I've decided that I'm old

Old and incredibly tired and more than a little bitchy and feeling very much like looking at people and asking them what planet they live on and what drugs they're on and why aren't they sharing.

Since I'm on a roll, I'm going to make one of my rare (heh) snarling political posts. If you're in a space where you're going to get offended, don't read further. I have rage.

So, first off, let's talk about the idea that people that listen to country music are somehow genetically imbecilic. Okay, now, if I popped off and said that people that listened to rap are gangbangers who hate women and authority and have an unusual attachment to gold teeth, you'd call me a racist. If I said people that listen to death metal are self-absorbed, immature, angst-ridden pseudoteenagers that need to get a grip, you'd call me intolerant. And don't get me started on those soulless, purely commercial, artistically void boy bands, because no matter what you called me, you'd be right. I like - no, I *love* country music. I love that I can understand the words. I love that they're talking about places in the world that I grew up. I love that they're talking about people I live with. I adore twin fiddles and steel guitar and harmony floats my boat. I love that I *know* it all in my soul. Does that make me stupid, conservative, uneducated, Christian, submissive, Republican or a back-water asshole? Not even close.

Next, on the topic of whether people are basically animals with a bare veneer of civilization, I'm sorry if believing that we're all beasts at heart makes me seem crass, but you don't teach your kids to be bastards. They're born with it. Babies fight and bite and steal, they lie, they're greedy and manipulative and self-absorbed. These aren't learned behaviors. These are natural states of being. I don't understand how we can strive to live beyond these basic instincts if we can't accept that they are who we are. People who blink and say, "I could *never* be so cruel" make me tilt my head, because they're either lying to me or to themselves. We're built to further our genetic line first, survive second, everything else is window dressing.

And fyi? There's precious little I couldn't do if I had to and I'm not going to prevaricate and say it's not so. If it came down to anyone on earth versus my daughter? Y'all would be screwed. I'd expect any mother to say the same.

Let's see... what else. Ah. I'll hit on the GLBT situation next because that'll piss a *ton* of people off. I realize that I could *never* understand living in a closeted relationship and that I don't deserve to have an opinion, but, I have a gay child, so I'm all about opinions, especially where she's concerned. Now, I can tell you that nothing you could threaten me with scares me an iota compared to something you threaten my child with, so, I have an opinion. I want my daughter to grow up and be free and happy and able to love whoever the fuck she wants to. That said, I also tell her the truth, which is someone, wherever she is, wherever she goes, whatever she does, will dislike her for it. She has to choose to live as she will and take her risks as she will and make informed decisions.

Does that mean I think she deserves to be hurt/have to worry/etc.? Of course not, but my job isn't to protect her, my job is to raise her and make sure she can protect herself, regardless of the vast amount of assholes around her.

Also, if you hate cowboys and violence and blue jeans and cattle, why go watch bull-riding? And, if you're on the those-poor-evilly-treated-bulls bandwagon? Right. In my next life, let me be the reincarnation of Bodacious, okay? And for that fight? Go see Lorna. I like to watch her foam.

What haven't I bitched about. Oh. Religion. Hate it. With a passion. Always will. Always have. Religion is about power and politics and money and rules - none of these things are my friends. Spirituality? I'm a fan. And I like to sing. And I'll co-opt any holiday that involves food, songs and light. *nods*

*stretches*

In other words, I'm a grouchy old redneck. I don't want the goddamned government in my business, my bed, or most other places. I want people to do their jobs. I'd love it if the world was a peaceful place, but I think it's foolish to believe it ever will be. Right now I want a beer and some chips and salsa and to watch Tim McGraw's ass on the TV and to talk to my mom on the phone and maybe to hug my kid a little.