Other than identical twins, no one in this world looks exactly like another. Considering the relatively small number of features on a face, that is somewhat surprising but we don’t really expect others to look exactly like us. However, we have billions of synapses in our brains all making different connections and yet we do think others should think like us. I, for one, certainly think this world would be a better place if everyone thought like me. I have been around long enough to have long ago given up on that hope or even being able to convince some people of the rightness of my thinking. I will even admit to having my thinking changed by some people’s rational explanation of their opinions. I hope that I will always be open to changing my mind.
I am amazed at the number of different opinions that can be generated by a single set of facts. I am even more amazed at the number of suggested actions thought to be appropriate to the situation. Although I try very hard to be an independent in my politics, I will admit to being socially liberal and fiscally conservative. With that being said, I simply do not understand some of the solutions to problems suggested by the vocal fringes of both sides.
There seems to be a growing number of right wingers now claiming that global warming is just a myth. I don’t know why they think someone would want to make that up but, what if it was? What policies and practices adopted to fight global warming should we, therefore, rescind? In a world in which the population is growing by one million people each day and in which oil, coal and gas resources are finite, should we stop trying to conserve energy if the globe is not warming. Should we cease the search for renewable energy sources? Should we stop the quest for fuel efficiency in our vehicles? We live in a world that has a finite amount of landfill space available. There is an island of platic bags and refuse the size of Texas floating in the Pacific Ocean. Should we stop recycling if the globe is not warming? I ask anyone to please tell me what practices we should change if there is no global warming. Maybe we should just ignore it and let our future generations deal with it.
Why do we want to try terrorist suspects in civilian court? To afford them more rights? How many U.S. citizens have been convicted and even executed and then been found to have been innocent? That happened to them even with all of those rights afforded them. How many guilty people have gotten off scot free due to legal procedures? No judicial system is foolproof but when any trial is open to media scrutiny there will be political pressures that can certainly effect the outcome. Can you imagine the commentators on both sides pontificating on the public trial of an alleged terrorist? I think military courts offer more protection to both sides. I’m open to listening to rational arguments advocating the other side.
I don’t know anyone who advocates abortion. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t believe that it is truly a tragedy that can tear a woman apart. I am all for educating young women to its dangers. I do not, however, understand why anyone thinks that getting the government involved and making it illegal will make it any better. How has the government’s war on illegal drugs turned out? How did prohibition work? As a teenager in the 50′s when abortion was illegal, there were stories in the paper all the time about another teenage girl dying from a botched abortion. It seems to me the anti-abortion zealots should be on the front lines promoting birth control if they really hope to reduce it.
There are over 4,000 Protestant Christian denominations. Many of them advocate a literal interpretation of the Bible. If there is only one literal interpretation, why is there not just one denomination advocating that stand? It’s because they have each interpreted the literal interpretation differently. Sounds a bit incongruous to me.
A large group of so called “patriotic” Americans are spreading fears of a plot for a muslim takeover of this country. Which muslims? In Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, Lebanon, etc. it is muslims killing muslims. There is no more agreement among muslims as there is among Christians. When people call the U.S. a Christian Nation, that’s my first question. Which Christians? I am a Christian and a man of faith but the right wing fundementalists are the biggest danger I see to our country. I am very tired of all those athletes thanking Jesus Christ for their victory. Thinking that God cares which team or athlete wins a game cheapens my God and it offends me.
Do those people advocating kicking all illegal aliens out of the country honestly think that it would be possible? As many issues as I had with George W. Bush, he was right about immigration reform. It seems to me that those wishing to banish all illegals are starting another Joe McCarthy type witch hunt and a lot of innocent people will be harmed.
Do those anti gay people really believe that homosexuality is a choice? Do they believe they have chosen a lifestyle that makes them pariahs to a large part of society? If so, why wouldn’t they want all of them in monogomous same sex relationships so they would not be preying on heterosexuals as they fear? I have a lot of gay friends and find no differences between them and my straight friends.
There are many more issues and many more opinions. I have relatives and good friends whom I love dearly and who hold very different opinions from mine. I have just not found any who have yet been able to rationally refute my impeccable logic. My synapses can beat up your synapses.
