The Freedom to just...be

You know, there are a lot of people that are late to the party of awesomeness in this country and are very angry this week.

The worst years in this country are election years. Not only are politicians cracked out, but so are the media and those that place all their bets on what others have written. Rarely do people pay attention to actual documents for truth. They rely on what they heard from their favorite talking head or favorite newswriter; misconstruing their voice for actual truth.

2008 was an eye-opener. I got sick to my stomach reading things online and realizing how HORRIBLE and NASTY people are. Social media is good for something, but not everything. I'm grateful it wasn't around for the 2000 election and that the 2004 election was mostly just AIM. This year, I've had my fair share already.

There are only 100 days until the election.

Oy. Vey.

We all have set in our minds that we have FREEDOM OF SPEECH and so that means we can say whatever we want and no one can say anything about it, right?!

Kind of.

Let's take a look at the FIRST AMENDMENT taken from the actual Constitution:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Pay attention to the first word, "Congress." I love when people cry out "I am American, I have free speech." Yeah, the amendment protects you against the GOVERNMENT, not from criticism from your fellow peers. Sure, say what you will, but don't expect everyone to agree and not argue with you.

It blows my mind, honestly. I remember when Hank Williams, Jr said what he said on FOX News and ESPN decided not to use his services again. Nutjobs did what their jobs were...going nuts. ESPN had a deal with this dude, they paid him money for his services. When they decided he wasn't really representing their company they way THEY wanted; they stopped paying them. They have the right to do that.

I can holler about Free Speech all I want, but if I open a mic and say some outrageous stuff OR CURSE, Clear Channel has every right to terminate me, right?! It's the same thing.

Free speech does not mean you are free of consequences from anyone OUTSIDE of the GOVERNMENT.

The latest in this nightmare of misunderstandings in this country is the Chick-Fil-A Owner/CEO coming out not only against gays, but families that aren't parented by a mother and father. OOPS, someone didn't read the full print. For those who don't know, there have been STORIES about Chick-Fil-A's donations to anti-gay committiees in the last few years. This isn't a new thing. It was always an urban legend of sorts. Early this year, the stories started to become more legit. Three weeks ago the CEO of the company came out to confirm what everyone thought; they no likey da gays.

I was on my Facebook and proclaimed that I wouldn't spend another dime with Chick-Fil-A and that pissed my friends off. "That's their freedom of speech you're stepping on," "they're a religious organization,why are you suprised," "BE PATRIOTIC and eat at Chick-Fil-A." Honestly, I've never wanted to tell people to shut the eff up more in my life.

I love all the people that I know, but it's tough to LIKE them. I find that the prejudices that people hold and they don't admit to; disturb me. That last statement isn't about "the gays."

Back to ME and MY decision. How can you say that people are imposing on Chick-Fil-A's "Free Speech" by declaring they won't eat their food? Do you realize how hyprocritical that is? They have the right to say what they want to say, and I have the right to decide..."meh, I'll take my money elsewhere."

Listen, I work 10 hours a day at a job that works my ass off only to jump into another job at the ass crack of dawn and then provide free work on other days. If *I* decide that I'm going take what few pennies I have and go buy stock in RAMEN NOODLES, that's my RIGHT. You eat there if you'd like, it's just my choice.

I just want people to STOP politicizing things so fucking much. This is how upset I have gotten with social media. No one really takes the time to look at situations but they run their fingers like they do.

I used to like Chick-Fil-A A LOT, I stopped going there a while back just because I needed to stop having fast food. I've dealt with Chick-Fil-A on the business sides of things and while they're really nice people locally; their advertising techniques were weird. Because of the religious beliefs they wouldn't advertise on a Top 40 station because of content, but they would over-saturate a country music station. I like country music and it's a tad bit below Top 40 music in content, but not by much. Drankin', smokin', sexin', and booties run there as well. But, no big deal.

As someone who didn't grow up in a family in the "biblical" sense; I don't have time for that. Nor the money. Someone asked me, "well what if you didn't know?" I'd probably eat there on occasion. Though, let's be honest, the cravings come on Sundays. Seriously, the fact that I NOW KNOW where the money goes, I'm walking away. What is wrong with that?

I am tired of people telling me "THE LIBERAL MEDIA" is causing this "uproar." No, see, as I said before people have heard the stories before. Chick-Fil-A came out in the media with the confirmation. So, it was Chick-Fil-A that started this. Same with Target, though I have ZERO time with Target anyway. That establishment has bothered me since I was 16. Long story.

Poor Jim Hensen Company getting pissed on because they have decided to donate money they've received from Chick-Fil-A and split from them. That's THEIR RIGHT! They CAN DO THAT. 

And why is it that people are bad for trying to get people to stop being discriminatory? This country is so mixed up and screwed. But if it's not you, it doesn't matter, does it? To politicize a FAST FOOD chain is ridiculous.

I'm sorry that this post seems to be so filled with anger. I'm just SO TIRED. Tired of the bullshit I read everyday. Tired of hearing how I'm not a patriot and I'm stepping on the feet of "American Freedoms." Oy vey. Get over it and yourself. If not taking a stand for what I believe in makes me a non-patriot, then fine. That's what I am.

I'm tired of the division. I'm tired of the rhetoric. I'm tired of not being able to have an adult debate with people of deferring beliefs. I'm tired. Maybe we should just mind our own business. But, that would be too much like right.

I don't know, it's just hard to keep a positive spin of all of this. I'm completely fed up. If it weren't for my job, this would be a great time to quit social media. In fact, for the Fall, I think I'll be logging in just to post on my work pages and on twitter.

Spread Love. This is the only way I can end this; spread love. SPREAD LOVE.