Passion is the drunkenness of the mind ***UPDATED
Published in Widowism by chefswidow
My first real live protest waaaaaaaaay back before GW sent us to war
This weekend was most enjoyable even though it started off particularly disheartening. Friday morning I was on the go by 6 am. The Chef had to leave at 7 to get to the Veggi U Food & Wine event and I had to get the house packed, cleaned, and ready for our weekend away. I got my coffee, settled in at my computer and opened my inbox. Low and behold there was an email from a friend. A friend who is well aware of my political stance. It was a forward supporting the right (actually it was a comparison of Obama & Bush, not sure how that can even be possible) and it was absolutely absurd. Not because it was for the right but because armchair politics is cheesy.
Here’s what I don’t understand. Does one really thing change can be made through an email forward? Does one really think that I am going to switch teams because of something that landed in my inbox? I think not.
If you have something to say or you desperately care to change the way this country works, then get off your ass and make a move. Don’t email. Don’t assume that I am ignorant and will automatically change my belief system because you send me some fear mongering propaganda. Seriously don’t have time for it. I have two kids, 2 dogs, one restaurant, and a husband that never sleeps. My plate is full.
This email did get me thinking though. Pre kids I was a bit of a spit fire. I minored in Poli Sci and loved it. Every class, every book, and quite a few teachers inspired me to actually care about what was going on around. They inspired me to read and search for answers instead of letting some news outlet tell me what to believe in. Since then my fire had cooled. My passion for policy and politics weaned as my passion for my family grew. It wasn’t until last years election and the campaign prior that my political passion exploded again. Funny(and terribly sad) how a complete breakdown of our country by a buffoon president will make one care. Although my passion for this country’s political system began to grow again I still was complacent. My news came from CNN and NPR. Both decent sources, however back in the day I had at least 3 newspaper subscriptions from around the world and the New York Times was the first thing I read on the daily. Man, The State, and War didn’t leave my side and I would even quote from it while I was out drinking. A bit silly I know. But at least I had a source.
Times have certainly changed for all of us and I hope they keep changing. Change is necessary for our country’s growth and expansion. Change also needs to happen for me. I need to educate myself more with the world. Current events need to be mind on mind. Because if they aren’t, I will just become a complacent American who forwards bullshit emails.
****Update: after receiving a few nasty comments regarding the above post I thought it may be time for an update. My post above meant no ill will to anyone. I think that I respect both sides quite well. Hell I’ve gotta considering our entire family except the Chef, myself, and my sister in law are all members of the Republican party. My point was that the email itself inspired me to get of MY OWN ASS and do something. Re-educate myself with the world. That is all.
Clap
Hey there Amelia, You know which side of the fence I’m on. I have two very close friends who I’m so proud of because of their work in this election. One of them is fighting cancer but essentially worked 12-14 hour days to help get Our President elected. I have another friend who is fighting MS and many walking and back problems who was out knocking on doors in an area that most likely was not very happy to hear about a black democratic candidate. But knock she did. So if someone wants to make change, the email forwarding is most likely not the way to go about it.
I was on e-mail overload from this past election. What I always found interesting was how absurd most e-mails were because they were so incredibly false and sent by friends who considered themselves something of a political junkie…. My only response back to them was http://www.factcheck.org.
Dear Janet
Please don’t read my blog if you don’t like it. I don’t think I berated anyone. I just think political forwards about nothing are stupid and the only ones I ever get are from my Republican friends. Your comment was rude and if you know me I hope that we are not friends.
Dear Steve & Allison
I love you guys!
I still love my friend who sent me the email. I still love my dad who constantly sends me righty tighty emails. The difference is that while they forward all this crap to me I have never once forwarded my beliefs onto them.
And I love the above mentioned people because they are my friends. In real life. Not because they agree with me but because we like each other. As people.
That’s all.
I, too, receive these emails. And since Obama’s approval ratings have slipped, I read several friends’ constant ramblings on Facebook about how horrible he is and how America is finally waking up.
But those same people said nothing about the past eight years. So who can respect that?
I’d be more willing to accept political emails from people who call a spade a spade, no matter who is sitting in the White House.
I get so offended by those emails, too. It’s kind of like when you’re hanging out with someone and they think it’s socially acceptable to throw out a racist comment. KILLS ME. ps – snopes.org is another good site for debunking crap.
My hubs and I are the lone Liberals in a very right family – and my family is VERY political. I’m te same way with the emails. Mostly they are mindless forwards filled with misinforamtion and Rush Limbaugh quotes. I used to respond with links to factcheck or snopes but mostly now I just delete it. Unless it’s from my father, then I send back an email with the other side of the story…with you know, facts. Because I’m an awesome daughter like that.
The best is when my super religous-right aunt sends mass forwards then other lemmings reply to all (ugh!! learn how to use email) with like-minded drivel. One time I responded to one of those replies with the liberal counter and oh boy! did I get some HATE mail from those on that list. All I say is don’t dish it out if you can’t take it.