Facebook is so insidious -- it's easy to get caught up in other people's drama. I've gotten better about refraining from jumping into an argument with people whose opinions I know I have no chance of swaying. But I still find myself sometimes following those arguments and grinding my teeth. Hence this post.
Two guys I know very slightly -- both FB friends -- were tangling over a political question. A woman weighed in on the side of the fella whose original post had inspired the wrangle and the other fella took her to task for her opinions. No names were called but he dared to question the basis for her beliefs. At which point, the original poster told the second fella he needed to apologize to the lady and soon after, the original poster's lady friend chimed in, telling the woman who had been offended that she was glad her boyfriend could defend this other woman against the nasty man who had dared to call her out. (I'm paraphrasing but that was the gist of it.) And I thought, being the curmudgeon that I am, I'd be thrilled to have a Big Strong Man protect me against physical danger. Hell, if he wants to open a door for me, I won't be offended -- though if I got there first, I'd just as likely open it for him. But, when it comes to a battle of words and or wits, I would be incredibly offended if someone tried to 'protect' me just because I'm a woman (and an old woman at that.) Back off, buddy, I can handle this. I guess that makes me one of those FemiNazis that gets Rush Limbaugh's panties in a wad . . . Good.
(Images from N/C/Wyeth's illustrations for A Boy's King Arthur)
