Penny Dreadful

wooliebear:

bowlingalleylawyer:

davidkendall:

….that is the tumblr question…..

So often, I see posts, and threads, popping up on the dashboard, that seem to cry out for a response…….but I pause, because I generally know where it’s gonna go….nowhere. There’s no real exchange of ideas in these posts…..rather, there’s a couple of polar-opposite opinions, followed by side-taking. There’s no give and take, no opening of minds, no epiphanies…..it’s rant, rant, rant that then degenerates into a flame war……

*sigh*

….must be getting old and crotchety…..

So, rather than engage, here’s some random responses to the general themes I’ve happened across over the past couple days. Just fit them in where you want.

1) There’s nothing wrong with being rich. I don’t care if it’s Rush Limbaugh, Howard Stern, or George Clooney. Each is rich beyond my wildest imaginings, and it really doesn’t matter to me. They earned their wealth. So what? They don’t want to be taxed. Neither do I. Big surprise. But you know what? They don’t owe me anything. What right do I, or anyone else, have to demand that they spread their wealth? Absolutely none. Be philanthropic. Or not. That’s the beauty of this land of ours. Generally, you get to do what you want, and no one should be able to tell you otherwise as long as you’re playing within the law.

2) No woman ever asks to be raped. Period. If she gets drunk, passes out, wears short skirts, tight shirts, four-inch heels, or whatever, she’s still not asking for it. Every woman should have the right to go where she wants, do what she wants, dress how she wants, without having to ever fear that some ass-hat is going to think she’s laying down a red carpet for him. Sure, she may look like a tramp/harlot/ho/coochy-mama……but that’s her right.

3) I like President Obama. But is it time yet to calm down about him? I mean, until he feeds the multitudes with 5 loaves and 2 fishes, I don’t think I’m gonna be lighting candles to the man any time soon.

4) There’s nothing wrong with being religious, believing in God, or having a “faith.” There’s also nothing wrong with not being religious, not believing in God, or not having a “faith.” What’s wrong is looking down your nose at folks who aren’t on your side of the fence on this issue as if they should be riding the short bus to school. (And yes, I know that’s not a politically correct analogy. Guess how much I care.) Somehow or other, the world has survived, nations have risen and fallen, and mankind has, for the most part, thrived, with both sides of the fence well-represented throughout the world. And guess what. There are absolute nuts on both sides, and they give their respective camps a really bad name. But that doesn’t mean the whole movement is “stupid”.

5) Generally, it is perfectly okay to disagree with someone if you’re polite, civil, and respectful. It’s not okay to resort to personal attacks, regardless of how wrong you think someone is. Criticizing an argument because it doesn’t make logical sense is fine. Pointing out the inconsistencies is good form. Criticizing an argument because you think the adversary looks like a toad is not.

6) Generally, I like your pictures. Not all, but most.

7) If we’re going to have our cats talking in pictures, why can’t they talk like grown-up adults? Just wondering……

All right. I’m done for now. Carry on.

co-sign with a giggle