8.18.2004
Some things with the "shut it down" campaign just seem wrong... I am not saying that people can't or shouldn't be able to "exercise their civil rights", though I question whether this rises to the level of exercising ones rights. It immediately appears that it is punishing the wrong people. By doing this, these people are initially only punishing their employers. My guess is that employers in these industries are as broad a mix of political ideals as is possible. It seems wrong to bite the hand that feeds you in response to the actions of a third party. Like cutting off your nose to spite your face. Additionally, it seems like an ineffective waste of time. It seems like just random actions with an attached significance.
"Paint yourself neon pink and prance about naked to show your disdain for Bush!"
Again, I fail to understand the anger. You agree or disagree. That is fine. We have forums and ways of speaking our minds that are constructive and fruitful. Use them. Don't make arbitrary enemies by shutting down a politically neutral and possibly helpful industry. If you hate Bush, don't vote for him. If you think our electoral system is wrong, change it. Don't just criticize and be angry and call yourself a "dissenter". If something is wrong, get out there and make it right.
Don't like Bush/republicans/conservatives/whatever? Run for a local government seat and make things right. You may not be president first time out, but you have to start somewhere. I think it is more difficult than we think.
Think we are trashing the environment? Go get an engineering degree and figure out how to fix it.
Think we are mistreating the poor? Go help out at a shelter. Every weekend for a month. See what happens.
Think that the rich are corrupt and evil? Compared to many other nations we are each fabulously wealthy. How does it feel to be corrupt and evil? If it bothers you, give all your stuff away until you feel ok again.
My point is: it is very easy to complain. It is easy to say how stupid this particular person (Bush for instance, but others, indeed everyone else, could be in this blank) must be who is dealing with situations we have never dealt with and is working with information we have never seen. It is a very different thing to try to help or try to fix it. All I am saying is go out there and try, and in the meantime, entertain the remote possibility that we all may not have everything figured out.
"Paint yourself neon pink and prance about naked to show your disdain for Bush!"
Again, I fail to understand the anger. You agree or disagree. That is fine. We have forums and ways of speaking our minds that are constructive and fruitful. Use them. Don't make arbitrary enemies by shutting down a politically neutral and possibly helpful industry. If you hate Bush, don't vote for him. If you think our electoral system is wrong, change it. Don't just criticize and be angry and call yourself a "dissenter". If something is wrong, get out there and make it right.
Don't like Bush/republicans/conservatives/whatever? Run for a local government seat and make things right. You may not be president first time out, but you have to start somewhere. I think it is more difficult than we think.
Think we are trashing the environment? Go get an engineering degree and figure out how to fix it.
Think we are mistreating the poor? Go help out at a shelter. Every weekend for a month. See what happens.
Think that the rich are corrupt and evil? Compared to many other nations we are each fabulously wealthy. How does it feel to be corrupt and evil? If it bothers you, give all your stuff away until you feel ok again.
My point is: it is very easy to complain. It is easy to say how stupid this particular person (Bush for instance, but others, indeed everyone else, could be in this blank) must be who is dealing with situations we have never dealt with and is working with information we have never seen. It is a very different thing to try to help or try to fix it. All I am saying is go out there and try, and in the meantime, entertain the remote possibility that we all may not have everything figured out.
< 02:55 >< /j >
