If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all …

By Laura Swanson, Editor/Partner, Tillamook County Pioneer

The flood of negative postcards in our mailboxes (and the commercials, on social media – everywhere!) is just disgusting – the messaging, the rhetoric and the COST!! Outrageous. When a candidate continues to bombard me with messages of the “evils” of their opponent, that’s it for me – I absolutely will not be voting for that candidate. Tell me about who you are and what you are going to do.

If all you can do is bash your opponent, well then you must not be qualified for office.

I realize that these campaigns are often run by outsiders, and that many of the marketing pieces are not approved by the candidate, but it’s really sunk to a new low (hard to imagine) this year. Negative campaigning has infiltrated even our city elections. It’s no wonder that people are simply choosing not to engage in voting. What do you believe? Who do you trust? Certainly not the junk in your mailbox.

If you say something – even a lie – enough times it becomes the truth. We are living in a dystopian time where we’ve lost our humanity, and along with our ability to effectively communicate. What happened to some kind of fact-checking? Oh right, AI does that now, but that depends upon who’s “facts” you are using. All the head-shaking and hand-wringing over why we the people have disengaged from the process. Because we’re inundated with lies and mis-information. Who are you going to vote for? None of the above.

The phrase “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say nothing at all” is a famous rule of etiquette popularized by the rabbit character Thumper in the 1942 Disney animated film Bambi. In the movie scene, Thumper’s mother reminds him of his father’s advice after Thumper makes a blunt remark about young Bambi’s unsteady walking. The forest animals reinforce the lesson in a song “If You Can’t Say Something Nice”, which advises to “button your lips and swallow” if you think an unkind thought. The saying serves as a simple moral guideline to practice basic politeness, avoid unnecessary cruelty, and choose silence over hurtful criticism.

The sentiment predates the movie as a traditional proverb, and similar variations appear across older literature, folklore, and early radio programs (such as the classic radio comedy series Fibber McGee and Molly). Similar concepts are also reflected in ancient wisdom texts, including biblical proverbs on the value of silence and restraint of speech.

Nationally, there have been even more vile examples of candidates using horrific aspects of their opponent’s childhood, and out-of-context quotes. It truly is unconscionable. Then there are all of the AI-created, manipulated photos and videos. A deluge of drivel that only makes everyone tune out. Candidates – tell us how you are going to make things better for ALL of us.

The most important lesson here is to make an informed vote you need to rely upon information directly from the candidate. Put on your muck boots – you might need hip waders – to make your way through the mudslinging, and consider the source.

Here are links to the Pioneer’s Questions for the Candidates. Our aim is for you to be able to get to know the candidates as people. You know where they stand on the issues, and if you aren’t sure – ASK THE CANDIDATE directly. Don’t rely on social media. Look at the endorsements, letters to the editor and more about the candidates. Talk to your friends and neighbors about who they are voting for, and make sure they are voting.

Here’s the list of ballot drop boxes – USE DROP BOXES PLEASE! At this point, it’s too late to mail them, since USPS service has been significantly reduced …