Six People Walk Into A Pool Hall ...

By Michael The Libertarian
        ... that's how it started; at a pool hall. I guess I'll need to explain:
        My friend (who's name I'll not mention for obvious reasons) and I have been "treating" clients at an alcohol and drug rehab center to a night of pool to try and show people that fun can be had without a needle in your arm or a "few brewskis" under your belt.
        This Friday night tradition has morphed a bit, but we still play damned-near every Friday night for about two years or so.
        Last night, my friend was speaking with another person and I heard this person saying: "I hate thieves, liars, and cheaters" and then, proceeded to cheat while playing a game of pool against me. This person, when asked, also tried to go on to explain how there used to be "honor amongst thieves".
        I thought that was funny enough, but I did chime in how that all changed once "plea bargains" became de rigueur. Funny, no? I didn't think so, either.
        Look I don't know too many people who claim to admire the three groups mentioned, but it's amazing to me how easily one umbrellas the other two. It's the liars.
        It's pretty simple, really. If someone is cheating you (or cheating ON you) or stealing from you, are they likely to admit it? That makes them liars by omission, at least. I would have a ton more respect for people if, when we meet, they tell me: "Look, watch out for me. I'll rob you blind, if you give me half a chance." However, as I've already said: that's a low percentage happenstance.
        It comes down to this - and I want to be very clear: I like individuals. I love quite a few of them, but I DESPISE people.
        Confusing? Not really. People, on the whole, stink on ice. We're awful. We're the only mammals who kill other creatures for sport. We're the only mammals that choose to abort our own offspring (there's some kind of "rat" or some such in the Alps where the mother will force her female offspring to abort, but as near as anyone can tell, the daughters aren't on-board with the process).
         Individuals, on the other hand, are very different. I have been blessed in my life to know some really great people. Some of those people have even earned the title "Friend". That's not a word I throw around.
         When I'm going out the door, it's not: "A few friends and I are going out to shoot some pool!" It's more like: "I'm going out to shoot some pool with a few people!"
         "Friends" what a concept. Someone who will listen to you bitch and moan about all the ills the world is foisting upon them for weeks or months at a time and then, do the same for you, when it's your turn in the barrel.
        It's something that isn't really that difficult to describe, but at the same time, it is a Herculean effort in many cases. Please see if you can follow me on this one:
        It's knowing there's one person on this entire planet that you can call at any time of the day or night if you really need to.
        It's that significant other/lover who can give you that soul-searing look that communicates how much they love you.
        It's that supervisor/commanding officer that you respect and who is always so understanding that can give you that "stern talking to" without sending you, running, looking for your union delegate.
        There are individuals that are well worth knowing in our lives. Unfortunately, the vast majority of them aren't worth a warm cup of spit.
        Learn to tell the difference.



                - Michael