I think this is a natural succession from the Freedom From Fear post. Fear is what limits our freedom of speech. Censorship is nothing more than the fear that people will repeat what they hear or that someone will be offended by what is said. I'm pretty sure the Bill of Rights doesn't grant the freedom of speech as long as it doesn't offend anyone. One of my favorite quotes is from a song Fern's friend wrote. "PMAC (Parents Music Advisory Committee), you are not my parents and never will be." Warning labels on music, videos, TV shows, and video games are really for lazy parents who don't take the time to find these things out for themselves before allowing their children to listen to, play with, or view them. Putting an age limit on the purchase of such material is also wrong. If parents don't know what their kids are buying, that's their problem.
Here's another one of my favorite quotes, this time by someone much more famous. Voltaire said, "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Besides the whole perjury and yelling fire in a crowded room thing, I think people should say anything they choose and must be prepared to be judged by what they say. No one should ever have to apologize for their words if they mean them. In fact, it takes a much bigger person to stand behind a view that is unpopular than it does to apologize for making their true feelings known.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Freedom from Fear
Despite President Roosevelt's carefully written and well-meaning words decades ago, I do not feel free from fear. In fact, I believe my government has become the personification of fear.
As a woman, I am afraid. I am terrified that myself or my child will be raped, become pregnant, and be forced to have the baby when the decision of what to do with our own bodies is finally taken out of our hands. I fear I have few advocates within the government. Women make up a small percentage of all three branches even though we are a little more than 50% of the population. Maybe affirmative action isn't just for schools and businesses anymore. I am afraid that I will not be able to afford the health care that being a women entails - regular visits to a gynecologist, birth control, breast exams, etc... I am afraid that my child will eventually be sent off to fight in a war that has no merit, no benefit, and no hope of being "won".
As an educator, I am afraid. I shudder at the thought that my lessons will have to be scripted to ensure that they are preparing students for standardized testing. I fear that I will be forced to pass students who have not earned a passing grade so that the "success rate" of the school looks good on paper. I already have too many students who come to me in 8th grade not being able to write a coherent sentence, form a decent paragraph, or read anything longer than two pages. I am afraid that I am failing them, that I am not doing enough to fight for them, and that in the end, this will be a less educated nation because I was too scared to stand up for them and therefore, lose my job.
As a citizen, I am afraid. I do not trust that those in government are looking out for the best interests of their non-corporate constituents. I do not believe that my tax money is being spent responsibly. I fear that accountability and transparency in government are things of the past and we are moving toward an era of secrecy and betrayal. I feel that my government is an intruder, not a protector. I am afraid that in 10 years, we will all be speaking Chinese. I am afraid to run for office because I know my privacy will be invaded, those around me will be targets, and every mistake I have ever made will be quietly scrutinized and made public when it suits my opponent.
We are not free from fear. We are a nation of people cowering under our beds, waiting for the White House to crash down around us any minute. We have become used to fear, almost comfortable with it, and do more to ignore it than to rid ourselves of it. Isn't it about time we refuse to be afraid?
As a woman, I am afraid. I am terrified that myself or my child will be raped, become pregnant, and be forced to have the baby when the decision of what to do with our own bodies is finally taken out of our hands. I fear I have few advocates within the government. Women make up a small percentage of all three branches even though we are a little more than 50% of the population. Maybe affirmative action isn't just for schools and businesses anymore. I am afraid that I will not be able to afford the health care that being a women entails - regular visits to a gynecologist, birth control, breast exams, etc... I am afraid that my child will eventually be sent off to fight in a war that has no merit, no benefit, and no hope of being "won".
As an educator, I am afraid. I shudder at the thought that my lessons will have to be scripted to ensure that they are preparing students for standardized testing. I fear that I will be forced to pass students who have not earned a passing grade so that the "success rate" of the school looks good on paper. I already have too many students who come to me in 8th grade not being able to write a coherent sentence, form a decent paragraph, or read anything longer than two pages. I am afraid that I am failing them, that I am not doing enough to fight for them, and that in the end, this will be a less educated nation because I was too scared to stand up for them and therefore, lose my job.
As a citizen, I am afraid. I do not trust that those in government are looking out for the best interests of their non-corporate constituents. I do not believe that my tax money is being spent responsibly. I fear that accountability and transparency in government are things of the past and we are moving toward an era of secrecy and betrayal. I feel that my government is an intruder, not a protector. I am afraid that in 10 years, we will all be speaking Chinese. I am afraid to run for office because I know my privacy will be invaded, those around me will be targets, and every mistake I have ever made will be quietly scrutinized and made public when it suits my opponent.
We are not free from fear. We are a nation of people cowering under our beds, waiting for the White House to crash down around us any minute. We have become used to fear, almost comfortable with it, and do more to ignore it than to rid ourselves of it. Isn't it about time we refuse to be afraid?
Monday, November 14, 2005
Do No Harm: Self
The idea that someone else has the right to decide what we do with or to our bodies is absurd. There is something to be said for the survival of the fittest, and there comes a time when compassion must be balanced with caution. Removing personal responsibility from the person can only be a recipe for a disaster. While there are people who mentally or physically cannot care for themselves, the majority of us should be on our own. That is not to say that help should not be provided to us, but whether to seek or accept that help is our responsibility. For any government to suggest that they have the right to limit our personal choices is arrogant beyond belief. To do so is to say, "we know better than you", when in fact, they don't.
If a person wants to end their life, it is their choice. In some situations, ending one's life is the highest form of honor, in others, it is simply an act of mercy. If a person is experiencing chronic and unrelenting pain, dealing with a chronic or terminal illness, or suffering from a degenerative disease, the option to end their lives without consequence should be available to them. If someone wants to kill themselves simply because life has become too difficult for them, by all means, allow them to do so, after reminding them that their family will not be able to claim their life insurance. It is their life, and by definition, their choice, assuming, of course, that they are of legal age and not suffering from mental illness of some sort.
Chemical substances of any kind should be regulated, clearly labeled, and seriously considered before they are used. Organic substances, however, should be consumed at will. Each of us is responsible for what we knowingly put into our bodies. Why should anyone else get to decide how much I eat, drink, or smoke if I am doing it in the confines of my own home? We should all be held responsible for our own overuse as well. Medical conditions resulting from abuse of any substance should not be covered by the government, nor should the government be responsible for the detoxification or rehabilitation of anyone who overindulged.
If a person wants to end their life, it is their choice. In some situations, ending one's life is the highest form of honor, in others, it is simply an act of mercy. If a person is experiencing chronic and unrelenting pain, dealing with a chronic or terminal illness, or suffering from a degenerative disease, the option to end their lives without consequence should be available to them. If someone wants to kill themselves simply because life has become too difficult for them, by all means, allow them to do so, after reminding them that their family will not be able to claim their life insurance. It is their life, and by definition, their choice, assuming, of course, that they are of legal age and not suffering from mental illness of some sort.
Chemical substances of any kind should be regulated, clearly labeled, and seriously considered before they are used. Organic substances, however, should be consumed at will. Each of us is responsible for what we knowingly put into our bodies. Why should anyone else get to decide how much I eat, drink, or smoke if I am doing it in the confines of my own home? We should all be held responsible for our own overuse as well. Medical conditions resulting from abuse of any substance should not be covered by the government, nor should the government be responsible for the detoxification or rehabilitation of anyone who overindulged.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Seal the Boarders, Declare Amnesty
Lately Georgie has been talking about a "guest worker" program for the illegal immigrants already in the US. This solution does not suggest how we keep people from continuously streaming over the boarders. I personally think that anyone found in the country illegal should be immediately deported, but with sealing the boarders and putting adequate security on patrol, this won't do much to solve the problem. I don't think anyone should be rewarded for getting here and staying here illegally, but I think amnesty needs to be granted for those here already. The cost of deporting all the illegal immigrants is just too high, and removing them from the workforce could be devastating to the economy, though I blame Americans who won't take jobs they think are "beneath them" for that. Since they're here and they are receiving health care, education, and other government services, it's time we had everyone registered so that we at least have an accurate view of the problem. This means that I am for National ID cards, as long as they are used within limits.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Dateline THC
Last Sunday on Dateline NBC Melissa Etheridge discussed her cancer, her recovery, and her marijuana use. Her argument is the same as most people using medical marijuana. She said she could have taken five or more pills a day that barely helped at all, or she could go the natural route, smoke half a joint, and feel better immediately.
I was glad to see this interview on national TV, and I'm thrilled that this debate and the truth about this drug is finally gaining political credibility. Marijuana has been used medically for thousands of years, as evidenced by the link above. It has been used to treat menstrual cramps, stomach pains, and pain in general. Thomas Jefferson grew hemp at Monticello. In fact, it was only made illegal because of the Mexican immigration problem. The government thought it was the cause of socially deviant behavior and making it illegal may stop people from streaming over the boarder. We all know how well that worked.
I was glad to see this interview on national TV, and I'm thrilled that this debate and the truth about this drug is finally gaining political credibility. Marijuana has been used medically for thousands of years, as evidenced by the link above. It has been used to treat menstrual cramps, stomach pains, and pain in general. Thomas Jefferson grew hemp at Monticello. In fact, it was only made illegal because of the Mexican immigration problem. The government thought it was the cause of socially deviant behavior and making it illegal may stop people from streaming over the boarder. We all know how well that worked.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Civic Duty
Something I read the other day stated that the hyper-rich in our country have lost their sense of civil duty. While I agree, I would say that all socio-economic levels in America have seen a decline in a sense of civic pride. The decision to enter military service is sometimes linked to patriotism, but more often than not, young men and women are looking for a way to support their families and get an education. Only 30% of Americans voted in the last Presidential election, and voting is the most important civic duty next to protest, which is rarely seen and seldom heard. Getting people to perform acts of community service is like pulling teeth, unless they're trying to beef up their college transcript or get in good with the Pastor. Most parents won't even volunteer their time at their child's school unless they're coaching some sport. Americans seem to feel so entitled to what our society has given them that they forget to give something back to society. Everyone has something to offer, even if it is only time.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
HUMOR
I know this won't be well recieved, but I thought it was funny. NOTE: This is about Fundamentalist (Evengelical/Born-Again/Charismatic) Christians. It's meant to be a JOKE, but it has some good points.
You know you're a fundamentalist Christian when...
10 - You vigorously deny the existence of thousands of gods claimed by other religions, but feel outraged when someone denies the existence of yours.
9 - You feel insulted and "dehumanized" when scientists say that people evolved from other life forms, but you have no problem with the Biblical claim that we were created from dirt.
8 - You laugh at polytheists, but you have no problem believing in a Triune God.
7 - Your face turns purple when you hear of the "atrocities" attributed to Allah, but you don't even flinch when hearing about how God/Jehovah slaughtered all the babies of Egypt in "Exodus" and ordered the elimination of entire ethnic groups in "Joshua" including women, children, and trees!
6 - You laugh at Hindu beliefs that deify humans, and Greek claims about gods sleeping with women, but you have no problem believing that the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, who then gave birth to a man-god who got killed, came back to life and then ascended into the sky.
5 - You are willing to spend your life looking for little loopholes in the scientifically established age of Earth (few billion years), but you find nothing wrong with believing dates recorded by Bronze Age tribesmen sitting in their tents and guessing that Earth is a few generations old.
4 - You believe that the entire population of this planet with the exception of those who share your beliefs -- though excluding those in all rival sects - will spend Eternity in an infinite Hell of Suffering. And yet consider your religion the most "tolerant" and "loving."
3 - While modern science, history, geology, biology, and physics have failed to convince you otherwise, some idiot rolling around on the floor speaking in "tongues" may be all the evidence you need to "prove" Christianity.
2 - You define 0.01% as a "high success rate" when it comes to answered prayers. You consider that to be evidence that prayer works. And you think that the remaining 99.99% FAILURE was simply the will of God.
1 - You actually know a lot less than many atheists and agnostics do about the Bible, Christianity, and church history - but still call yourself a Christian.
You know you're a fundamentalist Christian when...
10 - You vigorously deny the existence of thousands of gods claimed by other religions, but feel outraged when someone denies the existence of yours.
9 - You feel insulted and "dehumanized" when scientists say that people evolved from other life forms, but you have no problem with the Biblical claim that we were created from dirt.
8 - You laugh at polytheists, but you have no problem believing in a Triune God.
7 - Your face turns purple when you hear of the "atrocities" attributed to Allah, but you don't even flinch when hearing about how God/Jehovah slaughtered all the babies of Egypt in "Exodus" and ordered the elimination of entire ethnic groups in "Joshua" including women, children, and trees!
6 - You laugh at Hindu beliefs that deify humans, and Greek claims about gods sleeping with women, but you have no problem believing that the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, who then gave birth to a man-god who got killed, came back to life and then ascended into the sky.
5 - You are willing to spend your life looking for little loopholes in the scientifically established age of Earth (few billion years), but you find nothing wrong with believing dates recorded by Bronze Age tribesmen sitting in their tents and guessing that Earth is a few generations old.
4 - You believe that the entire population of this planet with the exception of those who share your beliefs -- though excluding those in all rival sects - will spend Eternity in an infinite Hell of Suffering. And yet consider your religion the most "tolerant" and "loving."
3 - While modern science, history, geology, biology, and physics have failed to convince you otherwise, some idiot rolling around on the floor speaking in "tongues" may be all the evidence you need to "prove" Christianity.
2 - You define 0.01% as a "high success rate" when it comes to answered prayers. You consider that to be evidence that prayer works. And you think that the remaining 99.99% FAILURE was simply the will of God.
1 - You actually know a lot less than many atheists and agnostics do about the Bible, Christianity, and church history - but still call yourself a Christian.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Euthanasia
I'm for it. I think it's a pretty simple argument. It's your body and your choice as long as you have the mental capacity to make it. If you're suffering and you chose to end your life, that is your choice. Your family should still have rights to insurance claims as long as your condition was chronic, terminal, painful, degenerative, or mentally debilitating. There are legal ways to handle it, and Oregon has done a pretty good job. If you are old and decide your time is over, your family should be eligible for insurance claims covering funeral costs only. If life is too hard and you decide to end it all, your family gets nothing.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
STOP ADAPTING! (after this post)
Start calling a spade a spade. If someone lies, call them a liar. If they steal, call them a thief. Either way, don't call them a President. Forget shielding people's feelings from the harsh reality of life. We're all adults here. We need to stop softening terms to make them sound nice. If someone is wrong, don't just say you disagree. Tell them they are wrong. Say, "You have the right to believe what you want, but you are WRONG!" Facts are not merely opinions. That's why they call them FACTS. Leading to my next point...
Don't be afraid to let it get ugly. We're not playing a game here. This is the only life you get. Don't you want to live it in the best conditions possible? Then why do you allow these conditions to be compromised by every politician that comes along? This is your country. This is your life. Don't let someone else control such a large portion of it. You're going to have to argue, debate, and maybe even endure some things you're uncomfortable with, but imagine the pay-off. You can't just hope things will get better. You have to make it happen. If not you, then who?
Be aggressive. Pick one issue and stick to it. Talk about other issues if you want, but decide what is most important and defend it. Talk to everyone about it. For some reason Americans have stopped discussing politics. We don't talk about it with friends or family. We discuss it with strangers because there's no risk. We don't have to deal with the consequences of offending anyone. Politics is not religion. You're not trying change someone's entire belief system, you're only trying to educate them on one issue. You are giving them information they didn't have before to illustrate a point. You are not trying to convince them that an invisible man controls the universe. You are not crazy. You are passionately defending FACTS.
Don't get distracted. Now that you've chosen an issue, don't get sucked into arguments about others. Relate them back to your issue because that's what you're most knowledgeable about. If you can't, opt out of the discussion. You're smart, but you don't know everything. You lose credibility when you aren't 100% sure of what you're saying. Trust me, anyone in opposition will attack you, and they'll try to catch you off-guard. If they get off-track, bring them back around. Control the terms of the debate.
Buy carefully. Do your homework and don't buy from companies who support things you disagree with. If you don't like the bovine growth hormone, only eat Ben & Jerry's. If you think Mormons are stupid, don't shop at Albertson's or Acme. If you have a conscience, stay away from Halliburton and diamonds. Trade-in the SUV for a hybrid. Better yet, get a bio-diesel car and invest in vegetable oil. If you can afford it, buy organic. It's better for you.
Run for office. You don't have to be the President of the United States if you can make a difference by being the President of the School Board. Thee are hundreds of local positions just begging for educated people to run for them. You don't need a law degree, though it always helps to study it a little. Make a difference in your community by running for a position in the area of your pet issue. Don't run for Head Dog Catcher if you would be of better use on the School Board, City Council, or Chamber of Commerce.
Tell people what you care about. Get into the practice of checking facts, especially when it comes to politicians and the media. If you find discrepancies, write them down and record the facts. Write a letter to the person who was at fault. Send the letter to local, state, and federal politicians, local newspapers, friends, family members, and anyone else you think should know. Invest in stamps.
Network with friends. Talk to people who are like-minded. You won' regret it. If you haven't heard, we can learn things from each other. That's why discussion and debate is so important. When you talk to someone who is on the same page, you learn new ways to defend your position. Benefit from the experience of others. Organize into a group and build a bigger network.
Be visible. Make T-shirts and do things together in support of your issue. Don't forget to call the media. Sponsor sports teams. Hold fundraisers. Get involved in local campaigns. Recruit small-business owners and publish a list of your issue-friendly services. Support people who support you. Recruit lawyers and hold protests. Recruit teachers and hold seminars. Get people from all walks of life and make sure they're actively involved. No one gets to throw money at the organization and stand idly by. Adopt a do-something-or-get-out-of-my-way attitude and stick to it. Demand that those around you be active participants in their communities.
Don't be afraid to let it get ugly. We're not playing a game here. This is the only life you get. Don't you want to live it in the best conditions possible? Then why do you allow these conditions to be compromised by every politician that comes along? This is your country. This is your life. Don't let someone else control such a large portion of it. You're going to have to argue, debate, and maybe even endure some things you're uncomfortable with, but imagine the pay-off. You can't just hope things will get better. You have to make it happen. If not you, then who?
Be aggressive. Pick one issue and stick to it. Talk about other issues if you want, but decide what is most important and defend it. Talk to everyone about it. For some reason Americans have stopped discussing politics. We don't talk about it with friends or family. We discuss it with strangers because there's no risk. We don't have to deal with the consequences of offending anyone. Politics is not religion. You're not trying change someone's entire belief system, you're only trying to educate them on one issue. You are giving them information they didn't have before to illustrate a point. You are not trying to convince them that an invisible man controls the universe. You are not crazy. You are passionately defending FACTS.
Don't get distracted. Now that you've chosen an issue, don't get sucked into arguments about others. Relate them back to your issue because that's what you're most knowledgeable about. If you can't, opt out of the discussion. You're smart, but you don't know everything. You lose credibility when you aren't 100% sure of what you're saying. Trust me, anyone in opposition will attack you, and they'll try to catch you off-guard. If they get off-track, bring them back around. Control the terms of the debate.
Buy carefully. Do your homework and don't buy from companies who support things you disagree with. If you don't like the bovine growth hormone, only eat Ben & Jerry's. If you think Mormons are stupid, don't shop at Albertson's or Acme. If you have a conscience, stay away from Halliburton and diamonds. Trade-in the SUV for a hybrid. Better yet, get a bio-diesel car and invest in vegetable oil. If you can afford it, buy organic. It's better for you.
Run for office. You don't have to be the President of the United States if you can make a difference by being the President of the School Board. Thee are hundreds of local positions just begging for educated people to run for them. You don't need a law degree, though it always helps to study it a little. Make a difference in your community by running for a position in the area of your pet issue. Don't run for Head Dog Catcher if you would be of better use on the School Board, City Council, or Chamber of Commerce.
Tell people what you care about. Get into the practice of checking facts, especially when it comes to politicians and the media. If you find discrepancies, write them down and record the facts. Write a letter to the person who was at fault. Send the letter to local, state, and federal politicians, local newspapers, friends, family members, and anyone else you think should know. Invest in stamps.
Network with friends. Talk to people who are like-minded. You won' regret it. If you haven't heard, we can learn things from each other. That's why discussion and debate is so important. When you talk to someone who is on the same page, you learn new ways to defend your position. Benefit from the experience of others. Organize into a group and build a bigger network.
Be visible. Make T-shirts and do things together in support of your issue. Don't forget to call the media. Sponsor sports teams. Hold fundraisers. Get involved in local campaigns. Recruit small-business owners and publish a list of your issue-friendly services. Support people who support you. Recruit lawyers and hold protests. Recruit teachers and hold seminars. Get people from all walks of life and make sure they're actively involved. No one gets to throw money at the organization and stand idly by. Adopt a do-something-or-get-out-of-my-way attitude and stick to it. Demand that those around you be active participants in their communities.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Same-Sex America
We watched a heart-wrenching documentary last night about same-sex couples and their fight for civil liberties in Massachusetts. I was impressed with the filmmaker and how well he illustrated the inequalities between same-sex and heterosexual couples. What really got to us was that if a same sex couple wants to adopt a child, both names cannot be on the adoption certificate. This means that if the adopting parent dies, that child will be put in foster care rather than remain in the care of the living parent. Also, same-sex couples are not eligible for any of the benefits afforded to heterosexual couples. This indicates a clear bias against same-sex couples, and a definite violation of their civil liberties. There is no way around it, and nothing is going to convince me otherwise. As for the infidelity argument, one of the couples begging for their right to get married were together for 49 years. The others featured in the documentary had all been together for 10 years or more. It broke my heart to watch my fellow Americans fighting so hard for rights that many of us take for granted, and failing again and again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
