Unfriendly Persuasion 111 any corn- menta- tors feel that the current presidential race may reach new levels of nastiness. We do seem to be off to a GEORGE rip-roaring start. CANTOR There are those Reality who blame television Check and the 24-hour news channels for this severe polariza- tion. The spectacle of zealots from both ends of the political spectrum sitting around a table and screeching at each. other is somewhat less than edifying. But I wonder if there was ever a time in this country when the pub- lic debate was con- ducted on civil terms and care- fully reasoned argument. From what I read of 19th century elections, it was much worse then. Candidates rou- tinely accused each other of lechery, drunkenness, treason, corruption, miscegena- tion and poor personal hygiene. They called each other apes, lunatics, murderers. After that, it really got mean. In my own voting experience, I have been told that every Republican candidate was a big stu- pid (with the exception of Richard Nixon, who was a big sleaze). And every Democrat was a spineless wimp, wild-eyed taxaholic or prison- er of big labor (with the exception of Bill Clinton, who was a prisoner of love). And we're supposed to shudder at what may come this year? But there does seem to be a grow- ing intolerance towards contrary opinions. While people urge others to question their beliefs, they are not so eager to do the same with their own. When I wrote columns for the George Cantor's e-mail address is gcantor@thejewishnews. corn Detroit News, for example, I don't know how many times I was told by Jewish friends that they wished I worked for the other paper. When I asked them why, a sur- prising number said that they wouldn't allow the News in their homes. They hated its "right wing" editorial page. And I'm sure an equal number of readers feel the Free Press is farther left than a fish fork. Believe me, I have no interest whatsoever in defending the News. But there is also no question about its consistently solid defense of Israel on its editorial page; whereas the Free Press stance towards Israel can best be described as incoherent. It seems to come .as a constantly renewable shock that some of Israel's firmest friends are among social con- servatives and its most implaca- ble enemies are on the hard left. But so many readers never seem to get beyond the basic ideological mindset. This attitude puz- zled me; and, as a journalist, it distressed me. We had a very con- • servative editorial page in the city and a very liberal one. You pays your money and you takes your choice. I thought that was a good thing. And maybe, once in a while, you would be persuaded by something you read in the other paper. But I came to realize that this is fanciful. I find that those who read editorials and columns do it prima- rily for affirmation of their own beliefs, not to hold up these beliefs to critical examination. I still believe in the power of jour- nalism to inform and educate; and for less publicized local elections and issues, an editorial endorsement by a newspaper can make a big differ- ence. But on the big stuff, it's mostly a case of the convinced preaching to the committed, with the sound rush- ing past the ears of everyone else. ❑ Heated seats, leather, moonroof, FWD '04 ES330 Leather, moonroof, 6 Disc CD Changer *48 Mo/12,000 per year. $2999 Down, plus tax, title, 1st payment and plate. "Plus tax, title, doc, plates and dest fee. We Customize All Leases for Sign & Drive LARGEST SELECTION of PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED Pre-Owned Certified Lexus Pre-Owned `03 TOYOTA COROLLA LE 0% up to 24 months MAX $20,000 to finance on selected certified Pre-Owned WARRANTY, LOADED $13,995 NISSANS `03 NISSAN SENTRA Great Car, Priced to Sell $10,995 '00 LEXUS ES 300 20,000 Miles, Like New $25,995 OTHERS '01 LEXUS GS 300 '96 MERCEDES 5-320 Like New, Must See $26,995 Black/Black, Extra Clean $12,995 '02 LEXUS ES 300 '00 ACURA 3.2TL Navigation, Leather, Loaded $13,995 Navigation, Loaded $27,995 '01 LEXUS RX 300 AWD, Loaded $29,995 '01 JEEP WRANGLER Navigation, Loaded $29,995 '98 MERCEDES E320 Air, 5 SPD, Extra Clean $13,995 '03 LEXUS ES 300 4 Matic, Loaded Black/Black $22,995 '01 LEXUS LS 430 2 to Choose From, Loaded $39,995 '99 LEXUS LS 400 Extra Clean, Like New Loaded $22,995 Non-Certified Pre-Owned '03 LEXUS JS 300 TOYOTA'S '03 TOYOTA COROLLA CE Leather, Loaded $26,995 Warranty, Like New $11,995 OUR CARS MUST PASS 128 INSPECTION POINTS CZ) L.EXUS OF Flinn FIFRE3CDIRE L—JaxUS C31= 590 Auto Mall Dr. • Ann Arbor 5701 Pennsylvania Ave • Lansing 1.866.645.3987 lexusofannarbor corn lexusannarbor@usa.net 1A A ' 1.800.539.8748 lexusoflansing.corn OPEN SATURDAY 10-5 4/23 2004 831370