straight talk

This Election and Twelve Angry Men.



Posted: Friday, October 17, 2008

by straight talk

Now what does a movie have to do with this election? Well there is a scene in this truly great movie about people when one of the jurors says that anyone can see that the young man was guilty based on where he came from and how he looked. Then an old man gets up and rebukes him saying, "I though just the facts were what we were to decide his fate on, not his looks". One significant line. I wonder how many heard it for what it was?

Now to me that sort of summed up this election for those voting for these candidates and their parties. Why, well I won't write to it again I have said enough. Yet I thought it interesting what took place in that Jury Room and in the actions of 12 angry people. Like the evidence they had before them there was much that could be questioned. Yet in the end the facts prevailed. So if we take that man at a rally who stood up and stated he was angry we may see how anger clouds fact and certainly a lack of searching, considering, investigating does the same. We start the movie with 11 of 12 men who were decided in one way and at the end they all wound up agreeing the other.

Now what is the point of all this, facts verses perception. The facts are all about us, for all to see, yet the perception is largely the opposite. In that alone we have disagreement, a nation divided. Now those who started that jury discussion were all adamant the boy was guilty. In fact the most aggressive did not want to hear facts. They knew they were right, positive, correct. How could they be wrong? The other guy was wrong. Yes one against them all, he had to be wrong. Yet in the end the facts prevailed, not him, the facts.

So the moral of the movie and the plot was we all differ in opinion and perspective but the one thing we cannot and should not ignore are the facts. So let me ask why should it not be this way in the most important thing we do as citizens, for us, our families, our posterity or fellow Americans? Why is it that fact and truth can be overlooked? Is it perception, belief, hope, that caused them to not see the opposite view or facts? Was or is it that they do not want to think the opposite?

If we all had been in this movie the boy might have been found guilty and suffered death by majority view. Where does that leave us? It says if we do not examine, consider, review all of the facts, then it is just possible we can make a fatal mistake and error and that error could be devastating to us all. You, me all of us. So why attack anyone who offers fact or information an opinion or a different perspective for consideration? We should thank them and like those jurors offer counter arguments, information, substance to support or rebuke the information provided. Not opinions, words, but factual information. That is the basis for our democracy, that is freedom, that is what made this nation great. That is what We the People should demand the facts.

Yes vote on facts, works, what was done and not, deeds not words, not misinformation, truth, distortions, redirection. No facts for us and ours so we can make the choice we must. I'm open so lets here why you candidate is the right one? Not visual, not words, by deed. Where have you heard the facts? Is it in their deeds / works.Is what they did really for your benefit for the General welfare? It is as simple as that. If not then how can any of us vote for them?

Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2008 Copyright 2008 Robert Melaccio Sr.



Robert Melaccio Sr. has worked in the computer industry for 40 plus years in a diversified business and managerial environments. He enjoys freelance writing, giving seminars for young adults and teen groups as well as being an accomplished award winning poet of published poetry. He has worked teaching and as a youth minister. He is married and has three children and three grandchildren.

This Article has been viewed 150 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Avis Ward
 3 years 207 days ago.
132 fans.
RM, why am I not surprised you and I are with one accord about agreement, disagreement and opinions? As Judi and I have said all along, too bad your name isn't on the ballot. I'd love referring to you as, "Mr. President!" Happy weekend, my dear friend. Blessings to you as always. You state your views emphatically, intelligently, with conviction, passion and always unwavering. It's very admirable, my friend. Be well. 
Please log in to respond to this comment.
» left by robert 3 years 207 days ago.
Avis with  friends like you both to keep me on track how can one do otherwise? Thank you for the compliment, I know I just might get more votes then some of these other candidates.  Mr. President, great title but I'd rather be called  husband, dad, uncle and friend. You kindness is sincerely appreciated.  Prayers and best wishes as always, Robert. 
Please log in to respond to this comment.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.