Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Al Swearengen
As I've read Santa's posts, I've been mindful of the fact that he's only 17, and his thoughts and opinions are likely to change many times, about a great many topics, as the years go by. Just like LateNight, I too thought I knew it all at that age and I agree with him 100% that we're lucky to be alive. However, I dont recall Santa ever claimin to "know it all"...in fact, if I'm not mistaken, he even said that one of the reasons he signed up here at SBLive was to learn. What I found more disturbin than his prior drug use or his current religious beliefs was his admission that he isnt on the best of terms with his parents, but thats not all that surprisin either, considerin his age. We all have to learn life's lessons for ourselves...no amount of good, well-intentioned advice can ever take the place of personal experience...we have to make our own mistakes, sometimes even makin the same ones over and over if thats what it takes. I was certainly no different. I guess what I'm gettin at here is that maybe we should just try to advise him when he asks for it, without slappin him upside his head with the condescendin attitude. He knows he's just a kid, he doesnt need to have it thrown in his face every time he expresses himself here on the board. I think that when we tell these kids that they've got a good head on their shoulders, they'll strive to live up to it.
Just a thought for ya to chew on though, Santa...your folks know you're growin up. Try not to give them too much to worry about. Ya might even tell them ya love em...especially your dad.
|
So when Al repeats what I say, everyone understands, but when I say it, I'm an idiot child.
Yea, Al, I agree with you, I know I'm just 17, but the fact that I even try to contend with the likes of the people here shows something else that I could care less the treatment I get, as long as I provide a message, and it doesn't mean it's right, but at least I think I'm exploring outside goals that aren't necessarily on the majority agenda of Americans in general.
I do listen to people here, most of them, there are a few that have nothing to say but complain and whine about how I'm only 17 and I'm worthless, but that's probably just what they've been set up to be themselves: failures without chance of parole, y'know? If you want me to change my views, give me something better, don't just tell me I'm stupid and try to kill my faith in humanity and life itself. I know I don't know everything, and I know I'll certainly change over the years, because I've changed more dramatically in the past year than I ever have, but I still don't think my current drug use has had any effect on my character, if anything, it's made me more responsible about handling certain situations.
I can be wrong, I most probably am, but the fact I bring to this board is: I'm 17, not 30+ like most of you here probably, and there are more than one or two ways to see things; whether or not you or I consider them "wrong" has no foundation in itself, and I don't believe any historical text really can condense the essence of human life itself and cover all chapters of it. Everyone will have their own ways based on their own experiences, two days can't happen twice, and no two people ever see the same perspective; hell, we don't even know if we're all seeing the same colors in our brains!
If I were weak and thought I knew it all, and believed there was nothing to learn from being involved in this board, I wouldn't be here anymore, but I've taken my share of abuse, and probably will continue to do so, but just realize that some people have more character underneath their layers of ignorance and intolerance, don't promote early molting but also don't try to tape them back on.