Baffling
First of all, I haven't posted in awhile because my head and heart haven't been in it. But, I are back and I are pissed. Happy too, but the pissed part is dampening the happy part...which is a really gross sentence.
Second of all, and I know I am not even the first millionth blogger to post about the election, I am thrilled with the results. I was crying like a baby. I said in an email with my dad that Mister President-elect Obama is a powerful speaker on the level of a Churchill or a Roosevelt or a Dr. King and that acceptance speech proved that. I was also, surprisingly, proud of the grace McCain showed. It was like 2000 McCain again, who has been sorely missing for the past 8 years, particularly in this election.
I am not a cock-eyed optimist. I never have been. I have always been a worrier and a cynic, but I do have an unrelenting romantic streak...the Anne Shirley usage, not the bodice-ripping (okay, that too, but that is IRONIC I keep telling ya!) usage. That being said, I am filled with hope. I *do* believe the "Yes we can!" mantra. But I think there are some huuuuuuge barriers to overcome first.
Apparently, the fact that it is 2008 has escaped a few folks. I am an unrepentant democratic socialist, and I am a bleeding heart liberal. And I know that isn't as common, or popular as I wish it were. But hey, I live near water, it is just how we are. That being said, it IS 2008, and there are certain things that we, the people, should be way the fuck over by now. Like unrepentant racism and delightful ignorance.
I don't want to rag on people of faith, because I do admire that trait, despite my lack of it, but a lot of this shit seems to come from the Christian right. And being a hate monger is the EXACT opposite of Christianity. And I don't get it. I don't get hypocrisy. I never have. I have said a million times that one of my favorite quotes is one from Dante "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those, who in times of great moral crisis maintain their neutrality." Which means, at least to me, pick a fucking side and fight for it.
HOWEVER, in fighting for your side, you HAVE to be informed, and you have to remember that you are dealing with other people, who deserve the same amount of respect you demand. That means NOT lying, or believing lies, or fear mongering, or hate speech.
I am rambling, and not making much sense...but I am appalled by things I have heard lately. We are all people. And we all deserve respect. We all deserve to be who and whatever we want, as long as we do no harm. And anyone who thinks differently doesn't get to call themselves democratic, or Christian or humanitarians.
I may add more later...but I feel a little better. Thanks.
And, Hail to the Chief.
Second of all, and I know I am not even the first millionth blogger to post about the election, I am thrilled with the results. I was crying like a baby. I said in an email with my dad that Mister President-elect Obama is a powerful speaker on the level of a Churchill or a Roosevelt or a Dr. King and that acceptance speech proved that. I was also, surprisingly, proud of the grace McCain showed. It was like 2000 McCain again, who has been sorely missing for the past 8 years, particularly in this election.
I am not a cock-eyed optimist. I never have been. I have always been a worrier and a cynic, but I do have an unrelenting romantic streak...the Anne Shirley usage, not the bodice-ripping (okay, that too, but that is IRONIC I keep telling ya!) usage. That being said, I am filled with hope. I *do* believe the "Yes we can!" mantra. But I think there are some huuuuuuge barriers to overcome first.
Apparently, the fact that it is 2008 has escaped a few folks. I am an unrepentant democratic socialist, and I am a bleeding heart liberal. And I know that isn't as common, or popular as I wish it were. But hey, I live near water, it is just how we are. That being said, it IS 2008, and there are certain things that we, the people, should be way the fuck over by now. Like unrepentant racism and delightful ignorance.
I don't want to rag on people of faith, because I do admire that trait, despite my lack of it, but a lot of this shit seems to come from the Christian right. And being a hate monger is the EXACT opposite of Christianity. And I don't get it. I don't get hypocrisy. I never have. I have said a million times that one of my favorite quotes is one from Dante "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those, who in times of great moral crisis maintain their neutrality." Which means, at least to me, pick a fucking side and fight for it.
HOWEVER, in fighting for your side, you HAVE to be informed, and you have to remember that you are dealing with other people, who deserve the same amount of respect you demand. That means NOT lying, or believing lies, or fear mongering, or hate speech.
I am rambling, and not making much sense...but I am appalled by things I have heard lately. We are all people. And we all deserve respect. We all deserve to be who and whatever we want, as long as we do no harm. And anyone who thinks differently doesn't get to call themselves democratic, or Christian or humanitarians.
I may add more later...but I feel a little better. Thanks.
And, Hail to the Chief.
posted by shellswick at 6:24 p.m.
2 Comments:
This comment has been removed by the author.
I was delighted at the results too. i mean, the third party blokes did not stand a chance, nor did they really fight the good fight. Personally, I am a raving social libertarian, which basically means I like socialism (as I define it, not as others do) but by choice and not by force. To put it another way, I believe that power comes from strong communities and not by sending all our money and decision making powers to people several states away in the hopes that the favourable side wins every time and does not screw us over with debt or attempts to control our personal choices. In other words, keep your laws off my body and your grubby politician corporate welfare hands out of my pockets. (I'm not one of those closet rebublicans who likes third parties to disrupt elections).
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