As some of you may have figured out, often times on my blog, I have no idea what I'm talking about - I just rattle off my observations and perspective, which don't really help a lot of people. It still hasn't even been a year since I began to change my mind about politics and began heading towards the right. Up until that point, all I had was CNN's opinion - which I was very good at recounting.
So now, I'm trying to figure out how things actually work using empirical evidence instead of emotions. It's not particularly easy.
I will always defend my right to come to my own conclusions.
I excitedly picked up Karl Rove's book last night (tonight?) and dove in headfirst. Not sure why but the first chapter where he talks about his father's passing really reminded me of my grandmother's passing. I teared up when I read it and tweeted that I was loving the book a chapter in.
Well, about an hour later I saw someone respond (not to me, just in general) saying that anyone who cried reading Rove's book wasn't worthy of a follow. I lose followers on Twitter everyday. (And somehow gain even more. Go figure.) It wasn't that big of a deal to me, but I wanted to know where said person was coming from - a luxury that he had not afforded me. I thought we were making progress but it quickly turned into a free fall when he started making personal accusations. This was not an individual who knew the first thing about me. So I checked out.
At first I'd attempted to explain that I really knew nothing about Rove which was why I wanted to read the book. My opinion of him was that he was evil - that's what CNN told me, and I believed it. It seemed like it would be most fair to give Mr. Rove a chance to speak for himself and that is what I decided to do. I will always defend my right to come to my own conclusions. Unfortunately, that wasn't good enough for Twitter dude.
He assumed that I knew everything that went on in the Bush administration, that Karl Rove was merely using his book to whine and justify himself and beyond that, asserted that Mr. Rove was going to hell. Clearly an unbiased and scholarly opinion if you've ever heard one. While I'm not an angry person, I understand some people are, especially in regards to the Bush administration. However, spewing CNN's drivel back to me is not a convincing argument. If you know me, you know that.
The writing in Courage And Consequences really sucked me in. There's nothing I love more than a well-articulated tragedy. After spending a long time wading through Malcolm X's anger and utter naivete (I'm still not finished) it was a relief to read someone who didn't use their autobiography as a flamethrower. Beginning with the story of his family was a good move, at least for softies like me.
All this to say that I am making up my own mind about Mr. Rove. If you want to share your opinion, fine. I may post your comments, I may not. Please do not expect me to just go along with whatever you believe, hook, line and sinker as I have no idea where you got your information. That would be very stupid of me and I'm just tired of being stupid.
3 comments:
I feel that Rove gets a really bad wrap that he doesn't deserve. It's nice to hear that you are giving him a chance through his own words.
I agree with you; it is the most reasoned approach to allow yourself the opportunity to judge another person based upon his words and actions. Every man--especially every politician--will justify his actions, or should be able to do so.
Whether or not he is intellectually honest, accepts responsibility for his failures, as well as his successes, how he endeavors to avoid repeating those failures, are all things that will provide the measure of his character and his honor. His ideology, his justification for taking action, his methods of taking action--and his actions themselves--are what will determine whether or not you like him or approve of him.
That said, Rove has been one of my heroes—a brilliant man, a team player, more comfortable behind the scenes than in front of the crowds, charming and possessing a sly humor—who succeeded by merit of his intellect, his wit, his ability to think strategically, and his capacity to earn the trust of his colleagues.
"...empirical evidence instead of emotions." In my opinion, this entirely sums up right vs left thinking...
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