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?
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38 comments:
Well, I'm a mutant. I'm a female who is completely anti-abortion and no, I'm not Catholic.
I DO believe that women should be able to kill their babies if it's a question of the mother's life being in jeopardy, but otherwise I think this is a very unsound policy based on an extremely shaky convuluted argument mistakenly misinterpreting the constitution in order to enact something that was popular among some constituents.
You see, because abortion has become standard over the last 30 years, people accept it as normal. The debate about when a zygote becomes a baby is ignored, and I think it's a huge mistake.
I don't think a woman should be given the option to kill her baby if she gets pregnant, no matter what the circumstances. Is it the baby's fault that it's mom was raped? Is it the baby's fault that incest was involved? Certainly not. Talk about the sins of the father being visited unto the children!
However, abortion will never be outlawed. Studies show that the crime rate has dropped since abortion was enacted, so Republicans won't want to reverse that and add more people to the welfare roles. And Democrats know where their bread is buttered, too.
So, have no fear, Polanco. Future generations of women will be able to execute their children with ease.
OK, everyone, start throwing stones at me...
You're right, TC.
No stones coming from here either, Saur.
I understand that, but thanks for the clarification. We will probably never agree on this issue. I think that there are a lot of factors a woman needs to consider before having sex and before having a child. I also feel that the option needs to be made available. Alito has said that he has no problem overturning precedents, and I still don't trust Roberts, so I don't agree that Roe won't be overturned. Anything is possible.
By the way, ladies, though I respect your opinion, I don't understand it. I think that's while we'll never agree. No matter how much I read on both sides and no matter how many times your position is explained to me, I just don't understand why any woman would take it.
The idea that there are issues on which people come from such different sides that no compromise can be reached facsinates me. I wonder if our brains are just wired differently so that we literally can't see it from the other person's point of view. It can be pure stubborness. How does this kind of thing happen?
Polanco, that's a very interesting question. I actually used to be more pro-abortion than I was. But in our case, the main difference is that I believe in a god and you don't. I also believe we have souls.
That means, I believe that there is someone I ultimately will have to answer to someday, and I don't want to make the wrong decision now that will haunt me later (I've made plenty as it is!)
That also means that I have some responsibility to prevent what I see as a murder as well. It doesn't mean that I think every woman should be forced to keep a baby, but it does mean that I believe a murder should be prevented, just as I would prevent a murder that was happening on my sidewalk if I could.
Urk. I mean that I actually used to be more pro abortion than I AM now.
BTW, I should have added that I am in agreement with you about the rest of your concerns.
Just because someone thinks abortion is murder, doesn't mean it is. That's an opinion. I'm sure one could present "scientific" evidence to support your claim--probably just as much as I could present to refute it. Whether or not one agrees with the morality of abortion, it is an individual choice. I don't agree with everything everyone says, but I don't deny their right to speak. The same goes for abortion. A law concerning an individual's right to choose should not be based on the opinion of the powers that be, it's a personal matter and right of each individual woman. (As pointed out previously, this is meant as a general statement, not personally directed)
I truly don't believe that there will ever be agreement between those who favor legalized abortion and those who are opposed. Polanco's comment that you don't
understand the point of view of women who oppose legalized abortion is typical, and it goes both ways. The two paradigms are in such opposition that I really fear that, if any issue can truly divide the American population abortion is probably it, more than the war, welfare, gay marriage, or anything else.
Let me tell you, you are not the only one afraid aout the availability of health care. When your deductables are so high and your budget so tight that you can't afford to get those "routine" tests the doc wnats you to get, yo know you are one major medical problem from living on the street.
Hmm, where to start?
Abortion. I dont like abortion much, but then I dont like war, or the death penalty either. But I can see how there can be a need for all of them sometimes. Abortion is used entirely too casually these days, but that's not something you can easily legislate away, except by getting rid of it altogether. More Sex Education, less sex in the Media, and a stronger emphesis on social morality (which does not require religion, would go far to lessen the abortion rate, but it would require a lot more effort than a mere ban.
As for abortion "never being outlawed", I have to heartily disagree. Any candidate chosen by BushCo has been vetted for his anti-abortion stance before his name even reaches Dubya's desk. And our current crop of Republican Leadership has shown that they are more than willing to destroy the country in order to reshape it in their image.
Fear: I have never liked this administration, or most Republicans since Reagan, for this very reason. Bill Clinton was all about Possibilities. George Bush is all about Prohibition. No gay marriage, no programs for the poor, no child left behind (HA!), no transparency of government, no bidding, etc... They want you think like they do or you're not a member of the America Club, you're some sort of Outsider, and no one wants to be an outsider (not really).
The problem with using fear is that eventually, it becomes a background noise, and then people look around and notice what's been going on under the cover of that fear. Like now.
If you want a comforting thought, remember that in really successful) American Mythology, the hero is always an ordinary person who finds himself in a battle against evil. Knowing there is no one else to do it, he (or she) then hitches up his pants, gets a determined look on their face, swallows their fear, and goes to battle.
Remember the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania on 9/11 and you'll know what I mean.
I think the Republicans who've been leading us using fear as their cattle prod may find out soon also.
sorry, got carried away.
"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 am much older than you. Government was never transparent in my life time.
I agree with Saur on the abortion issue. I am a female who attends no church. I remember when the movement was pushing for abortions to be legal. I too, while still questioning, followed like a sheep spouting the reteroic doing very little soul searching. Not now. I guess I grew up. I can tell you with certitude, abortion rates were small compared to now. Most abortions being performed today were performed as a form of birth control. Horrible. This apparent disengagement with the high value of life is nauseating. Why do we have so many Americans questioning actions like the 18 year who murdered the parents of his 14 year old girlfriend? "Oh, dear God, how could this happen?" It happened because, this kid did not see them as human and placed no value on their lives.
I don't expect to convince you to move to my position. This is just my thoughts on the subject.
Newsacopia - The men and women that die in Iraq are murdered, but abortion is not murder?
Jennifer Pride,
Just because someone thinks abortion is murder, doesn't mean it is
And just because someone thinks abortion isn't murder, doesn't mean it isn't.
Actually, there are additional studies that have been made throughout the years that point toward a 'fetus' being a viable living baby than were available 20-30 years ago.
Those studies are quashed as quickly as the pro-abortionists can quash them (yes, I mean to use the word quash).
Anonymous,
Again, I would like to express my displeasure at having anonymous comments left here. Please take a name. It eliminates confusion and increases the chances that your questions will be answered.
Abortion before a certain month is not murder, in my opinion. I know there are others who disagree. Like I stated above, we will never be in agreement on this, and I do a lot of research. We're not trying to get each other to switch sides here.
This war IS murder. Our soldiers deserve better. Bush lied and killed thousands of people in Iraq and from our country. All Clinton did was get a blow job.
Dave,
I don't agree with the death penalty either. See my post Do No Harm: Crime in October. Also, I don't agree wit abortion in all forms or at all times. There are, of course limits to everything. My quote of the week: Practice compassion and exercise caution. I get your point about fear. Are you saying I should run?
Kathleen,
I guess I should have said that accountability and trancparency are HOPES of the past as I see no hope for them in the future.
I don't necessarily think that abortion is a religious issue. I understand that soem non-religious people are in disagreement with me.
I was not trying to get you to agree with anyone on this subject. I did not even make an arguement to persuade you to change your mind. I wanted to know why "Newsacopia - The men and women that die in Iraq are murdered, but abortion is not murder?" Now I want to know why it was ok for Clinon, a married man and president of the United States to get a blow job?
I'd like to add to Just Asking's last question - in the Oval Office?
Speaking as a former soldier who spent time in both Iraq and Afghanistan I will have to disagree about the whole "this war is murder" thing.
It is unpleasent, (an understatement I know, parts of it have been exceptionaly poorly planned and executed, but overall I still think it was fight that needed to be fought. And the result of it is still very much up in the air because the War is far from over.
It was not OUR place to fight it in Iraq. I think you're wrong, and I think you believe what you need to so that you can sleep at night.
You said, "I think you believe what you need to so that you can sleep at night."
Exmi did not bash you for your opinion. I don't think you can discredit his opinion by your statement above. I definately don't think you are qualified to make that determination.
Just Asking,
On Clinton - not okay, but not an impeachable offence, either.
On Abortion - I was clarifying for everyone, not just you, but sorry if my response sounded belligerant. Abortion is not murder before a certain month.
What month is that, and what makes that month the cut-off point?
3rd. Before that point it is of human, but not a human.
What is the criteria that makes it human at that point?
I have no trouble sleeping at night. And it was/is our fight. In many ways Saddam Hussein was a mess we helped create and someone had to clean it up. We are the best qualified to do it. Add to that the fact that he was a vastly destabilizing force in a very important area of the world and that makes it even more so.
We stepped in and took over a government. We invaded another nation. For oil. And lies. We have crated serious messes in South America, but no one's invading Colombia. Why? No oil. No resources. Nothing we can exploit. This is an unjust and illegal action on the part of our country, and anyone who participates in it is guilty of war crimes.
I see you were responding to Exmi earlier when I posted, so I just want to be sure you don't miss my question:
(3rd month - "Before that point it is of human, but not a human.")
What is the criteria that makes it human at that point?
Honestly, I don't want to get into this debate here. It doesn't lead anywhere and it just pisses everyone off. I would be happy to provide articles, links, etc... if you're interested, but this is a stalemate discussion. I've written about this in past posts and don't really have the desire to get into it again.
I don't want you to feel like I'm blowing you off or avoiding your question, but this one issue was not the main issue of the post, and I'd much rather stick to the theme. I've been trying, with great difficulty, to explain that though I respect other's opinion on the topic, I will never agree, I have done a lot of research, and discussing it further only leads to frustration for all involved.
Sorry, I've read articles on both sides, but what I really wanted to know how is YOU draw the conclusion that "it" is human at 3 months, but not before.
I'm not surprised you don't want to discuss it. In spite of the fact that you brought this up in your original post, I've noticed that when the questions get tough you won't defend your position. In past posts, you've made the same comments regarding not wanting to "get into it."
I'd be happy to read the articles and links you can provide, but I suppose if you will once again refuse to discuss them, it will not matter anyway.
Check again on Colombia. The difference there is that the government is on our side. We are very active militarily there.
As for why we invaded, oil had alot to do with it. (and with everything else that goes on in southwest asia.) As for the "lies", well, that is a matter of perception,we have argued that point in the past and it would be pointless to resurect it.
AQ - It is good to be always questioning. But when the blog owner says enough then it is time to stop. YOu make good points but you must respect her territory or you become a troll.
Point taken, Exmi. But I still stand by my final comments.
I've actually defended my thoughts on this in several other posts, which is why I feel no need to rehash the discussion here. What else have I said I didn't want to get into? I'm pretty clear on my thoughts and opinions, and only discontinue an argument when I feel we're continually going around in circles. The only questions I've refused to answer are of a personal nature and none of anyone's business. I think that we can give links and articles and information to each other as much as we want, but our opinions on the subject aren;t going to change.
I wrote about a lot of things in this post and wanted it to be a dicussion on fear, not on abortion.
In Colombia - the government actually isn't on our side, they are cooperating with us for the moment. I think they'll stop cooperating when their economy is more viable, the only reason it isn't so far is because its been destroyed by the US. We are not very active there. One of the major questions people ask when discussing the FARC is, "Where are the Americans?" We're only there to burn the coca fields.
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.
Already being done. People are graduating high school functionally illiterate all the time.
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.
And that is why I hate those jackasses that say "if you have nothing to hide..."
Don't ever give up hope though. All is never lost.
Don't worry, I'm not giving up. I'm trying to find a way to change the vetting process, though.
On the abortion issue: this is a good site to at least get a discussion started because it outlines the terms we use and gets us all on the same page before starting a debate.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/abo_over.htm
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