From the memory bank

Ran into a cousin of mine a few weeks back. Some relatives know that I am a Republican. She found out that I was a Republican and asked me in that "Are you a child molester?" tone.

"Are you a Republican," she asked?

"Yes," I replied.

Then a mutual family friend says, "my brother is too."

After a few moments of friendly banter back and forth. Later she was leaving to approach another venue, jokingly she says, "He is dead to me." With a hand to face (didn't know that fad was still around).

To which I replied, "Thank you for being so tolerant!" BUSTED.

She just walked away, rolled her eyes and laughed. My wife and mutual family friend thought that was pretty funny too. As I always believe there is a difference between "tolerance" and "acceptance."

I think Mr. Garrision from South Park puts the definition of tolerance best.

"Tolerant, but not stupid! Look, just because you have to tolerate something doesn't mean you have to approve of it! If you had to like it, it'd be called the Museum of Acceptance! 'Tolerate' means you're just putting up with it! You tolerate a crying child sitting next to you on the airplane or, or you tolerate a bad cold. It can still piss you off!"

I commend South Park for getting out material, even on both sides of the issues. I never thought when I saw the show back in 1996 it would be so politically relevant at times.