Posted by
GeorgeBruno on Saturday, October 11, 2008 10:52:17 AM
I have written privately for years. My hard drive is jam packed full of platitudes, ponderings, and indulgences.
Blogging has allowed me to come out of the closet, so to speak.
As I market and publicize this particular blog to friends and foes, it is very fascinating what I get in response.
One beloved friend, whom I respect and adore writes back saying, "Good luck blogging, but I personally am rooting for Obama/Biden. I don't want ANYONE telling ME what I'm allowed to do with my own body. And I certainly don't want a daffy hockey mom and another old white guy running the country. How terrifying."
Another writes, " OK, I read your blog, now I ask that you watch this:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fourdays and take note - the drop in gas prices now that election day is approaching will not sway my opinion. Fair is fair. At least watch it."
and
"It makes me very sad at how easily swayed the American populace is. How quickly they forget that they've been badly beaten and abused with a handful of candy. I simply can't forget, especially not that easily and when I work my a$$ off to watch our glorious government take almost half of that to give to their friends....And I respect your opinions so let me know if I get too serious"
What I get out of these responses is that people are charged up. I don't believe we can change anyones mind. Political ideology is a matter of the heart. It is not the result of systematic polemics and stating cases.
My friends send me things to read. I send them things to read. I don't think it does anything except open up dialogue in areas that we never had or make each other mad as hell. I am not willing to burn those bridges. That is why blogging is so much fun. People tune into you who like what you have to say, not because they hate you. Most of the time, if someone hates you, it's probably because youve given them a reason to hate you.
Don't pet a cat in the wrong direction.
I don't want to beat anyone nor do I want to get beaten.
We both look at each other as being as lost as a ball in tall grass.
Are we diametrically oposed? Yes.
Is it fatal for a friendship? No. Not if you don't want it to be.
Do I need all my friends to believe like me? Heck no. How boring would life be?
Will I ever have a show on PBS or NPR? They'd never do it, but I would.
Can we agree to still love each other. You bet.
I don't want to be "the ugly Republican" and I don't want to be with "the ugly Democrat"
If youre not a conservative, a little right of center, like me....then be happy to have me be your "conservative friend".
I don't mind having you as friend. As a matter of fact, I cherish it.
I wrestle with closing my email responses to my more liberal friends.
I am always tempted to say I still love you. Which if you read between the lines really means "inspite of your political faults, I love you".
I am tempted, but I will not fall into that ugly demeaning trap.
So I just write, "I love you" and sometimes add "...and there aint nothing gonna change that".
Some of my more liberal friends like that and are now practicing that with me as well.
Some won't even answer the phone anymore.
Oh well. You can't please everybody.