If you don't say anything, at least they have no legitimacy calling you a fool based on what you said...

I really have no time to be blogging right now. Ever since I picked up this Saturday English class thing, I've realized just how much those 3 - 4 hours of my weekend really meant to me.

But I'm so riled up about multiple things right now and it stinks I'm in a country that doesn't allow freedom of speech (to foreigners who wish to stay in the country anyway). I have to try and state my piece, delicately. I've spent four days configuring this blog in my mind and I admit that its possible my title may just come back to haunt me but I think I can pull this one off. Its not really in line with my other blogging so bear with me.

Next time you read an internet new article and it really digs you in the ribs and you're sorely tempted to 'comment' on it, don't. Simply said. Unless the very thing has happened to you exactly AND you've lived (and I mean more than vacationed) in that country for an extended period of time (preferably at least three to six months). Its nice that you can say your piece and people only know you as 'stupidgirl83' or 'optimusslime' or whatever cutsy, make-believe internet persona you can come up with but really. I think we only do that because we know that there's 99.9% chance that we obviously sound like we've no idea what we're talking but we really want to say it anyway. Because its my right. Because I can. Because, because, because... The said article that has made me so cross was actually no more than a few paragraphs long, unfortunately about the country I'm living in right now, and it wasn't even the article that got my goat! Just the blatantly clueless comments that were left afterward (by people who...just know my title is reigning in my words right now). I really can't say more than that because even though I don't agree with this particular government on many things they implement let alone teach their citizens and sometimes I honestly cannot STAND this country (is it that hard to NOT put the meat in my rice, thank-you very much?), I love the people (I know I do because I repeat it to myself in front of the mirror 10 times every morning...and afternoon...and...). I know I love the people, because I can't stand it when people make wild statements (that someday, if you're with me in person, I will correct you on), purely based on what they've heard in the media. I know that's the case because clearly if they'd lived here, they wouldn't say that.

Its such a shame that we live in such an instant society. You think critics didn't exist till now? Sure they did, they made the same wild critical statements as the best of us do. There just wasn't internet so it took the newspapers a lot longer to weed through all the letters to the editor to get the best three. Now there are millions and you can read every.single.one -- if you have time to waste.

Just to clarify: fellow bloggers, in my books, should feel free to comment all they like on things they know FIRST HAND. I won't refute their wisdom or experience. But when it comes to my country (who is like the annoying sibling that does crazy things all the time I know) -- and I don't mean Australia -- back off. You don't know (insert colourful word here -- sorry mum). Because, in the wise words of Fairy Tale Theatre "I am a frog, and fiercely proud of it."

And if I ever find out what your REAL name is, I'll personally take you out back of the shed and tan your hide. Or I'll get the Chinese mafia to do it.

Rachel (and that's my REAL name) -- 7th of November, 2009