Speaking from Home
Back on the mainland, I have finally linked this blog to other media that I have followed for months or even years. Take note that I am not responsible for the language found some days in some of these places, nor do I plan on using profanity myself. However, on occasion, frustration levels reach into the discourse when political spin buries a truth. Unfortunately, our radio air waves, television, and newspapers do little today to offer investigations into pronouncements or positions, so the blogging world has taken it on. Plus, the disrespect for individuals and their opinions has been one of our country's major stumbling blocks. The name calling, attacks upon the person, and lying are no longer in back room meetings.
It has taken me some time to learn about web postings and the HTML language and such, but thanks to my time with Brandon, whose profession involves web design, I am slowly becoming adept. It has been a long process, coupled with living and playing in Hawaii for two months, but I hope to be able to simply address ideas from here on. Please bear with me as I learn how to embed links to articles and such. This technology is both amazing and formidable at times, but I relish its power and interconnectedness.
From the links listed on the margins, you might assume I am a Democrat - that is capital D for belonging to the party. In truth, I am an Independent. I also favor the description of progessive because I don't believe we ever "go back" to anything. Life is change. Just like the planet, nothing stands still. We are all at some stage of becoming, just like our country. I have spent years trying to find a comfortable position within a political party, because I have always been a political animal - reading, watching and listening. I cut my teeth on Jack Anderson's column in my small town newspaper. What I value is the open exploration of ideas or events, and both parties shudder when questions are raised about their platforms or behaviors. Historically, they honor the worst of their thieves in an attempt to save face. We can not be responsible for another's behavior, but we must be responsible for our own, and if we support, protect or deny a party member we know to be guilty, we have broken faith with our internal integrity. So too, with adopting platforms demanded by others - I can not support an issue I know to be irresponsible, reckless or vicious - just because a large group of people support something doesn't make it right.
On the other hand, I am a huge fan of the democratic posture of my homeland - the small d. I think that everything evolves from the individual, our insights, our comprehensions, our wisdom and our experiences. Our country was set up to allow and support individual liberty which today finally encompasses every race and gender. We often have a difficult time growing into what we can be, but we are much more than ever before in terms of the definition of the individual. Unfortunately, there are still people in this country who want to limit the parameters again. I don't want that to happen.
I have great faith in "the people." Not your people, or my people, but the people. The people of every country on every continent. I also believe that the people of my land have an obligation to honor and protect the rights given us in our constitution. Thus, I believe in the separation of church and state. Religion is a nod toward Essense, a cairn on the path of life. But it can not define God nor our neighbors. The kingdom of heaven is within. Know yourself. God is everywhere and within all people at all times. Religion limits, narrows and ridicules. Few religions encompass diversity, embrace change, or explain their traditions. There is no "right way," but there is integrity, honesty, openness, and most of all, love. When religions honor love with open eyes, hearts and minds, they will find little differences among them - perhaps what they fear most. In the meantime, "the people" must find their way through the confusion and righteousness to reach a sacred trust with self.
So, today is my first real blog: a stage for the exploration of ideas and the exposure of my opinions. I am not certain how often I will do this or what outcome I expect. I just know that I want to do it.
posted by Unknown @ 2:14 PM
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