Why I Hate Politics
filed in Blogging/Web on Oct.26, 2005
It is far better to be quiet and thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
I first began blogging in April 2004. At this point in history the 2004 presidential election was ramping up between Bush and Kerry who were both focused on November. We were already at war in Iraq and the varied sides of the maelstrom known as political pundits had their respective blue and red pedals to the metal. You could barely surf the internet without tripping over blog after blog about Bush, Kerry, Iraq, Social Security, etc… The two sides got further and further apart, more clearly defined and much nastier and disrespectful of each other.
All of this fallout from our “War on Terror” isn’t unique. This is how politics has always been. Even before there were American politics. Citizens fed up with the religious oppression forced on them by their government wound up seceding from the English nation and ended up founding and eventually fighting for our great USofA. Even before that, in the Bible of all places, the controversy caused by political forces is well documented. The tension was high between the high priests and Roman governors. They hated each other. The only subject that creates more controversy than Politics is Religion (yes, with a capital ‘R’).
I’m not opposed to politics. I’m not opposed to controversy. I think both are healthy exercises that will eventually lead to the greater good. However, I choose not to add to the mix via my blog. Not out of fear of controversy either. I’m more than capable of intelligently argueing my side of the arguement. I like to think I’m relatively intelligent and well informed. I keep my ears and eyes open. And, most importantly, I DO take a side. I DO have an opinion on almost every “issue” you could throw at me. I DO care deeply about where our country is headed and involved in globally.
I just don’t desire the readership/audience that a controversial political blog would draw. I’d rather keep my readership lower in numbers and let them have a lower expectation of what they are going to see on my blog – because if you want to see what the pressure of having to “perform” on a blog can lead to, check this out. I don’t want that kind of pressure. The pressure to come up with a post everyday better than the last. It will become a second full-time job with horrible pay and lousy benefits. I want to blog because I have something fun to share with you, or a story to tell, or an anecdote to relate – not because I feel like I have to.
So, I choose not to blog about politics because ultimately, it would make my blog not fun for me anymore. Besides, there is no shortage of controversial political blogs on the web. I’m certainly not denying anyone from getting their Bushism of the Day or anything. I just personally really wanted a break from all that mess. A mental break during the day where I can not have to think about those “turrists” out to get me, the fact that there will be no social security money for my retirement, the enevitable next Michael Moore movie, and lastly the fact that I’m going to soon vote in my state governor elections between a crazy extreme right wing candidate and an even crazier, self-serving extreme left wing candidate. I’m thinking of writing in “Jesus of Nazareth” instead… I think he might have a chance this year.
There are so many voices screaming over each other. I choose not to compete for their attention. There’s lots of gray areas in our lives to explore – not just in politics.
October 26th, 2005 on 12:42 pm
Hi Kenny – This is a great post, and I enjoy your new blog as well. You have helped me in determining what kind of blog I want to have. I don’t want to blog every day, or blog about deeply personal matters, or try to out-do myself with each new entry. I just want to have fun and enjoy the posts I put on my blog. I appreciate you linking both of my blogs. As I get mine up to speed I will be sure to update my links to include this new and improved Blaqendwyte.
October 26th, 2005 on 12:43 pm
Thanks Abe – always a pleasure when you stop by my little nook of the web.
October 26th, 2005 on 2:15 pm
Somebody has to write a book about social etiquette when discussing politics – like a Robert’s Rules of discussion. I understand people are emotionally involved in their political views – and I think they should be – but there has got to be a more civilized way to communicate about differing ideas.
October 26th, 2005 on 2:15 pm
oops – sorry – was that too political for your blog?? =)
October 26th, 2005 on 2:19 pm
Great suggestion Kate. Like a Political Discussion Survival Guide or Talking Politics for Dummies. Maybe that is my workaround for not blogging about politics… I’ll blog about the ART of politics instead of the politics themselves…
October 26th, 2005 on 8:23 pm
Like the new blog formatt, you have distanced yourself once again from the crowd. Great post, and one of the most well written you have ever thrown out there. The cool down of the Kendell Ball blog is interesting and a definate warning to people out there about not letting the blog take over you life or letting your opionins become your whole persona.
Since I know you in real life I have to say that this approach to discussing “hot button” types of things on your blog, also apply to how you interact in the real world. Not that you won’t engage in a discussion, but you never walk into a room and say “What’s up with Bush these days?”
So while I admire your sense of decorum I do think it’s valuable for someone like yourself, on occasion, to talk about the “gray” issues of political types of things as you see them. Personally I feel like that would be a welcome change to some of the more caustic comments on politics that are out there. But that’s can become somewhat of a burden as well.
One last thing…your clip art sucks too!
One more thing…you should get nasty and opinionated about art and design. There aren’t many sights (that I would go to regularly) that talk about that kind of thing. That would be educational and fun….as long as you aren’t commenting on my art!
October 27th, 2005 on 4:00 am
J-Wild – thanks for the comment. I really don’t think it is my “decorum” that I’m trying to protect – instead a laissez faire attitude toward the discussion of politics, rather than politics itself.
Now, I’ll be right back while I go hunt down whatever piece of clip art made it onto my site and have it shot out back.