A Headline That Made Me Said 'Amen!'

Everything feels exhausting these days and seems like folks refuse to talk to family members and former best friends. When I saw the story about Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello defending his right to be friends with Ted Nugent, I thought "hell yes!"

Talk to people you don't agree with politically. Have a drink together - hell, go to a show together. People would be shocked to know just how many very conservative friends I have. We can have disagreements about politics without canceling the other person. If you only hang out with people in your own bubble, you will end up missing out on a lot.

Now don't get me wrong: I think Ted Nugent says some plain crazy things - and Morello says as much. That doesn't mean an entire friendship has to go in the trash. Happy weekend!

TOM MORELLO Defends His Friendship With TED NUGENT: 'I Reserve The Right To Be Friends With Anybody' https://t.co/E32qP980hP pic.twitter.com/vFD19ZuWTn

— BLABBERMOUTH.NET (@BLABBERMOUTHNET) October 8, 2021

Comments

[Him]

I like Ted's music (the earlier the better, if you ask me). I have a lot of trouble with his politics. I don't like Tom's music. And I find him a bit self-serving/congratulatory on his Sirius/XM show.

Still, I applaud Tom's POV re: his friendship with Ted. I have written about this issue in the past. To summarize, there are components to all of us that others find questionable, offensive, or ludicrous. That said, a true measure of friendship--no less being an open and interested human being--is to seek to understand those component parts and, when possible, love the other person in spite of the faults we find (and those that they find in us). True, there are persons who we can't tolerate, and we are wise to not subject ourselves to abuse, toxicity, etc.

But there are far larger swaths of the human community where friends can be friends . . . and disagree. Where friends can be friends and explore those disagreements without coming to blow or cancelling one another. My world is a far richer place because of such friendships. If you want a marketplace of ideas (and I do), you are going to face some ideas that you can't stand. That doesn't mean you can't stand in solidarity with those who hold them (in all cases).

The metal community is a vast and divergent one. As I have grown longer in the tooth, I have learned that I need not love Tom, or death metal, or whatever. But I can respect those things for being what they are for those who care about them. True, I will pick my spots and wage my (rather stupid) battles. But do I hate Tom? Or Ted? Nope. And I appreciate Tom reminding people that one of the bedrock principles of getting along on this rough marble is learning to learn a bit more, hate a bit less, and being willing to give each and every person a fair hearing before you judge them . . . just as you would wish when they happen to run into you.

Be well everyone.

[Jack T. Ripper]

Awesome post Him!

[Him]

Thanks, Jack.

I really hope to run into you at the BBG! gathering. I bet you have stories!