This is my Blog- my occasional rant and rave about whatever happens in the news, in my life, or just stuff I make up. Doesn't matter as it is all therapy to me. I'm not making you read, so your free will is working. You can continue, or use the little button in the upper left to back away. Your choice.
My favorite bumper sticker today:
"Bush: why change horsemen in the middle of the Apocalypse"
If you bother to check me out, you'll find my list of credentials. I'm proud of me. While not overly proud, I'm still proud. I like to feel I've accomplished something in my life, and that I'm leaving a memory for my kids that good works, involvement, social activity, and enjoying life is not such a bad thing.
As a Democrat, Union President, and do-gooder, I have to question some recent comments in the news.
We are not pagan, Anti-Christian, abortionist, tree-hugging, gun hating, bleeding heart liberals.
Anymore then the other party is a bunch of greedy, self-centered, country club exclusionist, with a tendancy to offshore jobs, destroy the earth, and...and...well, okay, maybe they are.
I've tried to listen to talk radio. I tried to have some honest dialogue with most of my Republican friend (PFLARE= parents & friends of Liberals and Republicans and Enviromentalist), I've even tried to attend one of their meetings (the sheet was too long).
Heck, I've even read Ann Coulter's Blog... I especially liked the one where she chastised Molly Ivins for writing about foreign policy, hinting since she was a columnist, she wouldn't know about such things...guess that explains Ann's extensive research for her book about Clinton and Monica... dust off those knees, Ann... we know what Monica did... Ann? Ann? It's not polite to talk with your mouth full...
I guess what I'm trying to say, is it seems that honest debate, exchanging ideas, being able to offer more than just scathing remarks and putdowns, has gone by the wayside. I listened to some talking head the other night, upset about the mudslinging in the campaign, and he proceeded to sling even more mud before he was through.
I listened to the debates about Bush and the Guard, and have to wonder, where was I when Vietnam was going on? Oh, high school..no wonder I didn't go. It ended about the same time I graduated. But I might have gone into the Guard, but I didn't qualify (my folks didn't have money).
I listened as they (yes, those they's) attacked Kerry regarding his actions after Vietnam... and have to think, he earned that right. Somehow being shot at, and returning fire, gives you an edge on protesting against that war.
I just read the bio on Max Cleland. Lost both legs and an arm in Vietnam... his detractors are pissed because it wasn't combat related. He went to pick up a grenade that he thought he dropped, but it wasn't, it was live and tore him to shreds. funny, a live grenade sure seems like combat to me.
The commercial that was used against him compared him to Osama...that was pretty down and dirty even for politics... and a few years later when a commercial morphed Bush into a Nazi uniform, I have to agree, that was quite over the top. I don't blame the Nazi's for filing a defamation suit, claiming a disgrace to the uniform (just kidding, you bunch of hatemongers out there!)
As in most elections, I could just easily follow the Party lines. I actually don't. I try my best to be informed, not just by reading the papers, or listening to talk radio, or watching Fox. I actually try to be diverse. I read some online world news, trying to find out what other countries are saying about us. I read speeches, and political writers, and I do some research into the candidates. I gather as much information as possible, winnow out the chafe, and then I add up the columns of pros and cons, make my decision, then vote according to party lines.
Truthfully, I think it has to do with genetics, socioeconomic background, childhood heros, and just basically who we are. Some folks follow a Hot Button. Gun Control, Gay Rights, Social Programs, etc. and they jump on the bandwagon and go.
I do weigh the pros and cons. I will come out of the closet and admit I have some Republican leanings... I like money and guns. I do stand for morality, just that I don't believe I should make my neighbor adhere to my moral stance just because I think I'm right... don't think Jesus and the 12 did it that way.
speaking of.... why do liberals get such bad press from the Moral Police (ie: moral minority/majority, whatever) when they are actually following the examples of Christ?
He went out, spoke out against the leadership of the day, chastised the Religious Right for their preverting the language of the church, socialized with the scum (ie: prostitues, IRS agents, etc)
promoted social action that would take care of children, widows, and others in need. Refused to go to war when attacked, and taught that Love was the most important thing.
Our good Majority (who counted?) preaches a slightly different doctrine. On the religion page, I found those religious whatevers promoting War (pro-Bush due to his Iraq stance), removing funding for poor children, veterans, widows, and promoting greed (moneychanging?) by allowing the jobs that would stop things like welfare to be offshored. Gay-bashing, feminazi (thanks Rush) liberal hating, and extolling the virtues of the Crusades was thrown in there. Makes me want to join the choir, oh boy!
Well, I feel better. How 'bout you?
Tune in next time when we discuss Unions: saviors or demons.
