If I have a choice

"The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie -- deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. Believe in myths allows the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." - John F. Kennedy [probably one of his speechwriters, sounds like Ted Sorensen.]

Blatant public lying doesn't trouble me so much. All the politicians in all the legislatures can mumble that nonsense all day long, the majority of the people just ain't that stupid. Same goes for Fox News, anyone who believes them was already a lost cause to the unthinking sinkhole of the unused mind. Lying just isn't the problem. Myth is.

The "militant muslims" believe bizarre doctrines, you can't find those in the Koran nor in the hearts of most Muslims. No, what scares me each and every day are the fanatics of all stripes who trot out truly ludicrous beliefs that have zero basis in the reality we all inhabit. In this country the great myth is Christianity. Followed closely by American Exceptionalism and practically anything a male-dominated legislature or court agrees to about those who lack privilege, power or share their gender.

Give me a good, solid bout of prevarication anytime, that I can sort out. But the unflagging, unfailing, ruthless dedication to mythology, well that's just right up there with insanity and ignorance. Believe what you will, just don't spew it on the rest of us. We've got enough to do trying just to figure out what's right here in front of us. We really don't need to 'extra ingredients added' from your fuzzy take on life, the world and everything.

To each his or her own, I say. Join up with your fellow followers but don't try to rope me into your parade. Those idols of yours give me chills in all the wrong places.

Yes, regular readers -- 'tis time for some time away. Will leave some mental breadcrumbs for you, whilst I wander.