Seriously, Cut It Out

You know, when I started this blog, I promised myself I would not go off on extended political rants. Too much chance of pissing someone off and starting an argument I don't want to finish--that, and I don't know if Jeff reads this or not, and I really don't want to have that argument. Again. But this time, I cannot shut up.

It concerns the use of one word: "Liberal". Not in the sense of a "liberal helping of mashed potatoes" or something like that. I mean politically. I am sick and tired of people spitting the word at me like it's an insult. I am sick of it coming out of the mouth of right-wingers and having it sound like they're calling me a bastard or something unclean. If they're gonna insult me, why don't they go all the way and call me what I really am: A dirty, democratic, bleeding heart, pacifist, dissenter bastard!

I'm tired of it. Is this how far we've fallen, to demonize even casual opposition? Yes, I disagree with many, many things about the wars we have gotten ourselves into. Yes, I think our dear President is either an idiot or a fool, who's sending us into battles we shouldn't be fighting, both outside our borders, and within our own government. Yes, I think that political discourse in this country has fallen into mudslinging and hate-mongering, that fear and intimidation tactics rule. Does that make me unamerican? Does that give anyone the right to call anyone who speaks up and looks at the goddamn truth a dirty, America-hating liberal?

I don't know if there was a point to this. More of a rant. I guess it pisses me off that I'm still trying to play by the rules, to discuss with dignity, to at least fight for my ideals with honor! But it seems like playing by the rules has gone out of vogue, that all that matters is the win--no matter how it's achieved. So, I will bear the title of 'liberal' in all it's connotations. I just see it as a sign of how far we've fallen.

A Very Good Day

This, I think, has been a very good day. Well, if I didn't, it wouldn't be in the title. I watched a lot more Babylon 5 for one thing--oooh, that show is so good. It's like watching the pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place, the plot slowly coming together...the Shadows are rising. The next two seasons are gonna be quite the ride indeed.

Blew a lot of fireworks up today--it's why I love this holiday. I mean, you don't get explosives for Christmas, do you? No, no you don't. Not unless you belong to a psychopathic terrorist cult that likes Christmas. Really, really likes Christmas. I think I have a rather disturbing love of seeing things violently tear themselves apart with noise and flashing light.

But...I think what really made my day was the talk I had with my father, as we were detonating the last of our munitions. There was a time, not that long ago, when I would have said he was what was wrong with my life, that he was...monstrous, horrible. Now, I see how much alike we really are. How stubborn we are, how dedicated in our own ways. Like me, I think he would rather bite his tongue and die than be pushed away from his chosen path. Something I understand quite well.

We talked a lot about just...what it is to be us, to be human. To live with the unique mindsets we've been given, that great and terrible gift of being able to see a different point of view. And the fact that we refuse, no matter the incentive given, to shift away from that perspective, to the one dictated by the masses. In a way, he's the greatest, proudest...bravest man I know. He fights on for what he believes he must do, no matter what. I only hope that someday I have that courage. I'm going to need it, I think.

It is a strange and wondrous world out there, full of all sorts of things. It's all in how you face it. It's all in how you see it.