Sunday, February 27, 2005

Friendly “Discussion” at the Local Pub

The other night I found myself having a heated discussion at the local pub.  I was at a table with a few other people, locals I didn’t know, who were regulars at this particular place.  One of the gentlemen was in an argumentative mood.  Being that I had just spent several hours concentrating on my manuscript for school, my brain was engaged and I was ready for this occurrence. 
I proceeded to challenge him. 
The discussion ranged several different fronts, but ultimately it came down to freedom of speech and the constitution.  Mainly our “right” to say whatever we want when ever we want, because we are Americans, and how this right is being taken away from us.  Okay, I can argue that.  It was the argument I was after, not who was right or wrong and not really what I believed. 
It all came down to him saying something along the lines of, “My generation worked so hard to give your generation these rights and you just let the government take them away.  You have become so materialistic that you don’t think about anything but money and work.” I looked at him and spouted, “If my generation is giving away our rights it is because your generation has taught us to do that.  If we are concerned with money it is because we were raised with that as a concern.”
Then it came.  The silence of the other person now knowing how to respond!  The argument had lasted for over an hour and I felt victory was mine!  He looked confused and slightly shaken.  I laughed at him and said, “Would you like to switch now?  You argue my point and I argue yours?  Might be fun…” Instead he got up, paid his bill, and left.  Poor guy, I almost felt a little sorry for him…