Father Heathen
Veteran Member
(I originally typed this up last week, but my restriction didn't end until today.)
Through the democratic process, the American people have spoken. I’m disappointed and disgusted, but I’ve accepted the outcome and am making peace with it. An inept, treasonous, felonious, adulterous, bigoted rapist won both the electoral and popular vote. This is what America has chosen.
This result also reveals the true moral character of the people—or rather, the lack of it. It’s yet another ugly reality that I'm coming to terms with.
I was foolishly optimistic that decency and humanity would prevail. Silly me. If they want the nation to burn, so be it. Let it burn.
I love this country, at least the idea and vision of it: rights, liberty, equality, justice, secularism, democracy, etc. But it has ceased to represent these things (if it ever truly did), at least in the hearts of most Americans.
Democracy only truly works with an informed, educated electorate. It has been described as two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for lunch. I would describe it as two sheep and a wolf voting on what to have for lunch—and still ordering the mutton. Clearly, people are too easily deceived and manipulated into voting against their own interests.
I used to enjoy discussion and debate, but ultimately it’s an exercise in futility - "you can’t reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into." - and now it's just a reminder of the smug, willful ignorance that will potentially undo this country. Once someone's ego and identity are entrenched in a party or ideology, no amount of facts or logic can shake it. Engaging with those of this mindset is unhealthy and a waste of time; you can’t instill intelligence or integrity in others.
Life is too short and crappy enough without stewing in anger or sorrow. When things are out of your hands, all you can do is let go and try to focus on the positive things and people in your life that make you happy, fulfilled, and content—even as the world burns around you.
Also, I think I’m done here. What more is there to say? I’ve been here a long time—perhaps too long. No doubt some will be delighted to see me go. I’ve learned a lot, and my perspective has evolved over the years, thanks to some of the influences here. For that, I say "Thank you." I only hope I’ve been able to help someone else grow in a similar fashion during my time here.
As my final message, all I can say is: think with reason, feel with compassion.
Goodbye.
Through the democratic process, the American people have spoken. I’m disappointed and disgusted, but I’ve accepted the outcome and am making peace with it. An inept, treasonous, felonious, adulterous, bigoted rapist won both the electoral and popular vote. This is what America has chosen.
This result also reveals the true moral character of the people—or rather, the lack of it. It’s yet another ugly reality that I'm coming to terms with.
I was foolishly optimistic that decency and humanity would prevail. Silly me. If they want the nation to burn, so be it. Let it burn.
I love this country, at least the idea and vision of it: rights, liberty, equality, justice, secularism, democracy, etc. But it has ceased to represent these things (if it ever truly did), at least in the hearts of most Americans.
Democracy only truly works with an informed, educated electorate. It has been described as two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for lunch. I would describe it as two sheep and a wolf voting on what to have for lunch—and still ordering the mutton. Clearly, people are too easily deceived and manipulated into voting against their own interests.
I used to enjoy discussion and debate, but ultimately it’s an exercise in futility - "you can’t reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into." - and now it's just a reminder of the smug, willful ignorance that will potentially undo this country. Once someone's ego and identity are entrenched in a party or ideology, no amount of facts or logic can shake it. Engaging with those of this mindset is unhealthy and a waste of time; you can’t instill intelligence or integrity in others.
Life is too short and crappy enough without stewing in anger or sorrow. When things are out of your hands, all you can do is let go and try to focus on the positive things and people in your life that make you happy, fulfilled, and content—even as the world burns around you.
Also, I think I’m done here. What more is there to say? I’ve been here a long time—perhaps too long. No doubt some will be delighted to see me go. I’ve learned a lot, and my perspective has evolved over the years, thanks to some of the influences here. For that, I say "Thank you." I only hope I’ve been able to help someone else grow in a similar fashion during my time here.
As my final message, all I can say is: think with reason, feel with compassion.
Goodbye.
