THE OBAMA BEAR HUG HEARD AROUND THE WORLD

I just read, with a bit of amusment mixed with dismay, about a man who owned a pizzeria who was blasted for giivng Obama a hug in his restaurant.

     ARTICLE HERE:

     gma.yahoo.com/pizza-man-bear-h…

     Now,  when I first ran across the article I thought the backlash he received was going to be from daring to touch a protected public official this way (would be like bear hugging the Queen right?)

     But no--conservatives attacked the man and brought his YELP score down to a one star cause they didn't like the fact that he liked Obama.

     *Sigh*

     By that afternoon there was a COUNTER backlash with defenders bringing his YELP rating up to FIVE stars...

     *Sigh*

     And so with this article we see where America has come to...

     But I am not surprised...

     I saw this coming the moment the term feminazi was coined and Liberal became a dirty word. When people spew hate towards a group just because they happen to have a different world view or opinion then we see the type of childish stupidity that is displayed in the above article. Groups can be ugly and divisive and most feel their side is the side of right and simply can't accept the fact that they can't make people think, act or believe the way they want them to.   Right is a highly subjective viewpoint in many circumstances.

     We all come from different backgrounds and our world view is shaped by our experiences. If people really feel passionately about their ideas forcing others to kowtow to them via unconstitutional laws or name calling is not the answer. How about educating others as to the reason for their point of view?

     When I was younger I was a staunch liberal----now I lean more independent largely because of the kind hearted conservatives who took time to explain to me why they felt the way they do. They didn't call me names or act like I was beneath them cause of my ideas. It was the Reagen era of politics, just before the emergence and dominance of hate radio and it was a different time then. Now, I can't seem to have a rational discussion with many conservatives I encounter online with a few rare exceptions. One dude even had a signature that read "I love the smell of liberals roasting in the morning" Another told me that because I was a performer and artist that I had no right to a political opinion--Hum--tell that to Ronnie Reagan the ACTOR or Sonny Bono the Senator--Arnold Swar...oh you get my point.

I mean, it saddens me. As an artist, I fair a bit better with Dems and Liberals--HOWEVER I have met racist ,sexist arses on that side of the fence as well.

     This election I was/am voting for Ron Paul.... But even as a big supporter of this Libertarian, I did NOT join the call to arms to boycott Morgan Freeman for calling his campaign racist -- nor am I going to boycott Clint Eastwood because I disagree with him--hell, his new movie seems pretty interesting, I may go see it.

     I am tired of grown people throwing tantrums and  trying to punish individuals for exercising free thoughts and divergent ideas in a supposed free country that was FOUNDED on some of  these principles.

     Don't get me wrong, I am a passionate debater and I hate that Mitt Romney guy for a host of reasons that I will explain if one desires to know...but being  passionate does not give me the right to suppress someone else's POV...

     Disagree all we want--and if you are personally offended then yes--refuse to buy a Danny Glover movie or Dixie Chick CD if you wish--but stop trying to brow beat and bully people into submission and scream about how they are killing America...We are adults and we share the same nation--we need to act like it..