A view from the alternate universe

By Kerry Manos
Contributed

I would like to respectfully respond to the two letters published in the Jan. 14 issue of the Town Crier, both of which called for the prominent “Trump 2020” sign to be removed from a private property. These writers assert the sign would be unwelcoming and intimidating to visitors, especially in light of the events of Jan. 6.
I would like to make two points.
First, I note that, on page A3 of the same issue, a photo shows several people in front of The Fort displaying political posters and “exercising their First Amendment right.” It appears that most of the messages on these posters reflect liberal views. Has anyone considered whether a visitor of conservative persuasion might feel unwelcome or intimidated by such a display of political messages with which they disagree? It may be hard for some to believe, but roughly half the people out there might privately feel that way.
If we are concerned about not offending visitors or creating the impression that, if you don’t align with one side or another, you’re not welcome in Idyllwild, perhaps we should enact an ordinance prohibiting the public display of any political messages. The problem, of course, is that would be unconstitutional. Maybe the best face Idyllwild can present to the world is as a place where people of diverse opinions can express their views freely and tolerate one another.
My second point is far more troublesome to me. Both letters reflect the passionate view that Trump deliberately incited his supporters to storm the Capitol building and, apparently, take over the government, which would certainly be an act of treason.
In my experience, it is no longer possible to have a civil dialog about whether such things are true, especially when significant political outcomes are at stake. I will only say that a large part of the country would not agree with the assertions expressed in these letters. Our country has sadly reached the point where we are divided by world views populated with different subsets of the “facts.” We are truly living in alternate universes and I honestly don’t know how that can be reconciled.
I lay this condition largely at the feet of the media, which has profited for years from agitating the passions of both sides. Their cash registers ring each time any of us tunes in or clicks to find out more about the latest “bombshell” or outrage perpetrated by the opposite side. The more they divide us and the angrier they make us, the more money they make. Their tactics are simple and easy to spot: selectively present facts, and interpret them, so as to reinforce the existing views of their customers.
Shame on all of us for falling prey to this manipulation. And shame on anyone who suggests the solution is censorship. That is a trap we will all regret having fallen into.
The letter signed by multiple people concluded by calling for the removal of the Trump sign in the spirit of unity. I’m afraid unity is out of the question at this point. The best we can hope for in the foreseeable future is fragile coexistence. I pray we can slowly build from there.