super-structure

So I wrote a post while immediately after reading a post on Wonkette all about this dumb magnet. After cooling down and being brought back to my better senses, I decided I’d write something more interesting.

Politics: A Traditional Liberal

I became a liberal the old fashioned way: I was raised attending a Christian church. Yeah, I know, that sounds a little odd by current sensibilities. However, my parents brought me up to make my own decisions in life, and I was taught by who could only be described as one of the most liberal ministers in all of the Southeast. A person I consider to be as close as family and probably the single most influential person on my life: Rev. Donald Padget. So, when I describe myself as a traditional liberal, I really mean that. I believe in the values that are the best of progressives around the world and throughout history: respect for life, tolerance of others’ beliefs, and most importantly the absolute belief that we all do better when we all do better. If there is a meaning to life to be discovered, I think it is that we are here for the sole purpose of helping our fellow mankind to better cope with this thing know as the human condition.

So, with that in mind I happily describe myself in political terms as an independent liberal. I have since learned that that description leads one to vote Democratic, at least in this country (the only one I’ve ever voted in). Further, living in Tennessee and Virginia, I haven’t made a lot of friends shouting that out in the streets. I hear shouting that out in the streets in Portland or Seattle gets you a hug and a free cup of coffee, but these may just be rumors. Further, in my chosen profession that is engineering, I haven’t been voted most popular because of my political views. However, I have had the opportunity to find a great deal of commonality in people that I might, on paper at least, have cause to believe I wouldn’t have much to say to. It comes with the obvious frustrations at times, but it more than not makes for great conversations. You see, when you have a discussion about politics or religion with someone who is already a close friend (or your wife), you tend to shout a great deal less than on those talking head shows and actually discuss the issue at hand.

I was asking my wife earlier if she thought that her 12-year-old self would be proud of her today. She said that she would. I like to think that my younger self would be okay with me. He’d be a little disappointed that I didn’t end up joining Greenpeace, I suppose; or inventing a 99% efficient solar panel array. Other than that, we’d get along fairly well. He’d be glad that I still believe in the same principles I listed earlier, and have at least tried to become the person I wanted (and still want) to be. Okay, he’d be disappointed that I don’t skateboard anymore, I always said I’d never give that up and haven’t done it since high-school.

Sign of the anti-Christ. He’s a trickster.

Are these people for real? This must be some kind of joke, right? This is the very essence of pure evil. I believe in God, and I think George Bush and that God aren’t on speaking terms, let alone on the same ticket. Why do these morons insist that God is a Republican, and that the American flag is now a religious symbol? Further, that being an American means believing in the separation of church and state. Jesus, doesn’t this make you angry?

How absurd is it that Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts is denied partaking in communion (which in my church, isn’t up to the person serving to judge) but no one seems to think that the president who sends our troops into harms way for no good reason should have that right revoked? Why is it that the same people who condemn anyone who speaks ill of the President Bush as being un-American during war-time are the same people who had no problem ripping on President Clinton when we had peace keepers in the Balkans?

Folks, if you want to save your soul and avoid the fires of hell, you need to show the world you know the truth:

Oh, and for the record, you better believe that I own one; and this isn’t any joke, either.

I was pretty pissed, actually, when I wrote this. Two posts from friends help point out that self-righteousness is annoying, no matter who’s doing it.

Stacie: Good point. Maybe religion should just be off limits for both sides. While I like to believe we’ve enjoyed that in our country in the past century (most of it, anyway), I think that is at risk. The only difference I see in these products is that fact that the liberal t-shirt doesn’t claim that any leader is closer to God. However, it certainly implies that Jesus (and, by proxy, God) has come down on one side in the culture war. Really not a lot different than those I was beating up on, or the Taliban for that matter. Sorry about all that Hell-fire talk. I don’t really much go for believing in Hell, anyway. Speaking of that…

Kevin: That’s cool, too. I think religious tolerance has everything to do with the freedom to not choose religion, not just between Baptist or Methodist. Further, whatever belief you choose (or don’t choose, or whatever) shouldn’t have to imply a political choice.

So, about that shirt. Yes, I do have one and the first time I wore it around the house, my wife asked me "so you’re okay with the blasphemy, then?" I suppose I am. I guess today, I forgot the fact that even though I may believe in the message, there’s still some humor to be had with all of this. For now on, my self-righteousness will be directed toward only poking fun and not just being angry.