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If you have read anything on this site, you know that I have a lot of writings on here, probably of interest only to myself. There are a few from the last week or so (as I write this in July 2001 -- go here or here or here) that are focused on things I haven't often or ever put on the site, although I've always held the views or had things here and there on the site.
Maybe it's the fact I spent 21 years working for the U.S. government, never having planned to do so. Sure, this wasn't just any part of the government: I think you might agree that the military forces are a bit different than civilian government workers or politicians. (here)
So, anyway.
Maybe it's the fact that I question things. (And don't question other things?)
Maybe it's the fact I grab onto ideas and then run the ideas into the ground!
Maybe it's because I've had a lot of discussions over the years with people that didn't agree with me and tried to listen to what they say and then think over the ideas. And then decided if I thought they had a valid viewpoint or not. All while realizing they had no intention of considering anything I had to say, in most cases.
I like news. I love to watch it on TV or listen to it when I'm not listening to other things. If I'm listening to the radio ( usually in the '94 Taurus only has radio car) I scan the channels a lot looking for news. So I listen to whatever news happens to be on. Or the morning talk shows. Whatever. And even if I like a show, I look for others when the commericals come on.
By the way, music on the radio is basically worthless to me.
As far as what news I listen to? National talk shows, local talk shows, "top of the hour" news, NPR; whatever I can find. I even listen to shows I know don't match my thoughts. It's cool; I thrive on ideas.
As an example of what I listen to:
I infrequently listen to "Doctor Laura" (especially during the commericals on the other station). I don't particularly like or dislike her. I agree with many of the things she says, but not all the things, and/or for the reasons she justifies them by.
Another example, I listen infrequently to Rush Limbaugh. I don't particularly like or dislike him. I don't agree with everything he says. I think he's a bit melodramatic, a bit paranoid, too one sided in many cases. I agree with many of the things he says, but not all the things, and/or for the reasons he justifies them by.
Perhaps that's a clue: I listen to Jeff Ward. I listen to NPR. I listen to Classical and Country and Salsa and Jazz and Rock and Rap. I listen to Dr. Laura. I listen to Rush. I don't agree with everybody all the time -- but I often (40%-90%) agree with them, depending on the host, the day and the subject. Some of their ideas are wack, yo. Maybe the odd thinking is part of the radio show host bit.
And so, here's the idea:
One day on the way to work, I scanned the channels and ended up on one station. That guy Rush (as a taste of the rest of this, sure to upset many; This guy I agree with so often but often do not...) was spouting off, as he so often does, about so many things. And he upset me. He was complaining about those "Conservatives" that are "too wimpy". About how people that were too ashamed about being conservative tried to apologize by saying things like "I am Conservative on fiscal matters, but I'm okay because I'm Liberal on social issues."
Yeah, sure Rush. Yawn. What's your direct line so I can yell at you? As I want to yell at so many things I hear.
I am not this or that. I am of my own mind on all matters.
When I hear a postulation on something, I listen to what facts are provided, or what opinions are provided, and then agree or disagree on the strength of the view and what I myself think to be correct. I don't care what a person says, or what a person thinks.
If I agree with you or you with me, great. If I don't agree with you or you with me, great.
Too many matters are PURE opinion, and no side is "right" or "wrong". It just depends on what you think. Vegetables? Meat? Both?
Does it taste great or is it less filling?
Is it strong enough for a man or is it made for a woman?
Is it too bright or too dark? Not bright enough or not dark enough?
Is a curved wall concave or convex? Depends on which side of it you're on.
Are there too many guns or not enough? Depends on if you think guns cause crime or if crime causes guns.
Is abortion right? Depends on if you think the baby is a person or if the fetus is not a person. Or if you're a man or a woman. Or your religious views. Or if you've done it or not. Or if you're a man. Or if you think it's more harmful to the mother to have a surgical procedure or a coathanger. Or all of them.
Is there a God? Depends on if you have faith or if you don't have faith.
I get in trouble with the Liberaterians about a lot of stuff; pick and choose from the below two subjects:
I get "in trouble" with the Conservatives (and/or the Republicans; They are often different) on my views about the U.S. flag, about religion, about abortion, about foreign affairs, about the environment, about pr0n, about drugs...
I get "in trouble" with the Liberals (and/or the Democrats: They are often different) on my views about poverty, about prisons, about capital punishment, about guns, about money, about the environment, about foreign affairs...
And guess what, Rush or Dr. Laura or Jesse Jackson or Putin or Bush or whomever?
I'm not ashamed on my "Liberal" views any more than I am on my "Conservative" views.
So in any case, I make a lot of people angry. I think I am just too logical, or too nice, or too set in my ways, or too critical. But it's what I think.
And guess what? You can think whatever you want, too. I like the 1st as much as the 2nd or 9th or 10th or 14th or any of the rest.
Except prohibition. An obvious idea that was obviously an incredibly stupid idea that would cause more problems that it would ever have solved. WHAT were they thinking?
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