Apparently I wrote this after a party we had at our house Halloween weekend, why I didn't post it then I have no clue.
It’s funny how when you’re all alone you feel the most crowded. We had a party tonight at the house to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve (hence why I’m writing this at 4:30 a.m. Anyways, as the party dies down I begin to notice a couple of things: 1) that many people should never be in that tight a space and (probably the more significant to this piece) 2) who is staying in with me? The answer is no one. You see, my better half is currently in Boston. And that’s great. I’m proud of her for where she is and what she is doing. The problem is I’m the kind of guy who is just that. A guy. I began recognizing the strange phenomenon about men early into my senior year of high school. It’s what made me who I am currently.
Guys have this incredible conniption. We all feel need to be wanted but we don’t want to be needed. Let me explain. Every guy wants to be the best athlete, the one who with the game on the line is relied upon the most: a need to be wanted. Not all of us want to be the guy who is depended upon day in and day out to make everything ok: the want to be needed. Ladies, ever wonder why your man seems distant at random points? Or acts as if he doesn’t care? It’s not because he doesn’t care, it’s because he doesn’t want to be depended upon as the knight in shining armor every single day. And that really is a shame because men were put on this earth to provide for and cherish the woman we are placed with.
In a more simple way, I remember this girl I had in high school. She was incredible. We didn’t really start dating until my freshman year in college, when all the stupid high school bullshit went away and we both finally figured out what we thought we wanted. When we started dating I was back visiting my old high school pals for New Years. While I was out with her and our mutual friend at Target, she had her arms wrapped around me. In a moment of sheer “who the hell knows” she looked at me, buried her head into my chest, and sighed. I melted. I thought in that moment, “Wow. This girl is actually happy that she’s mine and I’m hers.” There is no better feeling in the world than recognizing that.
What made it even better was that was the moment that I realized she “wanted” me but I knew that she didn’t “need” me. She had the ability to provide for herself; to make herself happy, and maybe that is what made her so attractive in the first place. I knew that she didn’t need me to make her happy, but the fact that she wanted me to, and that I did, was a sense of fulfillment you can’t find anywhere else. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending how you look at it (yeah, fortunately), that didn’t last long and we ended up no more.
I don’t where she is, or who she’s with, all I know is that she is happy and that is what matters the most. I, myself, am with Mrs. Boston. And I couldn’t be happier with that. I know that she wants me in her life and wants me to make her happy. But I also know that she is strong willed enough to not need me. That sense of fulfillment again. I felt in for the first time on that winter’s day at 18. I know understand it at age 21, it’s awesome.
What makes it even more astounding is what it will subconsciously do to you. Look back at the first question I asked at the top of this: who is staying with me? No one. And that’s awesome. I know that I’m going to post this, shut down my computer, roll over and fall asleep alone. Not by my own doing, but because the sense of fulfillment I enjoy keeps me from being the stereotypical asshole that is untrue to the one he is with. Amazing what being wanted will do to you. Even if the one that wants you isn’t there at the end of the night.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Puerto Rico Proof and Purpose
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Hello world. Been a while, hasn't it? First, let me say that I am writing this while I am sitting in my hotel room on my final night in San Juan, Puerto Rico the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Why am I in Puerto Rico? Why am I on a blog when in tropical paradise? First, I was broadcasting my college's Men's Basketball team as they were in a tournament here (perks of radio, I know). Secondly, we have a 9 a.m. flight tomorrow and have to be on the bus by 6 a.m. at the latest so it is an early night for me.
On to the reason why I am actually writing this. Amidst the sun-bathing, game-calling, rum-drinking and overal relaxation of the week, I read a book. For those who know me, take a moment to let that settle in. No this was not a coloring book nor was it a sports book. This book was entitled "I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell" by Tucker Max. Some of you have heard of this book and know what it is. The few who don't, this guy Tucker Max chronicles his own "escapades" involving massive alcohol consumption and fornicating with random women.
Again, the people who know me are now not surprised I read this book. Many would consider me a small version of Mr. Max (my girlfriend claims I look a bit like him. "You two have the same smirk" she tells me.) What may be surprising is I read the entire 300+ pages in only 5 days. I DON'T READ! After I finished the book, I actually stood aghast at what I had just accomplished. Having said that, I took a moment to reflect on what I just digested.
I have come to four main conclusions after reading what I can only describe as a piece of self-gratifying musings:
1) I am NOT Tucker Max. Let me say that again: I AM NOT TUCKER MAX! Yes, I'm a bit of a jerk, maybe even a dick at some point; but the manner in which he treats women and strangers in general is appalling. Momma raised me better. In public I may come off a little harsh and as an asshole (and I accept that) but ask anyone who truly knows me, and I'm not that type of person. Not to mention, the man glorifies his sexual promiscuity. Every guy does this, but the man treats it like it is his job to degrade and sleep with as many women as possible. It's deplorable, bordering on criminal.
2) Some women truly are sluts. The stories read in IHTSBIH really show that. Some women will sleep with anyone once they get alcohol in them, some will sleep with any guy who is mildly famous and some truly do love assholes. That last one probably has some of you going "DUH!" And guys, if you want a quick one-nighter, check your local excuse for a "college bar" (unless you live in like NC or TN or a school with a legit football program; yes legit football program = legit college bar) and pick up anything that looks like it has a pulse by being a complete and total ass. If you actually want a girlfriend (a 3-star on the Tucker Max Female Rating Scale, by the way) then be respectful and meet a girl in a casual way, at a small party, through a friend, etc. Basically, what you want is what you get in relationships (same for you, ladies.)
3) Tucker Max is AWESOME! The guy is hilarious. His writing is very graphic and detailed which enthralls any reader and no matter if you like him or his methods, you can't put the book down. Obviously the stories are not every day occurrences, and he explicitly says that, but damn does the dude know how to party. Not to mention if I were a single man (which I am happily not. Love you, sweetheart) I would kill to hang out with Tucker and pick off what the vulture leaves as scraps. If you ever come across this post Tucker, email me and let's do it up country style!
4) The guy is not a writer. He is a blogger. His only creativity comes in the various ways he is able to destroy and insult people as mercilissly as Hades would if he were spawned on Earth. The fact that this was a New York Times Bestseller shows what power the internet has (it also could be proven by the amount of women he has been with due to his site.) Honestly, people purposely using a sound recorder to have a copy of the previous night's debauchery in hopes of gaining an audience is kinda ridiculous.
Wait, then what am I doing here? Maybe....oh, God. Maybe I am a bit of Tucker Max. Oh well, dude is pretty effin awesome.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Despite Loss, Army to Stay the Course
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| Senior LB Stephen Anderson (left) & Sophomore QB Trent Steelman |
In just his first 17 games as the head coach of Army football, Rich Ellerson has already implemented a design and seen results. The Black Knights went 5-7 in 2009, the highest number of wins since 1996 for the Academy. Through four games in 2010, Ellerson’s squad was 3-1 and on a two game winning streak hosting MAC opponent Temple.
On paper the Owls were expected to be one of, if not the most, difficult teams on the schedule. They were also expected to be a bit of barometer as to how quickly this program was turning around. Army led Temple 28-13 with about seven minutes left in the third quarter on Saturday at home on Homecoming. Then, Temple’s backup running back Matt Brown rushed for over 100 yards in the second half and two scores to bring the Owls back for a 42-35 victory.
“That’s tough to take,” said Ellerson after the loss. “If you’re going to beat a team like Temple, you have to be hitting on all cylinders.”
In the loss, the Cadets allowed more team rushing yards (256) than in their previous three contests combined. Not only that, but the discipline-by-nature team committed seven penalties for 74 yards.
“It’s tragic because some of those just really don’t need to happen,” said Ellerson. “We need to have better presence.”
Despite the loss dropping Army to 3-2 this season, there is not a sense of panic at West Point. Rich Ellerson looked more annoyed at his team like a parent would at their child missing curfew rather than someone who saw his team take a step back.
“That’s a bowl team we’re playing out there,” Ellerson said of Temple. “We had them on their heels and we had an opportunity.”
As for the Black Knight players, they had a starkly different presence. Sophomore quarterback Trent Steelman, who had a direct hand in all five of his teams touchdown (4 rushing, 1 passing), looked personally hurt. It was almost as if something was missing from him, he looked physically and emotionally beaten.
“That’s not who we are. That’s not what we represent,” Steelman commented after the game. “We’ll go back and we’ll recover. We’ll forget it and clear and move onto the next objective.”
While the offensive leader looked upset, one of Army’s defensive captains looked plain mad. Senior linebacker Stephen Anderson seemed as if someone stole something from him and he was ready to immediately get back on the field and rectify the situation.
“At the end of the day, this team knows and believes that we are the team that is going to bring winning back to Army,” said Anderson when asked if this loss is a step back for the struggling program.
The Cadets have not had a winning season since 1996, they have not beaten Navy since 2001 but they had not been 3-1 in four weeks since 1996 and seemed to be on the right foot coming into Saturday. The overwhelming feeling after the loss is that while it was not the expected outcome, it is not going to deter or alter the course of action at West Point.
“We believe and we’re going to go back to work and we’re bringing winning back,” Anderson said in a definitive tone. They get a chance to do that on Saturday on the road against Tulane, a team that just beat Army’s opponent the week after in Rutgers.
Army's Homecoming trampeled by Temple's Brown
When the injury report for the Temple Owls said star running back Bernard Price was not going to play against Army, the odds stacked up slightly in favor of the Black Knights. That was until Matt Brown took the field. Brown ran for 226 yards on just 28 carries and four scores leading the Owls to a second half comeback over Army in a 42-35 victory on Homecoming day at West Point.
“Matt’s proven himself in big games and big environments,” said Temple Head Coach Al Golden. “He may be our finest competitor , and he made a lot of guys miss.”
The 5’5” 170 pound sophomore used his agility and vision to tear apart the Cadet defense rushing for 108 yards in the first quarter. Army was able to stifle the running attack in the second frame giving up just seven yards on the ground taking a 21-13 lead into the halftime break.
Army (3-2) scored again in the third to take a 15 point advantage before a stout Temple defense and Matt Brown’s running contributed to 29 unanswered points to take a 42-28 lead. The Owls (4-1) put up 240 yards of total offense in the second half en route to the victory.
“They did a nice job of getting him started,” said Army head man Rich Ellerson after the loss. They had enough space and, in that open field tackling drill, he won way too many reps.
The Cadets did have a solid outing from sophomore quarterback Trent Steelman who ran for 65 yards on 19 carries and four scores while throwing 124 yards (9 of 16 passing) and another touchdown. Steelman has been directly responsible for seven straight Army touchdowns dating back to last week’s victory at Duke.
“In an option offense, the quarterback is in the eye of the storm,” noted Ellerson on his second year starter. “In a situation like that where it’s close, and you give him a chance to check, he’ll generally call his own number.”
Temple was arguably the most talented team on the schedule for Army to this point in the season and a good barometer of how Rich Ellerson’s second season at West Point would go. Army has now lost three straight against their MAC opponent. They last defeated Temple in 2007 at Michie Stadium 37-21.
“If you’re going to beat a team like Temple, you have to be hitting on all cylinders,” said Ellerson.
Army will be away from the friendly confines of the Academy for the next two weeks traveling first to Louisiana to take on Tulane and then hosting Big East opponent Rutgers at the New Meadowlands Stadium on October 16th. The Black Knights will return home on October 30th against VMI at noon.
“Matt’s proven himself in big games and big environments,” said Temple Head Coach Al Golden. “He may be our finest competitor , and he made a lot of guys miss.”
The 5’5” 170 pound sophomore used his agility and vision to tear apart the Cadet defense rushing for 108 yards in the first quarter. Army was able to stifle the running attack in the second frame giving up just seven yards on the ground taking a 21-13 lead into the halftime break.
Army (3-2) scored again in the third to take a 15 point advantage before a stout Temple defense and Matt Brown’s running contributed to 29 unanswered points to take a 42-28 lead. The Owls (4-1) put up 240 yards of total offense in the second half en route to the victory.
“They did a nice job of getting him started,” said Army head man Rich Ellerson after the loss. They had enough space and, in that open field tackling drill, he won way too many reps.
The Cadets did have a solid outing from sophomore quarterback Trent Steelman who ran for 65 yards on 19 carries and four scores while throwing 124 yards (9 of 16 passing) and another touchdown. Steelman has been directly responsible for seven straight Army touchdowns dating back to last week’s victory at Duke.
“In an option offense, the quarterback is in the eye of the storm,” noted Ellerson on his second year starter. “In a situation like that where it’s close, and you give him a chance to check, he’ll generally call his own number.”
Temple was arguably the most talented team on the schedule for Army to this point in the season and a good barometer of how Rich Ellerson’s second season at West Point would go. Army has now lost three straight against their MAC opponent. They last defeated Temple in 2007 at Michie Stadium 37-21.
“If you’re going to beat a team like Temple, you have to be hitting on all cylinders,” said Ellerson.
Army will be away from the friendly confines of the Academy for the next two weeks traveling first to Louisiana to take on Tulane and then hosting Big East opponent Rutgers at the New Meadowlands Stadium on October 16th. The Black Knights will return home on October 30th against VMI at noon.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Army Gets First Shutout In Five Years Thanks To Military Strategy
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| Army Head Coach Rich Ellerson |
Rich Ellerson is only in his second season at West Point as the Head Coach of the Army football team but a trend is already being set. In his first season at the helm, Ellerson led Army to a 5-7 record, the highest win total for the program since 1996. A graduate of Hawai’i, Ellerson’s team do not boast the outlandish aerial attacks many college fans have come to know from the Island University. Instead the offense is run much like the future players will run their missions in a different kind of uniform: domination on the ground.
In a 24-0 victory over the North Texas Mean Green on Saturday (the first shutout since 2005), the Black Knights ran over 50 plays for more than 300 yards, over 250 of them rushing. Sophomore Quarterback Trent Steelman rushed for 68 yards on 11 carries and a score in the win for Army (2-1).
“We still have to try to move the ball in there. We have to run inside the hashes occasionally,” Coach Ellerson said. “I thought our receivers probably had their best day blocking, especially being physical and coming back inside on safeties”.
Steelman did pass for 45 yards on 5-10 passing with no scores and no interceptions as well.
Also putting in some ground work were senior running back Patrick Mealy (46 yards on 5 rushes and a TD) and sophomore Brian Cobbs (75 yds, 7 car.). This however should not surprise anyone who follows Army football, or Rich Ellerson. In the last two seasons, there have been 10 games in which a Cadet has rushed for over 100 yards, including four last year. While Ellerson was at Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) School Cal Poly, the Mustangs ran much of the same offense utilized at Michie Stadium. In his final year, Ellerson’s squad averaged over 300 yards on the ground per contest.
Another staple of a Rich Ellerson football team is another mirror of the training these future soldiers take on while in school: adjust and protect. In 2009 the Black Knights were outscored by 83 points in the second half, contributing to the twelfth consecutive losing season. Through just three games this year, Army has only allowed 23 points after the break. They scored 21 in the third in a loss to Hawai’i back on September 11th (they trailed 21-0 at one point). Ellerson has been able to make adjustments in the locker room in order to keep Army competitive in each game early on this season.
Finally, when you watch the Cadets out on the field they are relentless with protection and discipline. In the most recent victory over the Mean Green, Army committed just two penalties (the first of which game in the third quarter).
“When you think about our team, the first thing that should come to your mind is discipline,” said QB Steelman of his teams mental composure.” the way we respect each other and the way we play for each other. It's something special that we have going.”
The defense was unrelenting forcing multiple turnovers and wreaking havoc for the North Texas (0-3) offense. Granted, NT is without eight starters who have been lost to season ending injuries and their starting center and quarterback left the game in the first half also with injuries. Still, the Black Knight defense shutout their opponent while allowing only 201 yards of total offense. Sophomore defensive back Jordan Trimble led the way with nine tackles and an interception while senior defensive end Joshua McNary was permanently entrenched in the backfield with five tackles and two sacks.
“It’s hard to win a football game, and it’s especially hard to shut a football team out,” said Ellerson after the win. “That was a great day for our defense.”
All three of these characteristics: dominant groundwork, discipline and the ability to adjust quickly and protect are all qualities of Army soldiers and the men who battle on the gridiron before the actual battlefield. All of which will be crucial if second year head man Rich Ellerson is to do what no coach has done since Bob Sutton in the mid-1990’s; have a winning season in the Black and Gold at West Point.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
HIDE THE WOMEN & CHILDREN! Except from foul balls, save yourself...
"He held her tight and kissed her lips/In front of the picture show/Stranger came and pulled a gun/Grabbed her by the arm said "If you do what I tell you to, there won't be any harm"/And Johnny said "Take my money, take my wallet, take my credit cards/Here's the watch that my grandpa gave me/Here's the key to my car Mister give it a whirl/ But please don't take the girl" - Don't Take The Girl by Tim McGraw
So while perusing the internet yesterday, about to adjust my three fantasy baseball teams rosters for the day, I stumbled across this phenomenal video from the Houston Astros game on Tuesday night. “Bo the Bailer” has he has become affectionately dubbed in the media, was enjoying the first inning of the Astros 10-4 victory over Atlanta when all of a sudden a foul ball came screaming towards him and his girlfriend Sara. What ensued says a lot about the culture of relationships today.
As the ball comes rocketing down the left field line Bo jumps up to attempt and catch the souvenir. Instead, just before he gets his hand on it, Bo pulls a Neo Anderson and jumps out of the way allowing the ball to hit poor Sara right in the arm. (Check out the video here)
As if the lovely Sara didn’t have a bad start to the game already, when the TV reporter comes to talk to the couple, Bo says he “lost the ball in the lights”. Furthermore, Bo just sat there looking embarrassed and trying to laugh it off while a visible bruise was starting to form on his significant others right elbow. After watching this video numerous times, asking a few girls at the office how they would react, and reading some articles this is a painful notation of the way relationships are heading in our culture.
Now, I don’t know how long Bo and Sara have been together (or if they still are after that) and I don’t know what kind of girl Sarah is. For all we know, those two can laugh about for years and tell the story of how Dad got national “fame” for letting Mom get hit with a baseball. But what I do know is that Bo is a guy who really doesn’t know how to be a true man:
A) It’s a foul ball dude, c’mon make the catch! How many times have you been to a baseball game and when someone can’t catch the ball everyone boos and laughs at him? Seriously, you had to have played baseball at some point, get your hands on it. Besides, at any other stadium (because the Astros are atrocious) you don’t catch it, that ball ain’t yours.
B) First rule of getting the ball is to keep your body in front of it. Don’t jump out of the way, and if you are gonna dodge it, get IN FRONT OF THE GIRL! Let it hit a stranger; at least you won’t have to hear them complain in the car ride home.
Again, I don’t know how their relationship is or the type of people they are, but they look like a young couple, I’m guessing 17-22, and this culture has a love affair with ourselves. We are always concerned about me, myself, and I. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, ask any of my friends and they’ll tell you I’m looking to make this the best for me, but when you are in a relationship you have to think of the other person too. Think of their well-being and their happiness. As I continuously look for jobs I wonder, what will this do for my current relationship? Where do I go that will make her happiest or keep her happy? Things like that.
However, as I read all the reaction to this incident I saw a post in which the writer declared that chivalry is dead. And to a point I agree. But I also feel that the idea of chivalry has been lost because of the cultural changes and may not even be needed anymore. The idea of chivalry goes back to 1950’s Pleasantville…not 21st Century Houston. Let me explain:
What has always been the cultural identity of men and women in relationships? Men are meant to provide and protect the family. Men go to work, bring home the money, and defend the household and those in it. Women have been meant to nurture and care for the family. They make the meals, they nurse the injuries and illnesses and they take care of the children. What Bo did, was not protect the family. He allowed his belle to get plunked with a potentially devastating weapon. But I can’t entirely blame him.
Again, we, the “millennia’s” as they have so adequately named us, are more focused on our personal well being and women in particular have debunked the old notion of being home makers which in turn has deterred some men away from the idea of being a provider and a protector.
I’m not trying to teach anyone how to be in a relationship, I know I’m not the best boyfriend in history but I know I make her happy and I know I’ll do what it takes to do that for as long as she’ll let me. But what I do know is I was raised to protect and provide for my family, whether that’s finding the best job to give her everything she wants and needs or getting rid of any threat to her I’m going to do it. And, as a former shortstop, you can be damn sure I’m getting in front of that ball.
But for others, like our beloved beau Bo, at least he won’t have a big ol’ bruise on his arm when going out to find his next date to a game…maybe just one across the face.
So while perusing the internet yesterday, about to adjust my three fantasy baseball teams rosters for the day, I stumbled across this phenomenal video from the Houston Astros game on Tuesday night. “Bo the Bailer” has he has become affectionately dubbed in the media, was enjoying the first inning of the Astros 10-4 victory over Atlanta when all of a sudden a foul ball came screaming towards him and his girlfriend Sara. What ensued says a lot about the culture of relationships today.
As the ball comes rocketing down the left field line Bo jumps up to attempt and catch the souvenir. Instead, just before he gets his hand on it, Bo pulls a Neo Anderson and jumps out of the way allowing the ball to hit poor Sara right in the arm. (Check out the video here)
As if the lovely Sara didn’t have a bad start to the game already, when the TV reporter comes to talk to the couple, Bo says he “lost the ball in the lights”. Furthermore, Bo just sat there looking embarrassed and trying to laugh it off while a visible bruise was starting to form on his significant others right elbow. After watching this video numerous times, asking a few girls at the office how they would react, and reading some articles this is a painful notation of the way relationships are heading in our culture.
Now, I don’t know how long Bo and Sara have been together (or if they still are after that) and I don’t know what kind of girl Sarah is. For all we know, those two can laugh about for years and tell the story of how Dad got national “fame” for letting Mom get hit with a baseball. But what I do know is that Bo is a guy who really doesn’t know how to be a true man:
A) It’s a foul ball dude, c’mon make the catch! How many times have you been to a baseball game and when someone can’t catch the ball everyone boos and laughs at him? Seriously, you had to have played baseball at some point, get your hands on it. Besides, at any other stadium (because the Astros are atrocious) you don’t catch it, that ball ain’t yours.
B) First rule of getting the ball is to keep your body in front of it. Don’t jump out of the way, and if you are gonna dodge it, get IN FRONT OF THE GIRL! Let it hit a stranger; at least you won’t have to hear them complain in the car ride home.
Again, I don’t know how their relationship is or the type of people they are, but they look like a young couple, I’m guessing 17-22, and this culture has a love affair with ourselves. We are always concerned about me, myself, and I. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, ask any of my friends and they’ll tell you I’m looking to make this the best for me, but when you are in a relationship you have to think of the other person too. Think of their well-being and their happiness. As I continuously look for jobs I wonder, what will this do for my current relationship? Where do I go that will make her happiest or keep her happy? Things like that.
However, as I read all the reaction to this incident I saw a post in which the writer declared that chivalry is dead. And to a point I agree. But I also feel that the idea of chivalry has been lost because of the cultural changes and may not even be needed anymore. The idea of chivalry goes back to 1950’s Pleasantville…not 21st Century Houston. Let me explain:
What has always been the cultural identity of men and women in relationships? Men are meant to provide and protect the family. Men go to work, bring home the money, and defend the household and those in it. Women have been meant to nurture and care for the family. They make the meals, they nurse the injuries and illnesses and they take care of the children. What Bo did, was not protect the family. He allowed his belle to get plunked with a potentially devastating weapon. But I can’t entirely blame him.
Again, we, the “millennia’s” as they have so adequately named us, are more focused on our personal well being and women in particular have debunked the old notion of being home makers which in turn has deterred some men away from the idea of being a provider and a protector.
I’m not trying to teach anyone how to be in a relationship, I know I’m not the best boyfriend in history but I know I make her happy and I know I’ll do what it takes to do that for as long as she’ll let me. But what I do know is I was raised to protect and provide for my family, whether that’s finding the best job to give her everything she wants and needs or getting rid of any threat to her I’m going to do it. And, as a former shortstop, you can be damn sure I’m getting in front of that ball.
But for others, like our beloved beau Bo, at least he won’t have a big ol’ bruise on his arm when going out to find his next date to a game…maybe just one across the face.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Honestly? Don’t You Have Enough To Worry About?
“So let's forget about the hatin/ And the way the bulls are playin/ Without Jordan on the team/ And the high price of gasoline” – “Love Train” by Big & Rich
So I’m sitting here watching this whole discussion on Proposition 8 in California, for those who don’t know that’s the gay marriage bill, and I can’t help thinking to myself: What the hell does it matter? This is something I think every time a story like this makes the news. People come out in droves to protest things they feel threaten the norm: segregation, Irish immigrants, Mexican immigrants, homosexuality, etc. Don’t these people have enough going in their own lives to focus on? Apparently not. Apparently, these people are rolling in dough, have great jobs, live on pure solar energy, drink from a golden water fountain, kids have straight A’s and their bills are always paid and it’s always 78 degrees and sunny outside their house (I need to move to that neighborhood) that all they have to do in their lives is go out and prevent everyday Americans from having a basic right to spend the rest of their life with the one they love.
Now it’s no secret which side of the political aisle I fall on, but this is one topic where I willingly go the other way. What’s the opposition to letting gays and lesbians get married? Don’t they have the right to be just as miserable as every other married couple? Seriously though people there is no reason why gays can’t get married. Let’s go through every possible “excuse” why they can’t:
Gay Parents = Gay Children
Just like alcoholic, abusive parents equal 13 year old wife beating drunks, right? How many have you have turned out to be the exact same person as your father or mother? Sure, you may have the same tendencies, like the same foods, have the same haircut, but nobody, NOBODY turns out the exact same way. My father is a military man, and while I’ve thought about joining, I wouldn’t; it’s not my thing. Think of something your parents did that you don’t like, you can easily decide not too; free will, remember that thing?
“I Don’t Want To See Them Like That In Public”
Like what? Affectionate? You don’t want to see two pain in the tail teenagers necking with one another at a mall so those two people cannot get married! Here’s an idea, I don’t want to see you in plaid like that in public. What they do behind closed doors is their business, what the hell do you care? I’m willing to bet that you do some things at home that you don’t do in public. Just let them be, they are in a relationship. When you were first dating, you were the same way. Maybe you just don’t like Public Display of Affection, not gays or lesbians showing PDA. Just maybe.
Being Gay is a Choice You Make
This one is just absurd. Being gay is not a choice, if you are gay your are attracted to the person of the same sex. Does that mean being straight is a choice? Straight men and women, do me a favor: look at the guy or girl next to you at a bar and choose to be attracted to them and sleep with them. I’m willing to bet you can’t, just like a homosexual person cannot choose to be attracted to a person of the opposite sex. Saying you can choose whether or not to be gay is quite possibly the dumbest thing since the “Twinkie Defense.”
It’s In The Bible
This is my favorite. I’m a Catholic, I go to Church and I pray that one day I may reach the Golden Gates and walk side by side with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but no offense, Catholicism is quite possibly the most contradictory religion there is. God’s Ten Commandments for example: though shalt not kill: Christianity is responsible for the most murders in the history of mankind. Though shalt not commit adultery: why are we not phased anymore if Jude Law finds a new nanny? Though shalt not steal: what is our primal instinct when things do not go well (looting). If we lived every day just like the Bible, no bad would ever happen. That’s not to say that Homosexuals are bad, but I believe firmly that just because it’s in the Bible does not automatically condemn you. We are all going to be judged one day by Him and how we live while we are here is going to be the basis of that judgment. Remember what else is in the bible: “Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself”. Would you like to have them tell you you can’t get married?
While writing this I’ve been trying to figure out a legitimate logical reason to not allow the LGBT community to get married and I can’t. I honestly do not see the other side of this argument. Some people want to change the definition of marriage…why? There are already TEN DEFINITIONS of the word: Marriage. It’s like segregation (yes it is, don’t argue with me). Just because they are “different” does not mean they are bad for our culture.
Besides, aren’t there more things to worry about in this country? Don’t we have a horrible economy, two wars, immigration crisis, recovering Gulf & people faking cancer? Why are we spending our precious time worrying about this? I mean honestly people, there are more things going on in the world that mean something and aren’t discriminatory. What makes this country great is an opportunity for all people to have the same chances to be happy and if marrying the one they love does that, shouldn’t, as Americans, they be able to?
I applaud the Governator for doing this and wanting to speed it through and I’m proud of California for passing it. What I’m not proud of, is that it took a state not run by an American born citizen to make it happen (but that’s a minor detail).
So I’m sitting here watching this whole discussion on Proposition 8 in California, for those who don’t know that’s the gay marriage bill, and I can’t help thinking to myself: What the hell does it matter? This is something I think every time a story like this makes the news. People come out in droves to protest things they feel threaten the norm: segregation, Irish immigrants, Mexican immigrants, homosexuality, etc. Don’t these people have enough going in their own lives to focus on? Apparently not. Apparently, these people are rolling in dough, have great jobs, live on pure solar energy, drink from a golden water fountain, kids have straight A’s and their bills are always paid and it’s always 78 degrees and sunny outside their house (I need to move to that neighborhood) that all they have to do in their lives is go out and prevent everyday Americans from having a basic right to spend the rest of their life with the one they love.
Now it’s no secret which side of the political aisle I fall on, but this is one topic where I willingly go the other way. What’s the opposition to letting gays and lesbians get married? Don’t they have the right to be just as miserable as every other married couple? Seriously though people there is no reason why gays can’t get married. Let’s go through every possible “excuse” why they can’t:
Gay Parents = Gay Children
Just like alcoholic, abusive parents equal 13 year old wife beating drunks, right? How many have you have turned out to be the exact same person as your father or mother? Sure, you may have the same tendencies, like the same foods, have the same haircut, but nobody, NOBODY turns out the exact same way. My father is a military man, and while I’ve thought about joining, I wouldn’t; it’s not my thing. Think of something your parents did that you don’t like, you can easily decide not too; free will, remember that thing?
“I Don’t Want To See Them Like That In Public”
Like what? Affectionate? You don’t want to see two pain in the tail teenagers necking with one another at a mall so those two people cannot get married! Here’s an idea, I don’t want to see you in plaid like that in public. What they do behind closed doors is their business, what the hell do you care? I’m willing to bet that you do some things at home that you don’t do in public. Just let them be, they are in a relationship. When you were first dating, you were the same way. Maybe you just don’t like Public Display of Affection, not gays or lesbians showing PDA. Just maybe.
Being Gay is a Choice You Make
This one is just absurd. Being gay is not a choice, if you are gay your are attracted to the person of the same sex. Does that mean being straight is a choice? Straight men and women, do me a favor: look at the guy or girl next to you at a bar and choose to be attracted to them and sleep with them. I’m willing to bet you can’t, just like a homosexual person cannot choose to be attracted to a person of the opposite sex. Saying you can choose whether or not to be gay is quite possibly the dumbest thing since the “Twinkie Defense.”
It’s In The Bible
This is my favorite. I’m a Catholic, I go to Church and I pray that one day I may reach the Golden Gates and walk side by side with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but no offense, Catholicism is quite possibly the most contradictory religion there is. God’s Ten Commandments for example: though shalt not kill: Christianity is responsible for the most murders in the history of mankind. Though shalt not commit adultery: why are we not phased anymore if Jude Law finds a new nanny? Though shalt not steal: what is our primal instinct when things do not go well (looting). If we lived every day just like the Bible, no bad would ever happen. That’s not to say that Homosexuals are bad, but I believe firmly that just because it’s in the Bible does not automatically condemn you. We are all going to be judged one day by Him and how we live while we are here is going to be the basis of that judgment. Remember what else is in the bible: “Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself”. Would you like to have them tell you you can’t get married?
While writing this I’ve been trying to figure out a legitimate logical reason to not allow the LGBT community to get married and I can’t. I honestly do not see the other side of this argument. Some people want to change the definition of marriage…why? There are already TEN DEFINITIONS of the word: Marriage. It’s like segregation (yes it is, don’t argue with me). Just because they are “different” does not mean they are bad for our culture.
Besides, aren’t there more things to worry about in this country? Don’t we have a horrible economy, two wars, immigration crisis, recovering Gulf & people faking cancer? Why are we spending our precious time worrying about this? I mean honestly people, there are more things going on in the world that mean something and aren’t discriminatory. What makes this country great is an opportunity for all people to have the same chances to be happy and if marrying the one they love does that, shouldn’t, as Americans, they be able to?
I applaud the Governator for doing this and wanting to speed it through and I’m proud of California for passing it. What I’m not proud of, is that it took a state not run by an American born citizen to make it happen (but that’s a minor detail).
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