Ted Kulongoski Quotes

You don't have to agree with my vote, but you need to at least understand how I came to my vote.

Debate is so much better than denial.

You should be able to voice your opinion and respect the voice of the other side. You should be willing to educate yourself and know what it is you're dealing with.

What we need to do in this PC world is forget about unanimity of speech and unanimity of thought and we need to concentrate on being respectful of those people with whom we disagree.

I've led a school whose faculty and students examine and discuss and debate every aspect of our law and legal system. And what I've learned most is that no one has a monopoly on truth or wisdom. I've learned that we make progress by listening to each other, across every apparent political or ideological divide.

I like disagreement because it forces both sides to question their own opinions and why they feel that way.

And I've always said, 'If two people think the same thing about everything, one of them isn't necessary.' We need to be able to understand that if we're going to make real progress.

The idea that everyone's opinion is valuable is sometimes up for question.

I think two people with strong points of view can appreciate each other even more.

I love argument, I love debate. I don't expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that's not their job.

What the nation's built on is discussion, contradiction and growth, and at the moment you can't discuss anything. If you do start to discuss it, you get criticized. If people hate us, you have to find out why and try to solve that problem.

The clash of ideas is the sound of freedom.

People always have an opinion. Doesn't mean it's right, doesn't mean it's wrong, but we have to respect their opinion.

Everyone should have their own opinion and be able to voice it. No matter what it is. Of course, that does not mean your opinion is always right. But, you're certainly entitled to your opinion.

We must learn that we can disagree with each other without becoming deadly enemies.

Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.

We can argue and we can disagree, but we don’t need to poke our fingers in each other’s eyes in order to get our points across.

You need people who have their own views, whose views you respect, whom you can have a productive disagreement with, and work out ideas which you might not have come up with, or who improve on ideas you had.

I often go into the lions' den and engage with those I know oppose my views, because I want to understand what other people think.

People should debate. They shouldn't be afraid to talk. You should listen to what other people think and how they make decisions. There should be an exchange of ideas and opinions because that's how we learn.

I think I've always had that orientation to try to understand the humanity behind people with whom I disagree.

One of the hallmarks of higher education and of democracy is the ability to converse with people with whom we disagree.

It's not appropriate to pass judgment when we specifically ask people to voice their opinions... even if you ask a question and agree with the answer.

We must learn to outgrow our egos in exchange for constructive dialogue rather than debate. In addition, we must be capable of stating problems and proposing solutions clearly and succinctly, without distortion of meaning or misunderstanding, even when these solutions are radically opposed to accepted norms.

Mutual commitment to ideals - yes; the stifling of all dissenting notions - no.