PAIR OF PENNIES The Lion’s Eye ARE OA GALI © aos REESE By daniel j. taylor - Lion's Campus Editor - djt5036@psu.edu It seems as though whenever political and/or ideological debates make the news, it is my side whose intelligence is being diminished. For some reason, the notion that two intelligent groups of people could both see the same evidence and have differing opinions upon it is not recognized. An argument should be a quest to find truth, not to prove the stu- pidity of the opposition; however, when it comes down to actually having an argument, at least one side chickens out, mud gets slung, and someone is trying to show the utter idiocy of the other. As far back as I can remember, I’ve been that utter idiot. I have been getting it since high school: the same ac- cusations, the same blank stares. No one ever takes the time to explain why I'm a dumb ass, they just tell me that I am. Once, in a creative writing class in the 11th grade, I ended up on the conserva- tive side of a debate which discussed the role of women. I made the claim that be- cause women are generally more gentle and emotionally aware (that’s a compli- ment, ladies), they should be primarily responsible for the care of young, im- pressionable children. That women were either incapable of a workforce position or unequal in value to men, was not to be found among the details of my argument. In fact, I literally used this phrase: Men are jackasses, insensitive to the needs of children, and therefore should not be entrusted with their primary care. “Pig,” one girl shouted. “You’re so <expletive deleted> stupid,” another remarked. A majority of the remaining girls silently supported her by sliding their desks across the room, to be as far away from me as possible. Not one told me why... Since graduating high school, I have frequently engaged in arguments which poke, prod, and question my faith in the Judeo-Christian God. I, excitedly and feverishly, defend my beliefs, rarely (if ever) resorting to such grounded explanations as, “because I said so” or “that’s just how it is!” My thought pro- cesses are rational and well-presented, as I ofthandedly answer the tough questions that my acquaintances have had their whole lives to ponder. I often come to a crossroads, however, when the discussion melts down into one point or another, upon which the whole existence of God appears to rest, and (naturally) this is where I become an imbecile. One of my egghead friends will say something like, “Well if the earth wasn’t created in seven days, then we have untruths in the Bible, and the presence of such untruths discredits the entire thought system.” My response is always along the same lines, as I state that the Great “I am” is supernatural, literally above nature, and that his presence or actions should not be expected to be quantifiable using natural methods. Was the earth created in seven literal days?--well, the God I’ve always expressed a belief in is all-powerful and the rules of constructs such as time simply do not apply in the same manner as they do to us, so it’s not illogical for me to believe that such a God could create the earth in seven days, despite evidence that presupposes that natures laws are unbendable. “That’s so stupid,” I’ve been told by one classmate. Even my friends, although they never insult me, will still suggest that I “inform” myself, because my logic is not sound. Again, I’m on the “ignorant” side of an argument. Nowadays, there’s a whole new set of arguments on the scene, and they’re taking place in town halls and in the streets of many of the nation’s major cities. For some, details of their agenda may differ, but the primary goal is the same across the board: restoration of past ideals in the government. However, when they demand term limits to curb the power of incumbent politicians, or when they express discontent with the manner of government spending, they are met with the same old responses, and because on many of their basic issues I am in agreement, it is me, too, who is put down. When they ask even their most controversial questions such as, “Well why won’t Obama just show his birth certificate,” they’re not stupid--they’re curious. There shouldn’t be (and isn’t!) anything wrong with that. I mean, for God’s sake, I don’t know anyone who could even tell me the manner by which a presidential candidate is background checked and because Obama has such a culturally diverse background (and no, this is not coded word play that means, “because he is black”), I do not think it is unfair to ask “how do we know?” After all, if he was born in the United States-- and I‘m not saying otherwise--just prove it and end the trouble. But readers, don’t say “they already have proved it” and explain how an announcement of birth was provided, because apparently that’s not convincing enough. It simply hasn’t been proven until someone brings forth an original, official document, and so far as I have seen the only document pro- . duced as evidence was printed in 2007. Oh, and if you really want us know- nothings to shut up, someone should take a copy to Fox News...it’s that easy. And although only the “stupid” are unsettled ~ over the whole issue, it’s not stupid to eliminate a barrier which divides Ameri- cans. If they (or maybe I should say “we”) are so stupid, then there is prob- ably a few good reasons for it. Maybe America’s colleges are failing their students, because more Tea Partiers are college educated than is average for the nation. Or maybe the ability to handle money is inversely correlated to intel- ligence, because Tea Partiers have higher incomes than most Americans (facts from http://www.cbsnews.com/8301- 503544 162-20002529-503544.html?ta g=contentMain;contentBody). Call me crazy, but it sounds like the Tea Partiers have half-decent brains between their ears. The Tea Partiers, even if they aren’t smart, might at least be wise. Frequently, they discuss and appeal to the ideals of the Founding Fathers, such as Thomas Jefferson, who said, “Every April 28, 201 EES : Teabagging: It’s the American Way government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe deposito- ries.” And although they express some discontent with our “rulers” today, they take to heart the beliefs of previous presidents, such as George Washington, who said, “Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” To speak metaphorically, the Tea Partiers are treating those in power as the wielders of a dangerous flame which, if too large, will burn our hands. Hell, I am far more willing to give Tea Partiers credit for listening to the greatest political and social philosophers to ever grace the continent before I am willing to nitpick the details of their arguments and the speech patterns of their kinda-sorta leader, Sarah Palin. We--those people with whom you, whoever you are, disagree--are likely not stupid. In fact, we may even be smart. I can run logical circles around most of the people I’ve heard come down on the Tea Party, so does that make my agreement with it undeniably correct? By some standards, I suppose it would, but I’d reckon that in reality, it doesn’t. So when you see or hear condemnations of the Tea Party by such writers as Jonathan Valania of the Philly News (article found at http://www.phila- delphiaweekly.com/news-and-opinion/ Tea-Party-Crasher.html), don’t imme- diately agree with their stance because of their cutting wit and confident use of language. Slow down and maybe even do something as radical as analyze them for what they want for the country: a less regulated, less intrusive nation run by politicians who submit to the will of their constituents--an America. After all, Teabaggers, as they are sometimes called by critics, are fol- lowing the national model established by those who formed the country. It sounds like they are Patriots, and as for me--well, I'll take a good teabagging anytime! People Poll with Tiffany Morris What are your plans for the summer? Lauren Rankin A lot of trips to Cape May NJ and hanging out with friends! Peter Leporati Rehab my ACL and I'm going to Disney World! | Rodman Crump Looking for an internship and going on a cruse to the Bahamas! Laura Boyd Italy in two weeks! ...then look for a job.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers