Today is a wonderful day –it is 70 degrees and sunny on November 5th giving me the opportunity to move 2 ton of sand I wasn’t sure would get moved and half a ton of stone that has been in my way for too long. And I got to fix fence and generally get things organized for winter. And while in the skid steer I cogitated to the tunes of CSNY and Clapton (in his older forms) about life with a renewed excitement and enthusiasm for the future of our country. This is a great time to be an American.
My views are surely to be at odds with the vast majority of members of this board – and for that I do not apologize. I suspect most SP members are white, Christian and straight. I suspect most SP members live in a very white Christian community and surround themselves with like-minded, like skin colored individuals. Yes, the comfort zone of the familiar. (I know there are a few SP members who do not fit that mold and you know I know who you are). Your life has shaped your views, just as my views have been shaped by my experiences.
Show Heifer and Malinda talk about what their fathers taught them and the influence they had on their lives. My father gave me a great gift – from the time I was a little kid our house was filled with people from different countries, with different religions, different skin colors, different views and beliefs. These weren’t token people – they shared our food, our good times and sorrows. They were an integral part of our life. And what I learned is that basically we are all pretty much the same – most of us are good, some of us are toads, and a very rare number of us are truly evil. I also learned that people are afraid of what they don’t know.
My father taught me (much to his chagrin at times I am sure) to question everything and believe that I could be anything that I wanted – despite what society or the teachers or the neighbors said. He taught me to move out of the comfort zone and do new things, meet new people, go new places – see all the wonders the world has to offer. I am constantly amazed at the people who have never been out of their county, their state or the US. The world is an oyster filled with pearls if you have the guts to crack the shell.
I was against the war in Vietnam and I am against the war in Iraq. In 1968 I worked for Eugene McCarthy – the anti war candidate – none of us working our tails off were old enough to vote. It was the anti-war movement that led to the 26th Amendment giving 18 year olds the right to vote. I had friends who went to Nam and never came back, friends who came back and were never the same, and friends who sought sanctuary in Canada. My early experiences at home and the war shaped my beliefs about life and my country.
We were in DC at the Wall when someone said the President’s motorcade was coming. Reagan was the President and I hadn’t voted for him (imagine that!). We ran to the corner where the motorcade was passing – it was an incredible awesome moment – I was actually shocked to find that I got chills all the way from the tip of my head to my toes – I didn’t agree with much he stood for BUT he was the President of the US – the President of my country and he was the face of our nation to the world.
It occurred to me that there were many similarities between the tactics of the animal rights groups, PETA and HSUS, and the recent Republican Presidential campaign – both proselytize emotion and fear over fact. In the latter case, irrational fear of a different skin color, a different name, an unfamiliar religion – fear of the unknown. That rhetoric is not helpful and unless we recognize the similar tactics animal agriculture as we know will be changed forever.
I think John McCain is a good and honest man who has sacrificed more than almost anyone for his country – yup, a while back I voted for McCain vs Bush in the primary because I thought he was a person who didn’t follow the crowd, used his brain, and loved his country (we could vote in both primaries). I believe that the politics of the campaign were out of his control and he appeared to be someone he wasn’t. Last night he proved to me that he really is still a good guy – his gracious speech proved he wants what is best for the US and is willing to work to make it happen. So if you voted for McCain think about what he said – get over yourself and help us all move forward.
This is a great and historic time for American – I feel the best about our country, her place in the world and her commitment to all her citizens than I have in a very long time - yes, I believe we can. God bless the United States of America – we are a very special place with very special people.
My views are surely to be at odds with the vast majority of members of this board – and for that I do not apologize. I suspect most SP members are white, Christian and straight. I suspect most SP members live in a very white Christian community and surround themselves with like-minded, like skin colored individuals. Yes, the comfort zone of the familiar. (I know there are a few SP members who do not fit that mold and you know I know who you are). Your life has shaped your views, just as my views have been shaped by my experiences.
Show Heifer and Malinda talk about what their fathers taught them and the influence they had on their lives. My father gave me a great gift – from the time I was a little kid our house was filled with people from different countries, with different religions, different skin colors, different views and beliefs. These weren’t token people – they shared our food, our good times and sorrows. They were an integral part of our life. And what I learned is that basically we are all pretty much the same – most of us are good, some of us are toads, and a very rare number of us are truly evil. I also learned that people are afraid of what they don’t know.
My father taught me (much to his chagrin at times I am sure) to question everything and believe that I could be anything that I wanted – despite what society or the teachers or the neighbors said. He taught me to move out of the comfort zone and do new things, meet new people, go new places – see all the wonders the world has to offer. I am constantly amazed at the people who have never been out of their county, their state or the US. The world is an oyster filled with pearls if you have the guts to crack the shell.
I was against the war in Vietnam and I am against the war in Iraq. In 1968 I worked for Eugene McCarthy – the anti war candidate – none of us working our tails off were old enough to vote. It was the anti-war movement that led to the 26th Amendment giving 18 year olds the right to vote. I had friends who went to Nam and never came back, friends who came back and were never the same, and friends who sought sanctuary in Canada. My early experiences at home and the war shaped my beliefs about life and my country.
We were in DC at the Wall when someone said the President’s motorcade was coming. Reagan was the President and I hadn’t voted for him (imagine that!). We ran to the corner where the motorcade was passing – it was an incredible awesome moment – I was actually shocked to find that I got chills all the way from the tip of my head to my toes – I didn’t agree with much he stood for BUT he was the President of the US – the President of my country and he was the face of our nation to the world.
It occurred to me that there were many similarities between the tactics of the animal rights groups, PETA and HSUS, and the recent Republican Presidential campaign – both proselytize emotion and fear over fact. In the latter case, irrational fear of a different skin color, a different name, an unfamiliar religion – fear of the unknown. That rhetoric is not helpful and unless we recognize the similar tactics animal agriculture as we know will be changed forever.
I think John McCain is a good and honest man who has sacrificed more than almost anyone for his country – yup, a while back I voted for McCain vs Bush in the primary because I thought he was a person who didn’t follow the crowd, used his brain, and loved his country (we could vote in both primaries). I believe that the politics of the campaign were out of his control and he appeared to be someone he wasn’t. Last night he proved to me that he really is still a good guy – his gracious speech proved he wants what is best for the US and is willing to work to make it happen. So if you voted for McCain think about what he said – get over yourself and help us all move forward.
This is a great and historic time for American – I feel the best about our country, her place in the world and her commitment to all her citizens than I have in a very long time - yes, I believe we can. God bless the United States of America – we are a very special place with very special people.
jbarl
