First of all, I want to mention that I'm a Conservative. If that disqualifies me from having discussion with you, the person reading this, then maybe you should go ahead and close the tab that you have open. I ask that you don't, however.
For full disclosure, I'd like to mention that I've blogged on my personal site for some time now, and I have referred to this website, on many instances, as "The Mainly False." I've personally seen myself blog as more reactionary and less in the mode of thought that I generally am when not behind a keyboard. I am trying to change that. I figured the best way to try and confront my own issues is to come over to the people that I mostly disagree with and exercise my mind a bit.
I realize that when you post on a website that you don't own, you are essentially posting in their "house," and that you should be courteous. I don't fall in line with the people that get irate when their comment is deleted on Youtube and scream about the 1st amendment. I find that ridiculous. I know that this website in particular is all about "electing more and better democrats," but I hope any views that I may post don't interfere with your mission. I only hope to offer my views up and have them challenged by any of you in the same way.
I guess I will take a second to tell everyone about myself.
I'm a Former Marine who served from '94-'98, and I was blessed enough to never go to war. I was an 0351 anti-tank assaultman, and was proficient in using the M47 Dragon and learned a great deal about explosives. I've been married for 13 years and have two children, along with one due during February. I currently work as a janitor.
One of my biggest hobbies is retro-gaming. I'm a HUGE fan of the NES, in which I play, try to collect, and even program them a bit. My two favorite game series are Ninja Gaiden and Metal Gear. Awesome games!
I had someone on this site mistake my religion, so I think I will address that real quick-like. I'm not actually a Christian, but I do think there is a higher power of some sort. I have NO clue what it might be, but I believe there is something. I find myself attracted to Thomas Paine's idea that science is the original theology, but at the same time I don't feel as if science is to be properly thought about in that sense. I find it an intriguing idea though. Basically, I believe in God, but I don't know what God is or isn't.
Anyway, I'm usually very busy and won't always be able to debate as I would like to. I will do my best though, for sure. I think the layout of this site is great, by the way. Great job to the webmasters!
At any rate, I'd like to ask a question. Who would be some good people for me to follow? I would like to check out some of the more intellectual thinkers on here, but I don't know who is looked at like that. I'd like to know who some of the heavy hitters are around here that I should probably check out. I'm very interested to read some of the stuff that I probably wouldn't find on the righty sites that I frequent.
Anyway, for those of you that gave this a read, thanks, and I hope to exchange some ideas and/or debate with you in the future!
Cross-posted for archiving on my personal site at robertlbryant.com.