I have written many diaries - and I believe I got burned out on the high-level of excitement here at my favorite blog. I was suffering from political overload, and some of you helped me understand that I don't have to be tuned in 24/7. Thanks - and sorry for not doing more than just lurking for awhile. I was actually in physical pain - but then I stopped bothering to read the Huffington Post - but should have stopped much earlier when they posted articles from
...Andrew Breitbart
And I mean like seriously - as if he belonged there. And more recently the "fair and balanced" crap coming out of that blog (fair and balanced a-la Fox News) - just put me off. I'm done reading Huffpo. Live long and prosper KOS! And Kossacks! I count myself among you.
So I voted! I live in California, and I get my voting material sent to me in the mail. I haven't had to go to a polling place in some time now. It's an enormous convenience, and it allows me to research each and every proposition, every candidate (via teh majucul guuugllllee), and so on - and then I open that envelope and get to inking little oval circles (thoroughly - just in case). I VOTED FOR BARACK OBAMA for President of the United States of America (because he has accomplished nothing less than miracles in the face of the most virulent, evil, greedy, bought-and-paid for Congress (minus the few good Dems in there) opposition and obstruction in the history congress (that I know of). I also voted for the man with the brightest smile of all time - good old JOE BIDEN for VICE PRESIDENT (of the same place America, my home, my country that I would lay down my life for, and I love enough to care and to vote).
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I am a Liberal, a Democrat from the DEMOCRACTIC (do they spell it wrong on purpose???) Party, my heart bleeds for everyone, and I openly love my gay friends, my straight friends, and my fellow Kossacks (well not that open, NSFW or anything) in public or something. I even love my fellow brown and black Californians - one and all (not to say I dislike those in other states or anything). I voted against the power play attempting to take away the voice of my Union - SEIU. I voted to go ahead and tax those making more than $250 (Mitt Romney's "middle class").
But I am just side-tracking you. The real deal is below. But one last word -
VOTE!!!!
And I voted about several other things - but on to the Conversation.
This conversation was short, and it was with several people holding signs out displaying their ignorance concerning abortion and contraception. More below the (insert clever and creative name for the Orange Kos Spaghetti)...
There they were, signs in their pudgy, obese hands, bearing crosses (of gold), and screeching at passing cars. I had to stop. I'm not the type to ignore this stuff. As my profile suggests, I am not easily intimidated (but I guess too much politics will hurt me physically after a while - so smaller doses). I'm a great big (think Hagrid) Scottish American, and few cops are willing to get pushy with me. That worked well at Occupy Oakland.
I asked a few of them why they were protesting abortion. I got plenty of the same tired drivel that culminated in ROE vs. WADE (that was a final binding decision folks). I asked if they also believed that there are too many people in America - too many people in the world. They wholeheartedly agreed - way too many people.
Next (I wasn't being combative), I asked if they believe that if the life of the mother is in danger due to birth problems - that the mother should die, that the child may live. They said, yes, the mother should die, not the baby. (That is, of course, a big can of worms). A mom can make another baby, and that's why they used to have 7-10 of them during a marriage - some die.
Then, I asked them what they thought the best possible way to reduce the number of those hungry mouths they believe are sucking our country's finances away via taxes (don't get me started on the entitlements of the ultra-wealthy and corporations).
They made sure to make clear to me that they are/were also against contraception of any kind - I even asked about condoms - and yep them too.
They couldn't come up with an even remotely valid plan to reduce the population without shooting them or giving them a disease, or sending them to a useless war.
Finally, I asked, "If rubbers, the "pill", and even the "Morning After/Plan B", and of course, abortions - wouldn't do a wonderful job of lowering population levels with no pain of any kind. Just some free pills from the health insurer (another peeve - no "pill" for guys yet, only the girls). I told them they would see immediate benefits to a decreasing (by attrition) population. Many benefits. Is it eugenics? I guess it could be classified that way - and these folks did classify contraception and abortion as such. But if it were - it would be so by choice, not by legislation. Key functioning word the - Choice.
I saw some head nods, and furtive glances from some of them to others - but they straightened up and toed to anti-abortion line while others were looking at them. Then, I listened to a ten minute on-the-stump religious tirade about all social activities they deem to be evil.
I waited patiently - and when they were done, I asked the bombshell - "Are you folks 'Pro-Life', or are you just pro life until the child is born? Are you still just as protective of the right to live of those who disagree with you, or are poor, or another color or religion. Are you for the fierce protection of all human beings that were not aborted?
Are you pro-life for 47 year old ex-software engineers who now don't have health coverage at their job at Home Depot, Walmart, or Mickey Dee's? When you look another human being in the face, are they not just as deserving as the unborn child you cannot yet see?
I had no further argument, and no further conversation with them, as they realized they aren't all necessarily on the same page as to what "pro life" means. Some argument ensued - mostly over the "person hood amendments" in some other states.
I do tend to stir up the shit, but ignorance must be addressed.
I'm a Democrat, and a Liberal (but a Pagan nonetheless) - and I find all life to be sacred and worth saving (except the life that produces bacon occasionally).
Don't let the evil ones fool you my friends. You ARE patriots to your country. You ARE pro-life (just not by Billy Graham's position on it). You ARE important. You ARE LOVED. You are IN THE MAJORITY (so act like it and VOTE!). Democrats are no wimps. We are bad-asses, and we can be nice about it, since we are the adults ;).
So, please, do your duty, take responsibility, understand the importance of this life altering election - and encourage others to vote and participate in their democracy. And for Pete's Sake, you VOTE! Don't vote twice - only one per election is good.
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