I find it hard to get past the left-right debate. When I'm with conservatives, I feel like in the enemy camp and bound to be found out and excoriated. I worry that I'm going to say something wrong, and that somebody will get indignant. When I'm with some liberals, I feel the same. I think of myself as a liberal; but I'm Catholic, and some liberals think I can't be a true liberal and be Catholic. It all gets kinda silly, because people are so sure what I think, even before I think it. And I suppose there are times when I'm guilty of the same thing, even though I try hard to avoid that.

I try hard to look at every person as an important dignitary, as somebody who is really valuable. It doesn't always work, but sometimes it does. Sometimes, people don't care or know what I think or what labels I wear. All they know is that I'm a person who likes them, and that's enough.

-Joe-