This is my blog, and you’re welcome here. This is a place where I can vent, philosophize, tell tales, bore you, thrill you or lie to you (if I wish), teach, preach overreach etc. I'm also willing and looking forward to learning from you - if you know and understand the chosen topic.
Of course you could tune me out - and I'll just write for myself. It's great to see me in print. If you see the “I” too often that’s because this is MY blog, and I’ve never found a better way to express my ideas than with the letter “I”.
This blog is for what we used to call civilized conversation, back when Democrats, Republicans, Liberals, Conservatives, Yahoos Yippies and Panthers all felt that the other had a point of view, and deserved the courtesy of a hearing. Those were the days when people read newspapers, considered others’ opinions, took some pleasure in discussing current events, and a conversation was not always an argument.
You’re welcome here if you believe in and practice civil discourse, and support the right of free speech. You’re still welcome (but only once and under a raised eyebrow) if you flame people, use really shitty language, practice cliché throwing in lieu of thinking, or (in our opinion) you've stopped using your brain. The second time you’re no longer welcome. My blog – my rules.
And thereby lies my prejudice – a biggie. All races, sexes, ethnic groups, religions, are welcome and equal in my eyes - except “the ignorant-by-choice” tribe. The couch sitters, the non readers, those convinced their point is the only point. The ditto-heads, nodders, auto applauders, the sheep, the zealots, the school bullies, the non-achievers who make smart kids ashamed to be smart. Oh – you might as well know now – my overriding scorn is reserved for the Bush evil empire, and the self centered “let ‘em starve” scumbags who voted for them.
Did I give my leanings away?
If your religion is Limbaugh and Fox, you may already be a zombie – please have the nearest person drive a wooden toothpick into your shoulder – if there’s no blood, and you’re still watching T.V., I’m afraid you’re lost.
You were given the tools to learn, and a brain to learn with. READ damn you! READ others' viewpoints, READ great thinkers and doers, READ for fun, read for joy and tears, read to enhance your life and the lives of those around you. Don't believe me or any other opinionated fathead - READ - form your own opinion. Whatever the topic - learn as much as you can, acknowledge both sides of any issue - you might be surprised. My prejudice against ignorance - stupidity - non use of brain, is a handy one. If more people refused to listen to non-points of view, perhaps we’d regain some of our past glory. Sadly, this is the (former) greatest country on earth and a huge percentage of eligible voters never even bother to read the issues or learn the facts. They vote for the handsome guy, the one who spouts the most cliches, the one who sounds good, the guy with that great hair, the one they "like" - the one their cousin votes for – “Norman reads a lot”. You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.
People DIED for your right to vote - minorities (women, African Americans, refugees) were beaten, injured and killed for your right to vote. An "informed electorate" is the basis of our entire system - yet you've thrown it all away. The rich guy can buy an election, any moron can (and does) own a gun, and settles his little problems by killing a few people.
Congratulations – you - Americans - took an advanced, hard working, well functioning civilization, and through your stupidity, ignorance, laziness, greed, and Neanderthal belief in false idols have turned it into a second rate nation of non-thinking non-reading, noncomprehending idiots. Rise and shine people - you're screwed. Walmart sold you out for a few pennies extra profit on each crap shirt a dozen years ago. They found they could save huge amounts of pennies per item if made by slave labor in China and gave away the U.S. In my mind anyway it's as simple as that.
Your assignment - think a dozen good thoughts on how we can reconstruct ourselves as a civilized nation.
