I don't write or talk much about politics.
I have friends who have strong opposing opinions,
and I value my friends.
I don't care about their political or religious beliefs.
I might even like them more if I didn't know.

Friendship, in the long run, is more important.
However, I get some unpleasant arguments,
articles, jokes, and stories,
from people who assume I agree with them.
I usually don't,
and I don't enjoy getting them.

Almost all of these emails are "forwards",
meaning that somebody else is doing their thinking for them.

I'm a Democrat, at least on most issues.
I am an environmentalist, a Tree Hugger.
I love trees,
and they're slaughtering all the forests around my home
to make way for malls and car dealerships.

I'm for the little guy,
although I have wealthy friends.
I wouldn't do anything to hurt them.
I think rich people do OK without my support.

I'm not running the world, so who cares what I think?
I'm always surprised when somebody does.

A lot of my friends and enemies have died.
How important do our political arguments seem now?

The world I can look around and see,
and the friends I can talk with today,
are more important than which politicians we're rooting for.
Nobody's opinion ever changes much anyway.

I toss this out there just so you know.
Friends should know.

So, now that that's out of the way,
I hope we can get back to the life, the music,
and the personal problems that huddle around us every day.

I feel better already.

Copyright © Sept. 13, 2005, Jack Blanchard. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted by permission.