A note on my perspective

Every person who talks or writes is expressing an opinion, even when they're trying to convey "facts." That's a simple truth- we're all human, we all see the world subjectively. Therefore, everything we express comes out of some sort of filter.

When trying to form an opinion about what's going on in the world, my favorite cliche comes to mind: "consider the source." I'm not sure who said it first, but that's profound. Always consider the source.

I consider myself to be a fairly liberal person. All things being equal, I'd rather allow someone to do something that I disagree with than to impose my personal will upon that person. Everything is subjective. As long as you're not trying to kill me, or really hurt me- or kill or really hurt the majority of people in our society- then go for it.

Even that statement is tricky. What constitutes "our society?" What constitutes "hurt?" You can go all day arguing these things, and while it may seem trivial to do so on a practical level, on a philosophical level, I think it's valid.

So, everything is subjective, but for society to function, the majority of us need to agree that certain things are agreed upon by all or most. Even that is a subjective thought, but it's hard to get more objective than that and continue to move forward with this type of conversation.

ANYWAY, all of this is a prelude to saying that, liberal as I am, I am currently reading "Treason" by Ann Coulter and "Deliver Us From Evil" by Sean Hannity. These are hard-core conservative books by hard-core conservatives, but I'm reading them with an open mind in an attempt to understand the essence of the opinion that is in opposition to mine.

I'm in the middle of them both, and they're certainly causing me mental contortions, but I figured I'd mention who/what I'm reading now to give you an idea of my perspective (coupled with the fact that I consider myself to be "liberal") as you read the words on these pages.

More to come.