I used to adopt the liberal position on most social issues. And while I still maintain those positions for the most part, I think it’s more fair to let states vote and use the democratic process to determine policy instead of using the Supreme Court or Congress to mandate policy nationwide.
One of the things that I have come around on is marriage.
This didn’t happen until I was about two years into my current relationship. I thought that marriage was unbelievably silly. I remember watching Joy Behar (before she went crazy) saying that she’d never get married. Only if she were old and dying; that the only reason to get that piece of paper was for legal reasons.
This was how I came to view the world, because it seemed to be a logical point of view. However, when you fall in love, everything truly does change. I am sure that if I were still single, I’d still feel this way.
Finding somebody and thinking, I could spend my life with this person will change your perspective. Love is a funny thing, but it’s magical. I am so happy that I changed my mind.
After 9/11 I was bought into the hype of needing to bomb the crap out of Afghanistan and get embroiled in a war with Iraq. I remember arguing in favour of the war with my friends in a pub in England (a lot more better natured than any arguments would be nowadays - the argument would be interspliced with 'Whose round is it?').
Fast forward to today, and I am ardently opposed to war. My brother enlisted as a US marine reservist (my siblings and I are all dual citizens), and did two tours of Iraq. The stories I have heard from him made me question the ultimate purpose of the conflict, and ponder over how cheap human life was. My brother was fortunate to come home physically unscathed, but many did not.
It's a tricky situation, as we will always have our governments comparing any potential conflict to 'WW2' - as a means of justifying our involvement, but I would far rather our leaders advocate for peace - at least as a first option. I realise peace is not always possible. Living in Vietnam hit this message home, further. The amount of young American men who were sent to fight in what was ultimately a civil war - to what end?
However, I do admit that there are instances were conflict is inevitable - and perhaps I'll change my tune if China starts invading all of its neighbours. I know there are criticisms at how long it took for the UK to be involved in the Kosovo conflict, for example. We live in an increasingly small world, where the actions of one country can impact many. Perhaps I roll my eyes at the idea that the US or UK are a moral authority to the rest of the world, considering the massive social and cultural issues both are experiencing.
Maybe I'll do another 180 further down the line - who knows.
I used to adopt the liberal position on most social issues. And while I still maintain those positions for the most part, I think it’s more fair to let states vote and use the democratic process to determine policy instead of using the Supreme Court or Congress to mandate policy nationwide.
One of the things that I have come around on is marriage.
This didn’t happen until I was about two years into my current relationship. I thought that marriage was unbelievably silly. I remember watching Joy Behar (before she went crazy) saying that she’d never get married. Only if she were old and dying; that the only reason to get that piece of paper was for legal reasons.
This was how I came to view the world, because it seemed to be a logical point of view. However, when you fall in love, everything truly does change. I am sure that if I were still single, I’d still feel this way.
Finding somebody and thinking, I could spend my life with this person will change your perspective. Love is a funny thing, but it’s magical. I am so happy that I changed my mind.
War.
After 9/11 I was bought into the hype of needing to bomb the crap out of Afghanistan and get embroiled in a war with Iraq. I remember arguing in favour of the war with my friends in a pub in England (a lot more better natured than any arguments would be nowadays - the argument would be interspliced with 'Whose round is it?').
Fast forward to today, and I am ardently opposed to war. My brother enlisted as a US marine reservist (my siblings and I are all dual citizens), and did two tours of Iraq. The stories I have heard from him made me question the ultimate purpose of the conflict, and ponder over how cheap human life was. My brother was fortunate to come home physically unscathed, but many did not.
It's a tricky situation, as we will always have our governments comparing any potential conflict to 'WW2' - as a means of justifying our involvement, but I would far rather our leaders advocate for peace - at least as a first option. I realise peace is not always possible. Living in Vietnam hit this message home, further. The amount of young American men who were sent to fight in what was ultimately a civil war - to what end?
However, I do admit that there are instances were conflict is inevitable - and perhaps I'll change my tune if China starts invading all of its neighbours. I know there are criticisms at how long it took for the UK to be involved in the Kosovo conflict, for example. We live in an increasingly small world, where the actions of one country can impact many. Perhaps I roll my eyes at the idea that the US or UK are a moral authority to the rest of the world, considering the massive social and cultural issues both are experiencing.
Maybe I'll do another 180 further down the line - who knows.