Unpopular

[captain_slinky]

I have several beliefs and/or opinions that are extremely unpopular, and I know they're unpopular. Some of them are down-right inflammatory! Which is why I always - ALWAYS - try my best to just keep quiet on these subjects and only express my opinions when repeatedly pushed to make a comment. And even THEN I make sure to preface my statements with "You have to understand that my opinion of this is extremely unpopular, irrational and inflammatory. You are going to waste a lot of time, energy and emotion on trying to convince me that I am wrong, and I will nod and agree with you to make you feel as if you've made me see th light once we're done".

MY UNPOPULAR OPINIONS
1) I am deeply, morally opposed to the Zoo. Putting something in a cage so you can stare at it is creepy and wrong.
2) I don't support our Troops any more than I support the people who work at McDonalds. They have a crappy job that has made them have to compromise their morals, and they get paid for it. That's not a *hero*, that's a hitman.
3) If you need Food Stamps, you don't need to save up for a Tattoo. If you have to SAVE UP for a tattoo, you don't need a tattoo. You really just don't need a tattoo, period.
4) Getting drunk is the stupidest thing you could ever do, and if you're drunk around me I will get very tense and fear you.
5) Religion isn't good or bad, it's just another type of fandom for people to be geeky about. "The Bible" and "Harry Potter" are equally good places to derive your morals from if you do it right.

Comments

[aurora77]

Just commenting in general. I don't think these are all that out-there, in the grand scheme of things.

1) I can understand the desire to educate people, but we now have copious amounts of video footage and excellent documentaries on anything you could see in a zoo. Nothing is quite like seeing animals in person, but zoos are pretty awful places for most animals. I studied obsessive-compulsive behavior in animals back in high school for my science fair project. My partner and I observed and documented in video several sad instances of OC behavior at a zoo, and theorized on what caused it and how some of it could be prevented/minimized. Since then, I've felt really bad about the mere existence of most zoos. A very precious few can give the animals any decent habitat.
2) I get this. While I respect that they step up to do a tough job, I still think that simply taking and doing the job doesn't make them a hero. It's going above and beyond in doing the right thing that makes someone a hero and a hero can come from anywhere, in any line of work.
3) I would tend to say it's irresponsible behavior to spend money on something as frivolous as a tattoo if you need help to simply get by on a day-by-day basis. I've never had the desire to have anything permanently imprinted on my body, either, though.
4) Noted.
5) Valid viewpoint and a really interesting way of putting it.

[captain-slinky.livejournal.com]

Good :)

[xerhino.livejournal.com]

I very much agree with 2, but think 5 falls a bit short. I doubt anyone has been killed for thinking that Picard is better than Kirk. They're opinions, so I think they're ok whatever they are, just commenting.

[captain-slinky.livejournal.com]

You don't hang in the same Trek circles as I do, obviously :P

[captain-slinky.livejournal.com]

But seriously, it's not about WHAT the religion is or what they do, it's about how *I* feel about them. Your book says you have to kill people who don't agree with you? Well THIS book tells you exactly how to wipe out entire PLANETS that don't reveal to you the location of the Rebel Base! It's not the book that's at fault here, it's the person *reading* the book.

[dagna76.livejournal.com]

Im ok with all of these. To each their own, or life would be so flavorless! But I do happen to agree with most of what youve stated here also. My last trip to Medieval Times just about killed me, Im so sure they abuse their horses. Out of curiosity though, what are your views on pot? I know you said you have a stoner friend, and I know you have a strong aversion to alcohol. Do you see them as the same thing? And homeschool? Theres a good, controversial subject. How do you feel about homeschool?

[captain-slinky.livejournal.com]

I've eased myself into the whole Marijuana acceptance. Knowing my aversion to Booze & Drunkenness, I had to approach it cautiously. And I think that having had it be illegal for so long has made it much easier to accept because stoners are *careful*. Every stoner I know is the exact opposite of the stoners I always saw on TV trying to peer-pressure DJ Tanner in to bonging a reefer. The extent of peer pressure I have experienced is "Hey you want some? No? Okay, well, do you mind if *I* do it? I'll go outside so none of the smoke gets in here" and so, yeah, I'm okay with Pot :) Plus, most of the people I know who are smoking pot are doing it under non-official advisement from their doctors.

[captain-slinky.livejournal.com]

I think Home School, when done right, is awesome... I'm just too lazy to do it :)

[dagna76.livejournal.com]

Ah, the old home school/homeschool debate! We're both right.
http://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2010/03/home-school-home-school-or-homeschool.html

I think maybe youve inspired me to write my own "unpopular" post. Ive already offended most people away, and you dont seem very thin skinned to me.

[captain-slinky.livejournal.com]

The "Unpopular" post was incredibly thrilling... first, trying to condense my unpopular opinions to simple statements, then deciding to push publish them, then waiting to see if anyone would reply, then enjoying the replies :)

I was shocked to find that no one was offended!