This is a fun little post (not) so that I can do some of the navel-gazing I so roundly condemned last time. That's because I'm a HYPOCRITE, A DIRTY LIBERAL/LEFT LIAR.
Um. Sorry. Been reading this, which made me get a bit carried away.
I figured it was time to pose a question, and in doing so, get an answer for myself while simultaneously drawing out anyone who actually READS this blog.
What does it take to make one attractive and/or attracted to right-wingers? I don't just mean in the, er, physical sense here but as a friend too, because... whatever it is, I seem to have it (especially in terms of the former).
Is it because I seem soft? I don't think I'm a token leftist, although in some ways I am. I can be a snob and a smartarse, and I'm dangerously academic. The closest I get to 'keeping it real' is living where I do (hah!) which is an aesthetically unsatisfying but not too dangerous area. However, we all know that news narratives aren't the most honest, so I would be hard-pressed to tell you anywhere that really is a bad area and/or worse than where I live.
I'm generally not that combative (which is new for me, honest) because I'm pathologically terrified of making the hardcore swing from left-right that those with trumpeted convictions seem to do as they get older. The thought of myself with all-grey hair screaming 'WON'T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!' while brandishing my walking-stick is fucking terrifying. I don't want to be a mean old mama, terrorising the skool yoof with my Freedom Pass-abusing ways.
Er... anyway... back to the topic. I try not to be fixed about things because I genuinely believe that there is always more learning that one can do. However, like all normal human beans, I do have a gut reaction to some things and I can be sentimental. I just fight it, because it's dangerous; a subtle and easy form of intellectual complacency.
So can somebody please suggest where I might be going wrong? I'm not saying right-wingers aren't good people. Some of 'em are. However, you're not going to get very far if you're a fairly passionate person and a lefty, especially in the romance stakes - good Lord.
I'm starting to get scared that maybe Ruth Fowler was right.
(Fucking hell, it looks like we've been thinking along the same lines! Albeit she got there first).
6 comments:
Ideological conformity in people around you is unspeakably dreary. Most of my friends are lefties.
Rumbold is a righty? I had no idea. I would say I don't comform to the people around me, them being religious zealots and me not. Yes, you don't choose your family, but I'm also talking about friends. However, when it comes to romance, call me bigheaded but I want someone who is on the same wavelength as me and liberal enough to accept the differences in our opinions. You seem to embody true liberalness and pragmatism so you don't want someone with strong views but someone receptive like you. I find my partner and I are so receptive we run out of things to say to each other.
I totally agree with that, but it IS a bit bizarre that I always seem to end up with the same sort of people as friends: conspiracy-theory-type lefties and affirmed conservatives.
Where's the middle ground, I ask you? :-D I wouldn't mind meeting more people like me, who don't know WHAT they are, and like it that way!
Amrit:
I know quite a lot of people who don't care much more politics either. It is just the ones who do care then to have a defined ideological position. I think that inside you is a libertarian waiting to get out.
Tut tut Rumbold, you've lost me now! :P I should've know you only wanted me for my vote! Lol. :P
I suppose I'm being a bit unclear. I am quite liberal, but I hope to work up to being moderate at most in my lifetime.
What I really fear being is dogmatic. I do respect most of the posters on PP, but I do not want to become 'doggedly' anything, be it left- wing, right-wing, feminist... whatever.
I'd rather have friends than fellow supporters or fellow soldiers.
My God, I feel like such a hippy.
Yes indeedy, our Mr. Rumbold is the rogue 'righty' among the PP-ers. He is 'very' (haha) charming with it, so he gets away with it.
Hehehehe. My boyf (I feel wrong calling him my partner, even though I should, it's been over five years) and I are a bit like that, but we take it in turns to be forceful. We often discuss and debate things - it's nerdily fabulous!
Thank you for your observations! I don't mind strong views, I just hate dogma.
Post a Comment