The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

I often times find myself disagreeing with fellow progressives on the reporting of news or opinions I (we) may not personally like. If I report a story about the National Rifle Association (NRA), Fox News, Sean Hannity, or the Tea Party, I am often times greeted with comments like, "Don't give them a voice," "You're only helping their cause by posting that," or "Why should I care?"  These comments rub me the wrong way, because no matter what our beliefs or how strong they are, it does us no good to live in a little information bubble or to turn a blind eye as others do similarly. The NRA is a powerful organization. Whether I post a story about them or not, they're not going to just go away. So what does it hurt to try and hold them accountable? ...to spread the full truth about their rhetoric and practices? ...to combat the extremely slanted and partisan bent the group tends to use to report their news ? How can inaccurate claims be quashed ...

I was caught off guard over the weekend when a friend of mine asked me, "So what do you plan to do with the rest of your life?" I think I was doubly caught off guard due to the fact I was out and relaxing at a bar. When I venture to such a destination, the last thing I think about is, "Where am I going to be 20 years from now?" At least for me, I go to bars to temporarily unwind and get away from reality, not to have it thrown in my face. In any case, even 48 hours after the fact, I'd still have difficulty in concretely answering the question, "So what do you plan to do with the rest of your life?" Now, if I had been asked, "What are your end goals or dreams?" I would have had a fairly easy time responding in full. However, as I've come to learn, it's incredibly difficult, if not next to impossible, to fully plan life. On a daily basis, things happen which we never would have expected, let alone planned, and that's one of the lo...

I'd say roughly once a month I read an article which is titled something along the lines of, "What not to say to someone who is transgender" or "Ten questions you should never ask a transgender person." Now, granted, some of these comments and questions are so insensitive and ridiculous, even Ben Carson opened his eyes for a change to roll them. However, some questions which were mentioned came across as genuine and like the person simply wanted to learn more about the other and to understand them better. So, where do we draw the line between asking a transgender individual a question to learn more about him or her and yet do so in a way that doesn't leave them feeling uncomfortable? Is there a way? As my long-time readers should know by now, I'm rather progressive on most issues. The large circle of people I regularly associate with are quite diverse in terms of: Gender (well, duh), age, race, religious beliefs, political affiliation, orientation, etc...

Ever known someone who just didn't seem to like you from the start? You have no idea what you said or did to bother them, but they just have a certain attitude about them around you that they don't contain around others? I've run into this with someone. It kind of reached a peak last week, but looking back on things, I have to say it's been rolling in this direction for quite some time. The crazy thing is, I don't see him act this way around anyone else. It is entirely possible that he does, but if so, I haven't been aware of it. He just likes to pick fights and sometimes over the silliest of things. He'll also make comments which signify a certain disapproval of me. For most of 2009 and 2010 I was ill and due to my symptoms, was unable to drive. After I was able to walk a bit again, I was able to get a ride out to a pub on a Friday or Saturday during the weekends. It was nice. It kept me sane, as I was stuck inside the house for the week, unable to move...