Why I Never

I've had this blog sitting on the back-burner for a long time, contemplating posts, building up a backlog of possibilities, and generally procrastinating. The difficult part has always been that I want this blog, unlike my personal rant-filled ones, to be set in a theme, to have some kind of definitive criteria for what does and does not go here. I've always known what those things are, but I've had a hard time coming up with a good first post. I think I finally have it.

I've always wanted this blog to be humorous, but informative. The title itself should indicate that I intend it to be cautionary... and also scathing. It is going to be opinionated, and, frequently, it is going to be offensive to someone, somewhere. (The thing is, of course, I will likely be completely unperturbed by the assertions that some take offense. Mostly because I'm not going to value those opinions very highly. Or, you know, I just won't care.)

So what's informational and hilarious?

Laughing at idiots.

What subject is absolutely rife with idiots?

Politics.

And so, I give you:

Why I Never Will Consider "Birthers" Real People (And You Shouldn't Either)

Now, when I say "real people," I'm referencing one specific criterion:

The ability of the human mind to rationalize, use logical thought processes, and change perceptions in order to accept new evidence.

This ability seems particularly... lacking amongst the "birthers" in America. For those of you not in the know, "birthers" refers to those extremist conservatives in the Republican party (read: right-wing nutjobs) who believe that Obama's birth is suspect. Specifically, they do not believe he was legally born in the United States.

Despite glaring evidence to the contrary.

Despite even NEWER evidence -- stronger and even more distinct and detailed evidence -- they remain skeptical, and if not, they claim ~responsibility for the release~ (or ignore it and move on to the next argument).

It's really a big pile of ridiculous. So ridiculous that President Obama largely ignored the issue until it began to overshadow real issues like the economy and health care in political debate. And yet, birthers still continue to ignore hard, solid fact placed in front of them.

I recently had a four-day argument with a (former) high school friend, and two of her friends, on Facebook. It was simply boggling to me how absolutely vehemently the three of them denied clearly presented facts, how they quoted misinformation (or made information up on the spot, or based on hearsay), how they completely refused to do basic research (even Wikipedia research!), how they failed utterly to back up a single argument with references or facts, and how -- most tellingly -- once presented with evidence or facts they could not refute, they simply ignored them (and the entire corresponding points of their arguments) and chose a new (bigoted) inanity to spout.

This whole conversation was so utterly amazing to me, that I cannot help myself but to share it with you.

I briefly considered editing, altering, or obscuring names to protect the "innocent." However, this was a public post on a public Facebook profile, and if the persons in question are unconcerned with appearing incompetent and racist in public, then I am unconcerned with concealing their identities.

Below is the conversation in full, screencapped from Facebook's website. Following are the link to the original post (so long as it remains available) and a list of clickable links corresponding to those links posted in the original conversation.

Content warning: The screencaps below contain foul language, problematic language (I apologize for the inappropriate use of the word "retarded"), horrible grammar, inciting and/or offensive political views (from both sides of center), outright stupidity, racism, ignorance, and blatant refusal to comprehend basic logic.

Also included near the end is a single gendered slur on my part, made in anger, for which I apologize. My rage over blinding stupidity clouded my better judgment. I did make an attempt to rectify the problematic language, but I admit I should have never used it in the first place.

(For those curious, yes, the file name is a lyrical reference.)