For those of you who spend your every waking moment with your panties in a twist and a whole bee hive in your bonnet, consider these simple - I'd even call them common sense - observations.
No one is going to take away your guns. You were probably buying canned goods, duct tape and ammo back on June 26, 2008, so you must have missed the news that the Supreme Court of the United States of America clarified the Second Amendment of the Constitution. After 200 years of arguments over it's meaning the land's highest court, in a 5-4 decision, said that the 2nd amendment guarantees "the right of law-abiding, responsible citizens to use arms in the defense of hearth and home." The NRA even said so.
The religious right/pro-life movement is being used. Despite their campaign rhetoric, conservative republicans have no political interest in taking away a woman's right to choose. For six years conservative republicans held the Presidency, the Senate and the House... AND NOTHING CHANGED. The neo-cons had everything they needed to pass pro-life laws. Why do you suppose they missed such a golden opportunity to actually DO SOMETHING about it? Because living up to their words would mean losing a politically effective propoganda tool. Simply put, so long as the issue remains they know they can drum up plenty of votes.
Ignorance is unacceptable. The world would be a better place if we could all step outside our perpetual hysteria just long enough to actually SEE what's really happening in the world around us. Irrational emotions blind us from the truth. There are plenty of politicians and talking heads who are all too willing to stoke those fires... but what does that make them? More importantly, what does that make you if you believe them?
Skepticism is a healthy check on the "news" that the media and the politicians spoon-feed a doe-eyed public. Learn the difference between fact and opinion (in other words, do what journalists used to do) and use just a little bit of the energy you get from your twisted panties and the bees in your bonnet to find the truth. If you're curious and intellectually honest enough you'll recognize that every politician and media-type has an agenda. Each are motivated by their own masters.
If, as they say, the truth lies somewhere in the middle, why are so many of us slaves to black or white positions instead of gray? Could it be that we lack the confidence to wade into murky waters? No matter how strongly we believe in something shouldn't the truth always mean more?
"The truth" is different for each of us. I accept that. What I don't accept is intentionally avoiding or actively denying any information that might challenge our point of view. Living in a vaccuum is not the truth nor is it reality. What are you afraid of? Get off the couch and get messy! You just might find something more important than what you believe.
...or you could just turn on American Idol. Your choice.
Unfortunately American Idol is easier...
Posted by: Jim Smith II | April 08, 2009 at 08:29 AM