| « Sunday Morning | To the Balad-bound » |
24 comments
First, thanks for coming back. I miss you. I’m sure we all do. Worry meter is down a couple of notches.
The news, being what it is, doesn’t even mention your region. This makes it hard to guess what’s going on. I know that I’ve had my high and low points keeping in contact, but really, the most danger I encounter is bad driving (around, not by, me) and poor restaurant health-related conditions.
You, on the otherhand, have some of those fanatics, who I believe are in the recognized political party of “Insurgents,” trying to harm you directly. I understand their methods are far from anything we’d consider disciplined, but as your stories and other stories (one in particular I recall involving a washing machine and French ordinance) have stated, they get lucky.
Just think of it as a heartbeat. Tomorrow’s blog entry would be perfectly acceptable as the one-liner “It’s Sunday today.” I know you, and once you put that line to text you’d have to express an opinion about Sunday, but that’s your charm and beauty, and really why so many of us love you.
Second, I mostly agree, until the end part where you start on about how all of our representatives are elite and have had all of the advantages and opportunities. I’ll go with you on the higher level positions, like President and Vice. Certainly the neighborhood level positions, like the state legislature and even the hundreds in US Congress aren’t all so fortunate. In some communities, this is probably the only position to which they can raise one of their own. While those that get to be in Congress probably come from the better half of their community, I bet quite a few have lived in shoes not too far from ours.
Parts of my family are drenched in the Democratic party. Card carrying party members, if you will. As such, in my pre-voting formative years I was indoctrinated by meeting many of the elected representatives and candidates, most at the more local levels, but some national positions, too. Many of these people were the high-and-mighty we expect. Not too many were the scheming politicos or salesmen we all fear. And some were downright the same as me–older, though, but having simple roots and tough experiences. These people, I felt, were choosing to serve, in the most patriotic way that can mean, to make a difference for those they could affect.
I’ve already ranted at how I hate the US Presidential electoral system. I understand, probably, the idea behind the electoral college, and accept it, if nothing else. What I don’t appreciate, however, is how a candidate can believe he fought long and hard only to give up BEFORE THE ACTUAL ELECTORAL VOTE. I’ll stop with that. I’ve ranted at my own blog
Finally, where’s the rant and other stories we’re missing? Escape with us, if you will, or bring us to you, if that’s how you want to look at it.
We miss you, and want to know.
Hey, Sweetie. Good catch on the politics rant. I was speaking specifically of those in the upper echelons of our political parties–not the common joes trying to make a difference on the home front.
Feel free to prod me if I fade into the woodwork again. It worked this time. It will probably work again.
d
Well, for the second time I will try to get this thot to you. Your thoughts are good ones, but limited to your own outlook. I am a republican (what was that you said you would like to happen to all republicans in a previous entry?) because I chose to be, not because anyone that I know is a republican. My method was simple. I knew what was important to me. I want lower taxes, better educational opportunities, better roads, hospitals, and emergency services, etc. All that was necessaary then was to notice what was being done, or attempted, by each party. The democratic party, as a whole, I have observed, prefer to raise taxes at every oportunity. One mark against them. They, likewise, it seems to me, push harder for lack of control in classrooms, thus making an education more difficult to obtain. I do not fault them for this. This is just what I have observed. dI could go on and on, and I am sure as I look back that there are republicans who stand for the opposite of my beliefs. I speak in generalities, as /trends/ is all we can guage political parties by.
I was raised, as you know, in the Baptist church. I fwas unhappy with it as soon as I began to compare the bible to what was being taughjt. Thru careful study of the bible, I chose the Church of Christ as abeing the only one spoken of in the bible. I continue today reading that book, because I believe it. And yes, my dear, I question /everything/, including is there a god. So far, I have found exactly zero evidence to that effect.
I too, like to see your entries. dLove you much.
That last sentencein the second paragraph should read “so far I have found exactly zero evidence to support any belief except that there /is/ a god, whether in the bible or elsewhere.
As far as politicians, the most currupt are usually house and senate /leaders,/ but occassionally one makes it to lthe presidential level.
I don’t understand how this is about the Church of Christ?
Michelle
Hi, Daddy!
What did I say I wished would happen to all Republicans in a previous entry? I don’t recall.
I’m aware you’re Republican, of course. It’s hard to miss how you both sneer when you say “Democrat.” The disapproval is palpable, and was the catalyst behind my point that we tend to be strongly influenced by how we are raised, often without knowing that’s what’s happening. It’s easier to realize someone’s trying to give you your opinion when they come right out and say, “Democrats are worthless snakes in the grass,” but harder to pinpoint the subtleties of ongoing comments that assume and imply the opposition is inferior without actually stating it outright.
To me, there’s almost no discernible difference between Baptists and CoC members. You see stark differences because you’re closer to it all. Perhaps it’s just a function of distance: at a great distance, one can only compare the major points of any two things as the rest are too blurry to make out; as you close in, though, you see the details that differentiate the two. When you place Baptist and CoC beliefs next to other denominations of Christianity and look at all from the same distance, the two look almost identical, different in name only. You have to get very close to see the difference. Maybe that’s why they say the devil’s in the details. :)
Yes, my points are limited to my own outlook. As are yours. That was the point of the diatribe. Judging from your list of things you want–we all want those things, incidentally…you won’t make any enemies insisting you are for lower taxes and better education, say–you are, of course, only counting the times your party does good and dismissing the times they do bad, and doing the opposite for the Democrats.
The democratic party, as a whole, I have observed, prefer to raise taxes at every oportunity. One mark against them.
Read my lips. (Ring a bell?) Or cut forward to Bush II: better to give tax refunds, spend billions more, and drive the economy into the ground. Yes?
They, likewise, it seems to me, push harder for lack of control in classrooms, thus making an education more difficult to obtain.
I didn’t really want this to turn into a full-fledged political discussion, but…hunh? For example…?
And if you have never honestly looked outside Christianity to see if you have the right religion (that is, if you’ve never approached other religions precisely the same as you did your own, first assuming their truth, then finding a way to make everything within them make sense), your beliefs are still very much a geographical accident. Everyone in the world feels very lucky indeed to have been born into the “right” religion, just like you (Christianity in general, I mean).
Thank you for the wonderful illustrations of my point. And thank you for tuning in. I’ve been getting worried. I sent you an email over a week ago and you didn’t reply. Hope y’all had a wonderful vacation. (Mmmmm. Vacaaaaation….)
d
I can’t believe I missed this:
And yes, my dear, I question /everything/, including is there a god. So far, I have found exactly zero evidence to that effect.
Me too! :D
Oh wait…
That last sentence in the second paragraph should read “so far I have found exactly zero evidence to support any belief except that there /is/ a god, whether in the bible or elsewhere.
If you have evidence that actually supports a belief in a god, you could be in the running for the next Pulitzer Prize. I think what you’ll find, though, is that your evidence points to God in the same way a broken lamp points to prankish genies.
There’s also a little Faith Catch-22 in there for you: if you had evidence that actually pointed to the existence of a god, you wouldn’t need faith. The whole system is designed to circumvent reason itself.
And for the record, atheism is a “belief” like bald is a hair color.
d
On the political side of things, I think it’s a real shame that only the well to do can run for President. If you don’t have money, you don’t have a fair shot at being a leader, even if you’d make a good one.
I concur, PJ.
I see the sense in it being limited to the well-to-do, though: they tend to have far better educations than us in the great unwashed, as well as powerful connections (that not only help them get elected, but help them get things done once they’re in office). But when a rich, well-connected person is thinking of what’s best for the country, I always wonder who–precisely–falls into his definition of “the country” and who doesn’t make the cut, and why.
All societies throughout history (that I’m aware of) have been comprised of the wealthy and the poor, and no matter what form the government takes, the poor are used by the wealthy to further their own interests. Our representative democracy seems to give us–the common rabble–the illusion that we have more control than we actually do over this, and that we might somehow change this one constant of history.
I don’t know, though. A political science major I am not. I look into politics only sporadically, because they turn my stomach. I’m trying to be fair, but in all fairness, I may never get any further than that.
d
PD, thanks for the return. I know you didn’t intend to make this what I made of it. Sorry. But you /did/ bring in religion, and to me, religion was part of your argument. So I responded. Does that answer your question, Michelle? Hope so. PD, I look forward to every entry. And I was under the impression I had answered your letter. I guess just another false impression I have? :)
Daddy,
If you read the original piece again without assuming I mean offense to anyone, most specifically yourself, you might find that I was going out of my way to see everything in the fairest, most balanced way possible. I was shocked, quite frankly, that you responded as you did.
The point was that we all seem to harbor false impressions based largely on confirmation bias. I started a thread on a very active political bulletin board yesterday morning as a result of this exchange, requesting someone link me to a website (or sites) that show a fair and balanced Democrat/Republican scorecard. You know…what initiatives have been introduced and passed and why during this or that administration. No one could do it, so far. These are people who live and breath arguing politics (Dems and Reps and Inds). Their inability to present any balanced view only further drives my point home. Nobody’s actually keeping score. They’re all–just like you–seizing upon the bad things That Other Party has done and remembering the good things My Party has done. Scientists caution against trusting any results from observations in which the results–pro and con–have not been methodically recorded, and for a very good reason.
The things you mention you believe Republicans stand for–Democrats want those things too. I think what you meant was that you disapprove of how they try to achieve those goals. It really is quite unfair to generalize and say or imply that Democrats are trying to bring about the educational downfall of America and want higher taxes, etc. If, however, you mean that (say) liberals are making it impossible for teachers to spank children and in your opinion this can only lead to lack of control in the classroom and the eventual downfall of education, I’d proudly stand by your premise but disagree with your assumptions that rules against spanking children are a bad thing. We want the same things–we just have different opinions concerning the best way to achieve them. To say or imply that Democrats are trying to bring about the demise of America demonstrates little more than your unwillingness to even consider the possibility that you are wrong.
‘Tis bitterly amusing to me that you’re willing to admit everyone else’s parents are honestly mistaken–an idea I had reinforced ad nauseum throughout childhood–but mine aren’t. And maybe you aren’t. But you don’t seem to be willing to honestly consider the possibility that it might be you that is wrong in this case. How can you ask more of anyone else?
I take your word for it that you answered my letter. Thank you. I wish I’d received it. Many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip….;)
d
Like so many here, I’m glad when you put an entry in, and wonder when you don’t. We’re all out here rooting for you, and will be glad when you get back on home soil.
I’m not really up on politics, and try not to voice my opinion too open, as for the most part, don’t know what I’m talking about - but you can’t help but see things - and feel things, that don’t always seem fair or right for the majority - you know! (Talk about long sentences!!)
Hang in there!
PD–I wrote a letter last nite, which of course you should have. I was not in the least put out with your discourse, and was not intending to either run down democrats, or to build up republicans. You have, apparently, decided from things said in my youth, that I think dems are anti-american and that I think my way is the only way. Sorry I mislead you. There was a long time that I thout that, but have come to think in terms of liberal/conservative, with a long line between. I was mearly trying to say why i chose The party I chose. Twenty years from now, i may change, because both I and the parties will probably change completelky by then. They have both changed drastically in the last 40 years, I assure you. Dave, thanks for your input. Again, PD, lest we destroy /your/ blog, let me get off my bandwagon. I love you, and I respect the opinions of all, who have tried to think things trrough, and can honestly say they understand the issues.
Fair enough, Daddy. Thank you.
Dave,
The only part of returning to Alabama that I don’t look forward to is having to sit in the office and listen to conservatives go on about how liberals are ruining America (like they did with women’s rights and ending prohibition and then there was that end to slavery thing, too). The rest I do miss.
The place you go to discuss religion is the same place you go to discuss politics, actually. Enjoy.
d
d
You don’t have to worry about listening to conservatives go on and on in the office once you return (at least from me you won’t; I can’t control others though :) I’ll leave those discussions to email and forums where our responses can be a little more thought out than the spoken word. Thanks for the link. I’ll check it out soon. I have kind of gotten out of the loop. With a business trip, then the trip to Seattle for the funeral, then vacation, and general busyness I haven’t spent much time at iidb. I hope to get back there more this winter as outside activites will slowly come to a halt.
Later,
Dave
Hey Dave,
I don’t recall hearing you go on and on about conservative politics to begin with. I put up with a lot of emails exaggerating Bush’s contributions and maligning Kerry, though, and plenty of pro-Rep chatter from all quarters. But what can I do? I’m in the military. It’s acceptable to openly support the president and malign his competition, but not acceptable to do the opposite, if that’s the way I see it. It’s right there in the UCMJ.
I look forward to your return at IIDB. It’s a pleasure having you on the board. Word of warning: those in the Political Discussions forum are reacting poorly to your diatribe, above. It will be most interesting when you come with facts to support your side of the argument.
d
D
I have posted a response at IIDB. Please in the future just include a link to the proper forum instead of taking something said here at your blog and posting it directly at IIDB. My post on your blog was not something I would have put at IIDB in its current form. I would have elaborated further instead of just voicing my frustration. I consider you a friend and wouldn’t put one of your rants from your blog or email that could be torn to shreds at IIDB. It is enough of a challenge defending what I say when I have had a lot of time to think about it, but to have to start out on defense right off the bat puts me at a slight disadvantage. Not to mention I have to explain that I am not just some right wing nutcase who hates all liberals (I may be a nutcase but I am pretty harmless). At least you sparked my interest and I was able to make it back to IIDB tonight. But on the flip side it is now 11:06PM and I am all wired up. Thanks :)
Later,
Dave
Dave,
I’m sorry. I can see why it would be less than pleasant to defend so many assertions at once.
d
D
Apology accepted. Please understand I am not mad. I have learned so much from posting and reading at IIDB, and I owe that to you for introducing me to the site. There you are forced to articulate your positions better and that benefits everyone.
Keep posting your funny and interesting blog entries. They are a joy to all who read.
dave
I believe a fella trhat was considered pretty smart in his day once said “Religion is the opium of the masses” or something close to that. Take a moment to really think that statement through…..wow!
Thanks LT, allways a joy to read your entries.
Boy, you went out to get replys with this one! Clinton wasn’t born rich, or powerful.
I can’t get my kids to take advantage of free college. Simply because they are too lazy to fill out the paperwork.
You are getting a “free” education over the past few years.
The overwhelming majority of our political leaders served in the military. (albiet most with the malice of forethought)
I do believe the best government is a benevolent dictatorship. But I also believe in true love, honest businessmen, good cops, and self-motivated people. It’s not that they don’t exist - just too rare to bet the future on.
Love rog
Hi, Rog. I see you’ve surfaced again. Always a pleasure to see you, even if it is only virtually these days.
I was talking about the two candidates we had to choose from this time, although generalizing (you caught me there). I speak of people who enlisted in the military; c’est un difference between that and “serving” in some capacity. Have we ever had any prior enlisted folk in the oval office?
d