Ahhh... Random Musings and Rantings, September Edition

*Disclaimer* This blog is not about any one person in particular. These are random rants about people in general, things I've seen people do to themselves, others, and just mainly general observations about people in general and their behavior. If anyone gets butthurt about any of this, you find yourself offended, or feel guilty, you may want to look in the mirror and ask yourself why you feel that way, because if I had something to say to any one person in particular, I'd say it to your face.  Perhaps I have already done so.  Perhaps this doesn't really pertain to you at all. At any rate, if you have an issue with anything in here, you are more than welcome to message me and speak with me about it.

I've had a lot of crap on my mind lately.  It's been a pretty tough year that's for sure.  I've had two surgeries (right knee and left ankle), so pretty much since January I've been in a constant state of recovery from something.  It's been rather crappy but really I can't complain.  Well I could but it's not like it would really make things any better.  The important thing is those surgeries have fixed problems, and after the recovery period is over I am going to be the bionic woman... er I mean in better shape than I was in prior to getting the stuff fixed.  I did ask my amazingly awesome ankle surgeon if I could get a bionic ankle, he just laughed and said no.  *sadface*  But hey, at least I got a pretty awesome scar to go with it!!

Totally got this scar while fighting off some zombies and saving an orphan... you're welcome!

So that's not really what's been bothering me though.  I mean yeah it sucks, and sure it's unfortunate and inconvenient as all get out, but it's healing.  What really bothers me, and has been bothering me and puzzling me is people.  Over the course of time, and especially as of this fairly recent past, I've had the misfortune of witnessing first hand just how ugly some people can get.  I mean anyone who knows some of the things I've been through in my life know that I've been through and seen some pretty messed up, horrific and terrible things.  But this has been a side of people that perhaps, I chose to turn the cheek at or pretend it doesn't exist, and some being from those one would not expect to see them from.

There are several hallmarks of a decent human being.  Can you trust them?  Are they there for you when you need them?  Do they respect you and your privacy? Are they honest with and about you? Would they only say something about you they would say to your face?  Are they responsible?  If they say or do something that is hurtful to you, do they take ownership of their wrongs?  Do they care about your well being?  Do they accept and love you for who you are?  If there's a problem, can you talk to them about it and find a resolution in a pleasant manner?

I just don't understand how it seems to be so difficult for people to do these things.  I've witnessed people doing some incredibly nasty things to one another, for no good reason at all.  Lied about things and people, made up stories, tore others down, talking shit about others behind their backs... and why?  What does it accomplish? Perhaps at the time it made them feel better, but in reality all they've done is push someone away that could have been there for them.  Why feel the need to attempt to tear someone else down and destroy them when they've done nothing wrong?  Why lie to others and yourself (I do not necessarily mean "you" or "yourself" directed at you, dear reader specifically)?  Why not wake up accept what your blame is and own up to your own mistakes?  Sure it's easier to blame others and everyone but yourself, but here's a newsflash:  Not one single being on this planet is perfect.  No, not even the Pope.  If you steal money from Mary and tell five people about it, and Mary finds out about it somehow, you cannot/should not blame one or all of those five people because Mary found out.  Had you not stolen the money from Mary to begin with, there would be no issue because at the end of the day, you were the one who did wrong to begin with.  There is no one to blame in that case but yourself.

Just because you make a mistake, that does not mean you're automatically a terrible person either.  We all make mistakes. I've made mistakes.  Everyone who reads this makes mistakes.  What absolves you of your mistakes is being able to accept and take ownership of them, apologize for your wrongdoings and seek forgiveness.  If you're religious, yes you can seek forgiveness from God, but you must also seek forgiveness from whomever you've wronged as well.  Sometimes it's enough to just say "I'm sorry", and other times it may take a little more than that.  Depending on what it is, you may have to show you're willing to make changes and actually show/prove that you are remorseful. Actions speak louder than words. You may have to talk with that person, get it all out there, and be able to talk through the problem and come to a mutual understanding.  It may take a lot of work, but if that person is someone whom has always been good to you, it may be worth it. Any relationship, be it co-worker, acquaintance, friend, best friend, family member, partner/spouse is a two way street and takes work from both parties.  It's not as simple as:

It takes work and dedication.  Obviously the amount of work and dedication depends on the relationship, but still.  You can't just have an argument or something and ignore it and everything will be sunshine and rainbows.  Ignoring a problem does not make it go away.  Should some things be overlooked?  Sure.  But ignoring everything is not going to make all your problems go away.

One thing I've also realized also is that if you ever find yourself encountering people like this, you cannot beat yourself up about it if they hurt you.  You cannot sit there and obsess over what you may or may not have done wrong to them, or what you could have done to deserve that kind of backlash.  Maybe you did do something.  But if you didn't, allowing the hurt to continue or continuously trying to make sense of it will do nothing but drive yourself insane and cause extra stress.  It's up to you whether or not you wish to allow that to continue.  If you keep allowing the same person to continue hurting you over and over again, at that point you have blame to accept as well.  Sure it's not your fault the other person is treating you that way, but if you allow it to continue, you have to accept your part in that as well. You should be able to defend yourself if you're treated unfairly, but you also have to realize sometimes that the best course of action is simply to not feed it.  Sometimes you have to stop defending yourself and just accept the situation for what it is.  One person cannot change everything, and if you have tried to mend things on your end and the other cannot seem to meet you halfway or work with you, then you have done all you can and need to free yourself.

It all boils down to this.  We're all people.  There are some who seem to exist to feed on others and their misfortunes.  There are those who seek to tear others down, be it by truth or lies. There are people out there who cannot accept when they have an imperfect moment or twelve and choose to blame everyone and everything else but themselves. Why?  Who knows.  But it's their choice. They can still choose to change. No matter what someone has done wrong in their lives, they can still choose to change and better themselves.  There are those of us who try to stay genuine and true.  Who try to lift others up when they are down, be a shoulder to cry on, someone who tries to bring joy, laughter and happiness into the lives of others.  We enjoy seeing and making those around us we hold dear happy.  We try to live and treat others as we would like to be treated, yet we are not infallible. We make mistakes too.  We all make mistakes.  It's what we do with ourselves when we do make a mistake or fall that determines our true character. 

I also do not get people who feel the need to put up a front or put on a "show" for other people.  Who do you really have to impress, and why do you feel the need to lie or exaggerate circumstances to make you look like you're a better person, or more successful, or whatever you're trying to accomplish?  If you're trying to just make yourself look like a better person, how about just... I don't know, be a better person?  Significant others who post stuff all like "Look what I did for my amazing bf/gf/spouse?" but treat them like crap behind closed doors.  How about just treat them good and not like crap so you don't have to post stuff up like that to make you feel better about being a horrible person, and just be a better significant other instead?  Parents who are all over their Facebook with pics and saying things about their kids but instead spend almost every waking moment out and about or partying or bitching and complaining about how much of a pain in the ass their kids are instead of being a parent. Children aren't accessories to make you look like a better person, they're a responsibility.  Sure you need time for yourself too, but your kids should be your main priority.  People who go out buying incredibly expensive, name-brand items of any kind, whether it be phone, tv, computer, clothes, purses, sunglasses, shoes, cars, whatever... yet set up gofundme pages to raise money to help them pay their bills/college tuition or whatever... all for the sake of having a more "successful" appearance?  I just don't get it.  What's the point?  If you're putting up a front to begin with, some part of you must be ashamed or feel guilty of what you're doing wrong, so instead of lying about it and putting up a front, why not change it?  And if it was the latter example of buying items to make yourself look more "successful", why are you hanging around people who would judge you because you can't afford stupidly expensive things?  Why do you feel the need to impress them? Be yourself!!  Who gives a shit if someone snubs you because of material possessions? They're just shitty examples of human beings to begin with.  Things do not define you... you define you. 

At the end of the day, we are the masters of our own destiny.  We are the masters of our own lives.  While we cannot control what others do, we can control typically how we deal or subject ourselves to others.  We control our own actions.  We cannot control the actions of others, but we can control those we typically surround ourselves with.  We control how we see the world around us.  We can choose to be a positive force, or we can choose to be a negative force.  You can choose to focus on the negative, or you can accept the negative and embrace the positive in the situation.  Our lives boil down to choices and perspective.  Those things are what will end up making us either miserable, or happy.  Even if you've been dealt a crappy hand in life, you can instead choose to see the good you have in it, and by doing so you can still achieve happiness and fulfillment if you so choose to do so.

Please people.  Be kind to one another.  Love yourself, and love those around you.  Don't allow yourself to become a terrible person because you are hurting inside or are unhappy with something about yourself, or something else.  Learn to love yourself and strive to be the best you can be.  And if you come across good people, make sure you let them know how much they mean to you and treat them well.  Good, genuine and true people seem to be hard to find, so if you find one, love them, respect them, appreciate them, and cherish them, for they are the people who will always be there for you and be a positive driving force in your life.

Much love everyone!!

The Wimpification of America

*****IMPORTANT NOTE***** (added April 21, 2021)

When I wrote this blog originally, I did so with the intent of doing my research. My belief at the time was that with the research I'd done, that the name and mascot were decided/given with consent from and in approval of Native Americans. I do admit, that while I personally may feel that a sports team is a thing of pride and celebration, it's not my place to decide what's acceptable to another group of persons which whom I am not a "member" of. I don't like when men try to tell me how I should think and feel about something as a woman, so it's not my place to tell Native American persons or anyone else whether or not they should be offended by a sports team name, or mascot, or anything of the sort. I've came to this conclusion ages ago, just haven't updated this blog post in making this clear. Even though I made a decent effort back then to research things before opening my mouth, I've gotten much better at doing better research and analyzing and breaking things down than I was then.

I think for the time being I will leave the original blog in its original published form below without edits. I think it is important for us all as people to be able to own our past and present, and keep ourselves open to being able to grow and evolve as people over time. Even though I know personally that I never in my life would ever intend at all to be hateful or hurtful to another person and that deep down inside I suppose I'm a hippie who just wants everyone to be able to get along, love one another (not in that way you perv! Ok I'll see myself out haha), respect one another, and hug everyone I greet, that doesn't mean that I'm immune to ever saying anything that could be hurtful to another. Even if that's never anything I'd ever want to do, we all have different journeys, different life experiences, and you never know what another's story is unless you talk and share, right?

*****END IMPORTANT NOTE*****

Ok so I borrowed the idea for that title from someone else, but it fits.  I was also going to write about this before, but I either got distracted or figured I'd just let it pass.  I should have thought better, it hasn't passed.  What I'm talking about is this big hoopla about the "offensiveness" of the team name for the Washington Redskins, and the wimpification of America. (I was going to use the title with pussification instead of wimpification, but I'm attempting to keep the swearing at a minimum heh.)

As some of you know I'm a Redskins fan.  We may not have done too well last season but I bleed burgundy and gold. What prompted me today was the letter written from owner / president Bruce Allen directed to Senator Harry Reid. In this letter, Mr. Allen addresses the senator and states how Senator Reid must not really have been provided "all of the pertinent facts and true history of the Washington Redskins." The Redskins have been around for over 81 years, have played in 11 NFL Championship games and have won five World Championships.  There is quite a bit of information in the letter attesting to not only the history of the sports team, how the name came about, how the logo was designed and approved by Native American leaders, a poll which reports that the majority of Native Americans do not find the name offensive, how the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation provides resources and opportunities to those in need (including over one thousand tablet computers which were distributed to Native American students, amongst other things), and a wealth of other interesting information.

What I find to be interesting is the fact that no one has brought up how the name was "offensive" over the course of 81 years... until recently.  It would seem as though a few people woke up one day and were like "Hey! I suddenly find this to be offensive! I didn't yesterday, but something has came to me overnight and made me realize how racist this is and I'm mad RAWR!"

What is wrong with you America?  Why do we continue to allow congress, or other persons in "superior" positions to tell us what does and does not offend us?  Words are words, and the only way they are hurtful is if we give them the power to harm us.  Now, I'm not saying by any means that words said with intent and purpose of being hurtful are ok, because the intent or emotion in how the word(s) were said to carry some importance in certain circumstances if you allow them to.  Why though, are you allowing people to tell you that something is intended with harm, when previously there was no harm intended?  Why are you allowing them to go "Hey, you know, you should really be offended by this!", and why are you then going "Hey you're right!! Why haven't I been offended by this before!  I'm angry now!"  And more importantly, why the hell is this even being a decision congress is considering anyway?  Don't they have more important shit to do than this like, making a budget, doing something about our fucked up economy, getting people back into work, etc?  Shouldn't this be something handled in the league?

And also, are sports teams not something founded on pride?  I can't for the life of me think of a single sports team that was not founded on pride for their team and what they stand for.  Who the heck puts together a sports team and goes "Hey!  I really really freaking hate / despise _______.  Let's call ourselves that!"

Maybe I just don't get it being a white girl.  I wouldn't care if they were the Washington Palefaces, Washington Rednecks, Washington Vaginas, etc. It's not like they're the Washington Savages or the Washington Injuns.  And according to that letter, one of the foremost scholars of Native American languages, a Smithsonian Institution senior linguist Ives Goddard spent several months researching the entire subject and concluded that the world "redskin" originated "as a Native American expression of solidarity by multiple tribal delegations that traveled to Washington to negotiate Native American national policies." (There's more in the letter, read it if you haven't.)  But what I don't also get is why are there no other teams under attack?  What about the Kansas City Chiefs, or the Atlanta Braves, or the Cleveland Indians?  And really, if you're going to attack the Washington Redskins to change their name, you cannot stop just there.  You cannot force one team to change their name, and not go after all of the other "Redskins" across the nation.  There are TONS of elementary, middle and high schools with Native American inspired names and mascots, and countless other things as well.  You cannot force one to change their name and leave the rest alone.  You're offended by all or you're offended by none... period.

And what's next?  Are vikings/descendants of vikings going to start suddenly becoming offended by the Minnesota Vikings?  Are gays suddenly going to realize that the Green Bay Packers could be taken as an offensive term to homosexuals?  Or what about Blacks or Hispanics suddenly finding the Carolina Panthers or the Cleveland Browns to be an offensive team name?  Are religious people suddenly going to become offended by the New Orleans Saints?  Are workers or families or descendants of steel workers going to become offended by the Pittsburgh Steelers?  Are southerners going to suddenly find the Dallas Cowboys to be a negative stereotype on southern persons?  Do you see how ridiculous this is?

My point is, this political correct bullshit is getting out of control.  Yes, no one should intentionally spew forth hatred or callous remarks toward one another.  There is no reason to hate one another based upon where we're from or what color our skin is.  But this is sports people!!  Sports teams are about pride!  Pride for your team!  Pride for your "homeland"! (And by homeland, I mean anything in which you deem to hold meaning in a "homey" type way to you, whether that's your state of residence, state of origin, or your people.)  Do you cheer on something you hate or have no respect for?  Hell no you don't!  You cheer for what you love, what you're proud of, something you stand for... you cheer for positive things!  You probably wouldn't cheer for the Alabama Angry Bees if you were terrified of, deathly allergic to, or hated bees would you?  Ok maybe you'd be a little conflicted if you were proud of your Alabama heritage or something, but still.

Wake up America.  Stop allowing yourself to get so riled up and distracted with hate.  Stop allowing America to become "pussified". We've become a nation who cries and demands everyone else conform because a couple of people allow themselves to get all butt hurt and offended by small shit.  I still stand by the suggestion I've had in a few of my blogs about a Helmet Program of some sort.  I think if I ever hit the lottery I'm really going to look into starting a non-profit organization for handing out helmets to our more "special" citizens.  You know, the ones who want to take everything away from everyone else because every little tiny thing they don't agree with hurts their precious little feelings?  We can even add a level of customization too.  Like, if you want rainbows and butterflies and unicorns and fairies and gumdrops and lollipops on your helmet, you can totally have them.

In God We Trust on our money offends me, I'm an atheist!" Get the fuck over yourself.  I don't care if my money is covered in rainbows and some dude firing a rifle into the air while corn holing a bear and eating kittens while standing on a steaming pile of elephant dung.  It buys me the things I need.  It pays my bills.  I don't care what it looks like.

I think birth control is evil and no one should ever be allowed to have access to it because it's evil and and un-Godlike!   Again, get over yourself please.  Most women I know that take it, don't take it to prevent pregnancy, but to regulate their cycle and alleviate their menstrual symptoms.  No one is forcing you to take it, and just because you don't believe in it, doesn't give you the right to tell other people what they can and cannot do with their own bodies, and does not give you the right to invade your opinion into the private decisions made by a woman and her doctor.  You want me or anyone else to respect your beliefs?? You need to respect my own as well.

Well I find the term "illegal immigrant" offensive!! We should change the name!!  Freaking really?!?! STOP BREAKING THE LAW THEN ASSHOLE!!  It's not an offensive term, it is exactly what it is!!  You're an immigrant, and *gasp* you're here illegally!!!!  (I seriously facepalmed harder than I've ever facepalmed before at that one.)

Ugh I could go on and on.  Please, I beg you people... grow some skin please?  The world is not out to get you.  In fact, most people do not wish any ill will or harm upon you, so stop thinking that everyone is trying to hurt your precious self with every word they mutter.  Stop for a moment, pause, and consider the intent behind the words.  Are they aimed directly at you?  Is this person actually intending to offend or hurt me?  Hint: most of the time they're not, it's just that they *gasp* have a different opinion/belief/feeling than you do.  And hey, just because someone is different, does not mean they're a bad person.  Just because they feel differently than you do, does not mean that they are a bad person.  Stop trying to ruin or take shit away from the rest of us because you're paranoid that anyone different than you is out to get you.  And why is it that the minority (and I'm speaking not in race but in terms of opinions or beliefs) seem to always be the craziest, loudest mofos there are?!?!  How can so few noisy mother fuckers cause so many headaches for the rest of us who just want to live and get along?  Oy vey!

Being Human, Loving and Respecting One Another

I know I've touched on the subject before, and I apologize ahead of time for this being a long entry, but today I read that Pennsylvania became the 19th state to recognize same-sex marriage!!  I'm proud of my home state, but absolutely became infuriated at some of the responses people were leaving in the comments (these are all directly copied from the post on WGAL News Channel 8 Susquehanna Valley, PA.'s Facebook page. This, btw is the link to the Facebook post and the comments, I'm only listing some of them but you can read them all if you like. )

"Moving out of Pennsylvania."  (Don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way out!)

"SO, WE HAVE THE RIGHT AND CHOICE TO MARRY WHO WE LOVE, BECAUSE IT'S LOVE THAT COUNTS... WELL THEN WHEN CAN I MARRY EITHER MY FATHER OR SON, BECAUSE I LOVE THEM AND NOTHING SHOULD COME BETWEEN LOVE... OH BEFORE I FORGET, AND I WANT TO DO IT ASAP BEFORE THEY START CHARGING!!!!!!!!"  (What is this, I don't even...)

"I can accept ppl but I don't have to accept their behavior now do I? Should I accept a pedifile, a person who beats their kids, a rapist?? No, I don't think so"  (Uhhh... HUGE difference between pedophilia, people who beat their kids, rapists and gay people... HUGE difference)

"Now GO get married and help DESTROY the rest of the Country with your perversions. AND PLEASE Shut the hellup NOW !!!"

"Whats next legalizing Beastiality?"   (How does this even remotely compare?  You cannot compare two people in a loving consensual relationship to an animal which is incapable of giving consent)

So uhhh... what exactly is the big deal?  I mean this whole situation seems like deja-vu to me.  It wasn't that insanely long ago that people were disgusted and saying it was an abomination or whatever for blacks and whites to marry or have children.  Granted I wasn't alive when that was going on, but I do recall there being a period of time in this country when it was so.  Sure there's still people who are disgusted by the idea, but for the most part no one gives a shit anymore.  It's no big deal.  This is the same thing!!!  People were disgusted if a black and white person kissed in public, people now are disgusted by a football player kissing his boyfriend after he was picked in the NFL draft.  These same people have no issues with a football player kissing their wife, but if they're gay holy crap!!

"I can't have my children exposed to this abomination!"

Oh really?  So it's ok for two people who love each other who are a man and a woman to show affection, but not two men?  A display of love (I'm not talking about tonsil hockey here folks, there's a time and a place for that) between two consenting people is not ok, just because it's a man and a man, but you'll allow your children to watch violence or play violent video games?

Here's the deal people.  All gay people want is to enjoy the same freedoms you do as a heterosexual person.  As it stands in many states now, they cannot legally marry and have the benefits that it brings.  If their significant other is in a car accident or dying at a hospital, they cannot, regardless if they wish to have their significant other do so, make decisions that the person dying would wish.  They cannot often be allowed into the rooms to be there or comfort their loved ones in such a situation because they're not "family".  They cannot feel safe and secure in that if their loved one passes, the belongings they have collected together through their life stays with them.

With all that being said, what really pisses me off about the entire situation is not that people have their opinions against gay marriage, but because they think that because they feel that way it should not be allowed.  We're all allowed to have our own opinions and feelings about things, what is not right is denying someone else the same freedoms that we enjoy because we don't agree with what they do. I have no issues with people saying they don't agree with gay marriage and believe it is a sin, because they have the right to feel how they do.  It's the super ignorant hypocrites that enrage me to no end.  Especially the ones with the ignorant ass statements I listed above, and some of the others like:

"Letting gays get married ruins the sanctity of marriage"

How so?  Heterosexual people screwed that up ages ago with our lovely 50% divorce rate.  And please explain to me how Joe and John 200 miles away getting married affects you at all?  How does their marriage invalidate or ruin the sanctity of yours?  How does it make your marriage any less meaningful?  Oh right it doesn't.

"It's against God's law!"

To you, yes.  Newsflash commander twat pants, even if Christianity is the most popular religion, if you break it down the majority of the world is not Christian.  Just because you believe it's against God's law doesn't mean it should be against man's law.  No one is forcing your ass to be gay, no one is forcing you into a gay marriage, and it does not directly impact you at all!!  Pull your damn heads out of your ass people.  And some of these people will pick and choose which parts of the Bible, whom they decree is God's law, they think is ok to follow and which are not based solely upon what fits them.  If the Bible is God's law, you need to follow them all and not pick and choose what's convenient for you at the moment. Let's look at some of these things these holy roller people shouldn't be doing but are:

Got your eye on a nice poly/cotton blend jacket?  Guess what? Leviticus 19:19:
“You shall keep my statutes. You shall not let your cattle breed with a different kind. You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor shall you wear a garment of cloth made of two kinds of material. 

 Shellfish? Leviticus 11:10: But anything in the seas or the rivers that does not have fins and scales, of the swarming creatures in the waters and of the living creatures that are in the waters, is detestable to you.

 Like your steaks rare?  Lev. 17:10: "If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. "

Like bacon?  Lev 11:7-8:  "And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.  You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you. "

Exodus speaks of slavery being ok Exodus 21:1-23:9. 

Now I do want to say that I am not in any way slamming Christianity.  A lot of my beliefs are Christian in nature, some are not.  I have no issues with those Christians who believe homosexuality is a sin... but I have an issue with those who are hypocrites and would deny a fellow human being the same freedoms they enjoy or treat them badly simply because they believe it's a sin while tossing out there that it's "God's law" so they shouldn't be able to marry (mainly because they're being hypocrites because they're not following all of God's law, as I referenced above).  Those Christians who are like "well I believe it's a sin, but I still love the person, and if they wish to marry they should be able to, they can answer to God later." are fine with me.  They stated their belief without being an ignorant mean twat waffle about it.  I mean after all, Matthew 19:19 says "Honor your father and mother, and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself."  And here is a whole slew of verses in the Bible when it comes to judging.  I kinda like James 4:11-12 "Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? "

And lastly, I know that it's not all Christians or whatever who are so insanely asinine, hypocritical and evil about these things, but unfortunately they seem to always be the loudest and most obnoxious twat waffles when it comes to these very things.  There are people on the other side of the fence who are gay who take things way too far and point fingers and speak harshly to those who may not believe that being gay is ok, pointing the finger and saying "You're a bigot!" just because someone else believes that being gay is a sin.  There are many people on both sides who take things way too far.  We need to respect one an other's beliefs without resorting to personal attacks just because someone thinks differently than you do.  You have to give respect to earn respect, and if you cannot respect someone else's feelings or opinions, you should not expect anyone else to respect yours, and under no circumstances should a difference in beliefs or opinions prevent any of our citizens to not have the same rights as the rest of us enjoy.  And to anyone who is like "Well they have all these parades and they're all up in our faces and stuff!" I pose to you a question:  How are we supposed to bring about any change without speaking up and having our voices be heard?  Whether it's gay marriage, healthcare, changes in our government, how can you bring about change while sitting on your ass and doing nothing and being silent? Do you think blacks or women gained the right to vote by doing nothing, and that some person in congress one day said "Hey you know what? Maybe we should give blacks and women the right to vote!!"  Nope... don't think so.  Change happens because we speak up and let our voices be heard.

Remember folks, we're all different.  None of us are perfect.  It's our differences and imperfections which make us unique.  Once you start pointing the finger and preaching (not necessarily in a religious sense) to others, you must realize that every time you do point your finger, there's three pointing back at you.  Take a look at yourself before you judge others, and remember that it is NOT your job to judge other people to begin with.  Love one another, respect one another, be kind to one another, and only then should you respect the same in return. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Acceptance, Understanding, and Douchecanoes...

Hey! How's it going peoples?  Going great?  Excellent!  So something came up on April 5th of this year that kinda hit home a little for me.  I was scrolling through my Facebook feed and came across this:

"I live in one of the more progressive cities in the world. It's 2014. I should be able to hold hands with my boyfriend without fear. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. Tonight, on the way home from my birthday dinner, several people were unhappy with the obvious joy I had. I am lucky in that we avoided a trip to the hospital; however, his swollen cheek and my black eye and thoroughly busted lip showcase that intolerance is still alive and well. PLEASE- be kind and compassionate, even if people are different from you. Teach your children to embrace the same attitude of love and acceptance regardless of race, creed, sex, or sexual orientation. Be kind to every person you see, because to quote Gandalf, "I find it is the small deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay." If you are reading this post, regardless of our relationship, please know that I love you, and I wish you every happiness. On the bright side, I'm not too mad. It's like my face is fixed in an involuntary sexy wink, and purple IS a pretty color."

My friend is a sweet, kind, and an amazing person.  Feeling down?  He's there to lift you up.  Need someone to talk to?  He's there.  We don't really get to chat a whole lot anymore (he's going to college in England), but when I read about this my heart just sank.  I have to ask, what the bloody hell is wrong with people!??!  I mean really?!?!  Why is violence an answer for something you simply may not personally like or agree with?  I mean imagine a scenario like this:

*Man is sitting at a table in a restaurant nomming on the most delicious taco... no not that kind of taco you pervs, ok axe the taco... ummm... ok so he's sitting in a restaurant eating the most delicious, delectable and mouth watering steak, no wait there we go again... ok so he's eating a really amazing piece of fried chicken ok??!?*

Now while he's eating this delicious fried chicken, some twatwaffle comes up and punches him right in the freaking face and starts beating the snot out of him yelling at him because he's an evil meat eating chicken murderer.  Sounds completely ridiculous doesn't it?  Same principle really.  Here you have a guy who loves chicken, and some vegan nut job goes and pops him in the face because he thinks that eating meat is wrong and against his personal morals.

That scenario I put up there really isn't that much different from people inciting violence because someone is gay, black, white, orange, purple (actually, if someone is purple they're probably deprived of oxygen and you should dial the emergency peoples) is of a different religion, etc.  Here's the deal, someone being different than you is ok!  Shoot can you imagine how boring the world would be if we were all the same?  And even at that, just because someone is different does not mean they're a terrible person.  People take shit too personally and feel that their own beliefs and ideals or morals are superior and more important than everyone else's.  Sure, your own morals and beliefs are more important to you, but *newsflash* you also share this planet with over 7 billion other people who may or may not agree with you.  You have the right to your own beliefs and feelings, but not at the expense of invading upon someone else's rights and freedoms.

So here's a question.  Since this whole thought was started because of my gay friend being attacked by some ignorant ass people with their heads firmly implanted in their posteriors (and if you know of a really good proctologist that could help these people get their heads out of their asses, please let me know), we'll stick with this as being the example.  To anyone who believes that being gay is wrong, immoral, that they'll go to Hell or whatever you believe, I ask you this:  How exactly does someone else being gay effect you personally?  And don't give me that "well if you let gays get married it ruins the sanctity of marriage" shit... straight people screwed that up a long time ago. I mean sure, I don't want to see two guys or two chicks getting it on out in public, but I don't want to see a man and woman getting it on in public either... take that crap to your room.  Not too long ago people had the same hatred for a black and a white person getting married or being together.  Not really a big deal now is it?  So what is the problem with two men holding hands in public?  Please give me one really good reason as to how two people that love each other and are in a consenting relationship effects your life personally?  Still waiting... oh right it doesn't effect you personally at all. 

So how about this: Stop being so freaking hateful.  Stop trying to make everyone bend to your personal will or beliefs.  You want someone to respect your beliefs and opinions?  Learn to have some fucking respect for other people's beliefs and opinions too.  The world doesn't revolve around you.  You think being gay is wrong? You hate black people or Mexicans or whatever?  Fine.  You have the freedom to feel how you want, but when you cross the line and cause someone else harm because you're a closed minded douchecanoe... totally not cool at all.  I'm so sick of people thinking the world revolves around them and them alone.  It's like those Christian people (not all of you sheesh) who think there's some hidden crusade against Christianity because their employers pay toward insurance that covers birth control and they think birth control is evil.  Hey here's a newsflash, you don't have to take the birth control.  EVERYONE's insurance under the ObamaCare crap has to cover the same stuff.  Sure you have a right to not believe in birth control (which, newsflash, TONS of women take for reasons other than to keep from getting pregnant, and no one is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to take it) but your right to not believe in birth control does not triumph my right to believe in it.  Your beliefs are no more or less important than my own, same principle.  Stop trying to make the rest of us bow down to you.  If you believe being gay is wrong, that's fine, but don't spew forth your hatred and violence to where it harms someone else because you're a closed minded ass.

And you know, when it comes to tolerance, accepting, understanding... we could honestly all really learn something from our children.  We are not born to hate.  Hatred and intolerance is something that is learned.  If you put a bunch of young kids (I'm thinking 3+ years old) into a room together, all from mixed backgrounds... black, white, Hispanic, Asian, and shoot you could even have gay adults watching over them.  Guess what?  All those kids will play together, have fun, and form friendships. They don't care what color someone's skin is or whether or not you're gay.  If you're a good person, you're a good person and they like you for that reason.  And they gay people watching over your children are not going to molest them, your kids are not going to "catch the gay".  I'm willing to bet if you mixed the people watching over the children, some gay, some straight, and they were all equally nice to the kids, the children's opinion on the adults would not change between the straight or gay people. Stop teaching and spreading hatred.  Love one another, respect one another, be there for one another.

Bad guns!! *scolds* Go sit in the corner!

Greetings earthlings!!  How are you doing?  How's things been?  I missed you all! Just started getting back into some sort of groove, then ended up having to have a knee surgery and lots of nice happy stuff (it's healing nicely).  Oh!  And if you have forgotten or didn't know, I have a Facebook page for the blog here where you can see if I've posted more stuff.  Anyway, I have ventured back here because I'd like to discuss something with you all.

Someone shared an article on my Facebook feed earlier about a blind dude in Florida getting his guns back after shooting and killing someone.  For one, I have decided I am not moving to Florida, and I may very well just stay away from the state period.  Why does it seem all the crazies flock to Florida?  The face eater alone is enough, but.. yeah.  Yes I fully realize you could consider that stereotyping peoples from Florida and yes I realize all Floridians are not crazy, but really.. why is all the crazy news coming out of Florida, and when did this happen?  But I digress...

The blind guy getting his guns back caught my attention, but the comments did so slightly more.  Why you ask?  All the anti-gun crazies.  Now, there was a point in time where I hated guns... and I do mean I hated guns.  I wanted nothing to do with them, didn't want to be around them, and even once flipped out on a friend for disassembling his gun in front of me and really freaked out on him, even though logically it'd be pretty darn impossible for me to end up shot when the gun was on the table in several pieces.  Yet, I still respected his right to own a firearm, I just didn't want it in my field of vision.

I feel differently now.  I want one for self defense, and I want a conceal carry permit.  Mind you, I do not wish to do this until I've gotten properly educated on how to fire, handle, clean, maintain, etc... but I've changed my mind.  What brought all this up of course, was something Salty Dad posted on Facebook:

I shall give you a moment to recuperate from the stupidity of that statement.  Why do so many of these anti-gun people think reasoning with criminals is effective?!?  Like, where do they get this idea?  "Drop your gun and be reasonable"??  Let's look at a few scenarios here:

Scenario 1: Robber breaks into home.

*Robber quietly breaks into the home, and sneaks up on the homeowner with their ass hanging out of the fridge while making a ham and cheese sammich*

Robber: Put your hands up in the air and do not look at me or I'll kill you!  Give me all of your valuables!
Homeowner:  But... good sir, can we not be reasonable about this?
Robber:  Man what the fuck you mean reasonable?!? If you turn around I'm going to paint your walls with your brain!
Homeowner: Good sir, have you asked yourself why you felt the need to break into my home?  I know I have stuff here, but there's jobs and opportunities! I mean I could even hook you up with some really good job references and you could have all this stuff too!
Robber: You know, I hadn't really thought about that before.  I just thought it'd be easier taking your stuff, but I sure do bet it'd feel that much better to earn it myself!! I'm sorry I have invaded your place of residence, can we hug this out?

Scenario 2: Gang stuff.

Gangster 1: Yo mfer you been on mah turf dealin yo shiz!  You betta step off mah stuff man, I'll bust a cap in yo head!! Your homeboy was out dealin on mah street!  Ain't nobody got time for that!
Gangster2: Hey man, let's be reasonable about this.  I realize that one of my homeboys may have accidentally invaded your territory and I am deeply sorry about that. I will make sure I have a talk with him, reason with him, and make sure he knows where he's allowed to sell crack, which is not on your turf.  Can we put the gun down and hug it out?
Gangster 1:  You know homie, that actually sounds like a very reasonable conclusion.  Perhaps we can all sit down over a nice cup of tea with our crews and discuss appropriate boundaries and prevent these unfortunate mishaps from happening again in the future!  Hugs?

Scenario 3:  Serial killer / homicidal maniac.

*mass murderer busts into a gun free zone about to kill 30 people*

Mass murderer:  *starts aiming gun at people*
Innocent bystander1:  Hey man, I mean, good sir.  I realize there must have been something that deeply hurt or angered you, but do you think that killing a bunch of random people really solves anything?
Innocent bystander2:  Yeah like, I feel ya man.  The world is a messed up place.  I'm deeply sorry for those that have wronged you or caused you harm, but we didn't do anything to you!  Let us help you!  Put the gun down, we'll hug it out, and we'll help you through this difficult time. You're not alone!  We're all hurting!
Mass murderer: *sniffle* I... I don't know what to say.  No one has really shown me compassion before, and it did not occur to me that other people may be hurting too, I just thought the world was out to get me.  Perhaps we could sit down and share stories over a nice cup of joe and have a hug session after?

*side note, the first two scenarios left really hilarious cartoon like mental images in my head*

I'm sure we can come up with far more scenarios similar in nature, none of which would ever become a reality.  You cannot reason with the type of people who would use guns, or any other weapon, to do others harm.  Guns don't kill people... people kill people.  And if you remove guns from the hands of law abiding citizens you're only leaving them in the hands of criminals or people who intend to do others harm.  If reasoning with these people was a viable option, it would be done already.

Perhaps the robber doesn't know any better because stealing was how they grew up.  Perhaps they fell on hard times and are trying to obtain items to pawn to feed their families.  Perhaps they were never taught that in order to succeed in life you must work for what you want.

Perhaps the gang bangers simply grew up that way.  They don't know anything outside the gang life and violence.

And as far as the serial killer/homicidal maniacs go... odds are pretty damn good they have an entire host of mental issues that have not been addressed or that they cannot find help for.  If you even start looking at the perps behind the Colorado movie theater shooting, the Connecticut school shooting, the Amish school shooting in Pennsylvania, the Virginia Tech shooting, all of these perps have one thing in common: they had mental health problems that were not addressed or dealt with.  And all these anti-gun nut jobs seem to use those incidents and other similar ones to push their agenda, when at the end of the day no mentally healthy person chooses to go murder large numbers of innocent people.  Gun free zones don't work, that's just like a giant "HEY COME HERE WE HAVE NO GUNS TO DEFEND OURSELVES" sign.  Logic.  If you're a burglar, are you going to break into the house where you know the people do not own guns, or the one where you know the homeowner has guns?  Unless you're a moron, you're going to go rob the house / business / whatever where you know no one can shoot your ass.

I grew up mostly in an area where an old neighbor of ours was yelling loudly enough we could hear him tell his wife "I'll kill you, you bitch, I'll fucking kill you!", heard him throwing her into the wall, all kinds of commotion.  And even with the threat of death, it still took the police over an hour and a half to get there.  He could have killed her and disposed of the body / cleaned up by then. If you don't like guns or don't want to own one?  That's just fine with me!  I'll support your right to not own one as long as you support my right to want to own one for my own defense.