rep Charles Perry).

And they were right to be concerned as that is exactly what I would do if information is given that is untrue and a lie. I have no problem in an honest dissemination of information but will not stand for the twists and turns that are seen almost every day by those who attempt political gain.

So, much like the 40 times that our Republican Congress has taken a vote to repeal Obamacare, I continue to issue my challenge to debate. I’ll split the cost and help make the arrangements. If the oppose side would like to come armed (as was the case in a debate I participated in several years ago) I have no problem with that. I’ll even jump for the refreshments (lemonade sounds good).

My only requirement is that questions not be screened and anything is fair game.

If the Extreme Right wants to posture and say they are ready to fight then I’m ready to give them one! No violence but I suggest they watch their hat.

TAGS:

LubbockOnline Blog
bias
empty suits
Fair Debate
filters
Level playing field
listening means no communication
Lubbock
maybe we need another committee or two
more rain please
no soup for you
Perry only needs a mirror
Tech is back
Texas

http://lubbockonline.com/interact/blog-post/dr-brian-carr/2013-08-22/i-just-cant-get-date

[Shrike47]

1. He better not hold his breath. Republicans are cowards.