A Red State Surprise
Lately, I’ve been judging audiences before I get to them, and many have been teaching me the error of my ways.
On stage, I am a somewhat opinionated storyteller. I delve into politics, but do so in a way that does not polarize people. At the end of my shows, I generally have a half a dozen people shaking my hand and believing they know something about me; “You sure are a fine Republican,” one person will tell me. “You voted for Obama, didn’t you?” the next will ask.
I take it as a compliment that while on stage, I don’t divide the audience, I unite them in quality confusion. I think the media plays up our differences, and allows us to play against one another. “You’re pro-life, or a murderer!” we’re told in black and white, terms, with no gray area. “You love America, or you’re a Democrat!” “You go to church, or you’re going to hell!” And so on down the line.
As a man who is both extremely pro-death penalty, but voted for Obama, is 110% for gay marriage, but thinks jumping into the Universal Health Care Pool is a bit extreme, I believe I am a real American: a walking contradiction of multiple beliefs and ideas.
While I know this about myself, and try to remember it in others, I still am taken by surprise on occasion. I was recently doing a one-night bar gig, in a small town in a very red state, and was talking about my tours for American troops. Every so often, when I hit a punch line right-wingers like, I’ll hear a cry of “Nathan for president!” I generally brush it off, but this time, for reasons I have yet to understand, I decided to challenge the shouter.
“You wouldn’t want me as president,” I responded. “Do you know what I’d do on my first day in office? I would sign a bill stating gay marriage is absolutely legal, and anyone that didn’t like that could fuck off. We have real issues to deal with, and what two adults do with their lives is of no concern to anyone but those two adults.”
As I was saying it, I wasn’t sure what would happen when I stopped speaking; would I hear silence? Boos? Have items launched at me?
What I didn’t expect is what I heard: thunderous applause. Sustained applause. Enthusiastic applause. Here I was, again, in a red city in a red state—and I did a little searching afterwards, to make sure I wasn’t missing something, like a nearby university or some other pocket of progressive thought—and they were applauding my stance on gay marriage.
Maybe I had pre-judged them incorrectly, or maybe like most people, they were a body of people comprised of contradictory thoughts and beliefs.
And maybe, sometimes when you don’t mince words like most politicians do and just spell it out, people get it.
Posted: December 8th, 2009 under Ruminations, theorizations and stuff. Author: nathanTimmel .
Comments: 42
Comments
Comment from Chris G
Time: December 8, 2009, 3:49 pm
Wow. What a great post, Nathan.
“And maybe, sometimes when you don’t mince words like most politicians do and just spell it out, people get it” should be advice for every comic 
Good work!
Comment from mbt shoes
Time: December 15, 2009, 7:01 pm
Shoes Mbt are physiological footwear. They can improve posture and gait. Welcome to order Mbt chapa shoes, Mbt m walk.
Comment from ghdhairirons
Time: December 24, 2009, 1:02 am
ghd hair straighteners are manufactured by factory directly. pink ghd and ghd iv styler hair straightener are of high quality.
Comment from love
Time: December 26, 2009, 12:52 am
Mbt trainers are pro-body shoes. try to put on a pair of Mbt m walk, you will fall love with Mbt.
http://www.discountmbt.com/
http://www.discountMbt.com/Mbt-sport-c-5.html
Comment from mbt
Time: December 30, 2009, 5:31 pm
Welcome to order discount Mbt,Mbt walking shoes & Mbt Lami, factory direct,good quality.
Comment from John
Time: January 2, 2010, 2:17 pm
Remember, J. Edgar wore a dress in his bedroom.
Comment from ugg crochet tall
Time: January 24, 2010, 4:58 pm
http://www.ladyugs.com/products_all.html
ugg classic cardy
[url=http://www.ladyugs.com/ugg-bailey-button-c-25.html] ugg bailey button [/url]
{{[ ugg classic mini -> http://www.ladyugs.com/ugg-classic-mini-c-14.html}}
Comment from cheap ugg boots
Time: January 25, 2010, 12:24 am
I cannot tell when Sheepskin Boots
was the start that ugg shoes beautiful slim boots have taken over the Cheap UGG Bootsstreets. Though I love being beautiful, I also realize that there exist frozen toes behind the beauty.
Comment from chi flat iron
Time: February 19, 2010, 10:26 pm
Comment from air jordans
Time: March 12, 2010, 7:01 pm
Ugg boots sometimes called uggs, ug boots or ugh boots are a style of unisex sheepskin boots lined with wool on the inside and with [url=http://www.discountjordanshoes.com/Jordan-DMP-b66-1.html]jordan dmp[/url] straighteners a tanned outer surface. Ugg boots [url=http://www.discountjordanshoes.com]jordan dmp sale[/url] often have a synthetic sole, although this is not universal. Heights range from around the ankle to above the knee, they are available in a range of different colours as both slip-on and lace-up varieties,
Comment from air jordans
Time: March 12, 2010, 7:04 pm
Well in this situation farming for the jordan dmp can only be made easy if Discount UGG Boots jordan dmp saleyou have right World of Warcraft tools in your hand. One of the options open before you is to.258479852
Comment from Christian Louboutin shoes
Time: March 21, 2010, 5:47 pm
Christian Louboutin shoes lover worldwide favorite site!Shop all style discount Christian Louboutin and save up to 70% Off Select Christian Louboutin sale!Order now!
Comment from floria
Time: March 21, 2010, 11:32 pm
well,thank you for your share
great post
cheap mbts
christian louboutinroom
Comment from Linda
Time: March 26, 2010, 2:20 am
The high synthetical leather upper of Air Jordan 2 can provide a better protection to your feet and ankle while the thickening rubber sole can reduce the impact-related injuries during the exxercise.
Air Jordan 2
Small orders and trial orders accepted.
Comment from replica watches
Time: March 31, 2010, 9:47 pm
only regret that only affect the league replica watches we have this capability is in a hurry replica watches Inter Milan vs CSKA score: the best two scores of Russian blue-black guard Art vs. Arsenal Barcelona to really replica watches locks to seal the victory Inter replica watches Arsenal Barcelona plays war three stops and injuring five others.JJ.04.01
Comment from replica watches
Time: March 31, 2010, 9:47 pm
Bloodbath Shanghai? Liaoning is also almost [url=http://www.watchesfan.com/]replica watches[/url] Madman glass slide radical tactics without success [url=http://www.corwatches.com/]replica watches[/url]Yinqiao Dan Buckley Flying Tiger mistress challenge on Smith was busy all-around [url=http://www.pocwatches.com/]replica watches[/url] partner stole the limelight he was friends [url=http://www.sanwatches.com/]replica watches[/url] partner stole the limelight he was friends.JJ.04.01
Comment from replica watches
Time: March 31, 2010, 9:47 pm
to complete six goals Paul 8 fight http://www.watchesfan.com/ milestone night He was a great dream http://www.corwatches.com/ Security beast beast as spokesperson http://www.pocwatches.com/ Qi Zu Ershi sounding the clarion call to do http://www.sanwatches.com/ Arsenal defender main fear of the World Cup.JJ.04.01
Comment from bmx
Time: April 7, 2010, 12:31 am
Comment from bmx
Time: April 7, 2010, 12:32 am
wow time cardwork. The coarser, metin2 yangmetin2 yang kaufen
Comment from bmx
Time: April 7, 2010, 12:33 am
psn cardnumerous categories, which one everquest2 platinumeq 2 plat
Comment from dsasd
Time: April 12, 2010, 4:41 pm
Christian Louboutin Evening
[url=http://www.longineswatches.org/A.Lange-&-Sohne/]A.Lange & Sohne watches[/url]
Comment from mbt
Time: April 22, 2010, 8:10 pm
mbt shoes
Comment from aaa
Time: May 4, 2010, 5:20 pm
Comment from lay123
Time: May 4, 2010, 7:19 pm
Do you want to lead a fashionable and happy life? http://www.nike-airjordan-shoes.com
Do you want to have a new apperance that show you life standard? http://www.handbagshunting.com
And do you want to different from people around you ? http://www.airmax-stores.com
So, please find and choose what you want, good commedities and better quality, you have to love them, http://www.sunglass-mall.com
hurry up !
Comment from nikecorner
Time: May 6, 2010, 5:52 am
These two colorways of the Air Max LeBron VII are inspired by two of the biggest idols zoom lebron had as a child. The red pair is inspired by Deion Sanders, while the other pair honors Penny Hardaway. The pair that is inspired after Penny Hardaway borrows the colors from the Orlando Magic.
Comment from christian louboutin sale
Time: May 6, 2010, 11:58 pm
Comment from last chaos gold
Time: May 26, 2010, 11:47 pm
Than you need go tolast chaos gold
Comment from ed hardy clothing
Time: May 30, 2010, 10:14 pm
The are excellent products suitable for year-round wear. Many people all know Ugg boots uk? and know they are very popular. But less people know that the Australian brand found international recognition in the 1970s when an Australian surfer named Brian Smith took several pairs of http://www.ed-hardy.cc/ed-hardy-caps.html ed hardy caps to the United States – soon the boots were a fashionable choice with the California surfer set, and these days are even seen in fashion shows of the finest designers.
Comment from tiffany jewellery
Time: June 13, 2010, 5:20 pm
Comment from authentic jordan shoes
Time: June 17, 2010, 7:44 pm
Thanks for the help dear!Happy is the man who is living authentic jordan shoes by his hobby.Happiness lies not in the mere cheap nike shox possession of money,it lies in the cheap nike shoes joy of achievement , in the thrill of creative cheap jordans shoes effort.The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved http://www.nikejordanshoes2sell.com/ .A good website recommend.
Comment from dofus kamas
Time: June 18, 2010, 5:50 pm
You can’t level your game character without dofus kamas
Comment from christian louboutin
Time: June 22, 2010, 8:32 pm
“And maybe, sometimes when you don’t mince words like most politicians do and just spell it out, people get it” should be advice for every comic Good work!
Comment from new era hats
Time: June 23, 2010, 6:55 am
We wholesale hats at competitive price,providing a huge range of hats with different brand name,such as coogi hats, polo hats,Jordan hats,wholesale new era hats,dc shoes hats,new era MLB hats, etc.You can buy cheap hats. Welcome to visist here.
From: http://www.newera-caps.net
Comment from christian
Time: July 1, 2010, 6:52 am
Christian louboutin Sandal
$369.99
Please Choose:
Size EUR 34/US 4 EUR 35/US 5 EUR 36/US 6 EUR 37/US 7 EUR 38/US 8 EUR 39/US 9 EUR 40/US 10 EUR 41/US 11 EUR 42/US 12
Add to Cart:
50 Units in Stock
Derived from: christian louboutin. Detailed Source reference: http://www.christianlouboutin9.com/christian-louboutin-sandal-p-146.html
Comment from Christian Louboutin Boots
Time: July 1, 2010, 11:35 pm
For the collection of discount Christian Louboutin Platforms, the Christian Louboutin Mary Jane Platform Black is so popular.
Comment from wholesale new era hats
Time: July 7, 2010, 6:57 pm
We have a huge range of new era hats, including baseball hats, NFL hats, cheap red bull hats, new era hats wholesale,wholesale new era hats, new era New York Yankees Hats and so on ,we offer you cheap hats, 50% disscount and free shipping.
Welcome to our website : http://www.goahats.com
Comment from ghd fladjern
Time: July 13, 2010, 12:59 am
Welcome to glattejern ghd hair straightener discount. There are many cheap GHD hair
straighteners on sale.And all ghd fladjern straighteners are Free Shipping and Zero Tariff!
ghd Denmark So please catch the chance!!
Comment from hotsale nfl jerseys
Time: July 19, 2010, 6:55 pm
Hey guys,
I hope this allowed, I have never used this website before so I wasn’t really sure what this was going to do. http://www.nfljerseyse.com So this is just a test post. I really like this forum, it has some excellent discussions that take place.
Comment from hotsale nfl jerseys
Time: July 21, 2010, 5:32 pm
hotsale nfl jerseys NFL Fantasy Football Presented by Verizon, the official game of the NFL,launches today with exclusive NFL video and in-game highlights for the first time
Comment from hotsale nfl jerseys
Time: July 22, 2010, 6:41 pm
wholesale nfl jerseys The NFL brought fantasy football operations in-house making NFL Fantasy Football the only game that contains video highlights, with thousands of game highlights that make fantasy football come to life
Comment from christian louboutin
Time: July 22, 2010, 7:23 pm
Do You want to buy the cheapest and the latest christian louboutin shoes ?Yeah,you come to the right place. You can find the cheapest price from us, and you can get the latest christian louboutin 2010 christian louboutin shoes in low price on our website. Come on to get the fashion christian louboutin 2010 shoes for you. And we also supply all kinds of high quality golf ping g15 at cheap price.Now we offer free shipping and zero tariff!Definitely worth checking out!ping g15So don’t miss the chance!!
Comment from ghd pink
Time: July 29, 2010, 7:56 pm
Nice post. ghd pink.This post is different from what I read on most blog. cheap ugg boots.And it have so many valuable things to learn. Evening gowns. Thank you for your sharing! Mother of bride dresses
Very happy I can comment here! Best wishes for this day.
Write a comment