The Morning After...

After a lively day of debate yesterday on a variety of issues...I had several hours last night to sit and reflect on the days events. I debated with myself on whether to respond or just let "sleeping dogs lie." Not surprising to most of you....I chose to be over-analytical and talk a little bit about the contents of yesterday's blog, in addition to the "very emotional" reactions.

Everyone who knows me...even a little bit...is aware that I am very outspoken. I am the first one to admit that at times...I lack a censor button and am certainly not afraid to hurl myself into a "hornet's nest" for the sake of getting my point across. Obviously...this "hair trigger" mouth...often can create firestorms and clashes of emotion as they relate to very personal issues. Yesterday would be a perfect example of this phenomenon.

I would like to take a few moments to discuss the intent of my blog yesterday. I said from the very beginning that this was a "no holds barred", "not going to censor myself", rant. I warned everyone beforehand that some of the information could be deemed offensive. In addition...to be perfectly honest...this blog is for "me." I love that fact that people read it and comment...it gives me a sense of purpose to know that people look forward to reading what I have to say. That being said...it is an outlet for expression and emotional venting...which will always be my # 1 goal.

 I do welcome discourse and differing opinions. I feel that in this world and certainly in our society...debate is the key to our future. That being said...I had NO IDEA that my opinions would spark such personal attacks and anger...all of which were completely inappropriate and unnecessary.

All of my blogs are rooted in irritation; often a strong irritation at certain ideas. Yesterday's blog was an attack on "ideas" and a "mindset"...not people. It was a public address of what "I" would label a growing "extremism" in this country. A "fringe" group of people who have decided that political disagreements and policy differences aren't enough for public discussion. Now...for many...the most easily accessible political weapon is a sharp tongue, personal attacks and gross exaggeration of the truth...if relying on any truth at all. I never attacked "conservatives" or "Republicans"...I attacked "right wing extremists"...as I have ALWAYS done in my blogs. I supported the idea that immigrants are not an "evil scourge" in this country...as I have always done. I also supported the idea of "reasonable" gun control...as I have always done. I  even threw in a few shots at "redneck" Alabama fans as I have always done...AND WILL ALWAYS DO!!

Now for what I didn't say. I never suggested that we "open our borders" and let ANY and ALL manner of illegal immigrants "bum rush" our borders. I was attacking an "immigration legislation" which I think is unconstitutional and I truly believe will eventually be recognized as such. Racial Profiling and Illegal Immigration are and should be... completely isolated from one another. That was the point that I was trying to make. I do not nor will I ever believe that Civil Rights can be compromised for "the greater good." I also think that historical documentation (not revisionist history)...would point out that our forefathers would share these views. You can't cling to the flag, call yourself a patriot, love the 2nd Ammendment...then take a Sharpie to the rest of the Constitution that you think can be ommitted or that you deem unnecessary. "Inalienable rights" may be an abstract idea...but by now...we should all understand their implied meaning.

As to the Birther Movement...I make NO APOLOGIES for anything that I said about this phenomenon. What more can the President do to appease the bloodlust of this angry and sad group of people?? A copy of the record of birth has been submitted...the state of Hawaii has verified everything...and both local newspapers in Honolulu printed birth announcements on that day for a newborn son born to Barack Obama's parents. We found Sadaam Hussein in a spider hole...somewhere in the middle of Iraq. Don't you think the "powers that be" could track down information that would ultimately be one of the biggest stories in American politics?? Even Republicans (at least the ones that matter) have long sense put this issue to bed. With all due respect...let it go...you won't win this battle because there is nothing to win!! Rather than wasting so much time screaming about where the President was born...you should focus more on who you will vote for in 2012. If you want change...you will have your opportunity very soon!!

In addition, I said some pretty harsh things about a certain cross-section of the Alabama fanbase. To be honest...this is the part of my blog that I expected to create the largest amount of drama...yet only one person commented on my "meanness" and that was an Auburn grad!! Truth is...upon further review...I was a little too harsh and insulting. I have some wonderful friends that are Alabama alumni/fans/ etc. and I love them all dearly. That portion of the blog was geared towards a very small group of people and I think most people know that.

As I think that I have explained myself thoroughly...before I leave...I'd like to address a few more things that were said. First of all...NO ONE has the right to question mine or anyone else's patriotism simply because we choose a different line of thinking. In addition...as it was so eloquently stated yesterday...NO ONE has the right to beat their chest and claim this country as OURS when we have and will always be a "melting pot" of both ideas and ethnicities. For the record...I'm a taxpayer, law abiding, citizen of this country...and by God that makes me NO BETTER than anyone else who was born here or who has immigrated here!!My paternal grandfather died in World War II...the other received the Purple Heart. I happen to think that both of these American heroes would be proud of what I try to represent everyday in my daily life. You see...they weren't just fighting for the US or our citizenry...they were dying and being maimed for an "ideal"...that no person or group of people had the right or would ever have the right to indiscriminantly impose their ideals on the masses under threat of violence or death!! Frighteningly...there are many people RIGHT HERE in the US who maintain this philosophy. If it is different...make it go away...kill it or extradite it. If it doesn't agree with me...it isn't worthy and "dangerous." If I talk loud enough...then no one can hear the other people talking. This philosophy only works in 3rd World countries and Sandboxes...too bad so many people fail to realize that!!

I'm a Patriot who chooses to believe that we have a responsibility to each other as "human beings." I'm not as "liberal as they come" as some have suggested but I also don't cowher in the corner upon being coronated with that title. I recognize that entitlements are out of control, that our government spends too much money and that there are people in this country who are "lazy" and don't want to work. That being said...I also believe that far more Federal money is being sucked down a "black hole" that has ZERO to do with immigration, entitlements, or overall lazy people. I choose to look at the "big picture" not focus on the small irritations that quite frankly are impervious to change. There will always be people that choose to take advantage...there will always be "pork" in government spending...and we all know people who wouldn't work if their life depended on it. That being said...the following narrative is the best way I can describe my political philosophy:  When I walk down the street of a metropolitan area...and a homeless man walks up and asks for money...I don't question if he is going to buy beer or drugs, or is he really homeless...I hand him the money and tell him "Good Luck." Could I have used that $5 or $10...maybe?? Would I have used it on something "beneficial" or "productive"...doubtful?? Will he use it on food or alcohol...who cares?? I did something that was from the heart. Somewhere...through all the cynicism, anger, hatred and overall political venom...we as a country and a society have lost site of what "unconditional love" really is. I can't save every person or every animal...but I do what I can...when I can.

So the bottom line is this....if all of these things make me a "bleeding heart", "anti-American" or any other label you choose to slap on my lapel...I'll gladly wear that Scarlett Letter "L" any day of the week. I would NEVER intentionally offend or hurt anyone's feelings...regardless of how much I disagree with them. A wise man once told me that Christ asks us to "treat people better than they deserve to be treated"...and this is something that I have and will always try to live by. Like my blog, like me...hate it or hate me...it isn't important. At the end of the day...I have to smile and know that slowly but surely...these walls of division and isolationism...will one day crumble. How do you get to Carnegie Hall?? PRACTICE...PRACTICE...PRACTICE!!

Until next time friends...