It’s very silly, really
to continue to address this at all. I know it should be left alone, but it’s sort of like that icky piece of peeling callous on my little toe. I. just. can’t. stop.
I just can’t help myself from pointing out a few things, in the hopeful conclusion to my picking at the this blasted callous.
1. I have yet to attack anyone. Even the Queen says she was being sarcastic, and running with the thought of sending some readers over to rumble (to be clear, not her exact words, mine).
2. I was indeed bold in my statements concerning my beliefs. I did not say anyone else should change their ideas, or even that they were wrong. I never even suggested it. I only pointed out differences, and asked some questions. And took my blog as my forum for putting what I felt down in type. Isn’t that allowed? Aren’t we all being open minded here?
3. I do not beat my children in the name of Jesus. I didn’t even quote scripture. I just said we do spank occassionally, if we feel it’s necessary. Period. And yes, it disturbs some that I would even do this on a crawling infant, but I assure you, if my strong willed crawler will not take no for an answer, and I cannot remove the danger, a pop on the hand is nothing compared to the electrical shock from a 110 voltage outlet.
4. Although she is entitled, the Queen left one comment in which, after reading through my little manifesto, said that sort of thinking made her want to vomit. I’ve not said such about anything I disagree with her on. And there would be plenty, but that just sort seems sort of rude. Just my opinion.
5. On being rude, another commenter, at her site, said I was stupid, had verbal diarreah, and shouldn’t be allowed to “breed”. Nice. May I just say again, I’ve never said anything like this to anyone. Ever. Not on this blog, and not in my life.
6. Laurie asked how I can be pro captial punishment, and pro life? Although I addressed that to her, in theory why those two positions can co-exist, I have never said I’m pro-capital punishment. In fact, I’m not. I fear the one wrong conviction sending an innocent person to death, and feel it is not for us to take a life. That’s up to God, and his deal, not ours. Again, my opinion.
7. I have agreed all hateful machinations committed in the name of Christ are wrong. Period. I’ve never condoned them. Not once, nor have I ever participated.
8. I have acknowledged Dani’s boldness as being admired. Not all her feelings on every subject. Or her husband’s. I never even mentioned him. And someone mentioned her using the word “homos”. I said, and will say one more time, I think that is wrong.
9. I appreciate Belinda’s comments. And not every post ever written, mine or another’s, is always a thesis or magazine article piece. Sure, I may wander, as thoughts swim around, but then, that’s sort of why I do this in the first place.
10. I have never excused the tragedy of the little boy being killed by a clearly disturbed woman. I don’t even like the Pearls. Which I’ve also stated clearly. I spank. They spank. That doesn’t put us in the exact same sleeping bag in the same tent, at the same camp.
11. I don’t really like Bush, either. Never said I did.
12. Kdubs seems to refer to my posts, and questions of the Queen as judging, condemning and persecuting. Out for a witch hunt. I’m not brilliant, but I’ve read and re-read these posts, comments, and whatnot, and I really don’t see that happening. On the other hand, I have been the brunt of a bit of that myself.
13. This is truly enough of this, unless anyone has a non-name calling, or bitter question for me. I’d be glad to answer.
OK, I think I’ve picked at the skin all it can take, and it seems to maybe be beginning to bleed. So it’s probably a good time to stop, and put my sock on. Whatever that means.
The weekend is gorgeous, and we’re cutting tile for new kitchen counter tops. That’s what I’ll be doing the rest of these next 2 days. And taking our son out for breakfast in the morning. Even though he’s been beaten hatefully, he seems to still want to be alone with me. Ooops. More picking. I. just. can’t. stop.
I have to disagree. Doc, she’s not “stupid.” Any by lowering yourself to an ad-hominem argument, you’ve lost the focus of whatever point you were trying to make. I had the same initial thought about the analogy of the 110-volt shock, BUT then I see where she has qualified that with, “and I can’t remove the danger.” Such situations exist–she could be in someone else’s home, for instance. Now, I would not smack my infant, either. Not on the hand, not on the behind. I just don’t think she would have been capable, at that age, to make any connection in her mind except that “mommy hurt me.” But believe me, I know plenty of moms and dads who would do that, and their children don’t seem to be damaged in any way. But still, I ain’t doing it. Period. Now that my daughter is 3, and I am a STAUNCH non-spanker, I have still had occasion to be SO frightened and in need of making an impact with her (like when we walked out of the office and she darted off toward the busy parking lot) that I have reached down and swatted her once on the behind as she was trying to pull away from me and head back out into traffic!
I think that she’s done a fine job here of defining her statements and clarifying her position, and do not find her arguments “ridiculous.” You may not agree, and I may not agree (especially with the tank thing–no war toys in my house), but I would hardly stoop to name-calling because of that. Some of my best friends are friends with whom I do not discuss politics or other sensitive topics, out of respect–and in those instances when it can’t be avoided, no matter how “wrong” I think they are, I treat them with respect and love…because I am a Christian, and because I was just raised that way.
But seriously–Dani? And her husband? Really, really frightening. It is comforting to note that her husband’s rantings don’t seem to get much attention. I left a couple of comments over there, and I’m sure I’ll be sorry I did. It made my blood pressure go up just to read that horrifying, sickening “pastor test” she posted a link to here, and knowing that all the answers were supposed to be “yes.” I stopped and prayed right THEN when I read that thing, and several times since about it. It made me want to cry.
But Dani is NOT THIS BLOGGER. This blogger I have found to be reasonable and thoughtful, even if we don’t agree on every single thing. Do you know any two people who do?
Comment by Belinda — April 1, 2006 @ 7:18 pm
I’m coming in on the tail end of the discussion, but I thought I’d mention that I appreciate your level-headedness in dealing with criticism. That’s a priceless commodity in the blogosphere and all too rare.
Comment by Ariel — April 2, 2006 @ 3:19 am
Here is another great link for you => JUDGE RIGHTLY (Is Not Some Guy’s Name).
Have a wonderful weekend.
Comment by Dani — April 2, 2006 @ 8:44 am
Ugh–Dani, Bob Enyart is NO C.S. Lewis. Not in his wildest dreams. He is lots of other things that I can’t bring myself to write, but he does not in the least compare to C.S. Lewis, or even keep to the intent or soul of “The Screwtape Letters.” Sorry.
Comment by Belinda — April 5, 2006 @ 7:16 am