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November 3, 2004
Deep Thoughts
I have been more than neglectful in posting anything much of value the closer we got to Election Day.
I was nervous, I was frightened, I was angry.
Bloggers who I used to admire for their intelligence and fairness decided I must be a moron because I believe in God, even if they did support George Bush. (No, they did not pick on me personally, I"m a pretty puny blogger, but I do think that those of us with faith should get as much respect as those atheists out there).
Other bloggers, equally intelligent, but overly emotional, took offense at any anti-Kerry comment I or anyone else made. To those bloggers, it was bad, bad, bad to take one side or another. I can only say that I'm old enough, experienced enough and yes, smart enough, to be able to take sides.
Folks, I'm over 50. That doesn't mean shit in this day and age, but believe me, I have lived through more than those of you under 40. I lived through duck and cover and Vietnam and the end of the Cold War. My viewpoints have changed with age, wisdom and experience - I used to be a bleeding heart liberal - in fact I was a social worker - until the day I quit becaues a client picked up a carving knife and chased me out of her apartment.
I have a very strong belief in a Higher Being - that does not mean that I'm a right-wing nut case. Why does Atheism make one better than those of us who believe that God exists? Why does that make atheists smarter?
I dare you to show me an atheist professor in any college who is smarter than any Jesuit professor in Catholic universities!
I really despise the network newsfolk who claim that all people who believe in God are necessarily on the far right side of politics, especially while denying that they are on the left.
I bet those same people would not say that about Buddhists or Hindus - really, it is a Christian prejudice. These days, it is evil to be Christian. And since I'm Catholic, it is even worse. Many of those Christians who *are* on the far right think I'm evil and will go to hell, and all most everyone else hates the Catholic Church with a strange, strange passion.
I do not believe that there should be prayer in public school, but I do think that Americans should have the option of sending their children to religious schools without additional cost - just like many European countries.
Yes, I do believe that abortion is a tremendous miscarriage of justice - for the child (it's not a potential human, folks, take a biology class). (and yes, pun was intended). That belief does not mean that I am an idiot. It does not mean that I am an uneducated rube. It means that I, as a human being, understand that human life is very valuable and should be protected as much as possible.
And yes, I am consistent - I am against capital punishment (but there are far, far fewer executions then there are abortions!). I am completely against any form of euthenasia - are any of you old enough to remember the movie, "Soylent Green?
I strongly believe in the entire Bill of Rights - and the 2nd Ammendment pretty much guarantees that the government will continue to allow us to have the other ammendments.
So that's me.
I am happy George Bush won.
Ecstatic.
Posted by Beth at November 3, 2004 7:51 PM
Comments
Get some, girl!
Posted by: John of Argghhh! at November 3, 2004 8:42 PM
That makes two of us in the same boat!
Posted by: Michele at November 3, 2004 9:29 PM
LOL - I just sent your husband an email - you should read it! *grin*
As for my opinion... that's why I started my blog - so I could say what I think. I figure my opinion is just as good as all those others out there.
This is your blog - you should be able to say what you want. If others don't like it - they don't have to read it... but I'll be stopping by. So, whale away, you're doing great!!!
Posted by: Teresa at November 3, 2004 10:45 PM
Actually, Beth, two things:
1) My URL is http://www.randomfate.NET, not .COM
2) If I thought something you said about Kerry was a problem, I would have left a comment or linked to it from my blog. I have done neither, so I'm not sure exactly what you are referring to here. I'd appreciate it if you would show me where I "took offense" at any anti-Kerry comments you (Beth) made.
I do not think it is bad to take sides, but I do think it is bad to demonize those people who don't agree with you (remember, I'm speaking of normal people, not terrorists or people who have declared themselves enemies of the US). You can say the position they take is stupid, wrong whatever, but when you start saying the PERSON is stupid, then I do believe that is wrong.
Beth, I respected your position on Kerry and Bush. I never (as far as I can recall, please tell me if I am wrong) wrote a post or put up a comment saying "You (Beth) were wrong for saying this anti-Kerry comment," as I did when the Commissar looked like he was condoning right-wing bad behavior because the left-wing was acting worse. If I wanted to say "Beth is wrong," I would have said it directly, either in a comment or linking to a specifc post from my blog. I haven't left any comments here, so I'm not "soiling your blog" as Teresa apparently thinks I have done based upon what you wrote in this post. I haven't linked to anything that you have written that was anti-Kerry, so I don't see where I said "Beth was wrong." You are not the only blog I read, so when I write something about "some bloggers are not being gracious" it is possible, and more than likely, that I'm referring to some bloggers who are NOT you. I de-link blogs I think are just being nasty and not adding anything. I don't make a big deal out of it, but they disappear from my blogroll. That is why Wizbang, The Laughing Wolf, and several others have disappeard. Your blog has not. So, if you are taking something I wrote on Random Fate personally, please either link to that post, comment on that post, or email me about it. I have not intended anything I have written to say "Beth was wrong for writing anit-Kerry comments." The posts I have written in the past few days were aimed at trying to find a way for people to work towards solving problems and were not directed towards you.
I have enough balls to call people on things directly if I have a problem with what they have written, as I did when I thought the Commissar had written something that was "bad". Please give me credit for that and don't assume that I have written something aimed at you that is not aimed at you.
Posted by: Jack at November 4, 2004 1:41 AM
My dear friend, NEVER let another blogger make you feel bad about something you believe in. The only time you should ever let someone get to you is if you know them - I mean, really know them. Blogging is blogging. That's all it is. Please believe me on this one. And remember...just one or two or even ten people in the blogosphere not liking or linking to you isn't going to change who you are. I still adore you!
Posted by: Da Goddess at November 4, 2004 1:46 AM
Well, when you discuss issues that other bloggers might have 'difficulties' with, try to type slower so they will understand the nuances better.
Cheers
JMH
Posted by: J.M. Heinrichs at November 4, 2004 9:45 AM
"Soylent Green is people!!" Who could forget that! It's a classic!
Posted by: Stu at November 4, 2004 10:05 AM
Don't forget Jews as well as Hindus and Buddhists.... Jews are generally assumed to be on the left, but they believe in exactly the same God as Christians....
Posted by: caltechgirl at November 4, 2004 1:02 PM
I keep thinking about this post... days later and It's still taking up space in the nether regions of my mind.
Don't know why; just thought I'd say. [shrug]
Posted by: pam at November 6, 2004 12:14 PM
gee, Pam, don't fret over anything I say. Really!
Posted by: Beth Donovan at November 6, 2004 7:15 PM