I have a confession to make: I do not watch the news. I do not read the news, I do not seek it out on the internet, and usually if it’s on nearby I will play on my cell phone or hum to myself, as not to be sucked into it.
Want to know why? Cause I’m a huge scaredy cat, that’s why. The news, without fail, makes me think the world is ending, my whole family is going to be murdered in their beds and I’m going to get HPV from Splenda. I am also overly empathetic, and would spend the entire news hour crying over other peoples losses. Who has time for that many feelings? No one, that’s who.
A couple weeks ago, a girl was raped in the bathroom at a coffee shop 6 blocks from my house. I live in a nice neighborhood and have never ever felt unsafe, even at night. For my own safety, should I know about a rape when the perpetrator is still at large and I walk the dog by myself at night? Yep, probably. Am I content to be blissfully unaware and walk about my neighborhood as if it is Oz and I am Dorothy after the Wizard grants her wish? Yes, yes I am. (Note to self, buy a rape whistle).
As you know, politics are a major news topic every single day. This means that I have little to no idea why everyone hates, loves, or thinks Obama is cute, ever. I also have no idea what is going on with the war or who China is about to blow up (do they even do that? See! I don’t even know!). While I am sure you are shaking your head at my self imposed ignorance, rest assured that I am just fine in my little bubble.
I bring this all up to state the following: I firmly believe that politics have no place on facebook. I will look at your pictures of your kids, I will read your status about how you had the best iced coffee from dunkin donuts today (I will probably even like it, cause who doesn’t love dunkin donuts iced coffee?), I may even play a round of jeopardy for you if you seem desperate, but I.do.not.care. (you should be hearing Denzel’s Washington’s daughter when young Hayden Panettiere tries to explain football to her in Remember the Titans when you read that) if you love/hate/think Obama is cute today. Go ahead and invite me to fishville even, I’ll take that over listening to your half cocked political diatribes.*
My political stance is as follows – no man is an island, especially not men in power. If the president/king/emperor does something really stupid, than I equate it to the terrible singers on American Idol whose family and friends and multiple rounds of preliminary judges assured that they were very good and would be successful, only to be lambasted in front of America.
P.S. Did you know I’m not allowed to be President? Maybe I’m just subconsciously bitter, yo.
*I realize that not every opinion is half cocked – there are many in my circle who are quite well informed and whose opinion I trust greatly. I have found, however, that those who choose to use facebook as a political soap box often have no idea wtf they’re talking about. If you are one of those well informed people, this is not aimed at you.
Like a Hoho 
This is so true. I’m probably guilty of making a political comment or two on facebook, but for the most part I just don’t bring it into the facebook world. I do really care about politics and stay informed, but I really really hate when people use facebook as a way to tell everyone what they think. And yes, most often it’s people who don’t know what they are talking about, haha.
its me …you had me read this then i had to go for a lil bit but im extremely comcenred taht i ahve hpv adn now cervical cancer bc of my splenda addiction. Im freaking out and could barely get thru the rest of this without silently obsessing about it in my own head. But i agree i ahte the news the only info i get is from sportscenter or fb but i hate when pointless political stuff blows up my news feed. ANd yea da u werent born in the usa thats why u cant be presidnet,i did kno that….ok get bck to me about my cervical cancer please illbe making my funeral arrangements while waiting
I agree and feel the same way about people’s religious beliefs. On FB, I mean. People who regularly post religious and political viewpoints get deleted from my Feed. Perhaps this is why I have more friends on FB then I do in real life.
Totally, this drives me crazy too, and while I do have strong political opinions, I try to avoid posting anything on facebook, especially due to the diverse opinions of my facebook friends. I actually did post something for the first time the other day, but it was more in response to the annoying facebook updates and I tried to keep it general. Sometimes I think facebook should have lists, and you can send status updates only to people you might think that care.
Also, did you see that car which ran into the deli at 2nd and Christian? Now in addition to rapists, we have to be scared of old people driving!
I disagree regarding FB. You can take your dunkin donuts coffee and, but I LOVE when people post atypical content on FB. It’s turned into a big boring stupid picture show. Everyone’s updates are about their kids or dumb things. My favorite FB friends post insane shit, talk about getting drunk and post their political/religious views (even if i don’t share the same beliefs).
I have found some of my less educated/redneck friends post a lot more personal info – their beliefs, likes/dislikes, etc. One dude is going through a divorce and posts serious details. These are easily my favorite posts.
Things I hate on FB – when people post their kids picture as their own profile. That’s fine once in a while, but otherwise get a life.
There was something else I wanted to say, but can’t remember…oh, this post reminded me of the doomsday shit going down this weekend:
http://www.familyradio.com/index2.html
It has really terrible implications:
http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2011/5/18/2177107/may-21st-doomsday-end-of-the-world
I 100% agree about the baby as facebook picture. Newborns, maybe, but not after they hit 3 months. Funny halloween costumes might also be ok until thanksgiving.
Oh man I totally agree about the over sharing on facebook being very entertaining- it’s like watching a train wreck when people talk about super personal details. You can’t turn away.
I used to spend way too much time on this site for that reason:
http://failbook.failblog.org/