Ugh. Sorry 'bout this, but I just HAVE to say this.
I HATE HATE HATE watching the news with my stepdad.
Ever since I stopped watching cartoons and the Disney channel, I've lost control over what I watch. Now, it's my stepdad who controls the remote, all day, every day. Mostly news, although sometimes he'll put on starz or something and just let it run. I don't really care, because the only TV shows I cannot miss are family favorites too (Numb3rs, mythbusters, burn notice, monk, etc). However, it's been getting harder and harder for me to sit down and watch the news while my stepdad is in the room.
All it does is remind me of how people with such good hearts, and such intelligent minds, can be so ignorant, hypocritical, and dumb.
One little example: every time there is a clip about how the price of oil goes up (Translate: EVERY SINGLE DAY!!), he makes the same exact remark.
"If only the government would go up to Alaska and drill for oil there, we'd bring the price of gas back down to 2 bucks a gallon! I mean, c'mon, we have 200 years of oil there! It would solve all of our problems until we figure something else out! Come to think of it, America should have gotten off oil back after the first shortage crisis!"
Now, I can understand if one wants to speak one's opinion. But day after day, dinner conversation after dinner conversation, it gets to the point where I'm thinking,
What, do you think that by continually pounding this into our brains, you can change the world? Do you think that we don't already know your opinion on the matter? Are you trying to say I should develop a time machine so I can send you back to the 70's to send a message?
Why don't you try something actually constructive? Research can be good! Why don't you look up the facts, becuase I'm sure you're no expert on the matter. And, if your opinion stands up to the actual facts, tell someone about it, someone with power to change. And if they don't listen, get people to back you. Draw up a petition. If that fails, then just do what you can. Drive less. Open the windows instead of turning the AC up. Maybe build a DIY Windmill in the backyard. Do whatever. Just STOP COMPLAINING!!
I can see the expression on his face if I would say that. I can imagine his response (that is, if he didn't yell ceaselessly at me for giving him "attitude"). I can hear his mind clicking, his thoughts going, "But, but, but... that would require work. All I want to do is sit here comfortably and whine, because whining is easy"
And when there's a post about Barack Obama, ooooh, can he boil my blood.
"Everytime this man speaks, he scares me."
"And this man wants to be President?"
"You see who's teaching him? He's nothing but evil"
"This man will ruin America if he wins."
And, the one that sends me into a rage on the inside:
"How can he call himself a Christian?"
>_<
Who the hell are you to decide whether or not God accepts someone?
Don't get me wrong. I support McCain. I'm yet another conservative Christian, yes. But actually, I'd portray myself more as independent. I care about the issues. I support whoever represents me the most. Hell, if Hillary had been anti-abortion, for less taxes, and supporting my other views, I would have been rooting for her all along. I'd like to think that I don't care about race, sex, or age (religion is one line that I do draw) and I'd like to think that when I look at candidates, I give each equal ground to start on. Too bad I won't be able to vote. (Funny story, actually. My 18th birthday is November 5th... the day after elections.)
But the worst, in my opinion, is my stepfather's resignation.
Every day, we see on the news some bad things. R Kelly's child pornography case (Why in hell do those reporters have to go into every little juicy detail? It's DISGUSTING!!). Crimes are on the rise. Chicago politics (If you don't know, look it up). More deaths overseas. Arabs are making nukes (I don't care if that was true or not, it was still on the news, so it applies).
And his little remark:
"Anyone feel the end times coming along?"
Oh. My. God. (And I am NOT using that word in vain here)
He sits. He shows nothing. "Oh well, if the world's gonna end, why do I even try?" I can't count how many times I've heard that. Sometimes from people who don't know any better, people who have lived their lives in ignorance ever since the thought that they're better because they think they're going to heaven entered their mind. But I've also heard it from people who are better than that. People who actually have the capabilities of action. People who can change things.
As Christians, we are called to love everyone. We are called to show that love to the world, so that just maybe, someone will see it and think: Where does that light come from? I want it. That will never happen, however, if you just sit in your chair and make passing comments about the world. You think the world's going to hell? Then bring it to heaven. It's God's responsibility to bring judgment. It's our responsibiity to bring unconditional love.
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Ha HA I would tell him... or better yet do the research and show your step-D what to do. This is also good info for other bloggers here... Quit Complaining and Do something or Change some how... DO not come whining but offer a suggestion or give what you have done. This is not BitchU it is ProU ...
Do you think that drilling ALaska is a good idea? Did you know we had a lot of oil avaiable on 'main land'? I was told that it was economically insane to drill here till the barrel price was one 150, closer to 175 because of all the red tape activism and everyhting else. I think it is weird that people only care of the consequences of drilling here in 'our' nature and not over seas, as if over there the terrible things that can happen do not affect them.... their I go again being a blabber head....
Good blog
~T
All truths are easy to understand once discovered; The point is to discover them ~Galileo
About the Alaska thing, I really don't know. I personally think that it would be OK to drill, but I really have no idea what the overall environmental consequences would be. And having to worry about all the environmentalist lobbyists would be hell.
I'm no expert, and frankly, I believe that I have better things to do than research it at the moment. Like finishing the Grapes of Wrath for summer reading x_x
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
- George Bernard Shaw
Well you must appreciate the time you have with your stepdad. If somethinng had happened to him you would feel bad for not spending such time with him. I think it is your responsibility to tell make suggestions within your relationship. Suggest some things to him that you like or that will make things better.
Well, this in no way reflects our overall relationship. I do try to appreciate what time I have with everyone, and although I fail most of the time, every now and then I feel like I really do :)
There are just some little quirks that bother me endlessly.
And this is more of a call to everyone, not just a rant.
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
- George Bernard Shaw
This was very well written!
Normally, even as a Christian, I have to roll my eyes at the way people throw religion so casually into their posts.
But yours fit, and it wasn't condescending in any way. It was successful in establishing a personality in you, your stepdad, and your writing in general. It was successfully tied to the overall point and I'm impressed!
Congratulations on a well-written blog :)
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Your Tongue is a Rudder; It Steers the Whole Ship, Sends Your Words Past Your Lips or Keeps Them Safe Behind Your Teeth... [Brand New]
Thanks for the comment! I know what you mean about the religion thing; it seems like sometimes people just use religion to prove their own point, instead of actually using it in their whole way of thinking.
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
- George Bernard Shaw
The worst thing one could ever do is use religion to try to prove something to an atheist. The sad thing is that it happens here everyday.
I love abortion. Read more here:
http://progressiveu.org/044921-i-love-abortion-even-if-it-murder