No news is.... no news

Ok, so I know I haven't been keeping up with this too much lately, but I will. I promise. Not getting done now, though I could probably just type whatever comes to my mind for the next 20 minutes or so. But I'm tired. So I shall sleep.

LiveSTRONG and Prosper

First off, I want to start this post with a disclaimer. I do not hate our troops, but rather, I support them and what they're doing for our country. I do not think cancer is funny, and my heart goes out to all those who have lost loved ones or know someone who has cancer. My family lost a dear friend in my dad's law partner not too long ago, so I know firsthand that this topic is not a laughing matter. But if I did learn one thing from him, it's that life is too short to not have fun. He was a giant kid until the day he died, cracking jokes at everything and anything. With that out of the way, let me continue my rant.....

Those mother fucking car-magnet ribbons have got to go. Am I the only one that realizes they're not being displayed for the reasons they were originally made for. Now, I'm not an expect on this topic, nor do I claim to be, but the first time I noticed these ribbons were to support 9-11. Everyone had flag magnets and then ribbons with support our troops, blah blah.. you know what I mean. I'm not sure if these came before or after the plethora of "cause-head" ribbons, but they all came out at around the same time to show support. Alright. I'll buy it... makes sense. But then, as if there was some mandate that went out (which I never got, mind you) saying you're not an American citizen unless you support some cause and display it proudly on your car, everyone and their mother (including mine) had some kind of magnet ribbon. I've seen everything. Cancer, support your troops, autism, gay pride, dog rescue supporters (yes, I've seen it), you name it, there's a ribbon for it.

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for supporting a cause if you have a reason to support it. But, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you think these ribbons lose a little bit of their credibility and .. I don't know... I can't think of a better word... but come on... I saw these ribbons being sold at convenience stores in new york city. Doesn't that say something, people? This is nothing but a fad that needs to die out. Soon.

I'd honestly love to take a survey of all of the people that have these ribbons on their car. I want to know how many of these people actually have any reason to be supporting these causes. Not that they can't support a cause, but do they really have to have a ribbon on their car? For example.... my mom has an autism ribbon on her car. The reason for having this ribbon is because she's a special education teacher. Makes sense... I suppose. Two questions, though. What is she exactly saying by putting the ribbon on her car. I'm sure 90% of the people that see that magnet think one of her kids has autism. So great... she's riding around making people think I'm autistic. Awesome. See my point here? No point. Exactly. I concur. Glad you agree.

These magnets are just a fad. An annoying fad that allows anyone to openly show support for a cause they probably have no right showing open support for. Take for example a conversation I had with someone recently:

Me: "Why do you have that support cancer ribbon on your car?"

Supporter: "Oh... I totally support it. My aunt's second cousin's son's best friend died of testicular cancer last year. "

Me: "What do you support about cancer, though? Why do you want people to be made aware?"

Supporter: " I just, you know support it. I want them to find a cure. It's sooo bad. They don't have a cure yet. It's so sad, too."

Me: " Oh, right... I see... Actually, fucko, the only ribbon you should have is a ribbon supporting retards... cause you're a fucking retard. Go fuck yourself.


Ahem.

Now I don't know if I really made a coherent point in all of this lunacy, but I sure hope I did. Which brings me to my next point (which I promise I'll make a little more brief): Livestrong bracelets. AHHHHHH. I'm like a tornado of anger, swirling about. These yellow fuckers are a little bit better, but at the same time, a little worse than the magnets. Better: At least when buying the cute little piece of rubber you're making a donation. I can appreciate that. Worse: At their height of popularity, they were more commonly found on people's wrists than herpes on a 10 cent whore. It's one thing to make a donation for a cause you believe in and want to support... it's another thing to buy one of these things just because everyone else has one and it's the "cool" thing to do. It's a fucking travesty is what it is. Now I'm sorry if I offended anyone who bought one of the wristbands... and I'm sure a lot of you bought them because deep down you wanted to donate and show support. But I know for a fact that there are enough people in the world that want to fit in; what better way to do so than by buying one of those puppies. Now, Tommy Pocket Protector can have something in common with Johnny Football Star. Hey, lookie here, they both support cancer by wearing a yellow piece of rubber. Give me a fucking break.

Don't think I'm some guy who hates everyone who buys these magnets or who has a Livestrong bracelet, because if you do think that, chances are, I actually hate you, because you're a fucking idiot. No, I think it's great that people have a cause to support and want to actually support something. However, the point that I'm trying to make (or maybe failing to make) is that I don't think that the majority of the people that buy these things are doing it with true sincerity. I think it's a bunch of crap that people are buying simply because they think it's either the right thing to do, or because of the age-old "everyone else is doing it, so why can't I?" That sort of thing. Maybe I'm wrong. I'd love to be wrong. I usually am wrong. But this time, I don't think I am.