Differing information is driving us apart

We’d all gain a great deal if we could just talk with people of a different opinion, calmly and rationally.

During simultaneous rallies for opposite political viewpoints Saturday along Midway Avenue in Grand Coulee, some people carried signs that could have worked for the other side verbatim: “Stop the Lies” is a common cry both for supporters and detractors of President Trump and his policies.

And both sides are full of people who just want what’s best for the country.

The difference, it was apparent Saturday, is that they take in information from entirely different sources who tell each side what they are inclined to accept, and the gulf between them is growing wider.

Those against the administration, including Elon Musk’s DOGE, came out on the same day much of the world was holding rallies to support women’s rights, and many of their signs reflected that. It was their fourth rally in as many weeks for the growing group, which numbered about 25.

About 10 on the other side had decided to make their points known, too, and so came out to exercise their right.

Interestingly, I learned in conversations with people in each group, each side has the feeling that they’re not being heard.

It was also evident that the inverse is true: they’re not listening either.

Worse, it almost seems at this point that that might be too much to ask.

But you never know until you try. Direct conversations between actual human beings, lots and lots of them, might be the only way to heal the nation’s awful divide.

Control of information by self-interested powers aided by outrage-fueled media is tearing the country apart, including Musk’s X social media site and newer sites that emerged to take the place of Twitter after he changed it.

Neighbors expressing their views to each other, then adding a smile, could go a long way toward overcoming that influence. Minds might not be changed, but the palpable fear that is gripping much of the country could be eased greatly.

On Midway Avenue, people were doing a lot of smiling, just being able to express themselves, even when approaching the other side.

Scott Hunter

editor and publisher