A Stranger In A Strange Land

One of the worst aspects of occasionally working night-shifts is being forced to listen to the talk-radio stations that pollute the airwaves of BÁC during week-nights (the listening choice of others in my workplace, believe me). First off, why on earth would anyone want to listen to the opinions of strangers on a range of “controversial” subjects that usually descend into the aural equivalent of a baying mob? Secondly, where on earth do all these fact-free “callers” come from? We live in the age of the internet, TV, radio and print. We swim in an information sea. Human beings have never been so well-informed, never so able to learn of things outside their immediate purview, as they are now. However the ignorance displayed night after night on these shows simply astonishes one. Thirdly, what cesspool of ultra-conservatism do these paragons of virtue crawl from with their righteous condemnations of anything that strays from their strict rules of what conformity should be? This is a modern 21st century island nation on the periphery of Europe not some isolated backwater of Mitteleuropa. Fourthly, why do matters of sex and gender cause them the most outrage? They claim to be “normal” in all things yet seem abnormally interested the one thing they claim to have no interest in at all.

Okay, I admit to being a terrible left-wing live-and-let-live Republican who couldn’t care a whit for what people may or may not voluntarily to do to themselves, or to others, as long as no one is physically or psychologically hurt in the process. Frankly man, women or beast you can stick whatever you want wherever you want as long as all parties consent to it beforehand. I am constantly amazed that others think differently. Especially when they come from the same generation as me or younger. One can forgive and understand older people for living by the mores of their times and being uncomfortable with newer, more challenging ones. That should be respected even while one tries to spread understanding. But people of one’s own age?

So here I am listening to some idiot DJ talking to his even more idiotic listeners condemning some married, family man who likes to dress up in woman’s clothing without his wife’s knowledge. He is not cheating on her or engaging in sexual activity outside of their relationship. He merely enjoys cross-dressing for who knows what reasons. And you know what? WHO CARES?!?! Seriously, who on earth cares? Some bloke likes to don the odd pair of wedges or a belly-top? My god, it’s the end of life as we know it!  Honestly why are these people bursting with paroxysms of rage over his “betrayal” and “perversion”, egged on by the mid-Atlantic snarls of the low-brow presenter?

Life really is too short for this broadcasting excrement. Men, women and children are dying in conflicts all over the world, Syria, Iraq and Gaza are drowning in blood with truly unspeakable barbarities being perpetrated in the name of faith and politics. Eastern Ukraine is on the verge of a Russian invasion. And in the streets of Baile Átha Cliath, where this pox-ridden radio station broadcasts, old and young are sleeping rough yet this, THIS, is what exercises so many and with such fervour? Truly one despairs of the human race.

A girl just walked by wearing the same Converse hi-top trainers, boot-cut jeans and 1970s-style Adidas zip-up that I’m wearing.

Which one of us is the cross-dresser?!