I’ve never been one much to jump on the bandwagon. In my experience it is usually just a bunch of noise, nothing to be taken too seriously. It’s true that those that holler the loudest, get the attention and I guess that is exactly what they want. I get it, it is nice to be noticed, but it is better to be right, that’s my thought. 99% of what is the big issue today will be forgotten in a few days or weeks. It’s something I have learned about myself and I freely admit it, nothing is more satisfying than saying, I told you so. That isn’t something you can do from the bandwagon.

I’m just not much of a joiner. I did join the Navy. I tried jumping on that bandwagon for a short time, being a “sailor” and the whole stereotypical lifestyle. I was young and foolish. It didn’t take me long to realize that, I just got down from that wagon and walked my own path. No, I wasn’t terribly successful by some standards, I certainly didn’t embody that image. I didn’t “identify” with that. I haven’t joined any fraternal or veteran organizations. I can’t explain what that is, I’m just not that interested I guess. I have nothing but respect for those that do its’ just not me.

In this time of “identity” I find myself thinking about all of that. How do I identify myself? Well, I don’t think I get to do that at all, it isn’t my choice. I will be identified by others, whether I like or dislike that identity will not change a thing. I wrote this short ditty while thinking about that, ” My name is Ben that’s who I am and all I’m gonna be, I tried to be someone else, but it just wasn’t me.” And what’s funny to me about that is my given name is Austin, but I have no idea who Austin would be. What I’m saying is, if I had used the name Austin would I be a different person today?

I firmly believe we are the product of our environment. Nurture trumps nature. My father was an independent man as they used to say back in the day. That was when being independent was considered a virtue, not a liability. He walked his own path, wasn’t much of a joiner either, some called him head strong and proud. Stubborn, obstinate, opinionated, bull headed, determined, inflexible and uncompromising. Yes, he was called all of those things and more, so have I. But I’m adamant, I’m right. I call that self reliance, confidence and secure. I learned that from my father.

The whole problem with the bandwagon being, I’m not the one driving. It’s the same reason I don’t like riding on roller coasters, I can’t steer and there are no brakes! Given a choice I will always drive myself, other drivers make me nervous. They just might be going somewhere I don’t want to go. I may not even know that until I get there, then it’s too late. No, I want to be in control. It isn’t that I don’t trust you, it’s just that I know better. Something I was told often enough by my mother and father when I did something stupid.

You know better! I usually did and had no answer for that. Today children probably offer some victim statement, or say they are being marginalized. I surely hear a lot of adults doing just that every single day. It’s because of something that happened to their distant ancestors, or it is a systemic thing, probably associated with some sort of phobia. They believe they get to choose their identity and everyone must comply with that. But, I know better than that, often tell them that, and often get ostracized for that. I’m just trying to help. Whether or not you choose to accept that help is on you.

I am often reminded of the story of the emperors new clothes. That does seem to be what is taking place a great deal here in America today. The most ridiculous things are being touted as “forward” or “progressive.” Being born with the wrong gender is one of those things. No one is born with the wrong gender! Your personality, your likes and dislikes follow your birth, they do not precede that. The whole concept of abortions on demand being called health care is ridiculous. An abortion to save a life is certainly health care, but never one to simply terminate a life. Everyone knows better, but everyone is doing it. Still isn’t right. Yeah, I guess I would have been executed, I would be the one saying: but the emperor is naked!