The Right to Disagree: Join KTAR, Arizona Talks and ABC15 for a Tuesday special roundtable
In an era of polarization and political violence, what does it mean to protect the freedom to debate, dissent and disagree, but in a civil manner?
Watch: The Right to Disagree: A special roundtable discussion | 01 hours
In an era of polarization and political violence, what does it mean to protect the freedom to debate, dissent and disagree, but in a civil manner? KTAR News will host a special roundtable discussion on this topic in collaboration with Arizona Talks and ABC15.
“The Right to Disagree” brought together community leaders and experts for an honest conversation about the health of our democracy and the role civil discourse plays in sustaining a free society.
Rewatch the two-hour special above or on YouTube — or catch a replay running from 7-9 p.m. on 92.3 FM and the KTAR News app.
Through robust, fact-based dialogue, we examined whether the “marketplace of ideas” — once considered democracy’s greatest strength — can still function in today’s climate, and what it will take to rebuild a culture where differences are not only tolerated, but respected.
The Right to Disagree moderators
- Chris Merrill, KTAR News host
- Craig McKee, ABC15 anchor
Featured speakers
- Carlos Alfaro, founder and CEO of Arizona Talks
- Sybil Francis, president and CEO at Center for the Future of Arizona
- William Gates, ASU Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory
- Jane Andersen, director for Mormon Women for Ethical Government
- Adrian Fontes, Arizona secretary of state
- Gina Swoboda, chair of the Arizona Republican Party
- Jeff Flake, former U.S. senator and ambassador. Founding director of Arizona State University’s Institute of Politics
- Stephen Richer, senior practice fellow in American democracy, Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation. Former Maricopa County recorder.
Arizona Talks is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating civic engagement and creating spaces where leaders and citizens alike can tackle tough issues with curiosity, not combat.
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Comments
13 Comments
The right to debate and disagree is sacrosanct in our culture. But somewhere along the way the obligation to argue based on facts has been abandoned by the far right in favor of arguing based on what they wish were the facts.
You simply cannot have a civil debate and respect each other’s opinions when one of those opinions is based in pure fantasy.
Meanwhile Texas troops show up in Chicago with Armbands… sound familiar?
State-to-state troop deployment: The idea of Texas troops entering Illinois unilaterally or at the direction of the federal government without Illinois’ consent evokes images of one region imposing force over another.
Symbols and displays of force: The idea of troops wearing identifiable patches or armbands (if that’s indeed happening) enhances the visual resemblance to paramilitary or totalitarian forces.
Use of fear and intimidation: Deploying armed forces in civilian areas can be construed as a way to intimidate populations, especially if targeted at specific communities (e.g. immigrant communities).
Undermining local authority: This move clashes with principles of state and local governance — local officials claim they were not consulted or informed, which feeds into the sense of an imposed, top-down show of power.
Who’s my side? When was an ice agent assassinated?
Those killed by political violence including the 2 Minnesota democrats and their dog ( trump doesn’t mention them) were killed by mentally unstable individuals not a group of people.
Quit drinking the orange koolaid