April 15

...one of our favorite days of the year....NOT!

The 5th

Remember, Remember the 5th of November...

Human rights...

I try to stay out of the political arena when it comes to writing this blog. In my personal life I am active...my children have often teased me about my "letter writing" to politicians. It is good natured teasing...it is one of our rights as citizens and they have witnessed it, first hand.

Since when has it become a right "not to be offended"? Is this a written law that I have somehow missed? When one mentions free speech, many in our country stand a little straighter because they know they are allowed to speak their mind. That's the way it should be, isn't it? How can we grow without the free exchange of ideas? Even if those ideas step on my toes...it is still your right to speak them. If I don't like it then it's my right to respond and explain why I think you're wrong.

There is a lot of controversy in Australia these days about free speech...and you're welcome to research it if you'd like...But I think James Allan of "The Australian" says it pretty well...

The only valuable sort of freedom of speech is the sort that allows people to do or to say what others find wrong-headed, offensive, distasteful and intolerant.

Being free to say and do what everyone else wants you to say and do is not a liberty or freedom you will ever have to fight for; it will make little difference to anything . . .

I think any good, well-functioning democracy requires its citizens to man up and grow a thick skin. If you’re offended, tell us why the speaker is wrong. Don’t ask for a court-ordered apology and some two-bit declaration.

After all, even Pirates had rights...

The Ballot Box...

"I solemnly swear to tell the truth as I know it, the whole truth as I believe it to be, and nothing but what I think you need to know."

This statement was part of a joke sent to me by my brother-in-law. It was a joke about politicians...and this is a revised oath. Unfortunately in today's world, the oath shown above is more applicable than the actual, "I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth."

I'm not lumping all politicians into one category, but I must say I am disappointed in how few possess the integrity we should expect from those who lead us. I've been told that those who would be the best public servants will not run because they do not want to subject themselves and more importantly their families to "the spotlight". I can't say as I blame them. Should you choose to run, the media will hound you and people will dig...deep into your life. Unless you've been perfect, and we all know there's only been one of those, they'll find what you're hiding.

Perhaps you have led a stellar life but your children stumbled on their path to adulthood...that's fair game for the media. Did you ever break any one's heart...even in elementary school? These memories may well be paraded in print and in front of the camera in an effort to tarnish your image.

I hate that campaigns have become a challenge to see which candidate can dig up the most dirt...we are diminished because of this. Our country is crippled by the lack of strong leadership...those willing to make a stand instead of just telling us what we want to hear. But, I cannot blame it all on the candidates...we, the voters, are at fault too. We listen to vitriol they spew, we allow it to color our judgment. Instead of researching where each candidate stands on the issues that are important to us, we are concerned with their love life as a teenager and what they may or may not have done during their college years.

There needs to be new standard...for campaigns and for voters. While I would never deny anyone the right to vote, would it be such a bad idea if we were required to truly understand the process before being turned loose in the ballot box?

...stepping off my soap box, now.

McDonalds

This is not a political blog...but I really feel this goes beyond the realm of politics...or perhaps not.

The attached article tells us that San Francisco...the city, not a family named San Francisco, has banned all restaurants (with an emphasis on McDonald's) from including a toy in a meal that has more than 600 calories and doesn't include this, that and the other.

While I do realize that a child does not need a steady diet of Happy Meals...the occasional treat hurts no one! If there are parents feeding their children fast food on a too regular basis, it is a failure in the parenting skills, not the fault of the restaurant! Everyone who knows my grandson knows that he loves Chicken Nuggets and Fries...and when we eat out at restaurants that serve them, he is allowed to have them. Since we eat the majority of our meals at home around the table, he might get to have this treat once a week...His grandfather and I take his health very seriously and do not see how this will adversely affect him in the long run. Notice I said "we" take it seriously..."we" don't want or need someone legislating what we're allowed to feed him.

Sorry for the rant, I really feel that this has gone too far!

November 2, 2010

An election day prayer by Reverend Robert McDowell:

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of our country and local communities in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Each election day I lift up prayers that God's Will will prevail in the hearts of the people. But in order for the voice of the people to be heard, you must Vote...so even though it is a mid-term election and there are probably 1,001 other things you could be doing today...take a few moments and cast your vote...It is a right and a privilege that too many take for granted and that too many others in the world merely dream of...



It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.
Winston Churchill