Digital World

I don't like Nelson Mandela.
You must support apartheid!
I hate apartheid.
You must be a communist!
Gahhhhhhh!

I don't agree with transgender people in the US military.
You hate transgender people.
I continue to serve side by side with them, treating them like any other person.
But you said...
No reason to be uncivil...

I hate the EPA.
Do you like dirty air and water?
I hate pollution.

My profession is the profession of arms.
You're a warmonger.
I am a pacifist.

I love God.
I thought you weren't religious.
True.
But... you like Richard Dawkins!
And?

None of these statements contain a grain of contradiction. The world is not digital. You can be somewhat between this and that. It is also possible to carry on while disagreeing with somebody else. The big point, however, is that I tire of people assuming that because I believe one thing, I must believe another that I don't really. The above strangeness all come from my personal life and encounters with other people. What, everything needs to be monolithic? I thought I saw the world in black and white, but for crying out loud...I'm positively nuanced!

I know I'm not, but sometimes I feel like the last sane man. Is it so crazy to be willing to fight for peace? Can I call somebody unfit if they can't run a mile and a half? Do we really need to fine ranchers for making ponds in their backyards in order for Lake Eerie to not be on fire? The middle path is always the hardest to defend, but I think its worth it. That's where wisdom lies, not because you're riding some fence or not taking sides or even being a misanthrope, but because you are thinking and applying morals to all of life. We should not accept sweeping generalizations for tweaks to society. We should strive to do right in all things, never overreaching or compensating. We should not root for "our" side, but for what is right. We ought not fear what might happen, but what does happen...and maybe not flip out and assume when somebody says a thing that there is all this subtext behind it.

I realize I soapboxed there, but I'm annoyed at so often having to throw that "well, actually" flag. Soon, I'll expound on what I think right is. I meant to do that today, but somebody accused me of liking communism because I didn't like apartheid. Yeah. Like its one or the other...
Tune in next week for why I think nothing should be illegal.
Haha! You have to come back now! That's insane!
Yes, yes. Insane.
Watch the insane man!

In closing, for real, to quote the great Alissa Rosenbaum, there are no contradictions...check your premises. At least one will be false.