A Lesson in Character

Almost a year ago in this space, I did something stupid. I wrote something foolish and out of character. I was angry, and my words were borne not of reason and logic but of passion and emotion. It was one of those times when I should have slept on the issue before publishing my thoughts. I was called out on the post by friends of both political stripes, and I wound up editing the passage and issuing an apology (after all, even if only a handful of people read this, it was still the right thing to do).

Thanks to that episode, I have learned a few things—not the least of which is that some people you consider friends are really not your friends at all. I have gained some insight into the character of liberal extremists, who seem to have no problem putting partisan politics above a friendship. Fortunately, I have also come to realize who my true friends are.

I have recently come to suspect that a small number of people (two or three), which I considered friends (not necessarily very close friends, but friends nonetheless) read that foolish bit of prose and decided that, rather than speak to me about it directly, they should archive the page and keep this volatile bit of heated commentary in case I should ever decide to seek public office. It has been hinted that “certain documents would be leaked” if I were to seek office in Alabama (or possibly elsewhere). Granted, these “warnings” came in the form of thinly-veiled jokes, but I had suspected that the page might have been archived, and now I have very little doubt about it.

This raises some questions for me about the character of liberals. What would you expect a true friend to do if you were in my position? I would expect a real friend to confront me privately—in person or by phone, whatever—and pull no punches about the irresponsibility of my actions. Friends who care about one another can and should be honest with one another without ulterior motives. Were one of my liberal friends to do what I did, the idea of keeping the incriminating paragraphs on the off chance that I could smear them with it later on would never cross my mind.

Apparently these folks think I am the next Timothy McVeigh or something. Almost a year later, the topic still comes up in conversation. I'd love to be fly on the wall at one of their little progressive powwows to see what else is said about their conservative "friends."

Needless to say, I am perplexed by this situation. I would like to continue being friends with these people (for what it's worth), but I am afraid that their true colors have been revealed and that they have not truly considered me to be their friend. I suppose the answer will reveal itself if one of them reads this and relays it to the others.

Another thought…these folks must not have much real faith in their own ideas (or, at least, their ideology) if they’re constantly on the lookout for ammunition to shoot down their opposition—even a friend—in some future election that might not even happen. I wonder if that means there’s some slight glimmer of hope for liberals after all?