Generally speaking, America’s problem is it wants to live on a reality show rather than in reality. And then American conservatives come along and demand to be the lead roles, make the rules, and win whatever arbitrary contest they’re currently spinning themselves into a tizzy about. Then liberals be like, yeah, we think we want to see play too, maybe, we need to send out a confirmation email though, probably do a poll. Will that be OK?
Break It Down: BOTH SIDES
The “Both Sides” argument moves in as reassurance we have a national dialogue one could call functional. It’s cover for everyone to look at our politics and say, yep, everything is okay. Both things are not true.
If the extremism of the right is just the other side, then it’s not that out of the ordinary. If the lying, cheating, and gaming is talked about in the same breath as normal political hyperbole then the lying, cheating, and gaming must be normal too.
Whataboutisms dull us. Our efforts to make imaginary scales balanced weakens us. When we soften language as to not offend those sliding into authoritarianism we give the tyrants cover.
Not calling a fascist a fascist is leading us to fascism. An insurrectionist vs a politician is not the same. We can act like it is right up until the final boot on our necks or we can open our eyes.
When politicians say “both sides” they’re trying to justify unacceptable behavior. When our media leans on “both sides” it’s a lazy disservice. When citizens find “both sides” to be the answer to maddening questions we let the madness fester.
If we are on a quest for balance, “both sides” must be the way, we tell ourselves. When we do this, we stop demanding policies to help address our modern, very American problems. Problems that are fixable, but only if we act.
And when we don’t act, once again, the fascists win.
What to make of all this ‘BOTH SIDES’ stuff?
It’s a good question. After all, do we even know where “BOTH SIDES” even came from? Will we ever? Probably not. For the time being, it’s best to just follow along. See what happens next. See how it all unfolds. Check it out.
Heartbeat bill? Give me a break.
My written comment against LB626:
This bill isn’t about a heartbeat. Because we all know it’s not a heartbeat you hear. This bill is about an extremist minority flexing its anti-democratic power to ruin lives. This bill is anti-freedom, anti-woman, anti-community, anti-healthcare. It’'s a ridiculous display of religion. This isn’t conservatism in any way. Fanaticism by a few, out of touch Nebraskans who are making a mockery out of the label Pro-Life. NO BANS, EVER.
The Supreme Court and The Web Designer
So the Supreme Court of the United States has now heard of web design. That, of course, doesn’t mean it actually knows what web design is. But alas, a conservative web designer wants an exemption so she doesn’t have to design wedding websites for the gays. And SCOTUS is going to tell her if that’s cool or not.
Why anyone would want to design wedding websites is beyond me, but that’s not the point. Religious conservatives going out of their way to discriminate against LGBTQ folks is the point. Yet, this political stunt at first had me a little sympathetic.
I design websites. Very particular websites. Ones that aren’t for religious conservatives, for the most part. Which I’ve made abundantly clear. I’d rather get hit by a bus full of Catholic nuns than design any kind of website for anyone who thinks the gays are going to hell or whatever. And I certainly don’t want to be made to do so.
But it wouldn’t happen. Ever.
There are many considerations that go into choosing a web design partner. Budget, timeline, skill level, and aesthetics for sure. But also, does the web designer have a track record of doing the kind of website that’s needed — nonprofit, candidate, startup, retailer, venue, restaurant, band, church, and on and on.
So. Many. Factors.
And finally, is the web designer a good fit philosophically? Since the web designer will be intimately involved with the wants and needs of the client, having a web designer that’s cool with love being love if you’re also cool with love being love, when the subject is love, would probably be a good idea, if not a deal breaker. Especially if the web designer thinks the most important decision of your life ultimately leads you to burning for all eternity.
So again, I’m sympathetic toward this religiously conservative web designer to a point. I don’t want her to have to design a website for a gay wedding because I think she’d do a terrible fucking job. And it’d be a huge disservice to the gay couple. But that’s not what’s going on here.
What this is about is causing a stink because, as we all know, religious conservatives are the most discriminated against group of people in the entire history of the fucking world. Kidding!
What this is about is a non issue. She’s creating a stink because that’s what religious conservatives do. They go out of their way to let everyone else know they’re persecuted. End of story.
She’s probably going win, which will have dire consequences because everything the Trump presidency touched turns to piss. But she shouldn’t win, because she shouldn’t even be there.
This is all BS. And it’s way over the heads of the justices.
Where is the gay couple who is all up in arms because this maker of websites is a religious conservatives and won’t allow them to get a wedding website and therefore none of their guests will be able to RSVP?
Nowhere.
They don’t exist.
And they never will.
Vote
✌️
Why should I vote?
Oh Nebraska (and nation). Lots on the line in these old midterms. Here is some stuff to care about. And also, just to say it plain, Republicans got nothing.
They are liars and cheaters who tried to steal the last election. If you think they’re done with their anti democratic tendencies, I just don’t know where you’ve been living the last couple years. Anyone who is so hellbent on taking rights away from people (abortion, voting, marriage) and continues to use their power to pick on groups who don’t have much (trans, migrant, students) is certainly not fixing the economy.
You can tell a lot by the pawns people go out of their way to use. The economy doesn’t work if it doesn’t work for everyone, simple as that. It’s a long road to get to where we need to be, best not drive us in a ditch now.
