Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Assumptions

Someone once told me: "Never assume...Because when you assume, you make an "ass" out of "u" and "me". I've been thinking a lot about assumptions. I've come to the conclusion that assumptions aren't my favorite. Maybe because they're a lot like judgements made by the self-righteous. Frequently, they come without any thoughtful, intelligent reasoning. Rarely does giving someone the benefit of the doubt factor into an assumption.

Before I get started, two things:
-don't assume I'm a Republican, because I'm not
-don't assume I'm a staunch right winging conservative, because I'm not

Recently I have watched the left-leaning media relentlessly vilify and mock those attending Tea Party rallies. The following is just a small sampling of the assumptions made about these people: they are all racist, greatly lacking oral hygiene, uneducated, ready to shoot and kill, stupid, ignorant, backwards, Timothy Mcveighs lying in wait...I could go on & on. I'll be the first to admit that in crowds of 100s or 1000s, it's highly possible (likely even) that you will find a person matching those descriptions. But I also believe the majority of those attending Tea Parties do not fit such disgusting profiles.

All of this leads me to a few questions. Why is it perfectly acceptable for the far left movement to assume things about Americans who, by and large, are just simply refusing to be sheeple? Why does the left bark and foam at the mouth over "profiling"...unless, of course, they are the ones doing the profiling? Why is it acceptable to demonize and make assumptions about those who are standing, peacefully in most cases (granted there are a few nut jobs to be found everywhere...on both sides of the aisle), for what they believe?

I remember when Bush was president (and let me remind you, I am no Bush fan), liberals screamed: "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." Now that the tables have turned, if you show any form of dissent, it is quickly assumed you are racist, a homegrown terror suspect, or just plain stupid. It is also assumed that you are a Sarah Palin fan....may I remind you she most certainly does NOT speak for me, I am not a fan. In fact, don't assume anyone speaks for me (even the Tea Party people). I can't find a darn person out there right now who in any way, shape or form represents me.

Next question. Why the obsessive focus on conservatives? Even Bill Clinton felt the need to run his mouth. He said we need to be careful with our words and consider how our words are taken by others. He insinuated that if some violence occurs, it will be the fault of those who are speaking out. Riiiiight. Because people can't be held responsible for their own actions. If some whack job commits an act of violence it certainly isn't his/her fault, but rather the blame would be at the feet of the Tea Partiers. I understand Bill...surely no one is surprised that a man who spent his time in the Oval Office being serviced by an intern would promote lack of personal responsibility. This is just another attempt at silencing those who are simply practicing what they heard from liberals for so many years: "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." Apparently this only holds true if you are a liberal Democrat.

I am wondering why we aren't concerned with the radical Islam movement taking place right under our noses. I have never been a fan of the show "South Park", so I do something very crazy....instead of being offended, I change the channel. *gasp* I know! It's a far out, wacky idea. But yes, I actually choose not to watch rather than get my panties in a wad. The creators of that show are equal opportunity offenders. Why is it ok that they mock Jesus Christ, the Pope, atheists, and every culture known to man, but when they delve into anything Muslim related, they are targeted with death threats by an extremist group. No one steps up for the creators, instead their show is censored...something that has never happened before, in all their years of equal opportunity offending. I'm wondering why there is such a focus on the supposed evil of Tea Parties. All the while a man in New York, who heads up this extremist group, says 9/11 was deserved and there is more to come. But ohhhh no, don't make any assumptions about him. Save all your assumptions for the Tea Partiers, because one or two of them might yell a racial slur. One or two of them might be missing some front teeth. Wonder why Billy Boy isn't concerned about the words of this man in New York? Wonder why Billy Boy isn't rushing to chastise this man and tell him how careful he must be with his words?

And why is it that those opposed to the new law in Arizona assume police will profile? Why not assume they will do their jobs with integrity. Those who believe anyone can come to this country illegally and the rest of us should pay for it, those people are assuming all police are racist bigots who hate immigrants. You quickly assume the police are looking for opportunities to bully people, but you don't want the police to assume someone is here illegally. All profiling and assumptions are on your terms. It's clear as mud to me.

You make assumptions all day long, but you are rabidly opposed to anyone else doing the same. That's the bottom line. So just keep your assumptions to yourself. You can make an "ass" out of "u" all day long, but leave "me" out of it.
Thank you very much.

12 comments:

Magic Brush said...

You go girl! I agree and agree and agree!!!!!!!! Double standards everywhere, aren't there????

On a side note, I've been emailing you about that table... but the emails are coming back. Need your zip code to get a postage estimate!

Unknown said...

Are we to "assume" that this means you are back??!! Welcome back.
We missed you.

Jess said...

Seriously. The other thing no one acknowledges is that in fact most tea parties are not only peaceful, but they clean up after themselves- no stray trash or litter, and they had a permit for the dang thing. So they can follow the law, be responsible and thoughtful- and somehow they're still racist, etc, etc, etc. I just don't get it!

jen said...

How I've missed you. Thanks for the diatribe. Well put, as always, my friend.

Caitlin and Mike said...

I love everything you wrote. The popular media/news like to play double standards.

Jill said...

Wow good to see you back.

I went to a Tea Party. It was fun. And mostly I saw working people who were there on their lunch hour. Just normal people. I didn't really see any crazies. I did see a WWII vet in uniform, I don't consider him a crazy. Nor do I consider a stay at home mother of 4 crazy.

And, as an Arizonan, let me say--it's just good to see someone doing SOMETHING. I like how the media and all the different senators/government officials across the nation are chiming in. I love how they make it seem like Arizona invented a NEW law that makes being here in this country illegal. Ahem. Newsflash it's already a law (that's why it's ILLEGAL immigrant, and not just immigrant.) They can just finally enforce it, which sound absurd, because why aren't all laws enforceable? That's crazy.

What I want to see, is one of these state officials outside of Arizona say publicly "All the illegal immigrants who are leaving Arizona--you are welcome in my state"

Now what are the chances of that???

Carly said...

Does this mean Snarky Belle is back? YAY!!!
And yes, as an Arizonan as well, we're up to our eyeballs in assumptions right now. It's driving me crazy.
I don't agree with racial profiling, but I also don't agree that "I wanted a better life" is enough justification for trampling on the law (or the border as you cross it illegally). After all, isn't every burglar, tax evader, drug dealer, or even a guy who murders his wife because she nagged him, trying to end up with "a better life." No one commits a crime with the plan of life going totally downhill from there. "It seemed like a good idea at the time," is not a valid legal strategy for a reason.
All Arizona is trying to do is stop something illegal where our hands were previously completely tied. We're doing our best to enforce the law against those trying their best to break it and justify it on a faulty "moral" ground of tolerance.

Susan Anderson said...

Boy, you rocked that one! What a defining (and refreshing) post to mark your much-awaited return. (You are returning, right?) Sure hope so, because I've missed you.

And I agree with every single point...every single one. Yep, you can be my spokesperson any time.

=)

Have a blessed day! said...

Oh girly, I'm so with you on this!

KOOK said...

Thank you Snarky! Glad to see some people who may not even agree with all my crazed rantings at least question the official MSM Narrative!

Karen said...

Crazy stuff going on here in Arizona! We even got Shakira running rallies - but she forgot her drivers license and invited Sheriff Joe to arrest her - funny thing is I would not put it past him. Help!

Glad to see you back and in top form!

Hugs!

Melanie said...

I don't know why I haven't been receiving updates when you post. I am about 4 post behind.

You are so right! I couldn't agree more. I wish I could put into words the way I feel about things like you do. You do it beautifully!