SeaWorld protesters arrested at Rose Parade in Pasadena

In other news, the Orlando Sentinel reported the Orlando park had its second biggest day ever last week.

I've heard tell Jeff Putz was seen out that day directing traffic.

Congratulations AIDS Healthcare Foundation and PETA, BOTH of you have RUINED what used to be one of the greatest parades in the US. Politics should be LEFT OUT of events such as these. If I attend a parade or any other special event, the LAST thing I want to see is something that's Political in nature rammed down my throat.

This Parade WAS one of two that were on my "Bucket List" (The other one takes place in New York) Today I struck the Pasadena Parade off my list of things to do. I'll use the money to ride some coasters instead.

Five gets you ten the Macy's Parade will get hit this November.

While the way these protesters went about doing it was wrong, I absolutely disagree with your sentiments that things like that should be left out of public events like a parade. The first amendment has been trampled enough already. Freedom of speech in public spaces is supposed to be guaranteed. Your ability to go out into public and not be exposed to ideas differing from your own is not.

Oh, good. Now I can put the Rose Parade BACK on my "Bucket List"!

Just because one has the right to do some thing, first amendment or not, doesn't mean they should under any and all circumstances.

I believe WBC has the right to picket everywhere. It's a disgrace to picket funerals.

Your right to speak freely ends at my right not to have to listen to you.

You have a right (within certain limits) to speak your mind, even stating wildly unpopular opinions, and remain free from prosecution or imprisonment.

You do NOT have the right to remain free from repercussions.

Are we secretly talking about the Duck Dynasty thing?

Is there something wrong with me, that I'm unable to get pissed off about little, insignificant things like this/that/the other?

My stance on everything that people get so worked up over is, plain and simply: "Meh."

Look, I don't really care that the guy in charge of Chick-Fil-A said what he said. He's a complete asshole, and I disagree with him, but his company makes a tasty sandwich.

Maybe my stance on mostly everything being that I really don't get bothered by much makes me the real cold-hearted one here, but my response to that is simple - "meh."

No we're blatantly talking about parade protestors. Nobody cares about Duck Dynasty.

My stance goes for parade protestors, too. :) just FYI

I get that there are things that piss people off. Things piss me off, too - but not enough to boycott or protest or whatever.

I don't shop at Walmart, but that's because it's my preference. I find the stores to be unwelcoming and dirty among other things, but if I'm somewhere and I need something, I'll go there if it's one of my only, limited options. It's not like I'm going to stand outside the place and spit on people who shop there.

There's a pretty wide array of causes that might seem arbitrary to you, but not to others. Homophobic chicken gets people riled up because a corporation is buying laws to oppress people. (I'm oversimplifying, but you get the point.) It's not slavery, but at the very least it's a civil rights issue.

Animal rights aren't as up there for most people, and that's not surprising given how many people have pets, eat animals, etc. And frankly, if the OS article is correct about SWO having its second best day ever, I would be inclined to believe that's mostly a "meh" issue for most people.

I wouldn't lump marriage equality and Free Willy in the same bucket. One advances society, the other does not.

In general, I just don't see the point in getting pissed off enough to start a scene over anything. I guess I just lack the passion needed to take up a cause like that.

I choose not to eat a Chick-Fil-A (most of the time) just like I choose not to shop at Walmart and I try to avoid BP gas. I'm not going to go hungry, run out of gas and get stranded, or go without something I need for a weekend of camping when Walmart is the only place around, but I don't actively go to those places either.

Sea World, on the other hand, is something I really enjoy. The education, the animals and getting up close with them, and seeing them bond with their caretakers is something that I will actively seek out and pay admission for. I'm not protesting in favor of them, either. I just go, pay my money and move on.

I guess that's all I'm saying - Does it make me strange that I lack the passion and drive to get "mad as hell/not gonna take it anymore" over anything? I really don't know.

Raven-Phile said:

Does it make me strange that I lack the passion and drive to get "mad as hell/not gonna take it anymore" over anything? I really don't know.

I'm right there with you.

I often wonder how people have so much time and energy to spend on being outraged.

You might not get outraged, but you do bitch and moan a lot on Facebook about stupid people. :)

The best part about Gonch's "stupid people" rants? Knowing that I almost always agree with him, so I know he's not talking about me. :)

I knew someone would say that. :)

It's the Gonch persona. I still think I'm more tongue-in-cheek than I get credit for. That's why people like me despite my vitriol. I'm Lewis Black minus the talent.

With that said...

Taking a few seconds out of my day to grumble about the world around me, is (at least on my side of the keyboard) in a whole different league than genuinely being angered to the point of action.

What I do is mumble, "Asshole" at someone as I walk by.

I'm not protesting aquariums and chicken restaurants and changing my lifestyle and life choices because of it.

So I have to ask then, does that mean you forfeit the right to complain about things you're apathetic about?