How awesome that I get to start out my blog in agreement with the White House! Here's a link to the current headline here.
I think that the burning of the Qu'ran, or any religion's holy scripture is disrespectful, close-minded, and immature. The pastor probably thinks that he is sending a strong message about Islam, but in effect he is mostly telling the world what kind of man he is (and it's not a very positive description). If you disagree with Islam, that's fine. But you need to respect what people hold sacred and you need to think beyond yourself. People all over the world, including in America, could be put in harms way if terrorists decided to react to this. Not to mention it hurts our diplomatic efforts for peace. Our soldiers who already put themselves at risk every day for us will be in even more danger.
Instead of burning a book, go out in the world and do some good. Be kind to someone. Donate your time to a good cause. Spend some quality time with your family. Make the world a better place, not a more divisive one. Live up to the best of your religion or value system- inspire others to do the same. Make a real stand; not an attention- getting ploy.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
A Divided Nation
(I posted this first on my family blog, but figured it belonged over here.)
I love politics. I love being educated about issues in our country and trying to find the best solution for the problems that we face. I love our Founding Fathers and I appreciate their sacrifices made on our behalf.
And... I hate politics. I hate how politicians make promises while on the campaign but then get into office and do whatever it takes to stay in office, instead of keeping their word. I hate how every issue seems to break down party lines. Actually I hate the party system. I agree with our first president George Washington when he warned against them saying, "It serves to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration... agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one... against the other... it opens the door to foreign influence and corruption... thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another." (For the full text visit http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/farewell/ ).
My beliefs are not contained within one party, though I'll admit I lean Republican, I wouldn't call myself one. I am conservative. I love the constitution. I love this country. I love my religion and my freedom to practice it. Most of all I feel that I am tolerant (no that does not contradict my religiousness). I understand that what I believe might be different than what others do. I might disagree with something that you do, but I wouldn't dislike you because of it unless it was something that hurt me or my family. I try to keep my discussions respectful and mature. I try to listen to the other side. But even I walk on eggshells, or maybe broken glass, as I try to engage in debate and discussion, since every issue is explosive and often hurtful.
So what is going on in the country today? A line has been drawn and everyone seems to be picking a side (myself included). Why is every issue argued until we hate each other a little more? Why is there no issue that the whole of America can agree on? Ok, that's asking a lot, let me rephrase: why is there no issue that we can discuss, vote on, and live with the outcome even if we lose? There is no finding the best solution- there is only 'MY' solution.
Has it always been this way and I'm just too young to remember, or has it in fact erupted as I have reached adulthood? Is this the new 1969? Or the new 1861? Are we so different that it will take civil war or a complete divide of the country to resolve the issues? Honestly I don't see it getting better. Both sides are entrenched in their ideas, and the rest are too apathetic to care. No one is backing down anytime soon. Looking at the cycles of history, I fear that violence is not far away.
I love politics. I love being educated about issues in our country and trying to find the best solution for the problems that we face. I love our Founding Fathers and I appreciate their sacrifices made on our behalf.
And... I hate politics. I hate how politicians make promises while on the campaign but then get into office and do whatever it takes to stay in office, instead of keeping their word. I hate how every issue seems to break down party lines. Actually I hate the party system. I agree with our first president George Washington when he warned against them saying, "It serves to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration... agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one... against the other... it opens the door to foreign influence and corruption... thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another." (For the full text visit http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/farewell/ ).
My beliefs are not contained within one party, though I'll admit I lean Republican, I wouldn't call myself one. I am conservative. I love the constitution. I love this country. I love my religion and my freedom to practice it. Most of all I feel that I am tolerant (no that does not contradict my religiousness). I understand that what I believe might be different than what others do. I might disagree with something that you do, but I wouldn't dislike you because of it unless it was something that hurt me or my family. I try to keep my discussions respectful and mature. I try to listen to the other side. But even I walk on eggshells, or maybe broken glass, as I try to engage in debate and discussion, since every issue is explosive and often hurtful.
So what is going on in the country today? A line has been drawn and everyone seems to be picking a side (myself included). Why is every issue argued until we hate each other a little more? Why is there no issue that the whole of America can agree on? Ok, that's asking a lot, let me rephrase: why is there no issue that we can discuss, vote on, and live with the outcome even if we lose? There is no finding the best solution- there is only 'MY' solution.
Has it always been this way and I'm just too young to remember, or has it in fact erupted as I have reached adulthood? Is this the new 1969? Or the new 1861? Are we so different that it will take civil war or a complete divide of the country to resolve the issues? Honestly I don't see it getting better. Both sides are entrenched in their ideas, and the rest are too apathetic to care. No one is backing down anytime soon. Looking at the cycles of history, I fear that violence is not far away.
Open and free debate is good- but when antagonism overrules tolerance and no verdict can be reached, doesn't it just become a heated, unresolvable argument?
Welcome Inside My Head
As a mother of three I don't get a lot of self- development time. The time that I do have, often I am too tired, worn out, brain-fried to even think about thinking. My husband started noticing this augment with each child born, and encouraged me to do something for myself- develop a talent, go see something that interested me, stimulate my brain. I've always retorted back, with what money, free time, and brain power, am I suppose to accomplish this with? And honestly, up until now, I don't think I could have. It takes a lot of adjusting to manage a family of 3 little girls (and one daddy), and it has taken me about 6 years to figure it out. But I think now I know what I would like to do with myself.
I can write- I'm not trying to be boastful, but I like to string words together, and I have been told that I do it well. I want develop that talent. (Check 1 for Kaylon's checklist.) I also like to read and study topics that interest me. Topics that interest me right now are politics and religion. (Check 2.) So why not stimulate my brain at least once a week by studying a topic of my choice, writing about it, and declaring my opinion to the world on this blog? This will also educate me for day to day discussions, reduce confusion from conflicting stories from media and competing parties, and serve as a way to get me out of my shell. (Check 3! Oh, Kaylon is going to be so happy with me!)
I need to note that my perceptions are first based on one premise- that God lives. I won't waste my words trying to prove this- if you need logic, I defer to C.S. Lewis and his explanation. For me it is simply a peace withing my soul and repeated evidence of a Higher Hand guiding my life. Not that my life is perfect, just that He has demonstrated time after time that He is there for me. Just know that all my views start there and that one premise will never change.
So here's my blog. My opinions. You don't have to agree with me, but if you choose to respond to any posts, I ask for civility. I promise the same. Maybe we can educate each other.
I can write- I'm not trying to be boastful, but I like to string words together, and I have been told that I do it well. I want develop that talent. (Check 1 for Kaylon's checklist.) I also like to read and study topics that interest me. Topics that interest me right now are politics and religion. (Check 2.) So why not stimulate my brain at least once a week by studying a topic of my choice, writing about it, and declaring my opinion to the world on this blog? This will also educate me for day to day discussions, reduce confusion from conflicting stories from media and competing parties, and serve as a way to get me out of my shell. (Check 3! Oh, Kaylon is going to be so happy with me!)
I need to note that my perceptions are first based on one premise- that God lives. I won't waste my words trying to prove this- if you need logic, I defer to C.S. Lewis and his explanation. For me it is simply a peace withing my soul and repeated evidence of a Higher Hand guiding my life. Not that my life is perfect, just that He has demonstrated time after time that He is there for me. Just know that all my views start there and that one premise will never change.
So here's my blog. My opinions. You don't have to agree with me, but if you choose to respond to any posts, I ask for civility. I promise the same. Maybe we can educate each other.
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