Protest

So, I did something new today.

Daniel took me to an anti-war rally downtown.  I've never gone to a protest before, so this was wonderful for the part of me that loves to experience and observe new things.

It was definitely interesting.  Probably not the kind of thing I would have thought to do myself.

I also ran into my Church-Mom Alice during the march.  That was kinda cool.  She's a blast.  And Daniel liked her.

I think what I learned from this march is that I'm a bit more moderate than I previously thought.  There's no doubt at all that I lean pretty hard to the left, and I am against any sort of military invasion of Iraq (right now).  However, some of the what I will call "Fringe groups" seemed to be a bit much in my opinion.  These Fringe groups were anti-war activists who seemed to also be interested in promoting their own agendas.  I was given entirely too many fliers and extremist newspapers.

In addition, there are some issues upon which I know I side with the conservatives (the recently defeated Bankruptcy bill, for one).  Of course, my bankruptcy views stem largely from nearly three years of working in the financial industry, and the fact that I actually work as a loan collector now and have to deal with bankruptcies as part of my daily life. 

That, and I'm big on personal responsibility.  Yes, there are some situations in which bankruptcy is unavoidable, and I sympathize with that, but I take issue with people who get lots and lots of credit and then max it out and can't make their payments.  Don't live beyond your means, folks.

Of course, I say that as a single and healthy young man who makes around $25K (thanks to two jobs) and has only two credit cards.  I do spoil myself occasionally, but I try to keep it within reason.  One of those cards I don't even use anymore - I'm working on getting it paid off, and then cancelled.  Got 2K to go on it, regrettably.  With the other card, I only buy gas, the very occasional dinner out, and perhaps once a month, around $50-75 at Borders or something like that.  It's got a much higher limit than I'd like, but then, it's a Platinum and has a fantastic interest rate.

And of course, I digress.

The protest was really quite interesting.  We marched around downtown and interrupted traffic.  It was 20 degrees.  I was cold.

Daniel was really sweet, though.  He remembered that his coat had a hood, and so he took off his woollen cap at put it on my head over my ears (because we couldn't convince my scarf to stay up there).

It's definitely been something to think about.  I don't think I'm much of the activist type.  I just don't seem to get passionate about issues.  I care, but I guess I don't care enough.

What am I passionate about?  My friends.  That's an easy question.  I wouldn't have gone to the protest alone, certainly.  But I went because I knew it was important to Daniel, and it was also good to march with Alice.  Because it was important to two people I care about, it was important to me.  I'll take up causes for my friends.  I may not dig as deeply, but I'll be loyal to the cause for as long as it suits the relationship.

My friends are my passion.

Which leaves me to wonder - What'll happen if/when I fall in love?