I'm just a little bit irked right now. I have been irked for several weeks now. Actually, I've left irked, bypassed piqued, circled around angry and am headed straight for down-town Pissed The Hell Off.
This goes against the current mood of 'say nothing against you-know-who' but it is something that needs to be said. I can't be the only person who thinks this way.
In thirty days, barring an outcry fit to shake the capital dome from it's foundation and squash the noxious pests currently making toilet paper out of our rights and freedoms, the HHS is prepared to have birth control declared a form of abortion and have it reside under the 'conscience clause' that allows one person to dictate the use of another's body.
Contraceptives = Abortion
That sounds an awful lot like slavery to me, with one person having control over the body and faculties of another. Reproductive health care is already a minefield for women, these regs will make it a veritable no-man's land. I'm not even referring to abortion, which is already difficult for many women to access, but birth control pills, IUDs, tubal ligations, hysterectomies and ablations, among other things. One person's conscience is more important than another's health, safety and well-being, especially when that other person is a woman.
Ever since this was first announced (leaked accidentally) I've been waiting for you to say something, Senator, anything.
This would be a way for you to show that you care about women and our voices and concerns. It would show you actually give a damn. Coming out as strongly opposed to this measure, making it clear you stand with women on this issue, an issue dear to every women no matter her party affiliation, would bring women to your side in droves and it would take a stick to drive them away again, especially when McCain is so unrepentantly pro-life. Surely you will say....something?
I'm still waiting, Senator Obama. Senator Clinton has issued a letter about this, which you have graciously condescended to sign, but surely you can do better than that? You have appealed to everyone else, don't you think it's time you gave a few thoughts to women?
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Except for the anti-theism boards, I'm aware I'm in the minority when it comes to your appearance at Saddleback, Senator. I think it was silly and counter-productive and very nearly un-Constitutional.
How many evangelicals did you convince that night? Compare that to the number of non-evangelicals you scared away. Atheists, agnostics, non-deists, non-believers, Christians who don't attend church regularly, anti-theists and people who would really like religion kept out of the political sphere.
Really, Senator, how hard would it have been to say 'My beliefs are my own. As it is detailed in the First Amendment, I think everyone has to right to believe as they choose to believe.' My heart would have gone pitty-pat at that answer, Senator and I would have followed you anywhere you wanted to lead. As it is, not so much. I'm still voting for you because you are better than that other guy, which isn't a ringing endorsement by any stretch of the imagination. The Righteous Right aren't the only ones who vote, Senator, and it would be nice to actually vote for someone who can accept with equanimity (as opposed to rancor) that not everyone believes in your god.
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To say the least, you are lukewarm when it comes to gay rights, Senator. On this, however, I say bah, a pox on your house. We're out, we're proud and we are fabulous. Within the next few decades, gay marriage, adoption, whether or not homosexuality is a choice or a trait will become a moot argument and children will wonder what the big deal was. Look to the future, Senator and feel history changing under your feet. Do you want to be part of it or simply drift wood in it's wake?
I will say, it would be nice to hear a politician actually express sadness or regret that people are killed and abused because they are part of the Queer community. Lawrence King is a recent example, but there are many many more every day. I've been gay-bashed and not once has a politician ever stood up for me.
Would it be so hard, Senator, to say, 'This is wrong. To harm another person is wrong.' Even if you don't like homosexuality, Senator, I would think it would be a no-brainer, even for a smart guy like you, to say violence was never the answer. Maybe I'm simple, but it seems pretty clear cut to me.
Have I left anything out? No, I think I covered the high (low) points. There are quite a few of us, Senator, on the fringes, who would vote and rally and spread the word, if you would just look our way. Large groups who have subsisted on scraps and struggled to be heard. Imagine what you could do, Senator, if you thought about pandering to the rest of us the way you pander to the mainstream. You want to work across the aisles, why don't you try to work across the divides of gender, religion and sexuality as well?
I promise, we don't bite. Well, not unless you want us to.