An Introduction

I guess it’s obvious our society has come a long way. There have been so many advances in so many fields; important ones like
science and medicine. We can communicate so much quicker and easier with the advent of the internet. It can all boggle the mind.

However, I find that in a lot ways I’m old fashioned. I sometimes wish things were “the way they used to be.” That isn’t necessarily a reference to when I was young. Sometimes, I long for days I never experienced, times that existed before I was even born.
Oh, I realize everything is never all sunshine and lemonade know matter what the decade. There were things about the 50’s and 60’s that I think were great, but at the same time, there were elements of those days that I detest. My generation was, well, it was the 70’s, and how can disco and roller skating not be great, huh?

I think one of the things I wish was still common was the habit of families gathering around the dinner table every night (or almost every night) and eating together, talking about their lives, cares, concerns and issues of the day. There are likely some families out there that still do that but my family doesn’t. We talk, but typically, the TV is on and we are distracted by that and other things. I’m not saying it’s wrong to eat in front of the TV but sometimes, in my opinion anyway, there are things we should talk about in more detail than we typically do; things going on in the world and such. There really isn’t any reason families can’t do that more often, but it takes planning I guess. It can be difficult with both parents working. Who picks up the baby? Who is making dinner or is one of us just picking something up and bringing it home? Add to that, jobs that aren’t just 8 hours a day, the pursuit of educational goals, and well, its not as easy as it sounds. However, maybe we need to find a way.

I’m calling my blog the Dinner Table, based on the above quote from Ronald Reagan. I’m starting this blog for two reasons. 1) I need to for my own sanity. There is so much going on in this country right now that I feel I have a lot bottled up inside of me. Getting it out might just lighten my anxiety. 2) I want this to be a place where people can talk. I mean really talk. I want it to be more than a place to state your position on a certain issue; I hope that you will share why you feel the way you do. Is your position or conviction the result of a life experience, the way you were raised, etc? I realize that doesn’t mean all of us will agree, but if we know a little bit about what makes each other tick, wont we be able to respect each other; at least a little? If we can do that, we will be miles ahead of our “leaders” in Washington D.C. I am conservative, but I have friends and family who are liberal. I probably don’t have to tell you we have our disagreements. In some cases, those disagreements are quite strong. But those very same people are people I love or care about a great deal and I would do anything for them. Isn’t that the way it should be? I find that respect comes a lot easier if we are honest in our approach with one another and we truly take the time to get to know one another. Perhaps the more we get to know each other, we might be more inclined to really listen to each other and maybe even find some common ground. But in the end, if we still disagree; and even if we disagree strongly, we can hopefully understand each other better. They used to do that in Washington. President Reagan and then Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil, were strong political rivals, but by most accounts I’ve read, were also friends, good friends.

Everyone has heard “never discuss politics and religion”. If that is your view, you might not like this blog. However, don’t run off. Not every entry is going to involve either of those two topics. There are times I actually don’t even like discussing them (like at family gatherings). Sometimes I will just share something that I feel moved me, and might bring you encouragement or cause you to think. That was the motivation behind my first entry “A Ride with Dad.” Anything is fair game really; sports, entertainment, etc. I do plan to be light hearted at times. However, for the purposes of this family gathering, (and aren’t we all in a sense family, we who share this country together) politics and some aspects of religion are okay topics.

I need to make one comment regarding religion. I am talking about religion in a “general sense”. For example, religion, or churches if you will, has come up in recent conversations surrounding the health care bill. What position should the church take, especially if it’s believed the poor will benefit from the bill? There has also been of late a huge movement with some religious groups advocating “social justice”. It’s reached the point where some advocates suggest if you disagree with the need for social justice, you’re not even a Christian. Well, what does social justice really mean, and what position does a Christian or any other religious person need to take with regard to that issue? What role did religion play in the lives of the founding fathers? Those are examples of “religion” that are appropriate for this blog. This blog is in no way shape or form a place to discuss deep theological differences that sometimes exist among different denominations. I’m not saying that isn’t an important topic, but that’s not the intent of this blog. By the way, if your agnostic or atheist, your welcome here as well.

A few more rules (hey, it’s my blog! ). I’m not naïve. I realize political discussions can get tense. If you don’t know me already, you will in the near future (if you visit here from time to time) and realize that I am typically what people call conservative. That being the case, this blog should be viewed similar to how a commentator is viewed. What I mean is, it’s my show in effect, but all opinions are welcome and actually encouraged. Just because I’m the host and I’m conservative, doesnt mean you won’t have a voice here, trust me, you will. In fact, I can’t stop you from having a voice because this isn’t a TV show where I can cut you off and go to a commercial break. The words you share will be here for all to read. As far as debating, some of that will go on. I might respond to feedback that I get which I don’t agree with, but I won’t keep going back and forth, over and over, on a particular issue. Our words will be there for all to see, and we can reflect on them at any time.

I have one final request. The blog is designed for adults; however, if one of my younger children wanted to read something I wrote, I want them to feel they can visit. Therefore, I would respectfully ask that you please avoid abusive or foul language. I readily admit, politics gets me worked up, but resorting to foul language serves no purpose. Remember, this is about trying to be a family and showing respect for one another. So, don’t give me a reason to get all worked up, I generally manage to do that on my own .

So, there you have it. I hope you come by often, and always feel free to stay and sit awhile at “The Dinner Table”.