This I Believe

I was inspired by NPR's radio essays to create a few short ones of my own. Sorry they are a bit heavy, but, hey, It's My Blog.


We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights.
ALL men, not just American citizens, or those who live in the Western Hemisphere, or those who aren't at the moment at war with America . . . every single person on this earth. NO country has a right to violate the basic human rights of any human being, no matter what they may be suspected of, now matter how much it may hamper our supposed "security" and no matter how frustrating it may be for our own cause. And for a country who claims to have the highest standards in human rights protection to repeatedly find creative ways in which to violate the geneva convention is simply unacceptable.


Humans have a responsiblity to care for the earth.
I do believe that humans were given the earth, by God, and told to rule over it. This does not mean, however, that we can do anything we want without consequences. Just as we are held accountable for those things in our lives we are given stewardship over, we will be held accountable for how we treated the earth we were given with. We will especially be held accountable for the damage we do to the homes of others who have no way to save themselves or their homes.


A nation has a moral obligation to take care of its poor.
For any nation that accounts for only 6% of the world's population, but 34% of the world's wealth to be unable to provide its poorest citizens, especially its CHILDREN, with basic food, shelter and health care is embarassing and appalling.


Alright. That's enough of my soap box for now. But before I go, one more thing--

Our country has the potential to do more good for the world than any other, if we will just rise to the challenge. And for the first time in a long time, I feel optimistic that we can.

Yaaaaaaay!

Poor Lemmy was up throwing up in the middle of the night, but found a second to ask who won. He was very happy that it was "Orakabama." So am I, buddy, so am I.

What. The. Heck.

Ummmmm, is he not aware that there are cameras watching him?

Famous Person

Did everyone see this? Well, NOW I'm going to vote for her! I mean, a Famous Person says she won the debate!

Those dang Elitists, demanding a real name!

Reasons I Find the Sarah Palin Nomination Irritating

Okay, I know there are many people out there who love her, and will most likely be offended, but I just can't take it any more. I'm sure she's a wonderful person, and a good governor for Alaska. But.

1) Why does everyone keep saying "She's just like me!" as if that's a good thing? I don't want someone like me running this country. I want someone much, much smarter than me. I am not qualified to run this country. Or be next in line to run this country. Neither are you. Sorry.

2) Can we please stop pretending that she is going to be actively involved in her children's lives while also being the VP? Nothing irritates me more than this attitude that she should be able to "do it all." And there's no reason she should be asked to pretend that she will--why can't we just be open and say, yes, her husband will be the primary caregiver. Great! Fabulous! Perfect. I think stay-at-home dads are exceptional and a great gift to their children. (Or, she will get a nanny.) But what is NOT okay is pretending that it is somehow sexist for the media to question her claims that she can be both full-time parent and full-time politician. NO, the men are not asked this question, because the men are not perpetuating a "I'm just a regular old hockey-mom like you" persona. You simply cannot give 100% to your job (which is what is REQUIRED in this job) and 100% to your kids. It's math, people. And what is ACTUALLY sexist and incredibly damaging to our society is the perpetuation of the 70's SuperMom myth. No parent, mother or father, can have it all. You MUST make sacrifies somewhere. Everyone has to, and every parent must figure out their life balance for themselves. So please stop dumping more mommy guilt on the shoulders of every mom, working or stay-at-home, in America. We have enough already.

3) The nomination of Sarah Palin embodies, to me, how little actual progess has been made for women in American society. The Glass Ceiling may have some cracks, but it is made very clear, over and over, that qualified, experienced women will not be allowed in. If you are lucky enough to be attractive, young, and just competent enough to be impressive without being threatening, you will be pulled very quickly up the ladder. If not, have fun moving sideways through life for the rest of your career. It's almost worse than the bad old days when women weren't welcome at all. At least then the discrimination was out for all to see.

Okay. I'm done now. Next up will be cute kid stuff, I promise.

Why I'm a Democrat.

In case you haven't been subjected to a long soap-box rant on my political opinions while helplessly trapped on a elliptical machine next to me (sorry Angela) here's a post from my cousin Chris who pretty much mirrors my own thoughts. Only without me having to type them.

Chris Says Stuff That He Thinks

The only thing he left out is the cursed Patriot Act, but that's another rant.