Friends With The Enemy

I recently held a conversation with a stranger about the need for tolerance of political differences among people. Although we had very different views, we agreed that people place too high of importance on people's political preferences.

Our conversation led to discussing AmeriCorps and the liberal majority that volunteer. I, a conservative, think AmeriCorps is highly beneficial and proactive in their programs. The program does attract many liberal volunteers, but I was not bothered by being outnumbered. I volunteered with people who held different political views, but it did not matter because we were serving a greater purpose: to help those in need.

All to often, political differences create division and can stop the progress of helping people. If a person is strong in their beliefs, they will be able to stand firm in their beliefs, yet listen to the other side. Listening to other viewpoints not only educates a person, but gains respect from the talker.

Conservatives should hear what liberals have to say, and liberals need to listen the the views of conservatives. We all disagree at some point, and need to accept the differences. There is a time and a place to discuss politics. It does not need to be a battle in public service.

Pro-lifers are Murderers

Murder is wrong and should be punished. What happened to Tiller was clearly unacceptable. However, the media seems to have gone too far in exploiting the murder of Tiller by accusing all pro-life advocates of having "blood on their hands".

This country is full of extremists who go too far while trying to promote their beliefs. The anti-abortion agenda is not evil in itself. It is the individuals with evil intentions that make the pro-life advocates appear destructive. People are pro-choice, pro-life, and can be defined as being in between. Everyone is entitled to their different opinions, and should have the freedom to express their beliefs in a proper manner. Those who cross the lines should be punished as INDIVIDUALS.

Yes, the man who murdered Tiller should be punished. The people that share his same beliefs on abortion should not. Why is the media attacking noble citizens who share a different belief as them? Yes, defame the man who murdered Tiller, but do not defame the pro-life movement.






http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhijqQVjlFI&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Epoliticsdaily%2Ecom%2F2009%2F06%2F02%2Foreilly%2Dhits%2Dback%2Dat%2Dfar%2Dleft%2Dover%2Dabortion%2Ddoc%2Dmurder%2F&feature=player_embedded

Everyone is a Racist

Today, it seems everyone is subject to be called a racist.Those who are white are no longer the sole owner of the word. Hispanics, African Americans, and other races have been accused of being racist. In fact, it is one of the top choice retaliation words in the political arena. Why is such a demeaning word being used so loosely in America?



Newt Gingrich called Sotomayor a racist for ignoring the white firefighters' complaint of inequality. Newt was then labeled as a racist for criticizing a Latino woman. Other political figures and commentators have been labeled racist as well. It is a word that defames one's character and used on a regular basis.

It is unfair to label someone a racist because they make a comment or a decision that appears to have some attachment to race on it. The same word that is used to describe a person who hates a different race is used to label the political figures who work for America. These political figures are not intolerant of different races or hate them. Their words, however, can be misinterpreted or taken out of context. This, however, does not make it right to label them as racist. It is a label that has the power to destroy one's reputation and career. America's media and political figures need to watch the words they use to label people.








http://newsbusters.org/blogs/scott-whitlock/2009/05/28/abcs-greenburg-almost-impossible-stop-sotomayor

National Day of Prayer Response

A religion blogger for the Chicago Tribune asked if people thought Obama should promote The national Day of Prayer......


Yes, he should. Our nation has not turned communist since we started the National Day of Prayer in1988. We continue to thrive as a democratic nation. Why is it that Americans want to demolish certain traditions? Some think the religious statement on American bills need to be changed.Others throw fits about the Ten Commandments residing in American court houses. These religious symbols reflect on our nation's heritage. Our nation is religious.

Obama would not harming the American citizens by participating in the National Day of Prayer.He would be keeping the tradition alive. No, freedoms are not being threatened. No one is forcing atheists to fold their hands and pray. It is, however, giving Americans an opportunity to freely express their faith in God. God played a very important factor in the shaping of our country or else His name would not be in our important institutions and currency

Faith in Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZENzK4QIiM

Jonny Diaz first caught my attention when I heard him sing on the radio. He shares such a positive message in his songs. I read his biography which is very inspiring to college students.

Miss America and Politics?

The whole dilemma over what Miss America said about homosexual marriage has gone too far. Fox News puts her on a pedestal. Perez Hilton calls her vulgar names. Everyone seems to be taking sides. What was supposed to be a beauty pageant has turned into a political event. Why are we picking on Barbie, when there are more significant issues in our country to deal with?

There has and always will be controversy over the gay rights issue. Everyone has their own opinion in life and is entitled to stand up for what they believe in. Freedom to express one's views is a right in America. Miss California has a right to express her opinions. Good for her. Perez Hilton has a right to express his opinions. Good for him. This issue will always divide families, political parties, and friends. It was inappropriate to ask this beauty pageant contestant a question that has had politicians debating over it for years. I have a hard time believing it was just a mere question and not a question to further Hilton's agenda.

I am not stating that we should just ask the contestants about how they apply their lipstick or why they want world peace. I think that concerns that unite our nation would be more appropriate to bring up than those that divide it. Sex Slavery, poverty, and the HIV crisis, are life-threatening problems. I believe young girls being sold into sex slavery in the United States is a bigger problem than if Tom and Bob or Sarah and Linda want to get married. If we want the Miss America pageant to be taken seriously, then we should start addressing issues that can be solved. The issue on same sex marriage should not be the main concern in America.