I guess everything has been said that can be said about last night\u2019s RNC shocker of Ted Cruz not endorsing Trump and appallingly encouraging the American people to \u201cvote their consciences\u201d. How hatful of him. As an aside, I\u2019m sorry to be writing about politics so much. I\u2019m really meant to be writing about how better to arrange your cupboards and how to read the bible so that it doesn\u2019t kill you. Actually, can\u2019t remember the original perimeters of this blog. The fact is, this political season, lasting as it is for eternity, has inserted itself into the darkness of every cupboard and conversation. Like a separation between Church and State, I always thought there ought to be, in appearances at least, a separation between Politics and Life. But Facebook has ruined that illusion. And these are pretty exciting times. Even a mediocre housewife with an Internet connection can have political opinions. Yay Women!<\/p>\n
Where was I? Oh yes, Lyin\u2019 Ted Cruz Ruining Everything. What a great moment. Here\u2019s why it gives me hope for humanity.<\/p>\n
First of all, I know that politics is cut and thrust and mean and dirty. That you malign someone\u2019s character publicly and then, after losing to them, you give them a big hug and kiss and offer to buy them all their burgers from then on. I understand that this is the accepted mode by which our system operates. But it doesn\u2019t make it good. And every time a Chris Christi or a Ben Carson or even a Hillary Clinton\u2013after articulating pertinent truths about the opposing candidate\u2013crinkles up the eyes and goes in for big fake smiling handshake, a baby bunny in heaven loses her wings and has to hop down to hell. To say it another way, It\u2019s Really Gross. Just because everyone is doing it doesn\u2019t make it good.<\/p>\n
Mr. Trump was personally awful to Mr. Cruz. And I am so charmed and gladdened with the wondrous joy of gladness that Mr. Cruz would retain his dignity enough to not turn around and give Mr. Trump a big fake hug. Oh, I know it\u2019s all calculated politics, but for once it\u2019s not completely repellent.<\/p>\n
Second, we need the space to be contrary. One of the saddest outcomes of the Inclusion Lie is that we don\u2019t actually get to all be included any more. Whereas before, when we had free speech and thought, two people could disagree pleasantly about very important matters and still get up and carry on with their lives the next day. Now, of course, we all have to agree dammit, no matter what. And that seems to be true on the Left and the Right, which is metastasizing into a more confused and oranger version of the left. It is right and good for some people to stand up, in public, and have a loud and contrary point of view. This important element of human society is slipping rapidly away from us and we should savor every moment of it that we can until it\u2019s all gone and there isn\u2019t any more.<\/p>\n
Third, incivility is not the same as disagreement. You know what\u2019s annoying and disrespectful? Shouting at people while they\u2019re talking. This happens to me all the time. I\u2019m sitting, talking to someone\u2013my husband perhaps, or a friend, or even a passer by\u2013and suddenly a loud, out of control, screaming throng will beset me and demand Popsicles, a walk to the park, the use of the Xbox, and tortillas lathered in Nutella. I reel back, embarrassed, amazed, shattered. The noise, so deafening as to be totalitarian in its quality, discombobulates everyone and, you won\u2019t even believe this, \u201cshuts down dialogue\u201d and even my own \u201cfree speech\u201d. Plus, it\u2019s completely childish, whether it\u2019s children screaming for screens, or adults screaming for you to shut up. Kudos to Mr. Cruz for smiling and waving and walking off the stage calmly at such a disrespectful moment.<\/p>\n
Really, the only way to get through this political season is to wholeheartedly embrace the doctrine of Total Depravity. Humanity is not good y\u2019all. All sin and fall short of the glory of God. People love to shout and shut other people down rather than talk sensibly. It\u2019s just the way we are because we corporately hate God. See, I can always bring it back to the bible. Bla bla bla the bible.<\/p>\n
Have a lovely day! Cheer up! Things will definitely get worse.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I guess everything has been said that can be said about last night\u2019s RNC shocker of Ted Cruz not endorsing Trump and appallingly encouraging the American people to \u201cvote their consciences\u201d. How hatful of him. As an aside, I\u2019m sorry to be writing about politics so much. I\u2019m really meant to be writing about how […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2373,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,12],"tags":[34,47,57],"class_list":["post-4859","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-culture-watch-2","category-in-the-news","tag-culture-watch","tag-just-plain-sarcastic","tag-politics"],"yoast_head":"\n