One of the pleasures of blogging is the interesting mix of people with which one meets and interacts. I’ve only been doing this for about a year now and already I’ve had more than one occasion to think how cool it’d be to get together with some of the folk music people to have a stringed instrument jam, or with some of my nature friends and go canoeing (often some of the same crowd).
You get the sense that, if some of us lived closer, we’d be friends in the real world as well as in the blogosphere and I’ve honestly thought about working in a vacation to New York, Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota or Vermont (and othe places) and working in visits to new friends and e-lations.
What I didn’t really see coming was that my first encounter with a blogfriend (beyond the folk I already know in the real world) would be with one of our Rightwing-ish friends.
But it has happened. I met and had lunch Friday with Kevin from Loin Girders who was in Louisville all the way from Colorado for a few days to visit his family here. And he went out of his way to be sure to arrange a face-to-face meeting to allow us to get to know one another better.
Turns out he’s a nice guy. Go figure!
Naw, just kidding. I already knew Kevin to be a nice (if most-often wrong) guy. In fact, Kevin was one of the folk that pushed me in to blogging in the first place. He had read an anti-war article of mine that appeared in a local paper and wrote me an email, which led to further emails in which much debate happened, usually civilly. If I remember correctly, he was the one who pointed me to Blogger.
Our meeting and talking in person did not lead to any changes of opinions. No one expected it to and that was not the point. The purpose of our meeting was for the pure joy of conversation and dialog, even if we can’t agree on much except…well, I can’t think of a good example, but I’m sure there’s something.
Thanks for stopping by for a while, Kevin. In the midst of all your family visiting on your very short visit, thanks for taking time to talk with me.
And, even more, thanks for extending the hand of friendship.
10 comments:
It was TRULY my pleasure, Dan. My brother Mark, a local prof in Louisville, enjoyed meeting you, too.
All the best,
Kevin
Shocker. People with differing views can get along just fine.
Seriously though, this kind of freindly tolerance and understanding is one of the things that makes our nation great. It's a shame that so many people have become so strident in their views that they automatically dislike anyone who disagrees with them.
For example, I engage in some very stimulating debate over at A Beginner's Mind. Samurai Sam is polite and well informed, and DAS is equally polite, and often better informed than me. I return the favor, and I think we are growing to understand and respect each other despite our differing views.
DadOBot and Gifted-1 on the other hand are growing steadily more vicious in their comments to me, and rarely contribute anything constructive.
Two different behaviors from the same group of people. I wonder what it would take to spread the civilty and respect and reduce the nastiness.
www.ravingconservative.com
I live in an area where most conservatives are your "typical" conservative. Rednecks with no sympathy or compassion for any but those who are just like them and with no ability, or will for that matter, to think critically and analytically. Either that or religious zealots who are card-carrying members of the Endtimes Cult that is Contemporary Christianity.
Thank God for Blogs! I have found Conservatives who are intelligent, sympathetic, cultured, well-spoken, and genuine friendly people. We disagree on the details but more often than not agree on the landscape. And that is how true problem-solving begins.
Perhaps some bloggers should take over Washington for just one year--nay, six months--and maybe, just maybe, some work would get done.
Amen!
I've mentioned this over on DL's blog: I'd take him for president in a second over W. (But then, I'd probably take Marty or Brandon over DL...)
I'm very concerned that our Republic has been taken hostage by big corporations who purchase the presidency for whichever Democrat or Republican rich white guy who will best serve their interests.
Call me paranoid if you wish, but as they say: Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you...
I'm afraid you're not being too paranoid there, Dan. You're just being realistic.
That's great that you got to meet a fellow blogger; I have a few I'd like to meet some day!
dan you truly are the coolest and nicest kid on the block/blog!
i can only imagine what an awesome time was had!
and if you promise not to tell....i know some conservatives that i totally adore as well!:>)
and i think the canoe trip in VT would be fantastic!
Now, let's not put words in my mouth: I never said I "adore" Kevin.
Although he is a big cutie...
You know Dan, I think you and Kevin meeting with 'civility' is terrific!
Augustine said, "In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity."
We can agree to disagree and that's okay.
Blessings
Ahem. Big cutie????
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