Showing posts with label soap box. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soap box. Show all posts
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Anger
The reason I eventually tune out of the day-to-day election scene is because I choose to avoid all the anger that flies around. I remember being at a Mom's night after the last election, and having to listen to a woman red-faced over the "f***ing Republicans."
And let's not forget these folks.
The blog-o-sphere is full of it right now. Including at my sister's blog. Boy am I tired of the old "Republicans are stupid" line. That does nothing to help us all dialogue and move forward. But it's still kinda painful to sit with a whole bunch of family and have them talk about the republican "uneducated" vote. I could be wrong--but I think there are some smart cookies out there who are republican--people who have thought carefully about issues like the economy, environment, life, and security. People who really care about the country and want the best for it, and all it's citizens. And I know there are democrats who fit the same bill. What I get angry about is everyone trying to shut each other up by name calling. It's like we are just sticking our fingers in our ears and saying "LALALALA. . .I can't hear you!"
As a republican woman I was really excited with Hillary's campaign, and sad when she lost. I don't get the liberal-woman attack on Palin. It is true that she has more experience than Obama.. .but for the record--I did think it was funny when she said "He's the man we need to leave." in the debate. And she was too Maverick-y.
I really can see the appeal of Obama. Twelve years ago I would have been right there! But when I started to learn more about abortion and how bad it is for women and children, and a bit more about economics, and especially when I saw what's happening in ultra liberal/socialist Canada, I left the democrats for the republicans via the Greens. When you go far enough to the left you find yourself on the right.
But maybe Sarah does prove that the feminist movement was just to give ugly women a platform. . .just kidding! (sort of)
Anyway--I've watched the debates and I don't see a lot of huge differences. Politicians doing what they have to to get elected. At the end of the day I'm voting for the party that most closely matches my top priorities. That's what we all do.
And I'm not going to hate you for it neither!
And let's not forget these folks.
The blog-o-sphere is full of it right now. Including at my sister's blog. Boy am I tired of the old "Republicans are stupid" line. That does nothing to help us all dialogue and move forward. But it's still kinda painful to sit with a whole bunch of family and have them talk about the republican "uneducated" vote. I could be wrong--but I think there are some smart cookies out there who are republican--people who have thought carefully about issues like the economy, environment, life, and security. People who really care about the country and want the best for it, and all it's citizens. And I know there are democrats who fit the same bill. What I get angry about is everyone trying to shut each other up by name calling. It's like we are just sticking our fingers in our ears and saying "LALALALA. . .I can't hear you!"
As a republican woman I was really excited with Hillary's campaign, and sad when she lost. I don't get the liberal-woman attack on Palin. It is true that she has more experience than Obama.. .but for the record--I did think it was funny when she said "He's the man we need to leave." in the debate. And she was too Maverick-y.
I really can see the appeal of Obama. Twelve years ago I would have been right there! But when I started to learn more about abortion and how bad it is for women and children, and a bit more about economics, and especially when I saw what's happening in ultra liberal/socialist Canada, I left the democrats for the republicans via the Greens. When you go far enough to the left you find yourself on the right.
But maybe Sarah does prove that the feminist movement was just to give ugly women a platform. . .just kidding! (sort of)
Anyway--I've watched the debates and I don't see a lot of huge differences. Politicians doing what they have to to get elected. At the end of the day I'm voting for the party that most closely matches my top priorities. That's what we all do.
And I'm not going to hate you for it neither!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Counting Blessings
So--sometimes God takes something away so you can REALLY NOTICE what a blessing it is and REALLY APPRECIATE IT when it returns. Like, say, income. Yup--regular income sure is a nice thing. It will be really great to have it again sometime soon!
I'm keeping a sense of humour about this because the winter projects will be coming into the boatyards soon, and John will be landing one of those jobs. And we don't pay rent, and we are all healthy etc etc. Life is good in many ways. But I'll tell ya--not a penny of John's future paychecks will be squandered! What a blessing work will be!
The culture shock of returning to Maine has hit us in the past few weeks. Grass is always greener syndrome; I miss all the large generous Catholic families in Oregon (only small miserly families here in Maine don'tchknow). And Thaddeus insists on crying to return to Oregon, and talks about his "girl" Anne ALL THE TIME.
One fun thing is that the kids and I volunteered at the republican headquarters for our County on Monday. You'd be surprised at who is republican. That old actor with long hair? Republican. The really cute 22 year old with the superman T-shirt. Totally pro-life republican! I had a great time and felt that it was a good civics lesson for the children.
Some family members have been asking me "why McCain Palin?" (they're asking because I got sick of the anti-Republican stuff I was being sent in group emails so I sent out an email revealing myself as a member of the other side. . )
I can stretch myself to think of some thoughtful answers. I've listened to enough radio to pull together an intelligent response. . .but really the bottom line for me is the sanctity of life. I really want to hold our country to the high standards of respecting life from conception till natural death. I don't think that killing an innocent life is a choice that should be legal. We have lots of choices before conception. This country has enough money, and childless couples to care for every baby. It kills me that Downs babies, black babies, and girl babies are all at high risk for being aborted. The inherent eugenic, racist, sexist stance makes me shudder.
But maybe I'll just say I like her glasses...
I'm keeping a sense of humour about this because the winter projects will be coming into the boatyards soon, and John will be landing one of those jobs. And we don't pay rent, and we are all healthy etc etc. Life is good in many ways. But I'll tell ya--not a penny of John's future paychecks will be squandered! What a blessing work will be!
The culture shock of returning to Maine has hit us in the past few weeks. Grass is always greener syndrome; I miss all the large generous Catholic families in Oregon (only small miserly families here in Maine don'tchknow). And Thaddeus insists on crying to return to Oregon, and talks about his "girl" Anne ALL THE TIME.
One fun thing is that the kids and I volunteered at the republican headquarters for our County on Monday. You'd be surprised at who is republican. That old actor with long hair? Republican. The really cute 22 year old with the superman T-shirt. Totally pro-life republican! I had a great time and felt that it was a good civics lesson for the children.
Some family members have been asking me "why McCain Palin?" (they're asking because I got sick of the anti-Republican stuff I was being sent in group emails so I sent out an email revealing myself as a member of the other side. . )
I can stretch myself to think of some thoughtful answers. I've listened to enough radio to pull together an intelligent response. . .but really the bottom line for me is the sanctity of life. I really want to hold our country to the high standards of respecting life from conception till natural death. I don't think that killing an innocent life is a choice that should be legal. We have lots of choices before conception. This country has enough money, and childless couples to care for every baby. It kills me that Downs babies, black babies, and girl babies are all at high risk for being aborted. The inherent eugenic, racist, sexist stance makes me shudder.
But maybe I'll just say I like her glasses...
Friday, May 23, 2008
That Pesky Shifting Morality
When a State Attorney General demands an abortion clinic's records to investigate the possibility of under aged girls being victims of sexual abuse, Planned Parenthood shouts FOUL. But after a crank call against a religious sect every child is taken from their homes because of the possibility of married under aged girls. How does this jive with the teen pregnancy rate in our country? How does this line up with teen girls of the same age being able to have abortions without their parents knowledge? I don't get it.
The country is moving toward recognition of several variations of "marriage", but polygamy is not one of them, apparently. If gay marriage is OK, why is polygamy (I'm assuming between adults) still illegal?
"Get your religion out of my Laws" a bumper sticker says. But why is it that we still hold to some morals but not others.
Like horse meat?!
I'm not a horse meat eater myself. But in Europe they eat it. How come American companies can be shut down because horse eating is not acceptable in the US? Don't get me wrong. I think it's fine to debate and discuss this issue. It's fine to disagree.
But why are my morals (pro-life, pro-marriage and family) considered intolerant, while the left-wing morals are accepted at the same time as they are intolerant of any opposing views (like anyone who questions an abortion clinics practices has an anti-abortion agenda) ?
Why is it OK for teens to have sex and abortions, but not for them to marry and have babies? Is this intolerance? Is intolerance OK in some situations? Am I being judgemental by saying abortion is wrong, and hurts women and children? Are we being judgemental by saying 15 year old girls should not be married? Isn't it important for us to be able to judge? I'm not being snide here--these are real questions for me. As a society we must judge, we must not tolerate that which is reprehensible. We must be able to address the issues without degrading into name-calling.
Democrats are not scary baby-killers.
Republicans are not ignorant religious-nuts.
We are Americans trying to form our country. Morality is part of the mix.
The country is moving toward recognition of several variations of "marriage", but polygamy is not one of them, apparently. If gay marriage is OK, why is polygamy (I'm assuming between adults) still illegal?
"Get your religion out of my Laws" a bumper sticker says. But why is it that we still hold to some morals but not others.
Like horse meat?!
I'm not a horse meat eater myself. But in Europe they eat it. How come American companies can be shut down because horse eating is not acceptable in the US? Don't get me wrong. I think it's fine to debate and discuss this issue. It's fine to disagree.
But why are my morals (pro-life, pro-marriage and family) considered intolerant, while the left-wing morals are accepted at the same time as they are intolerant of any opposing views (like anyone who questions an abortion clinics practices has an anti-abortion agenda) ?
Why is it OK for teens to have sex and abortions, but not for them to marry and have babies? Is this intolerance? Is intolerance OK in some situations? Am I being judgemental by saying abortion is wrong, and hurts women and children? Are we being judgemental by saying 15 year old girls should not be married? Isn't it important for us to be able to judge? I'm not being snide here--these are real questions for me. As a society we must judge, we must not tolerate that which is reprehensible. We must be able to address the issues without degrading into name-calling.
Democrats are not scary baby-killers.
Republicans are not ignorant religious-nuts.
We are Americans trying to form our country. Morality is part of the mix.
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