I
have been writing this column since January of 2013, and during that time I
have written on a variety of topics from gun control to abortion, to racism.
With all the areas of interest I have covered I would like to extend a deep appreciation
to the journalism instructor and Commuter adviser, Rob Priewe, for allowing me
to write a conservative and politically/socially right-leaning column in a
college publication that is usually moderate to left-leaning.
I would also like to extend gratitude to the
editor and editors of the past year for carefully helping to edit my columns in
a way that would get my conservative point across without looking like a total
ass. And last, but certainly not least, I would like to extend a heart-felt
“Thank you” to all the readers and those have written in comments to either the
Commuter web page, or emailed the Commuter on what I have written about.
Because of you, even though many have opposed my view, we, as a campus, have
seen different sides of a multitude of different topics and have seen that
there may be more than one side to every story. It’s trying to understand the
stories and how different people view them that make us better people. There
are people, however, that see things so differently one can only guess is they
can ever see the other side. Here are a few things I have learned from the left
and from liberals.
We all must learn to at least tolerate
change, even though we may not agree with it.
As
I have walked around campus, I have seen a huge plethora of personalities from
the quite conservative and old fashioned, to the very modern and liberal. I
have learned that these people look this way because they like to, and that is acceptable,
but I’ve also learned that some liberals think that conservatives have to
embrace it or face consequences. That’s where liberals get it wrong,
conservative tolerate a great many things, but accepting them is not necessary.
Liberals need be tolerant of other views, not just their own.
We
need to be fair and try to see the other side.
I
have had many people try to explain to me cases like immigration or the gay
rights issue, why is it that if a person is against illegal immigration, they
are labeled racists. If people are in favor of traditional marriage, then why
are they labeled bigots and homophobes? Liberal aren’t always lenient.
The
left has an unspoken hypocrisy
A
Gresham bakery, Sweet Cakes by Mellissa, was closed down for refusing to
violate their religious beliefs by not baking a cake for a gay wedding. Gay rights
groups claimed the bakery’s refusal to bake the cake was illegal; however,
there is a retirement community in Gresham, Rainbow Vista, that advertises specifically
for the gay community.
According
to arcweb.sos.state.or.us, Oregon Admin Rule 839-005-0205 says “ A person may not...publish, circulate,
issue or display...any communication, notice, advertisement, or sign of any
kind whether oral, written or electronic, relating to the sale, rental or
leasing of real property that indicates any preference based on sexual
preference." Looks like hypocrisy to me.
The left also seem to have issues with racism.
When LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling was penalized for comments he made in
private the left praised his persecution, however, Al Sharpton has been making
racist comments for years and he gets his own segment on MSNBC. More hypocrisy
The
left also seem quite happy with allowing illegal immigrants to get free healthcare,
food stamps and low cost housing, but
they don’t seem to care much about the epidemic problem of our veterans who
suffer with mental and physical issues,
homelessness , and unemployment.
The
left seems to have a very unhealthy relationship with the government. It seems
as though the left believes that the government should control all portions of
their life. Thomas Jefferson said “History, in general, only informs us of what
bad government is.” While Ronald Reagan once said “Man is not free unless
government is limited.”
A
limited government is at the heart of most, if not all conservatives and libertarians,
unfortunately liberals seem to think that they are entitled to everything and it’s
up to the government to provide it. As
it has been said, a government big enough to give you everything is big enough
to take it all away.
As
I take my leave, I would like to quote from two people.
Herb
Shaindlin (1930-2008) was a long time Alaskan radio broadcaster who used to say
“Everyone is entitled to my opinion”, while conservative radio talk show host
and author Michael Savage commonly claims, “Liberalism is a mental disorder”
dkhummel.blogspot.com,
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