Sometimes Happy kicks Right's butt.

Had a wonderful time at the in-laws yesterday. One BIL was outside working on his vehicle, while the other was inside chatting with family. I am often surprised by the sense of "bonding" I have when looking under the hood with a bunch of other guys. It just seems comfy. Perhaps it is a recollection of the times in my youth when my father and I spent real time together. I usually held the light while he used tools and swore like a sailor. It brings me a spot of joy recollecting it just now.

The other BIL and I had a quick chat about politics. He started it by inquiring about the Hannity-Rocky debate. Of which, I was not impressed. To call it a debate it is to spit at Roberts and his "rules of order." They talked past one another. Now this BIL is a die-hard republican and Hannity listener. We spoke about the republican candidates and the Dem. candidates as well. He was a tad irked at Rocky's assertion that Bush deserves impeachment. He stated that Bush gets more crap than he deserves. I, of course, am of the opinion that Bush deserves much more scrutiny and impeacment should be the mildest consequence he faces. "He is a war criminal," I stated.
"I am not going to talk about it. I get too angry, "BIL said. We agreed to disagree. We did touch further on politics later, but that was the only testy period we had.
Now, I think my BIL is one of the kindest, gentlest, most decent men I have had the good fortune of knowing. HE is a loving father, husband, and brother. His character is beyond reproach.
I found myself wanting desperately to appreciate his political point of view. Not agree with it... appreciate it. Cutting each other some slack certainly seems a more ethical and moral thing to do. It makes me wonder why we don't do it more often. It seems that emotions (especially political and religious) are very raw in the USA these days. But every now and again, the wiser of our instincts kicks in, and we try to be happy rather than right.
I was reading online and came upon a wonderful blog post. IT is here. Now I couldn't disagree with Jeff Lindsay more often regarding his contorted apologetics for his mormon faith. But every now again, he deserves a little respect (when he gives a little). Jeff if you read this, as an exmormon, I appreciate your desire for peace in that post. Here is a sample of it:

"Many who leave do not do so because the moral standards were too high or because someone snubbed them at Church or because tithing was too painful or they just got sick of home teaching or were victims of gossip or had a serious moral sin that they wouldn't quit. It is understandable, in fact, that people would get upset over polygamy or several other things in LDS history or even in the Bible that would lead them to reject the Church or organized religion in general. There are certainly powerful arguments to be made and often no simple answers."

It is behavior like this that gives me hope and replenishes my weary American spirit. We need to agree to disagree. I agree that I should stop blogging and get some work done. Disagree all you like, I respect that. *wink*

HH