8 Lessons I Learned From Being Attacked By The Liberal Media

8 Lessons I Learned From Being Attacked By The Liberal Media

“Attacked” is such a strong word.  I use this term only because it is what most people use in cases like this.  A much better term would be “mentioned”.  I was not attacked.
Today I was mentioned in an article by the liberal site Salon.com.  Salon is described by Wikipedia as “a left-wing news aggregation website…It focuses on U.S. politics and current affairs, and on reviews and articles about music, books and films.”
The actual focus of article was author Malcolm Gladwell.  One of the questions the article’s author Alex Pareene asks is, “Is Gladwell good or bad for America?”
Pareene answers his own question by saying, “His books can be used for bad purposes, like providing facile ‘leadership quotes’ for evangelical leadership gurus. But they can also be used to open people’s minds to good ideas.”
You can read Pareene’s full article by clicking here.
If you click on the link provided, you will learn that when Pareene refers to “facile leadership quotes for evangelical leadership gurus”, he is referring to me and linking to a post I wrote entitled 30 Leadership Quotes From Malcolm Gladwell’s Book David And Goliath.
Pareene’s article taught me 8 Lessons about Being Attacked (make the Mentioned) By The Liberal Media.

1. Rather than being offended, I was truly honored to be mentioned.  It means you are making a difference.
2. Civility matters.  Though I disagree with Pareene, his article is well-written and I respect his right to express his opinion.
3. Just because you disagree with someone does not mean they lack influence.  Pareene has significant influence and proved it today.  Several hundred people have visited my site today as a result of his link.
4. Pareene was actually generous.  He did not have to provide a link to my site but did so anyway.  For this I wish to tell him, “Thank You.”
5. “Facile” means too simple: not showing enough thought or effort. : done or achieved in a way that is too easy.  I respectfully disagree with his assessment.  I took the time to read the book, dog-tagged and high-lighted the pages, and then compiled all of the information for the readers to enjoy.  Nothing easy about that.
6. Leaders value resources.  By providing the quotes and pointing people to Gladwell’s book, leaders got better.  To answer Pareene’s question, I think this is “good for America.”
7. People need simplicity, not complexity.  Therefore, being facile is actually a strength.  By providing leaders easy access to quality teaching, you make easier to “open people’s minds to good ideas.”
8. Christian writers should boldly and proudly associate with Jesus.  Calling me an “evangelical” is a HUGE compliment.  Being a follower of Jesus Christ is my fundamental identity.  I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone that believes.

Though I disagreed with today’s Salon.com article, I was honored to be included in the larger conversation which is taking place on the public square.  Hopefully it will not be the last time.