Politics: That Thing That Causes Diarrhea of the Mouth

The fact that my blog is currently featured on the homepage of wordpress.com is nothing but a strange coincidence. I received an email from a WordPress editor yesterday morning congratulating me for good work. Of course I think it’s a great thing, a really fun thing to have so many people read what you’ve written. I have no control over why WordPress chose my blog entry, but I am assuming it has to do with timeliness, and not necessarily the content.

Normally I hate writing about political issues, and when I do, it is generally about something that has truly struck a nerve with me. This is why I chose to comment on the Tim Tebow controversy, without expecting it to become a debate about good and evil, right and wrong, etc. The truth is, no one will ever change their mind about abortion. It’s one of those issues that seems stuck in perpetual immobility. Regardless of this, people still have their opinions and will write the hell out of them whenever they feel like someone is shaking a finger at them.

Here’s an excerpt from a comment received today:

“Everything is turning political these days, and it’s getting old. When I saw the title I thought it would be a fun and insightful read on the SPORTS and the differences between the Colts and Saints ON THE FIELD. Then I read it and wished I hadn’t. Thanks for dampening my excitement about tomorrow.”

Okay, first off, I like sports. I enjoy the Superbowl like everyone else, and I’ll likely be watching tomorrow. First, their complaint of “I thought it would be a fun and insightful read,” really holds no sway. You really cannot judge an article by its title – I read lots of things everyday that somehow turn out to be different from what I was expecting. Then if I am not entertained I move on by clicking the next page. Next, this person’s annoying use of capital letters to spell “SPORTS” and “ON THE FIELD” is likely meant to insult my intelligence somehow. I know what sports are, thank you.  I will let this go.

My favorite part of the reader’s complaint: “then I read it but I wish I hadn’t.” Well, you read it anyway. And you left a three paragraph comment. Thanks for the page views! Then they try to make me out to be a Debbie Downer: “Thanks for dampening my excitement about tomorrow.” You’re surely welcome. Somehow I doubt that this person’s “excitement” was truly “dampened.” First, they were excited enough to write a short novel as a comment. Second, it’s just a football game. That’s the point. There’s not meant to be any thinking involved – which is exactly why I chose to comment on the Tim Tebow controversy.

The complainant claims, “everything is getting political these days.” You’re absolutely right about this. The Superbowl and CBS is choosing to douse the American public in the throes of a completely unnecessary political aim by a biased political organization. Football is meant to be fun to watch, and the commercials that go along with the Superbowl are typically among the most entertaining anyone will see all year. So why can’t the suits over at CBS refuse some money from a Christian organization? It’s due to greed. And what exactly is wrong about being “political”? The word has so much unnecessary baggage. The current state of the world cannot help but be “political”. Young people like myself, liberal and conservative alike, are taking the initiative to become involved in politics, and no matter the differences in ideology or worldview, it’s a good thing. (Like Martha Stewart would say.)

I really do not enjoy writing about politics as often as I do, but when I see something that jostles my mind and gets me going about what I believe, I cannot stand idly by. If I am too “political,” then so be it. At least I have the page views (and comments) to prove that people are reading.

Tags: CBS, Complaints, Controversial Superbowl Ad, Greed, Insults, Politics, Reader Comments, Superbowl