Tin foil is for cooking

While it's no secret I tip a bit to the left politically, I have friends and family members who span the political spectrum. It's not a big deal because for the most part we've learned that if we are going to discuss things, we do it respectfully and we drop stuff if things look like they are headed to a bad place, discussion-wise. I know the people I discuss things with are intelligent and while we disagree on the how, we ultimately want what is best for the country.

Recently a friend who tips a bit to the right brought up the "Obama is really from Kenya" theory.

I love you, truly - but don't lets start

Here's the thing...I recognize there is absolutely some legitimate criticism that can be made against this administration. NSA? I can't say I'm a fan. ACA - I definitely don't think it's the boon that it was made out to be and I still get upset when I think of a few very specific examples of people I know for whom, while improvements may have been made, it's still not affordable or complete enough. I hardly think the president is a saint above all criticism! While I'd cheerfully repeat my vote against his opponents for him again, I think it's beyond ridiculous to act as if he had no flaws.

But *sigh* Kenya???

Why in the hell do people go there in the first place? (Crazy theories not to the actual country of Kenya)When there are real things to take issue with, why do people enjoy believing and spreading the crazy stuff? And note I said "people", not "conservatives" or "right-wingers". Not too long before the secret Kenyan incident, there were lots of left leaning folks gleefully crowing over a news article detailing another horrible thing a republican candidate said - only to find the article was from a parody site and then get horribly offended when I pointed it out. I got private hate messages from a left leaning person, complete with salty language telling me to shut up because my attempt to silence them (by pointing out the obvious) was setting back the woman's movement.

I'm a woman too you twit - so by your "logic" your attempt to silence me by disagreeing is also setting back the woman's movement - and possibly racist since I'm a minority. 

There's no pretty way to say it - when people buy into the wilder stuff they look ignorant. It makes them appear as if they are unable to discuss legitimate issues (whether because it almost seems as if they have no faith in the legitimate points of criticism that can be made or they lack the patience or the mental faculties to have a rational discussion). I want legitimate debate back in our country. I want the demonization of both sides to stop because then maybe we have a chance to move forward as a country. Buying into the crazy crap means you've made a decision not only to shut down your mind to any other information, but yep, it makes you look crazy and makes it easier for your opponents to shut themselves down to any good and legitimate points you have to say ( Such and such buys into theory X? Well they must be stupid so now we are free to blow off any valid issues with situation Y)

Just Stop. Really.

By Rommy Cortez-Driks