Conversational Taboos: Bodily Funtions, Your Unmentionables, Voldemort and...Politics

Even those who haven't read the 'Harry Potter' series know about Voldemort. They may also know that in the wizarding world his name was so taboo, most people were afraid to even say his name. Thus, he became the bad guy "You Know Who" or "He Who Shall Not be Named".

Back in our own world, we have our own conversational taboos; those topics that we must tread upon carefully so as not to alienate those within earshot. These are, among others, bodily functions, your underwear, religion and....politics.

Perhaps my current blog entry is the wizarding world's equivalent of Voldemort showing up to a church wearing lingerie and having a bad case of the burps but it has been on my mind a lot the past few weeks...

Generally when there are political discussions in our home it is He-Man doing the talking and it's usually with someone other than me because it is about my least favorite thing to talk with people about. It's such a personal topic and I often feel like I am violating boundaries if I bring it up. He-Man on the other hand loves to talk to people about it, even if it means he is on the other side of a debate.

I'm stretching myself a bit by discussing this but here are my questions: When did it become perfectly acceptable to destroy a political opponent's image? When did elections become more about who can dig up the most salacious, character damaging dirt and less about ideals and policies? Please understand I am not pointing a finger at any one party because the venom is ubiquitous. Really, no political affiliation has a monopoly on all this nastiness.

Honestly, if a person treated loved ones in such a manner they would be left with no friends. Family members would be wearing garlic clove necklaces around their necks and shielding themselves with mirrors when in that person's presence; because wouldn't people like that be considered 'emotional bloodsuckers'?

In recent years I have learned something about myself in this regard. In the past when I have gotten angry or felt provoked (whether it was in my mind or real) I would get mean and nasty. I would allow myself to verbalize thoughts and feelings that should have stayed unsaid. It's unfortunate that it damaged a few relationships in my life but I'm really blessed to have incredibly forgiving loved ones. But still, the damage that was done was so hurtful and potentially scarring that it could have easily done irrevocable harm.

Sadly, those hurtful, ugly things verbalized in the public arena are much, much worse in that they are forever in the public memory and a person's image can be tarnished everywhere they go. I heard the analogy once of a man opening a bag of feathers into a blustery day and then, when the wind stopped, he attempted to retrieve every feather. Technically, it may be possible to do just that but I imagine retrieving another person's good name may not be. How is it that horrible, nasty things can escape a person's lips like that? Seriously! You kiss your Mama with that mouth?! UG!

And so it goes. As the voting season reaches a fever pitch and voices are ranting in favor of one candidate and in loathing of another, I truly wish that they could find a way to stop and give each other a great, big sandwich hug, apologize for saying cruel things, agree to keep the debates about issues, ideals and policy and then, at the end, sign each other's year books with the words like, 'friends 4ever' and 'keep in touch' (nobody actually does, but it leaves you with a happy feeling). Then, we as a nation, can all collectively sigh, releasing ginormous levels of carbon dioxide and in the process making lots and lots of trees very happy thus be super eco-friendly. See! Multiple problems solved.

The End