JUST AN ORANGE

THE FRIDAY POLITIC ~ transcendence is in the eye of the beholder

Where to start? I am experiencing a case of either hardly anything to say vs way too much to say. And either way, one could get into trouble without the help of say, tone of voice, facial expression etc.

Oh, the limitations of the internet.

Let’s start with Mr. Obama who “misspoke”, one could say. Whether misspeaking means saying what he didn’t mean to say, saying what he didn’t mean, or saying what he shouldn’t have said, that’s open to debate. I’d like to say that we could be helped with a few more commas in this transcript, if only for some visual clarity, so let’s add some, just for fun.

So it’s not surprising then that they get bitter,

they cling to guns,

or religion,

or antipathy to people who aren’t like them,

or anti-immigrant sentiment,

or anti-trade sentiment, as a way to explain their frustrations.

I read the transcript of his entire remarks. I think Obama’s point was that government has failed people. But it came out sounding like these people’s beliefs and positions are a) wrong and b) could be changed if only government really did it’s job.

What did he really mean? I don’t know. But it didn’t sound good, especially in front of a room full of donors, who probably do not cling to antipathy to people who aren’t like them. Instead they will throw money at them in hopes of distracting them from their emotional, unthoughtful positions. Good.

Next up: The FLDS debacle.

Let me make something clear: I am not for underage marriage or coercion of minor girls into marriages and subsequent pregnancies. And if child abuse is indeed taking place, that unequivocally needs to be stopped. But I can’t help but feel there is a level of religious persecution here. Whatever the case may be, it isn’t being handled well.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my religious and family history has polygamy as a part of it; the Church stopped the practice some time ago. However, I am embarrassed by members of my own faith whose reactions have been, at times, snide and without compassion towards the situation. There is a way to indicate that we are not a part of this group without being degrading to, or poking fun at, those with whom we share a heritage, whether we are comfortable with it or not.

If one is striving to be Christ-like, one must balance understanding and mercy with justice; without understanding, there can be no mercy, nor will there be justice.

I am a Semi-Colon

You are elegant, understated, and subtle in your communication. You’re very smart (and you know it), but you don’t often showcase your brilliance. Instead, you carefully construct your arguments, ideas, and theories until they are bulletproof. You see your words as an expression of yourself, and you are careful not to waste them. Your friends see you as enlightened, logical, and shrewd. (But what you’re saying often goes right over their heads.)You excel in: The Arts You get along best with: The Colon

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

This Lovely Quiz found at Toddled Dredge

Should I mention that even before I looked at this quiz I suspected this is the mark I would be all along? Hee. I really do have an affection for the semi-colon.

We all need a little humor in our lives. Learning how to correctly punctuate may just be the icing on the cake. This book is so funny, I laugh out-loud whenever I read it. (Yes, I have read it multiple times). And if you ever needed help, as many people do, with a semi-colon or colon or any other punctuation mark, this book is for you. Also, Lynne Truss is British. Which pretty much seals the deal right there. I am seriously considering handing this book out as a gift. You know - wedding or baby showers, birthdays, Christmas, housewarming occasions. I think correct punctuation is important: you should, too.