I want to be a counter-culture revolutionary

I want to raise my fist in the air and shout "Listen, Mr. Government, we've had enough of this buuul*s&i@!" I trusted you like a Daddy. I trusted you to look after my best interests and the best interests of those who I love so dearly and passionately. But Mr. Government, you went out for milk quite some time ago and I haven't seen or heard from you since. Mom started dating some nasty man with a Texas accent and all he does is sit around drinking and throwing his spent beer cans and pork rind bags at his feet for us to clean up."

I want to be a counter-culture revolutionary! I like the idea of it. I like the clothing. I like the attitude and the verve and the drive associated with it. I want to sneak down a back alley to attend a meeting led by a really cool guy with a foot-high afro who always has one eye on the door. I want to be deemed worthy of an FBI file. It would be nice if a black helicopter were to hover me when I take my kids out in the stroller.

If only I could shake my disease. I am almost always able to see both sides of an issue. I used to be easily swayed, but as of late I take a little more time and think twice before jumping on the latest fashion or bandwagon. I'm pretty darn tolerant, and I have learned not to underestimate the power of positive vs. negative thoughts and reinforcement. Sometimes (very rarely) I'm even logical rather than emotional.

Is it possible to be a counter-culture revolutionary and be an individual at the same time? What happens if I'm hanging out with all my revolutionary buddies and they start bashing a person or tradition? Will they still stand beside me if and when I disagree or ask them to consider this point or that? Will I be thought a traitor to the cause, upended and deposited into a smelly dumpster? Is it possible to be a middle-aged revolutionary, or is single-minded determination a luxury only afforded the young or the childless?