My Father’s Taboo Trifecta, An Idea of Hope and Progress

“It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
— Anne Frank

Good morning my friends, lovers, mothers, fathers, sisters, and others.  I love you all, I do, I’m not shy about my love for humanity, and there is one lady that has my heart, the love of my life, and my wife, Jenny Thompson. But, of course, opening with some sappy love declaration is never a good sign for some good soup; let’s see where I can go from here.

As I pen these words, some dogs are grappling.   Parker Van Halen coming in at 60 pounds, is taking on Jake at 120, and PVHT is holding her own.  I think they are boyfriend and girlfriend and the grapple is just their version of love.  This scene lasts an hour, and then they pass out.   Update, the new game is sock pull, they have a sock, and you would think it was mana from heaven.

So let’s talk about something my father told me to discuss.  Abortion, I guess the Texas Legislature passed a new law that has some concerns about women’s rights.  It’s a pretty strict law from my understanding; a woman cannot have an abortion after the child’s heart begins beating. But, according to media reports, there is also a provision that allows citizens to sue people who assist in breaking this law.

Let’s start with a simple premise; I’m not a fan of killing kids.  I know, probably a little out of fashion, but I respect a woman’s choice to make that decision.  I don’t judge; it’s not my place. However, I think the law is a little bit of an overreach.  If you look at other states, some are very liberal with their timing of killing the child.  I think Texas is trying to swing the pendulum back.  It is not lost on me that other states within driving distance do not have this strict a clause; this means folks will have to drive if they want access to kill their baby. I believe that life happens at inception; it’s my personal belief, but you do you, and I’ll do me. 

What else did my father tell me never to discuss?  Oh yes, politics, that was another of the three topics to never discuss in public. As a result, our current political landscape is a shit show.  It’s been a shit show for years; I like the analogy that Trump was not the death of politics but the coroner.  After his election, all sensibility was lost.  And now we have Joe, how’s he doing?  Depending on your gang color, you might think he’s doing a fantastic job.  Or maybe you are comparing him to the time we all drank Billy Beer. 

The third taboo, according to Wayne Luther Thompson, is religion.  Never discuss religion!  Well, father, I think you raised me in the church; you gave me a firm foundation of faith.  I have a quarterback; I am aware there are other quarterbacks, and if someone chooses another QB, well, that’s fine, you do you, and I’ll do me.  I find it interesting that many folks now compare Christians to the Taliban; I think that is a stretch; I feel it is suitable for society to have a group of people with solid values and a belief in something bigger than themselves.

I’m not giving my opinion; I’m just sharing some thoughts and ideas if you have not noticed.  Although I could with a few letters and words, I’ll not try to trigger folks, but today, I’m just starting the conversation.  You can take my words and discuss with your partner, office worker, pastor, or enemy; you might be surprised to find you have similar beliefs regarding the Taboo Trifecta.

We live in a society where we want to highlight our differences, and I think it’s time we focused on our commonalities.  Of course, humans disagree, but we also agree. Can we take a pause and talk about points of agreement?  Why all the focus on our differences?  I think most of us are aligned on 90% of the topics. We want people to have good health care; we want to end poverty; we would love to end the homeless crisis collectively.  But instead of having these conversations, we want to do gang warfare, waving our colors around like school children.

I have conservative friends, and I have liberal friends. We have open and honest conversations about our views and solutions to the problems, and if you can view the other person not as a red or blue person but as a human, it’s a good first step in understanding another’s view.  I think the media is a “ginning machine” trying to light matches to cause us to viscerate each other; please don’t fall into the trap.  Keep your comments on social media kind, try and find the 10% good of any post and say, “what I like about what you said was X, and also I think Y would be a good addition.”

You see, no matter an idea, there is always at least 10% good in the thought.  You might not like 90%, but don’t slam the 90%; focus on the 10%; if you start from that perspective, life becomes a little easier and less chaotic. If you view my work as part of the problem, maybe this daily thought piece might lend you an idea I’m trying to be part of the solution. 

We live in the most fabulous time in the history of humanity, but people want to bitch, moan, and complain about others’ ideas and thoughts. So let’s hit the reset button today and begin talking about taboo topics, but let’s agree to find the 10% good in the concept and instead of saying “but” use the word “and.”  Humans are beautiful creators no matter the color they wave; everyone has something to add to society. So remember that as you traverse your day and remember, be kind.

“It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
— Anne Frank