Site Rules

Just in case you were wondering, this site is a place for me to say what I want.  If you want to comment, cool.  I enjoy reading, and talking, and I'm open to what others say.  Up to a point.

I've been told that cussing is offensive, and automatically undercuts an argument.  Okay.  Sometimes I think it's appropriate.  I think it can be used to season the language, throw in a dash of pepper to make things more savory.   I don't do it too often, in real life or on here.  But I do it occasionally.

This is my page.  I write about what I want, in the way I want.  Often I comment on politics, sometimes on music or just stuff that's going on in my life.  If you don't like that, don't read it.  If you have something to say, well, you can say it on here.  But if you get too stupid I'll tell you to get lost, and hey, you can start your own page.

Now, I misuse the language purposely on occasion.  I misuse commas, I use slang, I don't follow all the grammar rules.  I know them, but I choose to write the way I speak, the way I'm comfortable.  And I will make occasional typos.  I forgive those in others.  But if you don't bother with the rules at all because you're lazy, or are ignorant about them, my opinion of you (and of your opinions) will drop.

If you make it clear that you don't know how to use the language, if you think that spelling doesn't matter, or that grammar doesn't matter, I am going to cross you off my list of intelligent people.  You have to be able to at least put forward your argument coherently.  I love reasonable discussions, and debates.  Please join in.  But you'd better know your facts, and if you are ignorant of something you should say so and not insist that your ignorance be respected just as much as others' knowledge.  I am not above sarcasm when I feel it is appropriate.  I am going to do my best to tell the truth, and tell you how I feel, and I might make fun of you if you are being an idiot. 

If you're offended by what I say or how I say it, go away.  What I find offensive is when people treat others like trash.  Or say "history doesn't matter."  Or when someone tries to deny reality, and history.  And when someone goes even farther, like ISIS bulldozing monuments, chopping off heads, because they disagree with other religions.  Or rather, because not everyone will kowtow to what they want them to believe.  If you think your religion is better than everyone else's, and ignore the bad things done in its name, I immediately lose respect for you and assume you are not a reasonable person.

Facts matter to me.  History matters to me.  Human decency matters to me.  If you don't like any of those, regardless of your politics or religion, I will probably be offended by what you say.  So say it elsewhere.  Or say it here and prepare to be mocked.

The Three Rs In The 21st Century

"Readin', ritin', and 'rithmetic."

I've always been a reader.  I remember my parents reading to me; I have no idea when I started reading myself- that's lost in the mists of time- but I've always loved it.  And I've wanted to be a writer almost as long.  I made a book of airplane drawings and info when I was in elementary school, and named the publishers after myself.  Wish I still had that...

I think for a lot of people reading and writing go together.  A lot of people are voracious readers and wish they were writers.  I am a writer, though I don't make any money at it.  But on here, and elsewhere, I write when I can, about whatever I want.  Even though I don't support myself by writing (though I've had a few little things published, for just about enough to buy myself lunch) it is a great creative outlet for me.  I wrote for my high school paper, my college dorm paper, a little political paper, and now in a couple of blogs and on review sites.

And I read.  A lot.  How I read has changed over the years.  I used to go to the library several times a week; now it's once a month or so.  There's just something about a library, and real books, that technology can't replace.  I used to go to bookstores a lot, spend hundreds of dollars there.  (I still could; keep me out of museum bookstores!)   I have shelves of books I've read, and a shelf waiting to be read.  Why can't I keep up with the books I have, and why don't I get more from the library?  I read online, on my computer, on my phone.  I read e-books, I find news and other information online.  I still read paper books and magazines, newspapers, etc., just not as much.  But I'm reading whenever I have free time.  Technology has changed how I read, but not how much.  Plus, I can now research anything almost instantly.  Literally in the palm of my hand I have access to libraries and other sources of information all over the world.  I can find an answer to pretty much any question.  Most of those questions are trivial, of course; but even then, if I wanted to look up something about a movie I used to have to find time to get to the library when they were open.  Now I can check from my living room, or bedroom, or the break-room at work, any time of the day.  It's frigging awesome.

Computers and smartphones have changed the world for readers and writers, and for everyone.  But I still read a lot, and am glad I can.  And I write more now than ever.  Arithmetic... not so much.  I use the basics at work, but rely on calculators, mostly the one on my phone... (Speaking of the 3 Rs- sorry Mr. Russell.  I still use a bit of calculus and geometry, but not much...)  I guess what I'm saying is my phone is my library, and calculator.  Not my pen or typewriter though- I'm still a little old school.  I use the computer, or occasionally a tablet.  But you know, once in a while, yep, the phone too.  I'm beginning to understand Miss Mox's obsession with wifi...  I'm lucky to have found a life partner who is also a reader and writer.  She understands and supports my obsessions, and provides choice reading material (and tech advice.)

Say What You Will

Freedom of speech is awesome.  I love it.  I enjoy using it, on here and in other ways.  And I'm glad when other people use it.  It's part of the lifeblood of democracy. 

When it comes to offensive statements, I don't really want to ban them.  I don't like hearing them, but I want people to say them.  It lets me know just who the jackasses are, and how dumb they are.  I need to hear that in the larger world, for my own awareness; and I try to let people say what they want on here.

People need to remember that having to live with the consequences of their actions and words, though, does not mean that their right to free speech is somehow being violated.  If I say something on here, or in real life, I expect to answer for it.  I'll stand up and defend what I say.  I can do that because I do my best to tell the truth, and to back up what I say with facts.  Reality-based statements, and opinions, stand up to scrutiny. 

I don't think someone getting kicked out of a frat, or even a school, for saying racist things has had their free speech suppressed.  They did something stupid, that violated the school's code of conduct, and have to deal with the consequences.  If you say something stupid, or untrue, and you're called out on it, hey, that's called reality.  That's being a grown-up.  Take responsibility for your actions.  If you have a company and say things that are nasty, people might boycott you or advertisers might pull their sponsorship.  That's not an imposition on your free speech- they are exercising their right to speak against you, and to vote with their wallets.  Again, you have rights and duties and responsibilities.  You don't get to just say whatever you want without dealing with the consequences.  I don't feel bad when people who have said nasty things have to deal with a backlash.  That's democracy in action.  Freedom, but with responsibility.  That's what makes this country great.

Analogues

Since it's Easter let's talk about religion, and marriage, and family values.  I'm sure I'll have lots more to say about religion soon enough, but here are some things that are on my mind.

Conservative Christians often talk about gay marriage, and their religious objections to it.  Now, I get that they don't like it, and that they think their religion opposes it.  What I don't get is the "I don't like it so you don't get to do it" thing.  Hey, religion can be great, it has done good things, it can be a great guide for your life.  But your religion is just that: yours.  Not mine.  Not anyone else's.  Yours.  And your "religious freedom" does not extend to intruding on my freedoms, in any way.  Practice your own, let others practice theirs.  (And be a decent person and serve them at your restaurant; that should go without saying, but Indiana and other places apparently don't care much about common courtesy.)  What works for you does not necessarily work for everybody else.  There are loads of different religions, and sects within religions, all believing differently.  And that's cool- do your own thing!  Enjoy it!  Don't expect me to  do it or enjoy it, though.

Speaking of marriage, here is something I find analogous to the "live your own life" approach I have to gay marriage: I married a wonderful woman.  She is right for me.  I don't expect everyone else to love her like I do.  To each his own, and all that.  And I'm glad not everyone else wants exactly what she has to offer- brains, beauty, smartass comments, nerdiness, etc.  She has some unusual interests, at least to some people.  She would not be a good fit for everyone.  But she is a perfect fit for me.  And again, that's cool.  You have your own set of qualities and needs, and they're not going to match up with everyone.  I wouldn't expect you to fall in love with the same person I fell in love with.  I wouldn't expect you to be interested in reading the same books I'm interested in, or the same foods, or whatever.  I don't expect you to have the same religious views as I do.  I do expect you to respect my views and let me have them, and to not expect me to have the same ones as you.  Live your life.  Let others live theirs.

Of course, I would think conservatives with their emphasis on individualism, rights, family, and responsibilities would support gay rights, would support everyone's right to live as they see fit.   Especially teabaggers with all the "don't tread on me" slogans.  But I guess I forget that they are hypocritical, historically ignorant boors.  They don't really care about the principles they espouse.  They want to do what they want, and to tell everyone else what to do.  They only care about themselves, and they want everyone else to be like them.