People don't appreciate a good argument, especially if it's one from a radical position. They will consider you "crazy" or worse yet "stupid". People are dumb and won't listen, so I figure until the world goes to hell in a handbasket, I'll just skim through the Economist every week for my news and look at ESPN.com every day for baseball news. I've come to the point in my life where I'm just sick of politics and I want to escape into something that doesn't matter at all. If that makes me ignorant, then fine: ignorance is bliss.

I'm surprised you gave a thumbs up to that, Chad. Change doesn't come until people unite together and demonstrate. Having a "good argument" is only good for dinner parties, not political change.

Well, here's the thing, I don't think the argument that gays and lesbians should be able to legally bond with eachother is all that radical. I've done this many times. You just give a few examples, and explain your points passionately and in a conversational tone, and I'm pretty damn good at making people see my way. The reason I think that this works especially well with gay rights is that most people don't talk about this, and really haven't thought intelligently about the issue a hell of a lot. Yeah, people are dumb, but people are also willing to listen if you present your thoughts in certain way. The revolution starts one person at a time, you know? I dunno, for me, I guess I'm just good at convincing people of how I feel one on one. I'd make a damn good politician if I were so inclined, if i do say so myself.



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http://ravenguy98.homestead.com/files/Factory.jpg
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains the jails are made of tin.

He's doing what he can and it's more than most people, so yes, he gets a pat on the back for his efforts.

One must observe, then think, then do - one can't go straight to DO - how does one unconsciously start a movement? Without thoughts and the spoken word coming first, no action can take place.

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"A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true."
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Ignorance is not bliss - only those who are ignorant of true bliss will say that is such...

Or, rather, those who are willing to fight for true bliss. True bliss doesn't come in the fight, it comes in the aftermath.

Even MLK got frustrated. Remember his calls for "militant," "massive" civil disobedience? It's not as easy as one believes it to be, and while I don't agree with Brendan, I completely understand where he's coming from and often feel the same way.

brendan, you know why you came to the conclusion that people are apathetic and therefore everything is hopeless? because everyone else has too. it's like not voting for someone because you're pretty sure he's not going to get the majority.

my comment on the article: it's terrific piece of journalism. what pisses me off THE MOST is that i didn't see it on any front pages... hell, i didn't see it in my paper at all. i saw full oscar coverage.

I don't remember MLK calling for militant action - ever - is there a specific example of this?

I find it disappointing to hear someone say they have given up trying to change anything just because they felt a very small amount of frustration - how easily and readily do you roll over and give up? What WOULD inspire you to try or try again? Does it have to knock on your front door in order for you to realize something must be done? Is everyone that far removed, mentally, from what affects their own lives and those lives of their children and grandchildren? Is everyone that selfish and without concern?

It's not supposed to be easy - there WILL be failures - but, to give up is to die...

*note: that second paragraph wasn't directed at you personally, rather, merely inspired by what you said.



[This message has been edited by liarsclub (edited 03-25-2002).]

Yeah - unfortunately, that's where our media has gone - towards ratings. The diminishing integrity in the media is diminishing the minds of the population and skewing what exactly is important to the citizens, or, more specifically, they're pushing aside what truly affects their lives...

I know! I read the paper every day out of habit, but lately (like, in the last year) I realize there's so much that just doesn't get printed - and I'm not even talking about viewpoints other than what's "fit to print." I mean entire stories are left out and I hear about them on the internet. Actually the "striaght press" (free papers) usually do a good job of not being biased and being important. But still, tabloids sell more...

Isn't this just the same exact way that you are treating their opinion?

Actually, it's because I was a political science major for two and a half years and I discovered everyone in that field are just unthinking status-quo clones.

I think I have a right to be bitter. None of you took Mass Media and Public Opinion, which is basically a class that treats popular elections like sports.

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We don't find truth, we create it.

its the truth, you know. which is why i avoid politcal science majors, and am very happy I am not one.



[This message has been edited by ravenguy2000 (edited 03-26-2002).]

Not at all. I just present my views, try to get people to think about the issues and generally just provide a voice that is contrary to the status-quo. I just end up making a "fool" out of myself to people who think everything works just fine and we don't need to do anything.

I just stopped caring. It's too hard and I won't see any results from my work so I'd rather just enjoy myself by covering baseball for a newspaper somewhere and maybe throw in my two cents about politics and news from time to time. I've accepted the fact that I can't do anything so calling other people ignorant for not caring is just counter-productive. If they want to care then they will, if they don't, I don't blame them.

By the way, Madasgascar has two capitals right now. Bet you didn't know that.



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We don't find truth, we create it.