Fairytales and Margaritas

Of this we can all agree

Ok, one last political post.

No matter who you voted for, can we agree that Obama has done a great thing by getting the youth and the minorities in this country energized and excited?  The youth are our future and lately it’s seemed like many don’t really care about the issues.  But, this year?  They showed up in record numbers to cast their votes.  To have a say.  And it counted, it really counted.  They are now empowered.  They know that they CAN be anything and do anything. 

And minorities.  I’ve got to tell you I grew up in New York.  I lived in the ghetto.  It’s not imaginary this feeling that minorities have.  It’s real.  Very real.  Minorities are still treated badly.  They are still not given good jobs.  They are still not paid the same wages as whites.  To have minorities realize that the country can believe in and elect a Black man is huge!  Huge I tell you!  And I’m a White woman saying this.  But, I know it’s true.  I know that the country overwhelmingly voting for a Black man for President has inspired and excited minorities everywhere.

And, if that’s the only thing that Obama accomplishes, I’d say he’s a hell of a leader.  Sure, I hope the economy gets fixed and education and healthcare and the war and all those other issues get turned around.  But, at this moment, this moment right now, I’m excited and hopeful for what he’s already done. 

I got goosebumps when it was announced.  I shed tears during his speech.  I teared up again today when I heard someone recount what it was like last night in Grant Park.  Admittedly, Obama wasn’t my ideal candidate (although I voted for him), but today I am proud of him and I’m ready to fully and completely support him.  I honestly in my heart believe he is a really great man and that he will do wonderful things for our country.  He lead a clean campaign, he kept his cool under pressure and he touched people.  He convinced young and old, black and white, religious and non-religious, Republicans and Democrats to vote for him.  That is huge.  And it is a sign that we CAN all work together.  I hope everyone takes that to heart.

Today, I just live in the moment.  And realize that I’ve witnessed something that some thought wouldn’t happen in my lifetime.  And the magnitude of that is hard to realize.  Today is a good day for American and this world.  And I am proud to be an American.

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Although I have to say I'm a disappointed in California, Arizona and Florida that voted to add amendments defining marriage to their constitutions.  Very disappointed.  But, I have hope that some day Gays will have equal rights just like the rest of us do.  I have hope.

Tomorrow's the Big Day!

Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.

I seriously have knots in my stomach thinking of the outcome after tomorrow.   A lot of really important things are going to be decided tomorrow. 

No matter what happens, I’m energized and excited.  Can you believe the lines to vote?  This means that people are actually getting out there.  That people believe their vote counts.  They really, truly believe it.

Unlike in the past, this year people have hope.  And they are willing to wait hours and hours to have their voice heard.  That’s huge! 

For me, this is the first time I’ve actually done my own research on the issues and policies and really thought about who I was going to vote for.  In the past I’ve always just voted the party line.  The party that I registered as when I was 18.  The party that my dad belonged to.  Not this year.  This year I wrote down the issues, wrote down where I stood on each issue and then matched up the candidates. Unfortunately, one candidate didn’t match all of my beliefs.  (Imagine that!)  But, I made my choice based on the majority of my beliefs and what I thought in my heart was the right choice.  I chose who I thought would be the best for the country as a whole- not just my own family.

No matter the outcome, I’m probably going to have a few tears.  Whether it’s because history is made and I feel that the country will be moving in a forward direction or because I’m sad and hoping and praying that McCain manages to live for four more years, we won’t know until we get the results.  But, I’m hoping no matter who wins that the country comes together and backs that person up.  And I’m hoping that radicals (on either side) don’t do crazy and/or dangerous things.  I’m terribly worried that Obama will be assassinated before he even takes office if he wins.  Unfortunately, there are still racist pigs in this world and I wouldn’t put it past them.

I’m keeping a close eye on all the propositions about marriage too.  I’ll be heartbroken if Prop 8 in

California passes.  Truly heartbroken.  And I’d be upset if 102 in Arizonapasses too.

Only time will tell, but I’m excited about the future.  (And I can’t wait for all the dirty campaigning to stop!)

And seriously, if McCain wins he better live to fill out his term.  Seriously!

My Rant- Another Political Post (Prop 8)

Ok, let me preface by saying this will be more of a rant that an educated political post.  Let me also say that I don't live in California.  And I'm not gay. 

I will also admit that I'm not even sure why I'm so passionate about this.  I have no gay family members, no close friends that are gay.  But, this is something that I'm totally passionate about.  And that I know 100% where I stand.  Maybe that's why I'm so passionate about it.  Other issues like healthcare, immigration, education, etc. I don't always know where I stand.  There are a lot of different solutions and I'm not sure which will work and which won't.  But, as far as gay marriage, to me, there's only one solution- allow it, period.

Some say it's a religious issue.  I don't understand this.  If there is separation of church and state how can it be a religious issue?  Churches aren't being forced to perform gay marriages.  If a church doesn't support gay marriage, that's fine with me.  But, why should the church decide if the city hall or the justice of the peace wants to perform a marriage?  And if it's the terminology that trips people up, I personally think it's ok to call it a civil union. BUT, if you call it a civil union then I think that all ceremonies performed outside the church should be called civil unions.  (Just my personal opinion, I certainly don't speak for the gay community.)  And my other issue, what about those of us that are NOT religious?  Why is it that those of us that aren't religious have to be ruled by laws based on someone else's religious views?

Another issue that people bring up- that people choose to be gay.  To me this is ridiculous.  Why would someone choose to be gay?  Why would someone willingly decide to submit themselves to ridicule and hatred and intolerance?  It's not some flippant decision that people make.  Even if it was a choice, what is the benefit?  It's not like this society is accepting of gay people.  (Once again, just my opinion, I don't speak for the gay community.)

Another issue I have with Prop 8 is the scare tactics that the church is advertising.  If gay marriage is allowed, homosexuality will be taught in schools?  Are you kidding me?

Here's the deal, to me this is the same as being intolerant to inter racial marriage.  Same thing.  And if you think that's ridiculous and despicable, then I don't see how you can be against gay marriage.

If you want more information, I strongly urge you to read this blog:  Lesbian Dad.  Read what she has to say about Prop 8.  Also, read back into her archives.  Read about her passion and love for her beloved.  Read about how she nurtures and cares and cherishes her children.  And then you tell me that they shouldn't be allowed to be together.  You tell me that what they have is wrong.  You tell me they aren't just as great, if not better, than any heterosexual couple you know.

Here's another case in point:  I work for the juvenile court.  We handle all the cases in which parents abuse and neglect their kids.  You know what, in all my years at the court I've only seen one case where the abuse/neglect was done by a gay couple.  But, I do know that we have a gay male couple that are foster parents.  And I know that they take the kids that no one wants.  The older kids.  The ones that have been abused for many years.  The ones that are so broken and damaged that we lose hope for  them.  They're destined to spend the time until they turn 18 in a group home.  But, these men take them and nurture them and love them like their biological parents didn't.  How is that wrong? 

My last thought:  If you don't support gay marriage, that's your decision.  But, please make sure that you're informed.  (And also, the proposition that is up for vote in Arizona is NOT the same as Prop 8.  Not at all.  The only thing that the AZ prop does is define marriage as "one man and one woman".  Gay marriage is not currently allowed in AZ and no matter what decision made, gay marriage still will not be allowed in AZ.  Unlike how gay marriage IS currently allowed in CA and would be directly affected by Prop 8.)