Conservative Rant #2

>First, in regard to the last article, I want to clarify: I don't think anyone should use the political/economic system that way, but I do recognize that it is legal to do so in this bless'd country, and I think it's ridiculous and hypocritical for the left to get offended at the right's using these tactics. I'm not saying I think they or anyone should use them. I'm saying the left is bitter and sanctimonious. If that chafes you, then you'll enjoy the reversal in today's posting. Read on, gentle pilgrim.

>Second, read this. Sarah sent me that article more recently. Below is my response to it.

If conservative Christians are nutty, this is what makes them nutty. I think they are definitely persecuted, and that they are certainly singled out more than most other groups. (Who doesn't love to hate Christians?) But I think that at this point they have a victim complex. Over the years of seeing morality decline, they've (we've) not been able to come up with a significant strategy to reclaim those lost lives and correct a maligned perspective. (Not that anything was ever close to perfect.) In the wake of these changes, they think that society's move towards hedonism is a personal attack against them. Or maybe they feel secretly guilty for "letting" it happen--as if they were the wardens of cultural morality. (And maybe we are that, I never know, but we shouldn't feel guilty regardless.) They no longer seem to recognize the power and influence they have. Rather, they DO recognize it, but do not use it to it's full potential in appropriate ways.

By using so much energy to continuously cry foul, they miss opportunities to affect real change by being what we are supposed to be: a light on a hill, salt in a tasteless world. I mean that they're wasting breath saying things that are not full of humility or hope or peace or joy or love or self-control. Instead, they are spouting bile, resentment, envy, and aggression--all the things the world loves to mock us for, when we slip into them. They are forgetting that we are supposed to turn the other cheek when someone strikes us.

But now we're getting into a discussion of how American nationalism and Christianity have become intertwined, like a bastard child that feels he is heir to the throne. The historical American sense of rebellion and "we're not going to take this!" seems to be guiding them, and I think there's a strong sense of "civil rights for Christians too, while you're at it!" We've forgotten that when it comes down to it, we are supposed to be persecuted. That's part of our normal lot in life as Christians. We're supposed to be wary of the wolves, not try to stomp them out. "In the world you will have trouble. But take courage for I have overcome the world." Does that sound familiar?

Reader Response: Conservative Rant #1

First read this. Sarah sent it to me awhile back. What follows is my response to the "news" article in question.

I think it is remarkable how short-sighted people can be. Hello? Maybe I'm the only one that realizes that this is America, and that these "theocratic fundamentalists" are only doing what the laws of this land allow them to do. The only reason why the lefties get so pissed is because they want to turn the country in a different direction...by using the same process of laws and persuasion. The hypocrisy is astounding, and the denial regarding that hypocrisy is more so. This is one of those issues that I have opinions on, but would love to debate over because my opinions are not concrete. There are probably angles that I could consider, to make my opinion more solid.

This is considered JOURNALISM? You're supposed to consider this unbiased and truthful?! This website is a joke. I got pretty upset when he said, "..... Call it a new, 11th Commandment: "Thou shalt not advertise" if the religious primitives smell sin." Religious primitives? What the flying eighth level of hell do you think YOU are? An Enlightened Sophisticate?

This is difficult for me, because I honestly think homosexuality is a mental/social disorder and that we are doing gays a disservice by trying to legitimize and rationalize dysfunction. This kind of thing is happening in a broad sense across the mental health field. In many cases it’s legitimate, but in many other cases I feel like it’s ‘bleed-through compassion’—misjudging the nature of the illness by comparing it in approach to other illnesses.

Arg. To summarize, I say: more power to the Righties. They are using capitalism and democracy to achieve their goals. I may not agree with all or many of the things they support, but they’re going about it the right way. Which, coincidentally, is the way the Lefties have made most of their ground in recent years. (With a strong dose of public opinion shaping, but that’s another essay.) I think the Lefties are just pissed that the Righties have woken up, are gaining ground, and are playing the game by the rules.

I adjourn. Thanks for this, maybe we can talk more later. I think I might print this and get feedback from others.

Fair Trade Info

If you have 5-15 minutes, check out this website. Then come back and post your thoughts. This is a topic that interests and concerns me, but one that I feel inadequately unknowledgeable about. (How's them for big words?) Maybe that "unknowledge" is what perpetuates and enables the cycle and system. That's my theory anyway. What's your take?

(ps: Thanks to my brother Noah for sending me to the site.)

Nevermind that last part.

Watch this instead.

I'm bored of blogging

I have nothing to say. I feel like I'm keeping this up just to give people to check up on, but I have nothing to check up on. What would you like to know about? I haven't mouthed off in awhile. Maybe I'm not feeling very passionate.

For some odd reason...

...all I want to do is post swear words these days. Bad ones. Not in any context but their own. And not because I'm angry. More because I'm feeling mischievous. There's a better word for it, but I can't think of it. You tell me what it is.

ps: I'm only sparing you because this isn't a real journal. I don't want to deal with all the confusion and concern it would garner, because few people realize that sometimes I'm this way just because I want to be.

Hello, every buddy!

Imagine Grover from Sesame Street said that. It's funnier.

I have been neglecting this weblog, unintentionally. I don't have much time at home these days to do this. Or maybe I'm not making time. Or maybe I don't have as many things to say. Or maybe I don't have as many provocative things to say as I thought I did. Or maybe I'm too chicken to write them.

My birthday happened recently. The 28th anniversary of the day of my birth. The people at work waited until I was out of the office, then they put up pictures of me all over the building. And they were very thorough. I should state that the pictures were actually just of my face superimposed onto Yoda's and Darth Vader's bodies. On the day before my birthday, I went with some friends to Rio Grande, a delicious authentic Mexican restaurant. Quality cheap food is my favorite. On my proper birthday, my in-laws humored me by braving the new frontier of Japanese steakhousedom in Parkersburg. A fun time was had by all. And a hearty portion of delicious food as well. Anywhere the chef sets the table on fire, twirls knives, and throws food at your face after cooking it in front of you, well, that's a place I can support, encourage, and thoroughly enjoy. Reasonable prices mean I'm definitely going back someday.

Kevin bought me a new Star Wars minis starter for my birthday, and I'll most likely be spending a hearty portion of my birthday money on more minis, purchased from my cousin's exquisite store. If they weren't so cool, I wouldn't have to buy them. (Don't even ask how many times I've actually played them. It's pathetically embarassing how much I've invested in these little plastic creatures.) (And droids.) I'm also buying a Boba Fett comic book series from him.

I would like to have a serious conversation. But I don't know what about.

Check out the band's weblog for an update on the rest of the recording process.

Sorry I haven't been around

Well, I am. I haven't much time to do this at home anymore, and I haven't the courage to post from work, or maybe I have the sensibilities to know not to.

I would like to vacate for two weeks. I would like to Take Kevin and Chris with me. We would drive and drive and not shower. And look at mountains and feel the hot sun and praise our God for His beauty and and creativity and perfection.