Speaking With Conviction: TALK LESS AND SAY MORE

After reading a poem by Taylor Mali, wherein the lack of conviction was reflected upon, I stumbled over the credibility as to my saying that I speak with conviction. The hesitance was due in part to my recountenance of an event that took place a few weeks ago. While discussing a political matter with one of my friends in the presence of my conveniently distracted teacher and his lovely wall of George W. Bush's "Bushisms" I happened to mention the name "Obama." All of a sudden, my teacher's head perked up. I felt tension from the beginning and anticipated the ensuing interrogation. Moments after babbling about my reasons for mentioning the candidate, I mentioned that I was Republican, which turned out to be a big mistake on my part. (My teacher was a Democrat through and through.) He asked me, "why are you a Republican, what views do you agree?" The question preceded moments more of babbling to the point where I realized - I wasn't making any sense. I could NOT tell my teacher why I was Republican. It was embarrassing. Of course, the inferred reason for most would have been "because her parents are," which is one of my biggest "no-nos." And of course, another presence in the room simply had to stress just that. It's my own fault, however. I didn't speak with conviction because I didn't know what I was talking about. This must be the reason for the decline of conviction in conversation.

People, for the most part, reinforced by media and influential approval, will attest to a cause and defend it,
without a firm background knowledge of the subject.

Luckily, I caught this flaw me from early on - I still have a chance to fix it.
As soon as I arrived at home, I got on my computer and researched both the
Democratic and Republican Parties and now hone a firm understanding as to the
Party of my choice (we'll just leave it that). If you'd like to read the poem:

http://www.taylormali.com/index.cfm?webid=21