It’s funny, but just when I think there’s simply no possible way to become more frustrated with our current state of affairs here in good old America, somebody (seemingly) goes out of their way to prove me wrong. Whether it’s a politician – on either side of the fence – a celebrity-turned-politician (the worst kind) or simply people in general, it seems this reporter can’t get a break from the inane lately.
Then again, maybe it’s just this lousy weather we’ve been having.
Regardless, I suppose that’s what you’ll have when you combine a widespread lack of common sense, our bizarre tendency for short-term memory loss and the almost unbelievable string of events which have unfolded in the last decade or so (not to mention Mother Nature).
Lately, I seem to have this tendency to react to certain happenings with an almost laughable blend of disbelief, anger and, as stated, frustration. It doesn’t really matter what’s at issue – politics, religion, war, peace (or lack thereof), the environment, gun control, socialism, fascism, the legalization of marijuana, gay rights, abortion, the upcoming 2012 election, the list goes on and on.
I’m more than a little fed up with all of it, personally speaking. Why, you ask? Because a little common sense every once in awhile would – more than anything – go a long way toward putting this country back on track. I know that sounds a tad simplistic, but a little more rational thinking on our part really wouldn’t hurt anyone, now would it?
Unfortunately, I have a feeling that I shouldn’t hold my breath at this point. Asking certain segments of our American populace to rely on something as simple as common sense – rather than their (oftentimes) misguided bigotry, complete disregard for intelligent discussion or any kind of compromise whatsoever – is probably a lost cause.
My apologies if I seem a little bitter, but this is something that’s been bothering me for a couple of weeks now. I suppose I could blame it on “30 Seconds” (if you’re a regular reader of The Evening Sun’s reader reaction column you know exactly what I mean), which I’ve always been completely addicted to (even before I began writing for our hometown daily), but I know better.
Actually, what’s really got me in this little funk is the continued insistence by certain individuals that our current president wasn’t born here in the United States, particularly businessman and television personality Donald Trump. You know, the whole “birther” issue.
Now I don’t know about you, but my memory isn’t all that short. In fact, I remember quite well that Mr. Trump has pulled this stunt before a time or two. He fakes a bid at the presidency in order to garner publicity before dropping out at the last minute. My guess is that he’s probably doing it this time around for no other reason than to boost ratings for “The Apprentice,” a show I can proudly say I’ve never seen.
Yes, even “The Donald” has jumped on the birther wagon, much to my dismay. Not because I care one way or the other what he thinks – I don’t – simply because I’m tired of hearing about an issue that is complete, utter nonsense.
News flash people, Barack Obama was born in Hawaii on Aug. 4, 1961. I know that sounds a little far-fetched but, believe me, it’s absolutely true. And no, I don’t care if I ever see his birth certificate, I’m willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt. And how can I be so certain of our commander-in-chief’s nationality? It’s simple really – I’m fairly certain (and by fairly I mean 100 percent) that the extreme right-wingers out there would’ve never let the man anywhere near the White House if he were really born in Kenya. Case closed.
And while I’m not going to go so far as to say that doubting our president’s birthplace is unpatriotic, calling him a terrorist, an anti-American and a socialist dictator most certainly is. Those who continue to do so should be ashamed of themselves. Like the guy or not, he’s still our president and he deserves a little respect.
On that note, I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t a big fan of George W. Bush during his presidency, yet I still had some measure of respect for the man. I’m even going to go out on a limb here and guess – just guess, mind you – that being president of the United States of America is probably not the easiest job in the world.
So if you disagree with Obama’s policies, his service to our country during his first term or even his vacation schedule, that’s perfectly fine, you have every right to do so. My advice? Save it for the 2012 election and go out and vote for someone else. That’s American. Name-calling and spreading lies about the man isn’t. In fact, that’s just childish.
Follow me on Twitter ... @evesunbrian.
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