This never gets old.
Regarding my last post, about the old woman. I commented on the story and got a response. Here we go. Long story short, I hate people.
- Me: The comments on this case, both here on Facebook and on WTHR's site, are really disturbing to me. You're blaming the elderly woman for this? A man knocked on her door, she answered, as most of us would have done. Despite whether she should have opened the door or not, the fact that she did does NOT make it her fault. Don't victim-blame in any circumstance. This woman isn't the one at fault; it's the law-breaking salesman that deserves all of the blame here, no one else.
- This Tosha person: Sorry Josh but they're both to blame! She's 80, not 8! She should know better! What's the first thing you teach a kid when they start staying home alone? DO NOT ANSWER THE DOOR FOR STRANGERS!!! Is he to blame for bulldozing this woman? Absolutely, but if she hadn't answered the door in the first place we wouldn't be here talking about it now!
- Me: Sorry, Tosha, but *he* is to blame. She shouldn't have to worry about opening her door. As you said, she's 80, not 8. She's a grown woman. Adults answer the door when someone knocks. Why shouldn't she have opened it? Because there are bad guys out there, right? And who is to blame for bad guys? One answer: the bad guys. Blame the crooks, not their victims.
Not only does this story piss me off, but the comments on it are worse. Seriously. Nearly all of them, both on WTHR’s website and on Facebook, are blaming the EIGHTY-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FOR THIS. Seriously!
“If I don’t know the person at the door, I don’t answer it. That’s a good way to get yourself mugged, raped or killed. What the hell is wrong with people? You can’t be bullied into a sale if you don’t open the door, she must have been lonely or something.”
”Why is this news? Maybe she should consider moving into a nursing home.”
“Why do people open their doors. There is such a non-violent way to handle these people. ‘Don’t open the door.’”
And, the very first Facebook comment: “dumb old lady”
WHAT THE HELL?!
A.) The woman is 80. She could run over my dog and I’d blame the dog. Even if he was in my backyard. You hit 80 years old and you deserve all the respect in the world.
B.) More seriously, the woman is 80. She answered a knock at her door and the guy pushed in. I’m sorry, but you’re probably not able to stop a (presumably) young and able-bodied man when you’re an 80 year old woman.
C.) Victim-blaming for rape is bad. We’re all agreed on this, I should hope. No matter how the girl is dressed, it’s one person’s fault for her rape: the rapist. The same should apply to an old lady answering her door and being forced and/or scared into paying $16/lb for chicken.
UGH.
Happy National Buttermilk Biscuit Day (May 14).
WHY DID I MISS THIS NATIONAL HOLIDAY??? WHERE WAS THE NEAREST CRACKER BARREL???? T_T
Oh, not even fair. I’d have bought these delicious buttermilk biscuits that I’m using for breakfast this morning a week ago if I’d known about this!
You just had to do that, didn’t you, Fox Nation?!
Oh, Fox, you silly little child.
Really.
This isn’t political. This is hilarious.
Who the heck are you and why do you think you’re so important? Loljk, even though you’re a smartass, I enjoy reading your thoughts because they’re always well-written and, you know, backed up by facts. Which is really revolutionary at this point.
Oh, you know. I do what I can. I figure SOMEBODY discussing politics should go by facts and comparisons. Lord knows Sean Hannity doesn’t.
Something that you would never expect from me.
I’ve decided I’m going to distance myself from political posts and discussion for a little while. Honestly, the more I read, the more I discuss and debate, the more I fight so earnestly for what I know is right, and the more I see that fail with those I’m arguing with…well, it just makes me more terrified about the future of the country. I’m scared by both major parties: the Democrats are taking us toward socialism and the 1930s, and the Republicans (more and more dominated by the Tea Party that has transformed itself so fundamentally from its original anti-taxation intent that it’s become pointless) are taking us toward theocracy and the 1950s. I’m still an ardent libertarian and I have great faith in people like Ron Paul, Rand Paul, and Justin Amash, but everything I’m seeing lately tells me that we’re several years away from the idea of protecting liberty at all costs catching fire with enough people in the country to make a difference.
In short, I’m becoming disenchanted with the process, and the fear of the future is stressing me out so much that I’m sure it’s not good for my health. I find myself going into panic attacks sometimes while debating with people or even just reading news articles and opinion pieces. It’s not healthy, I’m tellin’ ya. So, in order to focus on myself, my soon-to-be-wife, and the beginnings of our new family (just the two of us right now! No babies just yet, don’t worry!) as well as coping with this sudden adulthood thing, I need to back off the politics for a while. This will please some of you, disappoint others, and make most of you shrug and/or say “who the heck is this guy and why does he think he’s so important?” Of course, just because I’m me, I know I won’t be able to avoid the discussions entirely — I’m known as a politically-minded person, so people I know frequently come to me to discuss politics — but I’m going to make it as light as possible.
So, TTFN, “politics” tag. I’ll be back, but I don’t know when.
AP reports Amendment One passes in NC
Keep it classy, North Carolina. Keep rockin’ that dance of yours called “The Backward Step.”
