tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post7317600597783060159..comments2024-03-17T08:27:53.658-05:00Comments on Stonekettle Station: Everybody’s So Different, I Haven’t ChangedJim Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-38455107460559760952021-09-30T19:57:57.081-05:002021-09-30T19:57:57.081-05:00Wow, you have just defined my life. I, like you, g...Wow, you have just defined my life. I, like you, grew up during the cold war and joined the navy at the age of majority, which for me was in the depths of the reagan era. I remember they guys on my first ship calling me out for being one of those liberals because i wouldnt turn in the gay guys on the ship which they all knew I was friends with. <br />I lost my catholic faith when I went to Rome and saw the castles of which the catholic church is built upon. <br />I have been to dark places in the world which have changed my life by realizing that even in those places, people simply want to live, raise their children, and be left alone. <br />Now, when my friends from Ohio where I grew up, or from one of the many ships I was on find me on facebook, they ask what happened to me? Nothing buddy, what happened to you? when did you turn into a fascist loving, racist asshole? I have lightened up a bit now, and just tell them to check my facebook page before I approve their friend request. Most of them just go away quietly at that point, but occasionally, there is someone who is going to "fix" me. I am sure you know this guy; " I am so sure that my trumpist racist cult is the right way that you cant possibly resist the siren call of superiority" It usually ends badly with me getting suspended from facebook for calling them out as a racist ass. <br />Anyway, thanks for your writing, I wish I was as eloquent as you. I have tried to start a blog with similar style previous to finding yours, but have since given up as you seem to have this market cornered, and i certainly dont want to be that asshole that intentionally, or unintentionally plagiarizes your ideas. neonhorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17322452030921458493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-56276018535545036642019-09-13T20:14:17.530-05:002019-09-13T20:14:17.530-05:00I wish you were my husband.I wish you were my husband.Sean Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02471895892008559520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-20402240394840108182017-04-04T15:17:23.971-05:002017-04-04T15:17:23.971-05:00when i try to talk about my old school conservativ...when i try to talk about my old school conservative parents a lot of my so called leftist friends try to shove me back into some weird neocon/neolib wormhole, so half the time i give up. but this. yeah, this. i'm lifting this amazing image to share on fb/etc.. hope that's okay, will most def. give stone kettle credit. Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02769757245308096211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-31395587197870840262016-08-29T15:05:42.904-05:002016-08-29T15:05:42.904-05:00Well said. After all these years there's nothi...Well said. After all these years there's nothing I can say to add that you haven't already heard. I'm not an American however I am a North American just north of the border. You think my thoughts and have the gift to write them down. Just a suggestion mind you, more paragraphs. It's hard to follow such worthy commentary in large blocks. Thumbs up! We'd make good neighbours. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13759928131457545480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-63105155980967700832016-08-25T03:49:35.888-05:002016-08-25T03:49:35.888-05:00A rising tide does lift all boats but some of thos...A rising tide does lift all boats but some of those boats have holes in them - some boats more than others - and as you said some people don't even have a boat.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17059421007367265502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-32000700761432970102016-08-24T23:51:18.112-05:002016-08-24T23:51:18.112-05:00Excellent post and I identify with much of it 12 y...Excellent post and I identify with much of it 12 years further down the road than you, Jim.Plutodoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13486037579224769154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-1793631155501246182016-08-24T17:19:26.149-05:002016-08-24T17:19:26.149-05:00" I could turn this into an essay of my own b..." I could turn this into an essay of my own but would rather just state a few things rather than preach."<br /><br />Now see, if you had ended right there...talontshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15529847632826061298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-79196330969735533202016-08-24T15:31:52.613-05:002016-08-24T15:31:52.613-05:00"I never discount others experiences as infer..."I never discount others experiences as inferior to my own."<br /><br />...<br /><br />Isn't that what you just did, when you decided to lecture the author on his experiences?Peregrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654008518883032649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-82032796296037555542016-08-24T12:00:00.042-05:002016-08-24T12:00:00.042-05:00A rising tide *does* lift all boats. That isn'...A rising tide *does* lift all boats. That isn't a lie. The lie is what the tide is.<br /><br />The tide is the day-to-day economy as a whole. Giving tax breaks to rich people means that they put more money into the bank or into long-term investments; not inherently bad things, but they have been proven time and time again to NOT raise the tide. Poor people getting extra money spend the money, which goes into the short-term economy, and genuinely raises the tide, which in turn helps all boats (including the rich).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-42409796647181574222016-08-24T11:20:49.600-05:002016-08-24T11:20:49.600-05:00I literally do not understand how you can claim th...I literally do not understand how you can claim this piece is "in the name of so called tolerance and understanding"? It defies explanation other than you just did not understand what he was saying so decided that must have been his message. I feel sorry for you but that also makes you part of the very problem he was speaking to. You will never get it and there really is no need for me or anyone else to try and break it down for you. I will say that this nation is so divided because people will not have the important self-examination Jim has offered here and instead choose to run with the pack and bully or call out anyone who won't join them. And no sir/madam, you are not liberal. Liberals, Democrats or Independents would totally get what he said and applaud it. In fairness, I think even many Republicans would. 1 Va Demhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13284584766319639154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-29368734741840849202016-08-24T10:46:47.695-05:002016-08-24T10:46:47.695-05:00Beautiful, relatable, and brilliant. Love your wo...Beautiful, relatable, and brilliant. Love your words. They help define and encapsulate things so much. Thank you, thank you.Tiffany Blacknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-57367299876942942512016-08-24T10:41:13.267-05:002016-08-24T10:41:13.267-05:00Gosh, you missed the entire point. Sad!Gosh, you missed the entire point. Sad!Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13907118439074801673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-38605129632914064782016-08-24T10:33:22.134-05:002016-08-24T10:33:22.134-05:00I have been cheered every time I have read one of ...I have been cheered every time I have read one of your posts. It wasn't until this one, however, that I realized you and I are soul-siblings. Every single point you have made in this post rings 100% true with my own views. <br /><br />I'm about 20 years your senior and the conservatives you describe were around in the 50's. I was (and still consider myself to be) an Eisenhower Republican. Fiscally conservative, socially liberal. It took Reagan to push me from the GOP and into Independent territory. George the Pinhead (OMG I LOVE that!) pushed me into the waiting arms of the Democrats.<br /><br />I, like you, have reconnected with some of my high school classmates and have been thoroughly dismayed and disgusted to find that the bulk of them are the "new" republicans. There is no reaching them, either. They know what they know and the facts aren't going to get in the way. Hardening of the attitudes must have set in 50 some years ago. How sad is that.DarleenMBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16643283388453640852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-73534475750903280672016-08-24T10:27:59.095-05:002016-08-24T10:27:59.095-05:00I think this is one of those issues where 2 people...I think this is one of those issues where 2 people can read the same thing and come away with 2 very different experiences.<br />-Geoff (the "reply as" box I'isd kinda strange)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06797123241625392873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-18239462543784183092016-08-24T10:18:39.884-05:002016-08-24T10:18:39.884-05:00Have you been paying attention?
Jim moved to Flori...Have you been paying attention?<br />Jim moved to Florida quite some time ago...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-77642879265545844742016-08-24T09:32:31.528-05:002016-08-24T09:32:31.528-05:00The few "My way or get the hell out of my cou...The few "My way or get the hell out of my country!" folks I've interacted with have been retired military.<br /><br />I understand the belief that they've purchased the right to dictate what is/isn't "American" but I can't abide it. It's called Service and it's for all Americans.Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16822201664066722499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-49581679197506036852016-08-24T09:16:39.080-05:002016-08-24T09:16:39.080-05:00"I'm very liberal on social issues."..."I'm very liberal on social issues." How many times have I heard that from Republicans? Always to be followed by, "But I vote with my pocket-book."<br />Adrian Stuehlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17545795862971005746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-60509482879368354702016-08-24T09:05:02.277-05:002016-08-24T09:05:02.277-05:00Well, you've certainly showed me how to be tol...Well, you've certainly showed me how to be tolerant of other people's opinions, Anonymous. Well done. Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-79075769917796441002016-08-24T09:04:37.854-05:002016-08-24T09:04:37.854-05:00I missed this the first time around. Excellent wor...I missed this the first time around. Excellent work. This definitely speaks to me. There was a time, during the first George era, that I considered being a Republican, but as time went on I just couldn't agree with what they did. Now I find it hard to swallow even what they say. I keep hoping, though. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02108004970434865337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-60448150791024964472016-08-24T08:59:06.088-05:002016-08-24T08:59:06.088-05:00They live in the simple, binary world of right or ...They live in the simple, binary world of right or wrong, as in "If I'm right (and I am) then you must be wrong." Left or right, black or white, male or female, no rrom for the middle ground where many of us live long and prosper.Carol Abernathyhttp://carolbe.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-31296706295515932742016-08-24T01:49:38.244-05:002016-08-24T01:49:38.244-05:00I read your essay if that's what it is called ...I read your essay if that's what it is called and found it interesting. I think what I found most interesting is that when it was all said and done, I couldn't help but feel you were as guilty of labeling people as you were of supposedly being labeled. I have noticed a similar tone in many of the responses, also. Labeling and intolerance, all cloaked in the name of tolerance!? Confusing on the surface for sure. I could turn this into an essay of my own but would rather just state a few things rather than preach. I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt while reading but when you wrapped up what you had to say, I couldn't help but feel a considerable degree of hypocrisy in it all. Everybody's so different, I haven't changed? Life is a journey for us all. I never discount others experiences as inferior to my own. I feel like you did. I don't like to lump people into categories which I feel you did. I'm as pro civil rights as you state you are. I'm very liberal. So liberal that I don't feel a need to single out Christianity as being evil compared to other religions of the world. I'm not afraid to say that I want to believe in a God but I'm not without my doubts. It's a very confusing subject. Are all republicans ultra right wing intolerant bible thumpers? Are all democrats tree hugging bleeding heart liberals? I think not on both fronts. I'm not afraid either to say I'm a republican. Did I say I was pro civil rights and extremely liberal on social issues? How can that be? The truth Is, most republicans I know believe similarly. I don't feel a need to hate people who call themselves democrats either. Most republicans I know feel stmilarly. I am a veteran. That is I served my country. I don't hate people who think that serving in the military is a bad thing. Everyone has a right to their opinion and I feel so strongly about it that I was willing to fight to protect that right. I could go on forever. But I guess I just wanted to state that what I observed in the author and many of the replies is straight up stereotyping, ignorant rhetoric, and outright intolerance, all in the name of so called tolerance and understanding. My views, certain beliefs and understanding of things have been evolving my whole life. I guess if I were to write an opinion piece such as the author it would read, everybody's so different and I have changed! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-67267593793095838712016-08-23T23:01:10.142-05:002016-08-23T23:01:10.142-05:00Your post just resurfaced and I hadn't seen it...Your post just resurfaced and I hadn't seen it.<br /><br />I've pretty much always been a liberal, but used to strive to stay more Middle of the Road, especially in my public voice. I always "got" parts of the other side's views, and that there were a lot of good conservative concepts, or at least there used to be. Now MoR scares me. <br /><br />While your labels got changed, mine became something I no longer try to dilute.Paulhttp://yourfriendpaul.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-9251081382446467202016-08-23T22:22:58.964-05:002016-08-23T22:22:58.964-05:00I'm not that good with words, but it's lik...I'm not that good with words, but it's like you live, or at least vacation, in my head.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14929672710681613043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-25126983771664632212016-08-23T20:06:41.592-05:002016-08-23T20:06:41.592-05:00That oversimplifies things greatly. The Overton wi...That oversimplifies things greatly. The Overton window has continually shifted to the right, especially since Faux Noise came on the scene. <br />Democrats are not angels without blemishes either, and the democratic party was not always the (ideally) progressive party of today. <br />Wylannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163088640069377047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-74206828417233026462016-08-23T20:04:55.747-05:002016-08-23T20:04:55.747-05:00A-fucking-men (and I'm an atheist).
The only...A-fucking-men (and I'm an atheist). <br /><br />The only thing I disagree with is this part: <br />"You think that odd for someone who spent their entire adult life in the profession of War? Willingly? Heh, you don’t know many professional military folks then."<br /><br />I'm only a couple of years younger than you, Jim, and I didn't serve, but I grew up in the service (my dad retired in '87). Even as far back as the mid 80s, the 'my way or the highway' branch of service was starting to come out in force. I think it was mostly due to Reagan and his administration courting the religious right so hard. <br /><br />Now, many ex-military are the worst of the rabid right wingers. They have forgotten the principles that were (and in same cases, are) sworn to uphold. Part of this I would blame on the right wing noise machine and constant propaganda of hyper patriotism, nationalism, really. A big part I blame on the schools, which have been so gutted by those same right wing policies in many states, that the principles of our founding, and what civil rights actually mean (why do so many court cases ignore the 9th and 10th amendments?) that their idea of patriotism is already skewed from a young age. <br /><br />Cheers.Wylannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163088640069377047noreply@blogger.com