I Need A Roadtrip...

[DDT (12)]

I Need A Roadtrip…
 
Please bear with me here for just a bit… Yes, this piece will be ride-related… sort of… Heck, everything I do is ride-related, ya know, as I’m either on a ride or getting ready to depart on one. It’s what I do, you see, so, therefore, it’s part of everything I do.
 
Many of the thoughts I have played around with and a large percentage of my own conclusions about matters relevant to yours truly that I’ve drawn in recent decades have occurred while in that special spiritual realm usually found only while aboard our girl and scooting down some roadway someplace. Like this conclusion, for example…
 
Someone I hold very dear has chosen to ‘come out of the closet’. Not the first one to do so, and most likely will not be the last one, either. Is it my place to criticize, condemn, and/or complain? Does affirming my own sexuality require that I take some strong, boisterous, negative position on the matter and now think less of or disown the person? Of course not…
 
Nor could I even if I did choose that position… I still feel the same affection for that person that I’ve always felt, so nothing has really changed except that I now know a bit more about that person than I did. It is a bit awkward having a big 'gorilla' in the room, but other than that... I'm also sure it's awkward for that person, too, and I'd guess a little embarrassing. It was felt that 'coming out' had to be done, though, so ... it was...
 
Is that the outward manifestation of mental disorder or petulant/aberrant behavior? Is it simply a personal choice? Or could it be the logical outcome of some random Darwinian variation in the genetic code always at work in the evolution of all species? Is it due to 'nature' or 'nurture'? Could it be either or both? Or something else entirely? Does it really matter?
 
Sure, we can seize upon Biblical quotes or other religious references, and we can certainly point to the minority status of those choosing such a path, but… Does any of that really figure into this in the end? What does the pursuit of being a ‘just person’ incline us to think and do…?
 
For this simple rider, it starts and ends with the basic fact that I refuse to surrender any such choices regarding myself to anyone else! For me, that alone eliminates any entitlement I might try to claim to judge and/or impose any such choice upon anyone else. I don’t have to like their choice, embrace it, or join in with it, and I’m free to feel some level of personal revulsion to the idea, if that were true. I must respect that choice, however, just as I insist my own choice be respected.
 
However, choosing to go or not go myself is as far as I feel free to go! As long as no one is pushing that on me, I will not push back nor attempt to ‘straighten-out’ anyone else who may have chosen differently. Nor will I tease or belittle another for having made such a choice.
 
I remain free to have my own opinion, but I also must concede and allow that same indulgence to everyone else. I see it as a very intensely personal decision; one I steadfastly reserve for myself in my own case, and therefore I just as steadfastly hold to be entirely up to anyone else concerning themselves. But what of society in general…?
 
Any society has an implied obligation and therefore a right/duty to govern itself. However, the opinions of any society’s individual members will vary widely, and therefore governance will always be an inherently thorny and challenging undertaking. Some will always be unhappy with any rule, while all will often be unhappy with one or more particular rules.
 
Our society has chosen the democratic/republican form of governance: Democracy to protect the majority from the tyranny of the minority; Republicanism to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. An imperfect but well-reasoned institutional approach to at once balance the rights of all with those of each within a free society.
 
Our founders did ‘establish and ordain’ our constitution to form a ‘more perfect union’… They realized and therein/thereby acknowledged that perfection is not possible, while improvement is always possible, even desirable. They also keenly recognized that all governments require limits to their own reach!
 
Should one’s choices and behaviors be subject to regulation by the form of societal governance in effect? To the extent those choices and behaviors impact upon others and especially upon an otherwise free society in general, a duty to regulate is present. To the extent the impact of choices and behaviors do not extend beyond the individual, however, government should keep its cotton-picking hands off!
 
Many will claim that the mere ‘out in the open’ presence of something like this negatively impacts their own rights and degrades society at large, but… Are those claimants simply splitting hairs to justify their own preferences and/or prejudices…?
 
That’s a question we all must answer for ourselves, as we attempt to strike a reasonable balance between advancing our own personal preferences with what might be best and ‘just’ for all concerned… two distinctly different outcomes frequently at odds…
 
Yes indeed, I am getting antsy! I’ve been holed-up for over a week, and my throttle hand is already beginning to twitch in eager anticipation of heading out… The wedding of my granddaughter is now behind us, so we have but one remaining hold-up…
 
We’re waiting for the county tax collector to mail us the tag decal for our girl’s renewed registration. Of course, we could venture on and allow my landlords to simply forward the new decal on to some other location, but… I also hesitate because of another complication…
 
The most recent hurricane to strike our shores cut right across Florida from the Gulf coast to the Atlantic… All possible surface routes we could take to exit this major political battleground state have been impacted for us. Not knowing what manner of debris, construction/restoration activity, power outages and/or motel closures might await us in the ‘zone of the cone’ of destruction does give this anxious rider pause…
 
Maybe a couple more days here would do wonders for us in addition to allowing some more roadway/travel hazards to be removed, and to facilitate the catching up of that decal with us before departure… I just hope I don’t have to tie-down my throttle hand…
 
DDT (12)

[Oss]

It says a lot about you that this individual was comfortable to
reveal such personal information

Your discretion was most likely deeply appreciated

Being true to one self is not always easy, else everyone could do it
Like Tom Petty said in the song Crawling back to you

Most things I worry 'bout
Never happen anyway

Thanks for an interesting read, now get back on the road soon as that sticker arrives

[Stitch]

Hey there DDT, I've had the pleasure to meet you several times, on various escapades. Just read you note here, VERY WELL written my friend. We all have opinions on this matter, but you placed them out on front of us, with respect to ALL parties involved. Sure wish we could get the "rest of the world" on board with this.
Love and Blessings always my friend
Gary

[3fan4life]

I wish society in general was as reasonable as you in regards to this subject.

What people choose to do in private is their business, but it really should remain private.

And people should have the right to believe that it is wrong if they do.

No-one should be ridiculed or canceled for believing or not believing that such actions are "Normal". 

[The emperor has no clothes]

“Is that the outward manifestation of mental disorder or petulant/aberrant behavior? Is it simply a personal choice? Or could it be the logical outcome of some random Darwinian variation in the genetic code always at work in the evolution of all species? Is it due to 'nature' or 'nurture'? Could it be either or both? Or something else entirely? Does it really matter?”



All very good questions. Due to my youngest brother coming out 40 years ago, most I have contemplated to some degree in the past. I think it comes down to your last question essentially. There are many persuasions I just can’t really wrap my head around on. But really, it comes down to does it really matter. I doubt it.

Your wisdom never ceases to amaze me, my friend. 

[Valkorado]

I also think it doesn't much matter.  Like some have eluded to, when it comes to social acquaintances, we probably don't need to know more than we need to know.  On the other hand, if someone very dear to you felt the need to express this, it says much for your perspective and compassionate nature.  It was clearly important for you to know, if not fully comprehend, the inner being.  I doubt unwavering acceptance was the goal, but your support probably meant more than you'll know. 

You're a cool dude, Bruce!   

[f6john]

I’m encouraged that you can still answer the call of the road as you windup necessary business. I still have myself anchored to about a 100 mile radius of home. A self imposed restriction that I only break free from a couple of times a year but those times seem to keep me content till the next opportunity presents itself. Hope you have broken free from your recent confines and gliding down some country road !

[da prez]

  It is a life style , not a disease. We have several we call friends.  There are many lifestyles that I believe to be toxic.  Put some thought in what I wrote.

                                                            da prez

[old2soon]

     I've read your post there Bruce. I'd NEVER throw them off a tall building but I'd also NOT back their chosen life style. And as others here have stated or alluded to some things NEED to be kept PRIVATE! I personnaly have No NEED nor No DESIRE too know or be informed. Likewise PLEASE do not Attempt to force it on me. Twitchy right hand?  Now THAT'S something right there I can REALLY relate to and git behind as I TRULY MISS ridin and sharin wind!  RIDE SAFE.

[The emperor has no clothes]

“Many will claim that the mere ‘out in the open’ presence of something like this negatively impacts their own rights and degrades society at large, but… Are those claimants simply splitting hairs to justify their own preferences and/or prejudices…?”



It does appear that way. I wonder how many have a problem with my not keeping my love for my wife “private” ?

[Valkorado]

“Many will claim that the mere ‘out in the open’ presence of something like this negatively impacts their own rights and degrades society at large, but… Are those claimants simply splitting hairs to justify their own preferences and/or prejudices…?”



It does appear that way. I wonder how many have a problem with my not keeping my love for my wife “private” ?

Shout it from a mountaintop!  If you are so inclined.  

[DDT (12)]

Thanks everyone! All compliments are cheerfully accepted, and all candid responses are gratefully acknowledged. I debated with myself about posting this once I'd written the basic text. I surely didn't want to open another 'hotly contested, virulently argued' exchange of points and counterpoints, personal affronts, or blanket aspersions...

I recalled several of my friends confiding to me over the years similar 'uncomfortable discoveries' that set them back, confused them, and left them in a quandary about how to deal with the issue. I began this for the sole purpose of working through this for my own consideration... That exercise did help me sort things out and find some peace with the matter...

However, I then thought perhaps it might be helpful to others to realize this has impacted nearly every single one of us on here at one time or another, and that learning of the honest 'deliberations' many of us have had with ourselves might also offer some perspective. I was pleasantly surprised!

The replies have all been honest thoughts held by many... And all were offered without anything remotely approaching a personal attack! Respectful discourse is the best pathway to reasonable reasoning among individuals, and that holds the greatest prospect of finding fair answers, rather than simply scoring debating points. Those who have chosen to reply have done so, and for that I am most grateful!!! Y'all are really sumthin', ya know that!!!

DDT (12)

[t-man403]

Read this last night and thought, “ Costco is closed now what “, thinking that I’d need to make the big container of popcorn! 

[f6john]

My sense was you were more “thinking out loud” as apposed to asking for advise. I have some thoughts on the subject but it seemed you have your thoughts well in hand, no need for me to muddy the water! Bout’ time to spin the needle on the coddiewomple wheel?

[DDT (12)]

John,

Oh yeah! Spinning the needle for sure. I'm going to rely upon my BIL/SIL to forward that sticky little tag decal to me when it arrives, so I can get on with some serious 'wheel spinning' on our girl! Now I'm pondering on which day to actually depart... and tomorrow is in the lead spot of considerations at the moment! I have no doubt a long cut to the DRU could be arranged to make that two/three-day ride in a week or so!!! I seem to have a knack for that sort of thing, ya know...

DDT (12)

[Bret SD]

Being in San Diego I know many gay people, the way I look at is, it's none of my concern what they do behind closed doors.

If someone I knew trusted me with an admission of 'coming out', I'd look at that as a sign of a good friendship.

[DDT (12)]

WOW! The imagination is an amazing attribute of mankind... and mine is working overtime! I'm toying with some serious riding for the upcoming road trip to begin in another hour or so... I think it'll be rather long, however, so I'll do another post... maybe...

DDT (12)

[Valker]

Bruce, I’m leaving for a three week bimble on Thursday. Maybe I’ll see you. 

[f6john]

Guess you’re on the road now, don’t forget us mere mortals bound to the home place and give us a check in every once in a while!