Guest Book

Here's my take on it, not that anybody gives a rat's patootie--I'll be 59 next month, been actively involved in politics since I was 13. Ran for office, ran several local campaigns. Personally, I get a gutfull of that stuff going about my daily life...reading the newspapers, going to dinner, just waking up in the morning. I highly doubt there's anybody here more passsionate about politics than me, and I've put my time and my money where my mouth is for many decades. Having said that, two points: 1) If I want to get my blood boiling, or want to find somebody to fill me with rage, all I got to do, and will do tonight, is go to the local watering hole, watch several state legislators and their good-ol'-boy campaign contributors hang out and make fun of the people that are stupid enough to keep the game and the gravy train running. I don't need to come here for that. 2) I highly doubt that anybody logs on to this website to find out my views on the issues of the day, and I have enough respect for the people here to keep silent almost all of the time. Anybody wants my views on anything, just PM me. I got 'em, just like you. Finally, we live in a polarized society, and I come here to get away from that. We've fallen for the con that the political spin professionals have so carefully prepared, i.e. don't pay attention to what I stand for, just hate the other side because they don't think like you. If they have different views on tax policy, gay rights, how to deal with Israel, Iran, immigrants--then they are evil by nature and must be hated. No tolerance for diversity, no way there may be two or more logical ways to look at things. And we, as a society, have bought into this con--lock, stock, and barrel. If you swim too deeply into this, it will make you sick, both physically and mentally. My advice--look inside yourself, see if you find generic hatred. If it has taken root, see it for what it is--a destroyer of your physical and mental health. And of great benefit only to those political spin artists whose con you have bought. If I can live another 2 months, I will be immersed for 2 days in quality people in New York. Some will be hard right Republicans, some will be hard left Democrats. Some will be moderates of each persuasion. Many will be independents of varying leanings, many will be apolitical. I'm sure there will be some Christians there, some Jews too. Maybe a Muslim or two, perhaps a Bhuddist or a Hindu. Gonna' be agnostics and atheists. And you know what? I DON'T GIVE A RAT'S PATOOTIE. Worship like you want, vote like you want. Send money to the candidate/political party/church/charity of your choice. Volunteer for any cause you want. Just please don't hate me if I support the other side. And I'll give you the same respect. A very wise young man, long departed, led by example. He said that he was going to try to be the best man he could be. Good advice, good example. He had an idea as to what he would be doing for the peace movement too. He had opinions, but his public side was about the music. That's why I come here. EAPFP