It's gettting hot in here so ...

Wow! The heat got a little high in my proverbial kitchen yesterday.

And while I’d like to turn off the oven and head to the dining room for some lighter fare, I can’t resist addressing a few things.

First, debate is wonderful. I am thrilled that my off-the-hook, random comments stimulated some real thinking and generated great comments. (Of all kinds – from unsure to stubborn, from humorous to ambiguous.)

Second, agreeing to disagree is totally fine in my book. My mom hated the thrift store platforms that I sported in seventh grade (and eventually helped me “lose” them), but I love her to death. And my dad adores the new “Spiderman” series, but I can’t stand Tobey Maguire or Kirsten Dunst. Yet, I turn to him for advice all the time.

Third, I’m not as uninformed as I may appear. Sure, I don’t have a degree in every topic that I address. (But seriously, how cool would that be if I did?) However, I worked as a reporter for several years researching topics like education and politics for my stories. Not to mention I come from a long line of infomaniacs (one whose book you’ve probably tried to read on occasion). As a result I, sadly, dedicate hours each day to reading up on current events and issues. Sure, the opinions I ultimately formulate based on my research are highly biased and flawed. So are yours. Different life experiences will lead us to different conclusions. That’s part of being human.

Fourth, it’s my blog. I’m not writing a letter to the editor of my local paper or trying to start some sort of anarchist movement. I’m just expressing my opinion. When you comment, you can express yours, and I’ll totally respect that. And if you have a blog, you can rant and rave to your heart’s content about your viewpoints, like how fluoride should or shouldn’t be in your water. (I’m all for it.) Or how you think all good Mormons are Republicans. (I highly doubt it.)

OK, enough numeration.

Here’s an idea:

Why don’t we start a weekly feature on this here blog that features hot topics like gun control, working outside the home and whether or not the bubble skirt was ever in style.

I’ll write a passionate, slightly humorous/totally slanted bit on my POV. Then, you’ll all get P’d about it and start commenting away. I’ll learn something. You’ll get a forum to express your innermost thoughts. And we’ll all walk away with a false sense of validation. I mean, we’ll all leave better for having blogged.

My email is stage right.

Who wants to be the daring soul to suggest my first topic for Hot Topic Tuesday?

No worries, you’ll be anonymous.

Apparently, I’m big with anonymous these days!