Monthly Archives: November 2012

Nothing Remarkable

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I know someone who equates being a Liberal with being a “homo”. I find it fascinating that politics of any sort have any association with sexuality but they do. One needs to be cautious making broad statements. I guess I take issue with this person because they use an ignorant and broad stroke in painting Liberals as homosexual.  This person is clearly a bigot and working from memory small minded. I might also add that they appear to be homophobic. It is a fact that homophobia often involves the fear that others might think “you” are gay. I can only deduce that there resides in this person’s conscious or unconscious a basis for this fear. It may be insecurity (this person is middle-aged) but why would their masculinity be threatened by even the stereotypical femininity associated with gays? My partner is very feminine. In no way does this take away from or threaten my masculinity.

Why would you deny dignity to someone because of what naturally pleases and excites them? We all differ in what pleases and excites us. Frankly, I am not bothered by these variances unless it involves children.

The first few times I noticed this person’s views I was offended but ignored it and thought it best not to bother. I knew this person as a child and throughout high school. At those times there was nothing remarkable about this person; clearly the same still holds true. They are essentially a pre-teen male without the knowledge and or experience to find value in their own masculinity and identity without devaluing others. When you look down on others you are in no way above them!

I enjoy differing opinions and especially opposing political views for the balance they provide. It is dangerous however to write someone off because of their political views or sexuality. It creates a vacuum where you are in danger of believing only your own rhetoric. This vacuum only breeds further ignorance.

The homophobic fear this person has could be put to rest with knowledge. Read a book, it might be written by a gay person; enjoy it regardless. Watch a movie, it may have a gay actor in it; enjoy it regardless. Take a drive or walk down the street, meet someone new, they may be gay; enjoy them regardless. Despite your closed minded opinions your world is full of and enriched by people who are in fact gay. Most often you will be oblivious to this fact just as they are oblivious to what makes your blood flow. Expand your horizons and you may find qualities in those you belittle that you could only wish to have. Another quick exercise, which I must warn involves modern ways, is to Google famous gay people. You will be confronted with a never-ending list of people you will never hold a candle to. When the sneer is wiped from your face, take a look in the mirror and make peace with the fact that you will never make a list entailing quality despite what you do with your boner.

20% off

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I was at an auction today. I was standing in line to pay for my purchases – deals really. I had a good look at what other people bought. I saw boxes with puzzles and posters, dishes and trinkets, crappy art (though who am I to say) old chairs and barbeques I wouldn’t boil water on. One man’s junk is another’s treasure but I saw no treasure.

It became apparent to me that if one can purchase something for less than it might usually go for we gladly throw money and pee our pants all the way home until we are faced with the reality of where to put everything. Isn’t our world based on getting something for less? I can’t think of much that doesn’t come on “sale”. Aren’t we all drawn to 20% or even 50% off? If someone or something tells us we are getting away with more for less we take it; on credit no less. We borrow money to buy something that has seemingly lost some of its value.

I have three days worth of dog poop in my backyard. It’s a door crasher, 75% off; early bird special and while quantities last. Products may not be exactly as shown. Seriously, I’m giving this shit away! I imported it and be damned, I’m taking a loss on this product because I’m a caring capitalist- we’re rampant, just check your flyers.

Christ, You Can’t Wrap Remembrance Day ?

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I just drove through downtown London and noticed the Christmas decorations are all up. It warms the heart to see wreaths and bows on the 9th of November.

I couldn’t help but compare our infatuation with “Christmas” and our remembrance of soldiers and others who have sacrificed. We have decorations up 8 weeks before His birthday so we can deposit His spirit in the bank. Maybe we should commercialize Remembrance Day so it gets a fair shake. Sacrifice is sacrifice. Maybe we should hoist blinking Poppies in September and have Remembrance bargains at Toys ‘R’ Us… but that would be crass.

What is the difference between a 16 year old lad laying down his life for mine on earth and Christ laying His down? There must have been a few relatively sinless soldiers. Maybe freedom has a different place in my heart because it was absent for a time. I’m grateful the twerp with the funny moustache didn’t succeed in telling us what colour our skin and eyes should be or what religion we should follow.

I would consider it a bad day if I had to drag my electric chair up a hill so they could fasten me into it. Wallowing in a trench for months isn’t a holiday either. Knowing for sure you’re going to be nailed to a cross would be stressful but weeks on end with bullets whizzing by your head with the same intention isn’t exactly comforting. What might either be like?

For parts of Canada we are given a statutory holiday in February. Here in Ontario it is “Family Day”. On the 11th day at the 11th hour many are only allowed to stop for one minute. Maybe it’s for the best since many would squander a Remembrance Day holiday. The mall has better parking than the Cenotaph and we would only succeed in dishonouring those who sacrificed.

Maybe 60 seconds is all we can stand. If we actually spent an hour thinking about what has been done for us in either case we would weep. It might be sacrilegious but for me sacrificing your life for someone else on earth means you’re a saviour. Lest I forget it!