As the United Nations approves a no-fly zone over Libya, the praise and condemnation come from all sides of the court of public opinion. Some say that it’s a viable solution, while others contest that it simply isn’t enough. Well, it’s times like these I’m thankful for the perspective of the West Wing Report. 

Armchair generals are only worse than armchair politicians. Both think they know the best solution for a given problem. Perhaps they’re right, but that solution eventually over simplifies the problem, and when we over simplify problems we make hasty decisions. But I’m not worried about armchair generals – they don’t have at their fingertips, arguably one of most versatile militaries in the world.

I’m worried about armchair politicians. These are the folks that attempt to comment upon policy and decision-making knowing only half the story, and never reckoning with the implications. Armchair politicians often don’t have an understanding of the larger communal implications of what they argue, let alone the national and global implications. Armchair politicians spout political thoughts like a child babbles – but unlike the child no one finds it cute. Be sure, thought, that the media finds it profitable.

We’ve seen the rise of the armchair politician, or what is commonly known as “The Tea Party.” In the past 15 months we’ve seen them upgrade from an old, moth-ridden, ripped, shag carpet upholstered chair to the La-Z-Boy Deluxe. What’s unfortunate is that the American Public has paid the bill for this remarkable new chair. While many Americans struggle to attain basic needs, Tea Party politicians sit in their comfortable recliners, working only to insure that they have enough money to buy yet another recliner.

I don’t have a problem with bloggers that comment on political decisions (C’mon – I’m doing it right now). I do have a problem when those elected to public office – elected by citizens no less – speculate rather than compromise. American lives, and future American lives, are not houses to be bought and sold on a Monopolyesque game, or constantans or vowels to guess on political Wheel of Fortune. Armchair politicians eventually become obese. They are gluttons for their egos, and the media seemingly can’t stop covering their unfortunate face-feeding.

Now, more than ever before, we need responsible journalism. I’m completely aware of the demands the capitalist system places upon journalism, but have we cheapened ourselves to allowing the media to become a pond in an armchair politician’s hand? While many have become seduced by the acclaims of profit, a few select remain aware and engaged.

But my complaint does not rest squarely upon the media.

We’ve weakened our minds by saying that we “rely upon the media for our information.” That may be where we get our information, but it’s not how we engage it. I’m convinced that whether it’s a no-fly zone or tsunami, we all have an idea of how problems should be solved. This is good, but when we advance our opinions at the expense of other’s thoughts, we miss out on a deeper conversation. It’s when we open our ideas to conversation that we stop being armchair politicians, and become agents of positive change.

I’m tired of trite opinions and petty solutions. I’m tired of sound-byte politics and ignorant conversation. I have a future, and it’s not in a La-Z-Boy. We have a future and it’s not in how isolated we can become, but how united we can act.