Polemic: Heal Thyself

A dear reader from Germany branded me a polemic. Read the definition here and here and here. I think the more accurate rendering is polemicist: a writer who writes in opposition to others (especially in theology). The laymans term would be: someone who thrives on argument.

First, let me say that I'm honored that someone all the way in Germany actually reads my poopy little blog. That is exciting just in itself.

Second, I have had to admit, upon reflection, that I have a polemical streak. It's not my fault, it's genetic. And I'm way worse in writing. In person, I'm the "can't we all just get along" type, except with close friends or with people with very informed opinions who I would like to learn from.

Here's my heritage: my dad and his buffoon brothers would scream directions to the Lion's Head Coach (whoever he was) and whoever else would listen through the TV. Like a bunch of old ladies in the knitting circle, they would rant and rave and kvetch and argue for the sake of arguing. They all just liked to hear themselves yack. If any of them had self-discipline, they would really get into blogging.

In real life, I worry way to much what people think. When I do blurt some opinion out, I worry incessantly that I've perpetually offended them and made a complete ass of myself.

Writing the blog has been therapeutic for me. I write an opinion and it's out there--nothing I can do about it. (Well, I could delete the post, but you know what I mean.)

Just to clarify once again, just cause I write it doesn't mean that my mind is cast in hardened lava. Tomorrow, more information might present itself and I'll think, "Man, I used to think this, but this new information makes me think that."

In the mean time, my writing style is a little brash. I'm not so concerned about that, just as long as I'm not boring. So, perhaps I'm polemical. At least I'm not cynical. That would be way worse.