In fact, I could've sworn that the reason this country was founded in the first place was to escape religous tyranny.....
But anyway, back to the tightrope. Of course what I said provoked a buncha comments, at first agreeing with me, then strongly, strongly disagreeing and starting to quickly go bad. I actually walked away from my computer before the downslide happened, but by the time I saw the stream again a few hours later, people were insulting each other and calling each other names, and it was general craziness.
The balance that I try to keep (which is one of the reasons that I don't comment much on these type of subjects) is one that on one hand, lets me stay true to my innermost values (which involve always speaking with respect and compassion for everyone, no matter who I'm talking to and what their beliefs are), while still standing up for what I believe in (which, honestly, generally is basically the same thing). A conversation that is coming with as much fiery impetus as that one was has a high likelihood of quickly dissolving into "you're stupid." "You're stupider." "Your mom," and so on. In fact, that's exactly what happened (with different words, but with the same spirit). I really can't get behind that. And, for that matter, it's a little difficult for me to understand why anyone would if they're conscious of what they're doing. Perhaps that's it - once a nerve gets touched, people forget what they're saying (and typing), and unfortunately, not only is it appropriate in the media nowadays to sling hate (in various disguises - both light and heavy ones), but that's what often gets hits and comments and calls-in and the like.
I'll settle for a small readership, thanks. I'd rather not sell out to what I see as one of the biggest problems in our world right now - the lack of empathy that everyone doesn't think the way that you do, and, even more of a novel concept, that this is okay.
And that's what I think.
On another note, I had my lovely sister be a model for me yesterday on my ongoing journey to master my camera's settings. Here's a peek at what we got:
And on a third note, I'm making the 4-hour drive Saturday morning to go see this guy:
Daddy Brown (and Rikki, the parrot. That guy had better be snug in his cage when I arrive, I've never met him but hear he's posessive and I would prefer to still have all my fingers by Monday...)Today's whiteboard quote:
"One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure."
~William Feather
2 comments:
As a rule, people are never happy with what the government is doing...at least not all the people all the time.
They didn't like President Bush because of the unreasonable, unending (it seems) war so they voted him and his party out.
Now they don't like President Obama for a variety of reasons, much of which stems back to the fact that he's black (or half-black as many are quick to point out).
At this point in our history, I don't think the public would like Jesus Christ if he was president. He would be too rigid (or too liberal depending on the viewpoint), yadda yadda.
I think the best thing to do is what you did, express how you feel and leave it alone. People who yell and scream are unreasonable anyway, so no one listens to them in the end. It's the calm heads who prevail....just my opinion.
I, personally, don't like Obama for a number of reasons, none of which have anything to do with him being black. Which, btw, is frustrating to hear - over and over again.
I do think you're right - this country is suppose to be equally fair/free no matter your religious beliefs, race, gender, etc. But, that being said, alot of people have problems with the seperation of church and state. Myself, being one of them. My viewpoint on this is, what is the fine line that distinguishes between morally wrong and religiously wrong. I'm not sure that makes sense...
But, without causing a huge uproar here...I'll let sleeping dogs lie and just say, that although we all may not think the same on these issues, we're all given our right to freedom of speech. Some just have better words to describe their thoughts.
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