Making a List, Checking It Twice

Let me get this out of the way now:  I am not a Trump supporter.  I will not vote for him, even if Hillary Clinton is running against him.  I thought about it for a minute.  However his tactics which are provoking violence, racial tension, and sexism cannot be dismissed by me or explained away. I have heard his comments on the matter over and over again and I am done with any consideration of him due to these issues.

What has been of most concern for me recently is watching and hearing others take his stance, particularly with racial issues and violence.  I have always been a fan of hearing both sides of any story and talking directly to the people involved if I know them or doing considerable research  of what happened and why regardless of the issue.

Anyone remember the LV Ren Faire about 5 years or so ago? A dancer was accused of physically assaulting the, then, boyfriend of another dancer.  Everyone took sides without talking to either party.  Just by hearsay and rumor.  I, and a troupe mate of mine, actually spent a couple of hours talking with them, and of course, we were criticised for the due process but we felt it was best to hear from everyone before making a decision that may hurt either side.  Recently I have been posting about both sides of the issues at the Trump rallies lately.  I think it's a fair and balanced approach, which I am always in favor of, and it demonstrates that the people involved on both sides have their reasons.  I do not think it's fair to just say all of Trump supporters are jerks without looking at the other side's supporters, remember my posts about the Nevada Democratic Caucas and getting screamed at and drowned out by the Clinton supporters?  Not wanting to walk to my car alone, like other Sanders supporters????  Hmmmm????

Most people who know me know that if I speak out of turn or say or do something that bothers them, I am an open door.  Please come and tell me.  I, as well as many others, have stuck my foot in my mouth now and again or forgot to do something in a particular way, etc.  If I am not told about the infraction, I cannot learn and grow from my mistake.  I also cannot take responsibility and sincerely apologize for it.  We cannot have an open-minded conversation about our relationship or things that could effect it without an open discussion.  And many of you that have talked to me about these sorts of things know that I am pretty rationale, approachable, and observant about these sorts of discussions.  I have never shied away from uncomfortable conversations and have approached them with empathy. and sincerity.

So THE LIST.  Here it is:  Naughty or Nice?  Hmmm,  more like Rational or Irrational; Trumphet or Non-Trumphet.  I have low tolerance for the close-minded, the narrow-minded, and the quick to judge without hearing the facts or having an intelligent conversation about it particularly when dealing with the racially insensitive issues, sexism, and the provocation of violence.  Those people, in my mind,  are Trumphets.  They don't want to take responsibility for their narrow mindedness and they just want to point their finger at someone else without cause. And life is too short to just let someone fling that around me without an open dialogue.   And how would they feel if they were on the receiving end? But the Trumphets are not always supporters of Trump. They, in recent situations, are supporters of Sanders or Clinton, but use the same tactics as Trump.  Quick to blame others, quick to call "bullshit" about things that may not make Trump supporters look so bad all the time, short tempered, irrational, and inconsistent in their views.

Open-minded, open-hearted, empathetic conversations will always win.  Even if BOTH sides decide to agree to disagree.  They have at least communicated effectively and have gained a mutual understanding of their differences.  I understand that this election season has many on edge.  It is seeming to bring out the ugly side to people I never thought had it in them.  It is divisive which saddens me.  I understand if for one moment you are caught up in the anger.  It happens to all of us.  But hopefully it can be shaken off.  But I have little room in my life these days for the consistent Trumpheting and the anger that ensues.  I wish the Trumphets well and hope that someday compassion and understanding will develop but that is the side of the list I am just not that into. And the list does not mean you will be getting coal or gold for Christmas.  It just means I am not going to pay any attention to the Trumphets like I will to the Non-Trumphets.