Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Clearing the Air

Back from vacation.

Lots of fun, lots of pictures, lots of stories (did anyone else know Key West was like, a naked-peoples paradise? Good lordy.)

But before I post them, I have to clear the air about something.

I probably could have let a lot of this go, but because all blog comments get sent to my Blackberry, I was still getting a few while in Florida.

And the shit pissed me off.

Listen, I love the comments - I love the ones that raise counterpoints, make me think, challenge me just as much as I love the ones that agree with me.

But the Sarah Palin post was not a post to argue her qualifications. It was a not a post of persuasion for your vote.

It was a post about personal decorum in this election.

By Saturday, it seemed that several of the comments (though not all the comments - some were quite thoughtful and nice), sort of missed the point, or misinterpreted what I was trying to say. Those comments left me wondering if people actually read the post or just shut down once they read the words “Sarah Palin.”

I say this because it became very clear that, despite anything I wrote or point I tried to make, certain words/beliefs/thoughts/actions became ascribed to me – and incorrectly so.

The most common of inaccuracies?

Based on the comments, it is clear that a number of people:

1.)Think I told you vote for Sarah Palin
2.)Think I told you to vote for SP because she’s a woman (my personal fav)
3.)Believe I was endorsing or arguing for her competence
4.)Think I believe she is right for the VP
5.)Believe me to have no sense of humor.

If you have read me long enough, you would know that not a single one of those items is accurate or correct.

In fact, I have emphatically stated, over and over, that I personally do not jive with a lot of what she says.

And not to point any fingers, but I think this one comment pretty much sums it up:

“Anything that I would have to say would be framed by the assumption that you could see that SP is a dolt….you don’t seem to see that, so let’s move on.”

The reason I picked out this comment is because I think it truly speaks to these misconceptions about me. I NEVER said she was competent, and again, I never argued that she was appropriate for the job. In fact, I believe I said – numerous times in the post and comments section – that I do not support her. But I did say that as adults, we can believe someone to be not right for a job, and not have to engage in name calling or insults to get our point across.

Moreover, I don’t support Obama either, but I would never belittle his gender or race as reasons for why I don’t feel his policies are right for this country either.

I should also point out that I NEVER said we shouldn't examine the issues, or just ignore certain these and vote soley on personal traits (i.e. AGAIN - I NEVER said we should vote for SP because she is a woman, or Obama because he is biracial, or McCain because he is white or a war veteran) But I also realize that it is unrealsitic to assume that everyone in the nation is voting based on policy issues.

I also received the following arguments:

1.)Why don’t I get pissed off when people call Obama “terrorist?”
2.)It’s unfair to argue that all Democrats or woman behave this way towards SP.

To the first argument, I respond: I am a woman. I was speaking from a woman’s perspective about the treatment of women. I had the same reaction when people were bagging on Hillary when she almost started to cry and it was said that, as a woman, she wasn’t “tough” enough to be President (and no, I wasn’t voting for – or suggesting people vote for - Hillary because she was a woman either). That is why I spoke of the SP issue, and not Obama. Having said that, I don’t think this sort of behavior is appropriate on EITHER side, so while I didn’t post on it (again, I was speaking from the woman’s perspective) I do not feel it is appropriate to call Obama names like terrorists either – or any other name for that matter. Or Biden, or McCain.

To the second item, I never once said ALL Democrats or women are doing this stuff. The post was towards people that WERE doing it, and if you find yourself not to be in this category, let it go. Similarly, when Obama supporters make sweeping generalizations that all conservatives are money-grubbing, poor-people-hating racists – well, considering my entire professional career is structured around the advancement of the “disadvantaged,” I can confidently say that those kinds of comments don’t include me.

Is this a free country and you can say what you want about any candidate? Yes. Is it your right to name call and ridicule based on personal traits? Yup, it is. And our country allows for this – the freedom to do this is one of the things that make us different and great.

My point was about personal decorum.

And those are my final words about that.

Once I load up the all the pictures, it will be beach and bikini posts from here on out.

Or at least for the next few days.

Or maybe even for the next two weeks.

Because seriously, aren't stories about naked painted people and swingers more fun than this election anyways?

19 comments:

Amy said...

Damn skippy they are! Bring on the naked people! If you ever make it up here we'll take you to see Wreck beach... ok I'll take you to Wreck beach... I think Brian's a little scared of the naked hippies and their burritos. Have you ever seen naked skim boarding or frisbee? Bought burritos from a naked guy? Suffered burnt nips? The last is the worst!

Anonymous said...

Bring on the nekkidness!!! We have naked office days (hubby and I), since we both work from home :) Love it, all I have on are SOCKS! Gotta keep the toes toasty.

Seriously, did you not know it was Fantasy Fest in the Keys - I think it is a 14 day event or something crazy...can't wait to see the pics. Post them all. I want to see boobies and butts.

Ha...missed having you around :( but you are BACK! yeah

give that 'cheese' a squeeze from me :)

Alili said...

PICTURES!!!

prin said...

My only problem is that you keep defending yourself. Why?

If these people are so quick to jump to conclusions in the first place, nothing you say will rectify that.

Some people are just looking to hate and will do so by any means necessary.

Lauren Starks said...

My college-boyfriends uncle used to take his boat down for Fantasy Fest - yeah, nothing but a bunch of naked swingers, lol.

M said...

I swear I might be the only person alive that had never heard of Fantasy Fest - in fact, if not for the assistance of a naked 70-year-old woman, I would still be wondering why all sorts of naked people were swarming the streets of that island.

Sweet lady.

:) said...

Yay for beaches and bikinis (not in that order...)!

Hmmmm...naked office days.....

Ellen said...

Im out like a fat kid in dodgeball when the political posts go up. count me in again if they are dunzo

momo said...

AMEN!

now onto the naked beach pictures!

Melissa said...

I feel bad that you have to keep defending yourself. Your posts are good and thoughtful and I get them, so who cares about the rest of 'em. Your buddies get you. Don't answer them anymore. It takes up too much time of your energy. Can't wait to see the vaca pics.

By the way, whether or now you like her, my stepmom got to shake hands with Sarah Palin at a rally in Colorado this week.

Take care and welcome home. Tell Cheese howdy.

Spandex King said...

My post today reads: Why is it the people who preach tolerance are the least tolerant of other people's views?

Isn't it true!

Captain Cactus said...

So I'm not totally scared of the naked hippies like Amy said ... their burritos though? Yeah. Definitely.

Anonymous said...

I agree. I want to see the nekkids! Thank goodness this election madness will be over soon! Being someone who is involved in local politics, all of the finger pointing makes me want to vomit on my tunic (imagine an olde english accent on that last part)

21stCenturyMom said...

Second on the naked beach people! (probably 22nd by now!)

BTW - this entire post showed up in bloglines. Did you open up the blog again?

Carrie said...

Maybe you should photoshop Palin's face on your bikini body! Hahaha. I know I can get away with saying that and you'll laugh your naked little a$$ off.

E's waffles were totally endorsed by Mr. Palin this morning. True story.

Melissa said...

Where are the pics. Don't leave us hanging!!! That's for the guys at the naked beach to do. HAHAHA

The (IRON) Clyde said...

Hell yeah Swinging!!!


Ooopppssss...wrong blog, haha.

You may have not known it was Fantasy Fest, but I'll bet my left nut Cheese did.

prin said...

Uh oh. Palin's in the news again.

:D

Anonymous said...

seriously though...women can vote??? did i miss a memo?? Did you say naked pictures!!! You have my vote!!!!