What The “Greyhound Of Language” And I Have In Common
“Sometimes the fluffy bunny of incredulity zooms around the bend so rapidly that the greyhound of language is left, agog, in the starting cage.” –David Mitchell
Some not-so-fluffy, incredibly ugly reactions to the elections this week have most definitely left me ‘agog’– speechless in the face of the hatred, venom and bitterness that has been spewed all over the social media sites in general, and thankfully to a much lesser extent, on my page in particular. It has been startling, sobering and just… sad.
I spend a lot of time on Twitter, Facebook and the like. Even if it were not my job to engage on these sites (and it is– I am paid to contribute to several websites, and I handle the social media for a couple more) I would still be a frequent user because I enjoy the sense of community, the immediacy of the responses and the exchange of information and ideas that can occur there. Also, I happen to find pictures of cats falling off of things really funny. And where else would I find hideously embarrassing pictures of myself from the 80’s that I didn’t even know existed unless some helpful person posted them on Facebook?!
I have always managed to purposely and gracefully (at least in my mind) sidestep controversy on my little piece of the social media tundra, mostly by simply refusing to participate when someone posts something I find offensive or just plain stupid on my page. I have no problem hitting the Delete button if I want to erase something from view, though I haven’t yet resorted to the faintly playground-squabble-sounding extreme of “de-friending” someone– let’s face it, I couldn’t even pick the vast majority of the “friends” who follow me out of a line-up, anyway!
I do understand that it’s not always a case of somebody deliberately trying to pick a fight, or some random douchecanoe hoping to insult me; as hard as it can be to believe, many times people actually don’t realize they are saying something offensive. But because Russ and I are public about our Christian faith, people often automatically assume that we are in some kind of idealogical lockstep with whatever their personal interpretation of Christianity is– and that can range from the farthest reaches of scary right-wingery to the narrowest fringes of fuzzy-around-the-edges, “kinda Christian-ish” beliefs. The truth, as I’ve often said, is that my Christian friends are sometimes quite surprised at how liberal I am, and my liberal friends are sometimes quite surprised at how Christian I am. Which I’m totally OK with, by the way.
My feeling is that whole “working out your salvation with fear and trembling” thing gives me some leeway in which to use my personal experience with God to define and illuminate how I live life and make decisions. I like to think that I’m generous enough to extend that same leeway to my fellow believers even when we are fundamentally on opposite sides of an issue, and for the most part, I am. The glaring exception is when my fellow believers react to opposing viewpoints with outright meanness — I don’t ‘do’ mean.
What has been most shocking to me, is that immediately following the re-election of President Obama the internet has been blitz-krieged with the most destructive kind of scatter-shot, intensely personal attacks, mostly by Christians aimed at each other. Let me be even more specific: mostly by Christians who supported Romney aimed at Christians who supported Obama. I’m not talking about people expressing disappointment in the results, or honest concern for the direction they perceive the country is going. I’m talking vile name-calling and bitter rain-down-the-wrath-of-God-on-your-whole-family/hope-you-die-and-go-to-hell-with-all-of-the-other-Muslim-lovers stuff.
I have seen photos of flags flying at half-mast and bloody aborted fetuses accompanied by dire predictions of world wars and the furiously impassioned desire to move to another country or secede from the Union. I have read that “America died” and “Satan is in the White House.” I have heard the seated, legally elected President of the United States called absolutely everything but a child of God by people who use the name of Jesus to sanctify their hate. Most upsettingly, some of this has come not just from Facebook and Twitter “friends,” but from people I actually know and (used to) respect. They obviously feel it is not only their God-given right, but their God-ordained mission to assassinate the name, character, reputation and family of Barack Obama.
And, frankly? I call bullshit on that.
You can dress it up any way you want, but if you identify yourself as a Christian, hating, disrespecting and dehumanizing another human being is indefensible. Period. This is not a holy war against a Godless infidel– this is a political election that was won by a man who ALSO identifies himself as a Christian. And if you think that you have the right to deny his claim of faith, I would suggest that you base your damnation on something other than the fact that you fervently disagree with him on issues that are very important to you. You may be right on those issues and he may be dead wrong–or vice versa– but that doesn’t mean either one of you can legitimately claim to KNOW what is in the heart and spirit of the other. And continuing to insist that you know Obama is a follower of the Muslim religion while he consistently affirms that he has accepted Christ as his Savior just makes you look like a willfully ignorant fool.
You don’t have to look as far away as the White House to find a Christian that you don’t think lives up to YOUR standards of the faith because they don’t see eye to eye with you on every issue– you can just look down the pew at some of the Christians you worship with every Sunday. I can guarantee there are people in your church, Bible study, heck, FAMILY that don’t interpret every tenet of your shared faith the exact way you do. And for every spiritual or political issue that seems absolutely non-negotiable/black and white to you based on your interpretation of scripture, your background and your life experience? I can also guarantee you there are those you are in fellowship with that, based on their interpretation of scripture, background and life experience, feel just as strongly that those issues have more sides/nuances to them than you might be willing to accept– but I would propose that neither one of you are in a position to kick the other one out of the family of God.
I personally place full responsibility for the appalling, brother-against-brother divisiveness of this election season firmly at the feet of my fellow Christians. I hold us to a higher standard than the battling pundits that spin their opinions on Fox News and CNN. Extremists from both political parties will always be at each other’s throats in the press, that’s what they do– it’s their schtick, it gets ratings and it builds careers. But there is no excuse for us to mimic that behavior by turning on each other like rabid dogs and then attempt to use the Bible to condone it. Do you have the right to express your opinion? Of course you do, so do I. Do either one of us have the right to viciously attack people who don’t agree with us? I suppose we do. My question is, why would we want to?
I find it hard to believe that those who have posted insulting, inflammatory diatribes on Facebook and Twitter honestly believe they are helping the cause of Christ or enlightening the minds of non-believers with their oh-so-urgent revelations. I think that, like all humans, sometimes they just get really frustrated and pissed off at the way things are going, and they resent everyone they consider ‘idiots who can’t see what’s in front of their own stupid faces,’ and sometimes it just flat-out feels kind of good to vomit that anger all over the place. Fair enough. But when we cloak those feelings in scripture, and insist that we are only being good little soldiers of the cross by attempting to turn this wayward country back to God– well, at the very least we are perhaps being just a teeny bit presumptuous and self-deluded, and at worse, we are spitting in the face of one of the most important articles of our faith: 1st Peter 4:8- “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (Try substituting “differences of opinion” for “sins.”)
As Christians we need to be able to leave room for the remote possibility that maybe we don’t have all of the information and facts all the time, and that even though we feel positive Jesus would absolutely agree with our most passionate beliefs right down the line, perhaps there is still room for God to be God– and in some rare instances, for our most firmly held opinions to be (dare I say it?) honestly and absolutely… wrong. Hey, it could happen. And even if we’re right? The insulting, obnoxious way some people are expressing the unassailable rightness of their position makes it impossible for anyone to take them seriously. They are singlehandedly embodying the worst stereotypical cliches about Christianity and Christians, and handing non-believers on a silver platter about a hundred more good reasons to not want to be associated with the God we claim to serve. In short, to those who have participated in the kind of behavior I have been describing: YOU’RE NOT HELPING.
If you cannot respectfully disagree without turning the dialogue into a flame war? Then shut up and end the discussion. If you feel like it’s up to you to straighten out America and make sure everyone understands how screwed up this administration is? Then shut up and run for office. And if you are convinced that every horrible thing the extremists have ever told you is true, and this country is going to hell in an Obama-shaped hand basket? Then shut up and hit your knees. In a closet. By yourself. Put down your laptop and pick up your Bible. Intercede, don’t interject. Be part of the solution for a change.
I do not accept the argument that Christians who didn’t vote for Obama cannot ‘in good conscience’ pray for him/wish him well/support him as their leader. I am purposely refraining from resorting to the all-too-familiar tactic of listing all of the Bible verses that would back me up on that one, only because I know I would probably be met by a barrage of verses that could be interpreted as good reasons NOT to do all of the above. And therein lies the problem. If people who profess the same faith are able to use the same sacred text that embodies that faith in such a way that both sides can find passages to back up their seemingly irreconcilably opposing viewpoints– how do we ever think we can change the minds and hearts of those who already DON’T view the Bible the same way we do by clobbering them over the head with it?
So in the absence of complete and total agreement on every single political/social/spiritual issue, how about we Christians try implementing these appallingly secular concepts as a last resort:
Common courtesy and decency.
Basic kindness.
The Golden Rule.
“If you don’t have something good to say…”
Yes, I know that sounds smarmy, simplistic and sophomoric. Yes, I realize it won’t solve the huge problems this nation is facing. But for the love of God, it’s a start!
We can’t keep on actively contributing to the divisiveness all around us while simultaneously wringing our hands in despair over it. We can’t teach a generation of young people by example that it’s acceptable to viciously tear people apart if we disagree with them, and then be shocked at their sneering lack of respect for authority. And we can’t use the same mouth to bless the people who agree with us and curse the ones who don’t, and expect that to be acceptable to the God we say we believe in. (See how I did that? Snuck that scripture reference in just now?)
So, I’m asking– are YOU willing to tone down the rhetoric, respectfully agree to disagree, treat each other with kindness? Can YOU let go of the need to be right and the drive to convince others you are? Can YOU back off on the nay-saying, doomsday-predicting negativity long enough to speak a word of encouragement to someone who might really need to hear it? Can we somehow manage to find, focus in on and celebrate the common ground we do share?
I think we’re capable of it, if we’ve got the stomach for it.
And if you truly feel that you would be in error as a Christian if you didn’t stand up and attack what you absolutely believe to be wrong? Please know that there are also godly, Bible-believing, Jesus-loving Christians who believe just as strongly and beyond any shadow of a doubt that YOU are the one that’s wrong.
I’m just proposing that we stop trying to beat the hell out of each other in the name of God.
I’m just proposing that if someone has to be in error, maybe we can all agree to err on the side of love.
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Thank you Tori. Well said.
Was just discussing this with one friend around an hour ago —
1 Corinthians 8
8 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
Thank you, Tori.
Well said! I feel like I’ve been attacked and made to feel like I’m going to hell. Thankyou!
I have already expressed to you how much I love this. When I have the strength/time to handle the comments, I will be sharing it… Not so much for my conservative Christian friends (the ones who need to read this won’t Get it, I fear), but for those of my more liberal friends who lose their ‘tolerance” when it comes to Christianity. See, they think because I didn’t vote for Obama, I must be a hater of gays, blacks, women (forget that I am one), education, the poor, the uninsured, etc. We have set ourselves up in this country to be One or The Other. I am so, so sick of it. If I were president, my social agenda would be to make gay marriage legal and abortions not, and that would piss of 95% of the friends I have…
michelle57: Thank YOU, Michelle.
small j: That’s a good word, jonny.
pj: Appreciate that.
tcmiller59: Not a good feeling, is it?!
KellyBurton: Gurrrrl, I hear you! The Obama-supporting Christians are every bit as capable of passing judgement on people who don’t agree with them as the Romney-supporting Christians. I have heard ALL Republicans characterized as heartless racists as often as I have heard ALL Democrats portrayed as abortion-loving freeloaders. Unfortunately there has been more than enough hatespeak to go around. Also? I would totally vote for you for President. In a heartbeat.
Tori – Thank you for saying what so many of us feel but don’t have your way with words. It is my wish that this could be posted on every webpage, editorial page, every ‘news’ channel and passed out at every church service.
Bobbi
KellyBurton: You have my vote as long as you PROMISE no repetitive, finger-pointing ads!!!
Tori: Thank you. Last Sunday, I went to a GVB concert in MN. Sometimes Mark’s old jokes just hit home. They went through the “How many Lutherans are here tonight? Catholics?” etc. etc. then Mark said in a sing-songy voice “Somebody’s wrong!” Heard it before, but your comments made me think of it! (Doesn’t he have the ability to say a lot in a few–often funny–words?)
I have seen a lot on FB and stayed out of it. The day before the election a non-Christian made a comment about how, if Romney was elected, we should buy stock in wire-hangers, a low blow to Pro-Lifers. That did it–I didn’t comment, but I was disgusted with her! Then, after the elections I heard a little of the nastiness from Christians–and I was humbled! I realized SHE wasn’t the one who should have known better–and did I even PRAY for her? Ouch!
I have to say that the Red Letter movement has a lot of truth. Read the red-letters! I really don’t see Jesus getting too nasty with the “sinners”–except for the Pharisees who sure look like a lot of the Christians I’ve been hearing lately!
You said it well.
Signed: Gramma Jac, one of your friends you couldn’t pick out in a line-up!!!!
Oh my goodness! I am cyber-kissing your face right now. I had JUST finished typing the one and only reply I’ve made to one of those blanket-statement posts, and thought I’d see if you had a new entry, and THIS is what I find! (cue the angels singing…) If my family is still asleep, it’s a miracle because I could not keep quiet while reading. THANK you for your wonderful way with words. Just another reason you’ve had my ever-lastin’ love for ages and ages! I am SO posting the link to this on my page.
Thanks Tori. I think for us Brits Rachel said it well on twitter the day after your elections with ‘Yesterday I thought ‘at least Americans get excited about voting unlike us cynical Brits’. Right now our apathy beats their vindictiveness.’ I’m sure she will comment on here but again Thank you Tori!
Oh, I meant tat we were discussing that verse at the time, not this topic. But the two seemed to fit.
And KellyBurton –love the name Kelly by the way– I’m with Gramma Jac, “You have my vote as long as you PROMISE no repetitive, finger-pointing ads!!!” I’d add to that as long as you don’t wink at the camera when you are talking to ‘America’ as well = )
This is Betty’s husband Stuart ‘provoked’ once more to use her id to comment. Had I been American and not English I would not have known how to vote. The underlying issues people are concerned about could scarcely be more serious and we are all heading for dangerous times….BUT…bless you Tori. I agree with every word. Even if we were to regard those with contrary politics as enemies (and they mostly are not) then we should bless them too. Or am I mistaking what Jesus said?
Agreed about the ‘could scarcely be more serious’ and ‘dangerous times’ !!
So well said. Thank you, Tori!
Thanks Tori, this needed to be written.
You say what you have read ‘has been startling, sobering and just… sad.’ Yes, sad, incredibly, depressingly sad.
As a foreigner looking on, the election campaign seemed at best an expensive waste of time, and at worst a hate-filled, dishonest and nasty argument. Much of the reaction to the result – on both sides – has been totally void of grace. America has not looked good.
That’s why its sad. If America hasn’t looked good to foreigners, Christians have looked even worse – at home and abroad. Here’s the main issue – the Bible is clear that there is one thing, above all others, that singles us out, and reveals Christ to people. It’s not preaching the gospel, its not helping the destitute (although both these things are good and necessary). Look at Jesus’ prayer for us in John 17. We are to be marked out by our unity, and this will show the world who Christ is. Elsewhere we are told that the world will know that we are His disciples because we love one another. Whatever our social background, nationality or political beliefs we are supposed to be united by our relationship with God through the saving work of Jesus.
Sorry if this offends anyone, but I’m pretty sure the devil is laughing right now.
Rachel, well written–and if it offends anyone, they probably needed it!!
You’ve earned yourself a new fan. A friend of mine shared this with me and over I ran to read what you had written. Beautifully said indeed. I am the wife of a man from Europe and let me tell you that our words and our divided nation is looked at very closely by everyone in this world. Our society claims that we are such Christians but we attack our brothers, and condemn those who we deem beneath us. I think we might be a little surprised at the guest list in Heaven. Who am I to deem who is worthy to walk the end of days with the Lord. Oh how I miss the days when politics were not discussed in church, or on the pulpit. Oh how I miss the days when you were a Christian because you believed in Jesus and not because of the way you voted.
Thanks Tori. I shall follow your blog with interest.
ginnh: Thank you. (I’d probably have to take out the “bullshit” word if it’s gonna be passed out at churches… OK, maybe not!)
GrammaJac: I kinda have a feeling I could pick you out of a lineup– your spirit would give you away! Yeah, I’ve seen plenty of hatespeak coming from both sides of the aisle for sure. It’s been more slanted after the election, but I’d have to say overall the ugliness has been pretty equally divided.
blondie: I’m cyber-kissing your face right back.
bettyrwoodward: Unfortunately, that’s a very accurate quote– and I don’t really know which is worse, but I’d probably take apathy over vindictiveness for sure!
Stuart Woodward: I love it when we “provoke” you to speak! Yes, seems like my Bible does have some pesky verses in there about loving your enemies… and turning the other cheek… and bless those who spitefully use you… and a soft answer turneth away wrath…
karen48: Thanks for reading.
rachelbaker: YES, that is absolutely the point! And unity is exactly what has been missing on every front during this election. Not unity of opinions– but unity in our common belief system in something GREATER than political party lines.
Eckaterrina: WELCOME! So glad you’ve joined us here at ‘Bloomr Nation– please come back often! And yes, I long for the days when Christianity was defined by believing in Christ and not how you voted, too– well said.
Happy Finnish Father’s Day to all dad’s who check out the blog, and Happy Birthday Russ !! = )
Tori, I enjoy reading your musings very much. This one should win an award. You have said what so many of us feel in our hearts! We Christians at times can stomp on our own, chew them up, then spit them out! Not one of us is any better nor any brighter than anyone else in the self absorbed practice of “politics in the name of God” – how we are to vote, who to support, who is evil, who is an anti-Christ, right down the line and rationalize what we are doing is the only way due to our interpretation of the Bible. I am so glad God loves us all! I don’t think he is going to ask us how we registered or how we voted when we reach that wonderful plateau where they check to see if our name is written down in THE BOOK! Only God’s Grace and Forgiveness will count at that time. My fervent hope is that we all get in the boat, and all row it in the same direction, working together to resolve issues that are so important to the future of our Country. Co-workers in the private sector must get along with each other – the same should be true for those who work in government.
mrs. noah: WELL SAID! I love your illustration about all of us getting in the same boat and rowing in the same direction.
Me, too = )
I like any boat analogies from “Mrs. Noah”.
LOL!!
oh, dear me! Pardon the Pun! I didn’t realize what I was saying. (Need to get off the ark more often)….lol Just one more comment – after having attended NQC for many years, I have been “politically witnessed to” twice in those years when well known groups chose to make vicious, unnecessary and inciteful political comments on stage during their time to sing. From that day forward we have not spent one nickel on either of those groups products eventhough their music is wonderful and on the charts. I never could figure out why they were trying to incite and cause riotous behavior in an arena full of gray haired folks with glasses when all we wanted to do was hear SGM. I too, fit in that category (but I’m blonde, by choice)….
WHOA NELLIE, I’ve just been minding my own business and I didn’t expect to come here and be yelled at!
Maybe yell is too strong of a word (but you did you BS).
I haven’t uttered a word since the election, but I’ve heard it swirl all around me! From both sides. I have a few people I might pass this on to. They need a good yellin’ at…
Wow! It broke my heart that my candidate for president didn’t win because I sincerely thought he was the better man for the job this time. it appears I was outnumbered. However, the saddest thing about the whole election were the months before and days following when there was so much hatefulness and ugliness everywhere you looked. I’m just an old woman, but I believe in that old saying, “It’s not as important whether you are right or you are wrong as it is that there is evidence of the holy Spirit at work within.” Wish we could bottle it and send it to Washington.
“It’s not as important whether you are right or you are wrong as it is that there is evidence of the holy Spirit at work within.”
Reminds me of one of my last days in the US Army. There was a MAJOR inspection coming up with someone HUGE at the time. We spent a month or two, at least, getting ready for it. The night before the inspection me and one other guy were given a room that had been dreadfully neglected and abused by a couple guys who were being kicked out of the Army and spent their last days there. Hot pink painted walls, mud and other stains on the walls and other places. It was also the largest room in the barracks. Well, we had one night to get it and our stuff ready for inspection the following morning.
We repainted the whole thing and added some special touches to it as well. Thoroughly scrubbed, waxed and buffed the massive floor. Got a large plant from somewhere and stuck it in there, too. We then got all of our personal Army things ready for inspection and everything was in place, literally, moments before the big guy came to our room. One thing on my roomy’s bed wasn’t laid out, displayed the way it should have been according to the papers we were given on how to do such things. I kept bugging him about it, he ignored me because he thought he was right. When the Sgt. and a lesser officer from our company came in with the Big Guy their mouths just dropped to the floor, truly speechless for awhile. They could not believe it was the same room assigned to us the night before. They eventually explained to the Big Guy what an incredible, mind blowing job we did. Big guy said that was all fine, dandy and very much admirable, BUT, there was something not right with our bed displays. I immediately explained that I did my best to let my roomy know that was not how the canteen cup was to be displayed. Big Guy said that wasn’t the problem, although true. The problem was we were not the same, connected in that one area. It would have been better for me to do the same has him than to be right and not united. That even surprised the Sgt. and lesser officer as well.
Mrs. Noah: I know exactly what you are talking about at NQC, and I feel exactly the same way you do! It seemed massively inappropriate to me.
MostlySunny: Ha! No way, sweetie– we don’t yell at each other around here (though we DO say BS on occasion!) I also agree with you that the hateful talk has been swirling around from BOTH camps– which is equally inexcusable.
Momma Lloyd: You figure out how to bottle up that gentle, humble spirit of YOURS and I’ll drive up to Washington and deliver it myself!
small j: I really, really love this story– and you told it well! It IS the lack of unity that is so upsetting to me. Of course the entire country is not going to see eye to eye on candidates and issues, but it just seems as Christians we ought to be able to find SOME little piece of common ground to stand on. Even if it’s just that we all love our country, and we all love God and we all want things to get better. That seems like enough to pray together about to me!
The week of the election was one of the worst——-two close family members in separate hospitals, trying to stay with my granddaughter as much as I could in one hospital, and driving my 85 year old mother back and forth to see her brother, whom they think has the “C” word, (I can’t say it yet), at the other hospital. There was a triple drive by shooting near my granddaughter’s hospital and all three victims DROVE themselves there. One drove over the grassy knoll in front of the ER entrance, over bushes and flowers and signposts, and stopped less than a foot in front of the huge glass door. Then the shooters’ families and the shootees’ families converged on the place and they locked the entire hospital down for over 6 hours. I finally got in to see my granddaughter after midnight, and on my way home, a policeman pulled me over at 3 in the morning for a burned out headlight two minutes from home. And that wasn’t the worst! That same night, I heard on the hospital TV that Mitt Romney lost, and I haven’t stopped crying since! (You can laugh if you want to, but that’s mean!) AND THEN, I come to Babybloomr for some TLC and find the same lady who wrote, “You’re my brother, you’re my sister, so take me by the hand” just told me to “Shut up”! What the hay??? I think I’m in the Twilight Zone! (Just kidding, Tori. You can tell me to shut up anytime. I might even return the favor sometime. LOL)
I read and reread your post, trying to figure out if you’re talking about me!!! Well, I don’t expect you to walk lockstep with me and my beliefs——-sometimes I don’t even walk lockstep with my own beliefs! And I think we all have some areas in life that we would be considered by some to be liberal, and other areas some would peg us as conservatives. I have both liberal and conservative friends, and I’m totally ok with that too. I’m not a birther. I don’t think I’m “mean”………at least I’ve never called anyone a “douchecanoe”. (Never heard of that one before, but I have a feeling it doesn’t have anything to do with water sports. Like there’s probably not a Harvard Douchecanoe Team.) I don’t want to destroy Barak Obama and his family, but I would like to replace him in the White House so my family isn’t destroyed. Give another guy a chance to turn things around! I don’t do vile name calling and the whole hope-you-die-and-go-to-the-bad-place-with-all-the-other-Muslim-lovers stuff. Did I??? In fact, I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to him and his wife and girls. I just wish I knew for certain that he felt the same about me and my family because since he took office, it’s been downhill in more ways than one. We are not better off! The future is bleak looking. Mass layoffs have already started. The CIA is a sleazy mess. Obama care is looming. The Congress is deadlocked and the financial cliff is getting closer. The middle east is a powder keg. Europe is chaos. I’m scared.
And as for his faith, I don’t know if he’s a Christian, Muslim, or Hindu ‘cause I don’t know his heart. Anyone can SAY they’re Christian…..or a pineapple for that matter! God will judge that one. And I’m happy to leave it to God ‘cause B.O. is confusing me. (So, I guess I’m not an ignorant fool. This time anyway.) It’s not about his religion or lack of religion for me, it’s a long list of other things you probably don’t want me to bring up on your post! And you didn’t have to remind me that he won the election!!! Every Democrat and liberal in the land has been doing that every day and every time I turn on the TV. So much for bringing the country together and healing! And I assure you that I DO NOT THINK ANYONE WHO VOTED FOR OBAMA CANNOT CALL THEMSELVES A CHRISTIAN! Just a bad Christian. (Ha ha! Gotcha! Couldn’t resist!) My dearest friend and neighbor and wonderful Christian is a Democrat and votes that way and we are close as 11:59! We have some political discussions every four years, but then we go out to eat and do what friends do! But we never resort to personal attacks, but stick to issues. And that’s the key.
You might have me on this one——I did share a lot of political articles on MY OWN Facebook wall that I thought were interesting or enlightening. No one had to read them. We can still do that, can’t we? If people can’t bear to even look at them, they can block them, can’t they? I certainly didn’t want to offend anyone! I’m sorry if I did.
And Tori, my sweet peace loving friend, I have to disagree with you on this point: you think most of the intensely personal attacks were mostly by Christians who supported Romney. And I think it’s the other way around! (Hiding behind a tree with my Bible frantically trying to find a verse to support me!) And I’m saying that with the appropriate amount of humility and fear because as good as you are at writing, given all the words you know, you could plough me under with a few well chosen words. And it would take me a couple days to realize it! Not that you WOULD, but you COULD! I just feel like conservative Christians are the new target for everyone in politics anymore. If you don’t believe me, watch MSNBC for a day! We’ve been called racists, bigots, narrow minded, rich heartless B-word, (I think they even made a TV series along that line), callous,ignorant, Bible quoting idiots misrepresenting Christianity, “clinging to our guns and religion”, (that last one contributed by our current Christian president), and a whole lot more! Oh, I forgot the worst charge of all——we’re WHITE! The party that hates racism hates white people now. And the people doing the hating are white? What is that—-some kind of twisted masochistic delusion? It’s vicious. It’s dehumanizing. It’s escalating. And it’s unfair. And liberal Christians do it too.
But, I agree with most of what you’ve said. And your points are well taken. I will be careful when I post political things on Facebook. I’m not that worried about it though——you have to be because you have thousands of “friends” on Facebook with widely varying belief systems, and you don’t want to offend any of them——you’re so nice! But my circle of influence is small. I could pick my friends out of a line up easily——-IF I had enough to form a line! I think I’m up to four now. This election season has been one of the worst that I can ever remember—–with so many lies, personal attacks and insults…….and even the liberal media had to admit that the worst and most frequent personal attacks were from the Obama camp against Mitt Romney!
If I have crossed the line and offended you or others, I am sorry. I don’t want to be one of those Christians who hinder others from coming to Christ. Not a good place to be!! Likewise, I will be careful not to judge those who think the Devil’s in the White House, or America is in a downward spiral, or Obama is a secret Muslim, ……because, as you said, there is a very slight chance they could be right too. None of us have a monopoly on the truth. And I promise to tone down the rhetoric if you’ll stop calling people that “canoe” thing. You’re scaring me.
I have been in a funk ever since the election. I cry every time I think of it. (Ya know, that ugly drippy kind of cry. Laugh if you must.) I was so sure Romney would win and turn around our failing economy and everything would be alright. And all the people out of a job will get one. And all the people who’ve lost their homes can get on their feet again and get a new one. (Two more neighbors lost their homes in our neighborhood recently that we knew. So sad.) And everyone would buy more Russ Taff CDs. But I can’t seem to shake this bad feeling. All I see is gloom. And if one more person tells me to snap out of it, (including my own mother), I will scream………but it will be a quiet dignified scream befitting my age. I know all the things Christians say at times like these——-God is in control, He must have a plan, He can use anyone, including B.O. to achieve His purposes, we need to just forget our disappointment and be all united and lovey and everything, but I just can’t seem to do it yet. For once, my faith is taking a back seat to my feelings. I don’t like it, but it is what it is. And I can’t just put a big old smiley Obama button on because people tell me to so we’ll all be unified….. or half the country voted that way so I’m outnumbered—get over it! I think I just need some time. Some wallowing time. Is that too much to ask? Some time to recoup and regroup. This election meant a lot to me. If it was just about me and my hubby, we’re older now and aren’t that worried about us. But we have two daughters and four grandchildren now and we fear for the world we’re leaving them to live, and work, and worship in. And you can be sure I will be praying for our president to make wise decisions, to chose wise and competent advisors, and humble himself before God and ask for His help too……..and become a successful president for all our sakes. I would MUCH RATHER say I was wrong than I told you so!!!
You KNOW I love you, don’t ya, Tori?
jonny, I too loved your story about your army days. And you did tell that very well! But I have trouble applying that “unity above all” thing to government. What if our country had that attitude when Hitler was taking over all of Europe and murdering Jews while a few people here were warning us to do something, but most said we should stay out of it? Should we stay out of it for the sake of unity? Should Lincoln have preserved our unity and let slavery continue? Where would we be if colonial America didn’t want to fight the Revolutionary War because most people didn’t want it? Or if Martin Luther decided unity in the church was more important than doctrinal truth and the Reformation never happened? I’m just sayin’………(I hope I’m making sense—it’s been a long time since my last Ritalin.)
This made the British press this week. Don’t know if anyone else saw it. I found it interesting. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/timstanley/100189246/texas-secession-petition-reaches-25000-signatures-even-obama-doesnt-warrant-this-conservative-pessimism/
Betty, that was an interesting blog. Linda, you and I are pretty close in political views–and, yes, some wallowing time is allowed. (At least you wallow–I’m in denial and not thinking about it!!!) But the end of this blog article is interesting–the pendulum does swing. I liked this line: “There’s a reason why Reagan won the presidency by two landslides. People vote for hymns of hope, not Jeremiads.” I’m going to keep that in mind!
And Linda, with all the other stuff going on in your life (you could almost describe it with the name of a nonexistant Harvard sport!!!), I just wanna give you a giant hug, the kind you either get a little uncomfortable with how long it’s lasting or decide to just settle into and take comfort!
Since I can’t do that, I’m just gonna send you a big ol’ prayer!!
Jac
Gracious, Betty W, Someone sent that article to me and I was really taken back that Joe Biden’s Democratic Delaware was one of the 30 states wanting to leave the Union.
I just heard on the news this morning some really scary things that are already starting concerning Obama Care. I want to stop the world from moving right now and put it all in reverse. I want the America I grew up in….for my children, my grand and great-grands, and for all those bright and shiny little faces being born in the future. We didn’t even lock our doors when we left home, I walked over a mile from the library at night alone and after dark with no thought of anything bad happening. And our congress would argue across the aisle during the day, then go out afterwards and have a beer together with dinner. For the most part, they liked and respected one another. Maybe this is what filtered down to the people, because I’m almost 82 and I can’t ever remember an election so mean-spirited, full of out-and-out lies, and just plain ugly before this one. I want my old America back.
Tori, since I can only control my reaction to the NQC politics, still today when the one group takes the stage I usually decide that it is a good time to hit that jewelry aisle in the expo hall. The other group…..God rest his soul….
(((((((((Betty)))))))) THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! That article made me want to stop this crying all the time and press on! I’m sending this to my sister right now! She’s even more despondent than I am, if that’s possible. She has a chronic and life threatening health problem, lost her job last year due to downsizing, and is terrified of Obama care. You cheered up TWO people this morning! Things are so bad economically in this area——-there are more homes repossessed than the banks can handle. Our local K-Mart went out of business this week! How bad does it have to be for K-Mart to close? When I drive through our neighborhood to go anywhere, I’m reminded every time of the neighbors that lost their homes. Homes that had children my granddaughter played with. Now I have to play Old Maid with her instead! This is serious! And every night I have to listen to my hubby complain about all the new business regulations coming down the pike that he has to deal with! There’s a flurry of them every day! One day he was going around town all day trying to find a bulletin board that was exactly so many inches by so many inches! The war on business is real, folks. I was so psyched that Romney was the answer and help was on the way! Now, it’s gotten even worse. But as that article reminded us—-what goes around comes around. I just hate it that so many unemployed families have to suffer until it does. But thank you Betty so much! Love you!
And sweet Gramma Jac, I am settling nicely into that hug that just can’t last too long!!! I guess that’s what I needed most! Someone to say it’s gonna be alright….. and not telling me to snap out of it …..and you lost, get over it! My family has been worried about me, I think. And they all tried to cheer me up in ways I now can laugh at. My hubby wanted me to go get a massage. My oldest daughter bought me two lottery tickets—-that were losers! LOL And my 10 year old granddaughter emptied the dishwasher without being asked even! Gotta love ‘em! My dear mother, who wanted Romney to be president as much as I did, just tells me, “You gotta get a grip, Linda! What’s wrong with you!” But she’s 85 and I give her a pass. Thank you again for your kindness! Love ya!
Barb, I know what you mean! The most contentious race I can remember is when Kennedy was elected. People were afraid, because he was Catholic, he would take direct orders from the Pope and try to make us all Catholics! I thought that was silly, but no one listened to me. LOL And though I didn’t want him to win, when he did, he actually tried to comfort those of us who didn’t vote for him and assure us he was going to be everyone’s president. That was classy. I don’t see that from our present president. His attitude is tough! I won and I’ll do what I want! And another difference I see is——not only are candidates demeaned, insulted, and demonized, but their supporters are also!! And back in the day, people would argue issues and criticize a candidates stand on them, but now slick political ads have changed the dialogue to that candidate wants to throw your gramma off a cliff, or killed a man’s wife by denying her health care, or wants to deny young women birth control, etc. And the pundants have told us that conservative Christians are racist, Bible quoting fools trying to force our beliefs on everyone else. I long for those long ago days too. I know, Barb! Let’s you and me go out for dinner and have a beer! That might help us both!
Well, Linda, you know I love you and I will do everything for the cause…just as long as I can figure out which cause you are working on at the moment. For example, did you get the headlight fixed?
As for you and I going out for a beer, that would be an excellent way for you to cheer up. In fact, you would be part of the entertainment when you fell out of your chair laughing at me dancing on the table. The really hysterical part would be watching me trying to climb up there. I could even give my Russ a plug and sing “Here Comes Jesus,” but Linda you have to promise that if Jesus did happen to show up you would grab me as quickly as possible and pull me down into a kneeling position. I could always say I was leading in prayer at a sinner’s table. Sorry Linda, desperate times demand desperate measures.
First of all– BettyRWoodward, that was an EXCELLENT piece! SO well-written, very balanced and actually encouraging– thank you so much for bringing it to our attention, I’ll certainly be passing it on!
Sweet LindaB: First of all, I am so sorry you have been having such a rough time. The hospital episode sounds like a bad movie– I pray your granddaughter and uncle are doing better, and I pray that this week is better for you…
And honey, let me just say that you couldn’t offend me if you laid awake at night trying to think up ways to insult me! Why? Because I know you– I know how generous, kind, loving, feisty, funny and God-pleasing you are, and I not only trust your heart, I trust you with mine. So please know that YOU were the farthest person from my mind when I wrote this post!
Passionate opinions don’t bother me. Strong beliefs don’t bother me. Honest concern for our country doesn’t bother me. HATE, BITTERNESS and FEAR-MONGERING bother me, a lot, particularly from Christians, and my social media pages have been teeming with it, before the election but most decidedly after.
Has it come from both sides? ABSOLUTELY YES– neither party has taken the high road, here. There has been every bit as much mean-spirited gloating over victory as there has been mean-spirited protesting over loss. The only difference since the election is that the personal attacks on Romney have died down, of course, and the personal attacks on Obama have ramped up– and I have NO doubt that if the election had gone the other way, the same thing would have happened.
Again, it’s not the fact that feelings are running high that shocks or saddens me– it’s that some Christians on both sides have somehow decided it is open season on each other. It’s not enough that they disagree with another’s viewpoint, they feel compelled to turn that disagreement into a holy war that pronounces judgement on people who have differing opinions, attacks their faith and commitment to God, and accuses them of condemning this nation to certain doom because of those opinions. It’s as if somehow this election has given everyone a pass on the most basic tenet of our faith, which is to love and encourage one another as believers– regardless of whether or not we see eye to eye on everything. And nothing gets my back up faster than Christians raining down threats of hell on each other while the rest of the world stands back and says, “See? They’re not only not any better than we are, they’re actually WORSE!”
My interpretation of jonny’s story was not that ‘unity above all and at any cost’ is the message– it is that in something as seemingly mundane as the correct way to position a canteen cup, perhaps it would have been less important for one of them to be right and more important for both of them to be on the same page. Obviously there are times when taking a stand and refusing to go along is the godly thing to do, as in the case of Hitler’s reign of terror– but there are also times when finding ways to stick together is the better choice. And I think that even in an election when people are so polarized, there IS a way to vote your conscience, speak your mind and be true to your beliefs, but REFUSE to let the fact that other people are doing the same thing but have a different viewpoint cause you to lose your stinking mind– and your manners! (Again, I am NOT referring to you, Linda– though you obviously stated your strong opinions on your own page, I never saw a single instance where you crammed your views down other people’s throats, or attacked them for their beliefs. Not once.)
So please, dearest readers– don’t interpret my strongly worded post as a personal attack on any one individual, because it honestly was not. Please see it for what it was intended to be: MY personal opinion on the ugly ways we Christians have behaved towards one another, and a call for all of us to straighten up and show some of the Christ-like behavior we preach about. Let’s worry less about convincing others to change their minds and worry more about ETERNAL things. Because even though our political differences are looming large right now, in the scheme of things, who we voted for in 2012 and why is NOT the most important thing in the annals of the Christian religion.
This election and the next four years under Obama will all too soon be relegated to the history books. I would hate to think that the history books would also record 2012 as the beginning of a splintering of the body of Christ that could never really be repaired. And at the risk of sounding like all of the self-appointed prophets of doom out there, I honestly DO think that we will most definitely answer to God for whatever part we personally played in causing that split.
The only action I am calling for is for us to try to find common ground that we can stand on together, and stand united in our commitment to pray for this nation and those that govern it. To be respectful of one another. To reach towards one another, instead of shoving each other to the ground.
Basically, to quit acting like douchecanoes!
Amen.
Ba ha ha ha! Now, MommaLloyd, you and I both know we ain’t goin’ nowhere! And we’re not drinking a beer either! I’ve never had a beer in my life—–can you imagine me with even more inhibitions? But I’m comforted that if I did, that you would join me! And if we saw Jesus coming, I’d grab onto your shirttail ’cause I wanna go where YOU’RE going! ((((Barb))) There’s nobody sweeter.
And ba ha ha ha AGAIN, TORI! You really do like that canoe thing, don’t ya! LOL
Whew, I’m glad you weren’t calling me all those bad things. That could have started a new cryin’ jag. I don’t have any Kleenex left in the house! I’m down to using toilet paper and old used ones from my coat pockets. (Makes me feel like I’m recycling.)
I am indeed praying for our president! And for all the world leaders too! In the news today—–unrest, riots, and violence across the world! Alanna has a sweet friend (that we all love too) who is on an exchange trip through her college to Irbid, Jordan and she reports today that she is being advised to stay indoors in her host’s home for now and not attend classes at the university because there are riots breaking out everywhere because of cut backs in fuel subsidies by the government that says it can’t afford them anymore! We are all so worried about her safety! So much trouble all over the place! God help us all.
Also– though there are definitely some Obama backers who are smugly smirking over ‘their’ win, and though are also definitely some Romney backers who are blindly striking out at everyone over ‘their’ loss, let’s try to assume that they are a very obnoxious and vocal minority who continue to put words in other people’s mouths and then overreact to them.
Here, in his own words, are some of the things our President said in his election night speech– and cynical or not, I think it would behoove all of us to try to assume the best and lean towards a little bit of hope and away from an endless ocean of despair.
OBAMA: “I want to thank every American who participated in this election…
(APPLAUSE)
… whether you voted for the very first time or waited in line for a very long time.
(APPLAUSE)
By the way, we have to fix that.
(APPLAUSE)
Whether you pounded the pavement or picked up the phone…
(APPLAUSE)
… whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign, you made your voice heard and you made a difference.
I just spoke with Governor Romney and I congratulated him and Paul Ryan on a hard-fought campaign.
(APPLAUSE)
We may have battled fiercely, but it’s only because we love this country deeply and we care so strongly about its future. From George to Lenore to their son Mitt, the Romney family has chosen to give back to America through public service and that is the legacy that we honor and applaud tonight.
(APPLAUSE)
In the weeks ahead, I also look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward.
…I know that political campaigns can sometimes seem small, even silly. And that provides plenty of fodder for the cynics that tell us that politics is nothing more than a contest of egos or the domain of special interests. But if you ever get the chance to talk to folks who turned out at rallies and crowded along a rope line in a high school gym, or saw folks working late in a campaign office in some tiny county far away from home, you’ll discover something else…
…That’s why we do this. That’s what politics can be. That’s why elections matter. It’s not small, it’s big. It’s important. Democracy in a nation of 300 million can be noisy and messy and complicated. We have our own opinions. Each of us has deeply held beliefs. And when we go through tough times, when we make big decisions as a country, it necessarily stirs passions, stirs up controversy.
That won’t change after tonight, and it shouldn’t. These arguments we have are a mark of our liberty. We can never forget that as we speak people in distant nations are risking their lives right now just for a chance to argue about the issues that matter, the chance to cast their ballots like we did today.
…Now, we will disagree, sometimes fiercely, about how to get (where we need to go.). As it has for more than two centuries, progress will come in fits and starts. It’s not always a straight line. It’s not always a smooth path.
By itself, the recognition that we have common hopes and dreams won’t end all the gridlock or solve all our problems or substitute for the painstaking work of building consensus and making the difficult compromises needed to move this country forward. But that common bond is where we must begin. Our economy is recovering. A decade of war is ending. A long campaign is now over.
(APPLAUSE)
And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you, and you’ve made me a better president. And with your stories and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead.
…I have never been more hopeful about America. And I ask you to sustain that hope. I’m not talking about blind optimism, the kind of hope that just ignores the enormity of the tasks ahead or the roadblocks that stand in our path. I’m not talking about the wishful idealism that allows us to just sit on the sidelines or shirk from a fight.
I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting.
…I believe we can seize this future together because we are not as divided as our politics suggests. We’re not as cynical as the pundits believe. We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions, and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are and forever will be the United States of America.
(APPLAUSE)
And together with your help and God’s grace we will continue our journey forward and remind the world just why it is that we live in the greatest nation on Earth.
Thank you, America. God bless you. God bless these United States.”
Beautifully said! Wonderful speech! I hope and pray in the coming days, as he sits in his office with the leaders of BOTH parties, these words and ideas will guide his actions.
Me too.
Well, just when I was thinking I was the ONLY one in a funk since the election, here comes LindaB with just the right words. Thank you for that!
And yes, Tori, the President gave a very nice speech; he always does. I just hope his actions back it up.
I have a friend who’s husband spoke at the Democratic National Convention; they were also invited to the victory party in Chicago on election night. I told here to have a fun time at each event, and they did. They even got to meet the President and shake his hand.
But we’ve agreed to disagree on so many points and just don’t discuss anything political. It’s just best that way.
I do rest in the fact that I voted for two very honorable men and I would do it again. With our country as divided as it is, it will be interesting to see where we go from here. What I do know for sure is that God, the Creator, is My God and none of this is a surprise to Him. I just want to be on His side!
“I just want to be on His side!”
Me, too. And in a way that would be pleasing to Him, and best for the body/His Kingdom. Not that my standards are high or anything, lol = )
MostlySunny: You ARE on his side! And so are a whole lot of people who voted for two other honorable men, too. I read this today on a blog called “The American Jesus” by a blogger named Zack Hunt. Like me, he is weary of the contentiousness, and admits that he is often tempted to just give up and walk away– but he doesn’t, and here’s his explanation:
” …to be completely honest, it makes me want to leave it all behind.
But I don’t.
Why?
Because as Peter once said to Jesus, “Where else would I go?” I have encountered the risen Christ and there is no where I can go to be more fully in his presence than within his own Body.
So I stay. Not out of some sense of righteous delusion that I can be the one to change things. Rather, I stay because I know that imperfection was, is, and always will be what it means to be a part of the Body of Christ until the day he returns to claim his bride. Until then it will remain imperfect because that Body is made up of imperfect people. And that’s ok with me because it speaks to a God who so loves us and has so much faith in us that God was willing to allow us to participate in the renewal of all things. That’s worth sticking around for if you ask me.
And I stay because I have hope, even in those people that get under my skin and spark my anger. I have hope because I know that despite our differences, most of us at least, share the same goal – to change the world around us for the kingdom of God.
I hope and pray that the day comes sooner rather than later when we realize that the things that unite us truly are greater than the things that divide. That’s not a call for conformity. It’s a call for unity. A call to acknowledge that most of those things that divide us are ultimately just silly.
But until that day of unity comes, I will continue to wrestle, debate, converse with, and challenge my brothers and sisters in the faith as I’m sure they will with me because for all of us, this is a faith and a God worth contending for.”
(Well said, don’t ya think?!)
Maybe this fits, too. Came across it yesterday —
“One moment’s realization that Almighty God is your Father through Jesus Christ, and I defy anything to terrify you again for long. If we realize that nothing can happen without God’s permission, we are kept in peace.”
LOVE that, small j.
And I love, am grateful for, being a part of the Bloomr’ family, so it’s all good = )
Gee, Tori, you almost had one of those “controversial blogs” you wanted! But it turned out good. And you said some really nice things about me! I am unworthy, believe me! But you are kind to say them. ((((Tori)))) Alanna is home now and doing better. And so is my uncle.
You know, YOU would make a good presidential speech writer! Think about it!
Now, I need to discuss another thorny problem we have in this country. It’s an outrage and I’m tempted to call Fox News and get them onto this story! It’s two weeks after Halloween and tonight I searched Walmart and Meijers for carmel candy corn and there was none to be had!!! Zippo! Nadda! Plenty of Christmas candy, but no Halloween candy. Now I’m really upset! I am so addicted to that whole candy corn and peanut thing. My daughter Candy was over last night and she said she saw one of those food channel cooks make home made candy corn. I might have to try that.
Ok, seriously? I swear that not even FIVE MINUTES AGO I called Russ and asked if he was by any chance planning on stopping by the grocery on his way home… Because I was really craving some candy corn!
Now you’ve got me worried– what if he can’t find it?????
Or, worse– what if he comes home with some store brand version and not BRACHS???
Election, schmelection– I NEED MY CANDY CORN, YA’LL!!
http://www.candywarehouse.com/colors/orange-candy/products/brachs-candy-corn-22-ounce-bag/
I HEAR YA! I got hooked on the carmel candy corn and peanuts at my new small group Bible Study on Tuesdays. Our leader puts little bowls of them at every table and I have the hardest time concentrating on the lesson. I just stare at the candy/peanuts and drool. And snack. And when they’re gone, (they’re small dishes, ya know), I move nonchalantly to another table.
I could kick myself—-I saw a display of candy corn at Walmart last week and past it by because I still had some at home. Now I wish I’d grabbed ‘em! What a douchcanoe I am! LOL
Okay, I would love to see this someday——-the president of the United States is speaking at the U.N. General Assembly. His speech writer is you! And he refers to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as “that idiot douchecanoe!” Oh yes! Think about it!
Seriously, NO ONE thought of looking on-line to buy it ?? = /
Well, I guess there are some things only a Rock Star Princess can do, or think of around here = )
Oh, heaven help us– He just walked in with TWO bags of Food Lion store brand candy corn and TWO bags of Brachs dang Autumn Mix!
I thanked him sweetly and waited until he left the room before pawing through the Autumn Mix to dig out the few pieces of real candy corn that are hidden in there among all those stupid pumpkins and such.
I’m not going NEAR that store brand foolishness.
And small j– When it comes to candy corn, instant gratification isn’t fast enough.
= )
Also– who’s the douchecanoe that came up with the idea of adding a “chocolate” layer to candy corn? That’s not Autumn Mix-ing, that’s HERESY! *flounces off in a self-righteous huff*
Yeah, jonny, we need it NOW! It’s like crack! Shipping takes time! Can you imagine crack addicts ordering online??? Nawwww. Can’t happen.
Sorry, not in-the-know when it comes to crack, even if it looks like I should be = )
OK, I lied —
http://www.kirkbytimes.co.uk/alaughitems/crack/crack.html
Ba ha ha ha ha! Now THAT’S funny, jonny!!!! That made me laugh out loud!
Tori, I looked up “douchcanoe”………..I wanna be cool and in the know too. And I was laughing my head off. This is one definition:
The Word Explaining Just HOW Big Of A Douche You Are.
Basically, Your Douche-ness Could Fill A Canoe.
small j– OK, THAT is even scarier than store brand candy corn!
LindaB– Kind of an all-purpose insult, isn’t it? Ah, the ever-changing beauty and nuances of the English language!
Tori, I found some! I had to pick up Alanna from work and I passed a Dollar Store. I ran in to see if they had any and THEY DID! Got me a bag of peanuts and one of candy corn. That’s how low I’ve fallen. Dollar Store candy corn! Soon, I’ll be picking through garbage to get enough to tide me over until next Halloween.
OK, this is bizarre! I come home to see 66 responses–when I left it was 30 something! I start reading where I left off–read through all the political stuff and end up with,…candy corn discussion? Bizarre, because I found a Thanksgiving snack mix I wanted to make for people I’m seeing tomorrow–and I just got back from Walmart where there was NO DANG CANDY CORN!!!!! What are the odds?!?! Now LindaB, I need the hug!!!!!
Can’t resist telling you about tomorrow and the next day. My Gramma turns 90 tomorrow and I turn (muffles voice so unintelligible) on Friday. My Mom, Aunt (here from Oklahoma), cousin (Gramma’s niece that she practically raised), Gramma and I (who Gramma also raised) are staying overnight in the town where Gramma is from–and doing little side trips to places she lived, little shops, etc. Tomorrow, tho’ Gramma doesn’t know this yet, we’re dropping her off for awhile at a classmate’s house–with another classmate joining them. They’re all still in their own homes! We’re leaving them to talk alone for awhile–with cake of course!!! We should have SO MUCH fun!!! I think I told you all a year and a half ago that I wrote a poem about this same group (Mom, Gramma, Aunt, Cousin and me) I called “5 Old Broads”–well the “5 Old Broads” are off for more adventure!!!
Gramma Jac, (((Gramma))) Here’s your hug! You might try a Dollar Store.
Your plans for tomorrow sound like a buttload of fun!!!! Or, a canoe full of fun! Either one! Have a great time! And give your mom a hug for us and a happy birthday!
Yep, Gramma, a CANOE FULL of hugs from the Bloomr’ family for your dear ol’ mom/mum !! = ) Maybe it’s best not to let her know we share links to crack, cocaine and out of season Halloween candy around here, though = /
LOL You are too funny, jonny!
You still bring the best out in me = )
LOL First time I’ve EVER heard that one!
Tori, speaking of nuts, look at this site!
http://www.nuts.com/chocolatessweets/old-time-candy/candy-corn.html
Read the reviews—-they say it arrives overnight and it’s incredibly fresh! (“Overnight” could teach us patience.) And the prices are reasonable.
I’m bewildered as to how I got there and I’m not even sure I was there (getting my masters in laungage by mail) but I came across a picture of Meemaw all snuggled up from head to toe. I tried, unsuccessfully, to comment there that she is a carbon copy of her namesake, who always slept with her head under the covers.
Love, Love, Love this Tori, some people including us christians need a good verbal ass whooping sometimes