If you take those moral issues back a step, to the "Christian" roots they supposedly emerge from, you get to basic values that aren't antithetical to what you and I usually say we believe in: *abortion bans trace into respecting and protecting life *non-traditional marriage bans trace into supporting traditional family structures, and trying to create stable environments for children Those values are spouted in the rhetoric, they're integral to how so many of the state amendments were phrased, and they're the basis for a whole lot of pretty vile actions and opinions. Yes "we" are less safe under Bush, we're a minority, and we're being systematically pushed out from politics. Should we let that happen? Should the fervor that brought you and I to war protests, to the polls, and to the various organizations we support, be let to fester because it wasn't enough? I can't hit your concerns about terrorism and war-mongering in the same ways. I know they come out of some real belief in preservation, but I think it's defensive self-preservation that I can't find a reason for. When you think that 50+% of the population voted for Bush, do you automatically assume that they're stupid, evil, or just missing the salient points that you do? That's what this comes down to, for me. I CANNOT bring myself to believe that 50+% of the American population wants to lynch minorities, to institutionalize people who don't conform to their norms, or to oppress all dissent. This is where I'm bring blind and optimistic, sure, but the alternative hurts so badly that it's simply not an option. Really? What's the point of even being in a world so vile?
I wasn't callling on you to do anything right now but take care of yourself. This post was a chance for me to take care of myself -- venting the frustration and anger I'm feeling not only at the election but my liberal compatriots who've simply thrown up their hands. You made a comment, originally, about the timing of my post, which was pretty astute. I can only hope that when I crash in a few weeks, from the strain, shock, and horror of what I've let happen in my country, my friends (not necessarily you, as you've got a full plate) will be ready to rally me.
As for your reality getting left hooks, we can talk about that on the phone, I feel silly trying to talk to you about that here. I missed hearing from you last night. =)
no subject
*abortion bans trace into respecting and protecting life
*non-traditional marriage bans trace into supporting traditional family structures, and trying to create stable environments for children
Those values are spouted in the rhetoric, they're integral to how so many of the state amendments were phrased, and they're the basis for a whole lot of pretty vile actions and opinions.
Yes "we" are less safe under Bush, we're a minority, and we're being systematically pushed out from politics. Should we let that happen? Should the fervor that brought you and I to war protests, to the polls, and to the various organizations we support, be let to fester because it wasn't enough?
I can't hit your concerns about terrorism and war-mongering in the same ways. I know they come out of some real belief in preservation, but I think it's defensive self-preservation that I can't find a reason for.
When you think that 50+% of the population voted for Bush, do you automatically assume that they're stupid, evil, or just missing the salient points that you do? That's what this comes down to, for me. I CANNOT bring myself to believe that 50+% of the American population wants to lynch minorities, to institutionalize people who don't conform to their norms, or to oppress all dissent. This is where I'm bring blind and optimistic, sure, but the alternative hurts so badly that it's simply not an option. Really? What's the point of even being in a world so vile?
I wasn't callling on you to do anything right now but take care of yourself. This post was a chance for me to take care of myself -- venting the frustration and anger I'm feeling not only at the election but my liberal compatriots who've simply thrown up their hands. You made a comment, originally, about the timing of my post, which was pretty astute. I can only hope that when I crash in a few weeks, from the strain, shock, and horror of what I've let happen in my country, my friends (not necessarily you, as you've got a full plate) will be ready to rally me.
As for your reality getting left hooks, we can talk about that on the phone, I feel silly trying to talk to you about that here. I missed hearing from you last night. =)