Activism, Apathy, and A$$holism

The way I see it there are pretty much three camps when it comes to community issues. Community can be local, regional, or even national. It boils down to those who do something about it, whichever side they take. Then there are those who either don't know about the issue, or don't care enough to get involved. Again, caring could mean that it's something that doesn't affect them or those they know, not that they actively chose to ignore it. Well then you got what I call your asshole bunch. These are the folks whose sole contribution is to piss and moan about the issue with nothing constructive to offer. Stop your whining! If you don't like something about how the city is doing something, Goldarnit then get involved. Don't just post anonymous comments on a blog, or bitch over coffee at Nicko's or to your neighbor about how it oughta be this or that. Talk is cheap unless you're talking to those who can make change. I'm not sure which is worse. Apathy can certainly be more dangerous given that most people seem to choose this course. But, it's the assholes that make everyone, particularly in Seminole Heights, seem like a bunch of spoiled whiners who don't even show up to the polls when they get their chance.
Speaking of that, here's another thing, people, VOTE! The turnout numbers for voters these days is atrocious. You people ought to be ashamed of yourselves. I'm not gonna lecture you about how so many people died for you to have an opportunity to have a voice in your government(They did) or how every vote makes a difference(It does). All I'm saying is given that you have all these newfangled options for voting, you got no excuse now. None, Zilch, Zippo buster. Now it boils down to the fact that either youre just plain lazy or just don't care. Its pretty danged scary to think that it might be that you just don't care anymore. Again, that much apathy to the way things are going these days scares the hell out of me. Youre only powerless if you choose to be. Get involved somehow. Theres an old saying about lead, follow, or get out of the way. I don't like that saying too much, because following and getting out of the way has led us to where we are today. We need more people to get involved. If you agree with something, support it, if you oppose something, take a stand against it, but don't just obstruct for the sake of obstruction. And for God's sake don't be an asshole.