Last semester I took a lot of grief from people who didn’t think that I matched up to their standard of the word “conservative.” So to avoid any further problems I decided that an introduction of sorts was in order. Oh, by the way, welcome back to ETSU.
First, look at the word. It says what? It says conservative. For some reason, some people believe that word to be synonymous with “clone.” It isn’t! I have my own mind and I use it.
Furthermore, if you don’t like my opinion, I really couldn’t care less! I am my own voice in a wilderness of what oftentimes amounts to an overgrown forest of stupidity.
I am not the person who stands up on cue and shouts, “Amen,” in unison with the other red, white and blue-wearing Republicans. I also don’t believe that other people’s viewpoints should be dismissed just because those opinions are coming from a card-carrying Democrat. What matters to me is whether it lines up with my conservative train of thought.
I will gladly sing the praises of Joe Lieberman when he stands behind W and takes a stand for national security, but I will also give a nod to the fact that the United States has to look at ways of preventing conflict.
Sometimes that means agreeing with the Democrats about using economics and opportunities for participation in the global market to give aggressor nations a reason to choose actions that are not combative when they feel slighted.
I also have to scream out against the Republicans when the choices about U.S. borders and Social Security are so asinine that we will no doubt find ourselves in an even worse predicament 10 to 20 years down the road.
I believe that social programs are just that – not entitlement programs.
I believe that gun control is a pacifier for the weak-spined and brainwashed. If you are stupid enough to believe that having a law against owning/carrying a gun is going to protect you, then how is it that we have laws against rape and homicide, and yet they occur daily? Duh!
If I chose (after being legally licensed) to carry a gun for my own protection, who the hell are you to try to take away a tool that I can use to defend my right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?
I can be as polite to people as Sean Hannity. If you have an opposing view, and it’s based on intelligent thought, I will still disagree, but I will acknowledge that I am able to understand your viewpoint. When I do so, that does not make me a “big lib,” as I was accused of last semester. It means that I am amiable and polite.
Say something stupid, however, and I’ll go Michael Savage on you in a heart beat!
Also, don’t expect me to wave the flag of Christianity or jump on the religious bandwagon. I absolutely do not believe that America was founded as a Christian nation. If you want people to behave in that way, here’s a little advice: Stop trying to legislate morality and start working harder on converting people to your religion.
Let’s make sure we understand each other. Conservative does not equate Republican, and being polite and acknowledging an opposing viewpoint does not make me a liberal.
If you can keep that straight we will get along just fine.
Next week I will start covering current, pertinent political issues.
I plan on discussing why the action we have taken in Iraq is completely appropriate, and why it would be so even if the country never becomes a true functioning democracy. I don’t think you realize how every soldier over there is literally saving the lives of thousands of Americans daily.
Until then, good luck with your new semester and remember, you also have your own mind – use it!

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