Dare I?

This picture of Casey pondering is a perfect one for this post...

I DO NOT discuss politics or religion with people in "real life" so I have never written anything about either on my blog. I think they're two areas that can cause the best of friendships to part ways. I also think they are two things that people don't seem to appreciate that it's OK for someone to have other views/opinions other than their own. It's something that tends to bring out the ugliest aspects of people...and also the ultimate in hypocrisy.

I used to have more fight in me when it came to these two topics and I was young and very opinionated. I'm still opinionated but for some reason don't have the same fight in me for debating these two topics because it just doesn't seem like something for ME to debate. In recent years, I'm more quiet on these topics.

I can cover the religion topic here in just a few sentences...if you want candid---here goes...I joined a church in college and was VERY active in that church for a good number of years--held leadership positions, taught classes, etc... My devotion to that church dwindled away for various reasons and I find great comfort and respite from having moved away so that I now can sleep in on Sundays and not have the same pressures put on me that I had when I was in Valdosta. I have not jumped into the church scene here for the same various reasons and don't plan on it either. I quite frankly, selfishly enjoy my slothful Sundays where I make my OWN schedules and rules. Did I give up on God just because I quit going to church? No, I don't believe so. And don't get me started on how the majority of people attend church every Sunday, so that they can feel justified in slamming the hell out of someone's character, views, lifestyle, disposition, any differences ...you name it, Monday-Saturday. Merely attending church doesn't secure you a seat in Heaven (rather how you treat others/your thoughts and deeds probably are large factors I'm sure). I'm sorry, but that's my opinion and it's one I will never change. I know a lot of good people who attend church and for some people it makes them a better person and they need that and it's all good...but we all know there are people who use church as their way of feeling like they are better than the rest of the world.

Nothing happened or was said to me for me to share this now, but what did trigger this diarrhea of the keyboard is Dooce's post on politics. Since I never write about politics or religion, I figured if I was going to breach one, I'd cover them both and be done with it.

I agree very much with most of what Dooce has said. And, I think there will be many people who will not vote for Obama because he looks and acts differently than what they are used to viewing as a President. I think that people will vote for McCain because he is an OLD ass WHITE MAN. I don't think there's really any simpler way to put it.

I won't pretend to know anything about politics...I hate NPR (sorry Sarah) and can't stand most of the news. I know nothing about politics and the history of who has screwed what up. I am not ashamed to admit that this is the first election I've found myself caring about. Is Obama perfect? No, but nobody is and I think he is someone wanting to make a difference and not do the same exact thing that hasn't been working for years. After reading how Palin exaggerated and lied in a great deal of her speech, I can't see how people could ignore that. And also, is anyone thinking to themselves that McCain chose a woman because he figured that was going to get his foot in the door a little easier? I'm sorry, but just because I have ovaries doesn't mean I should choose a woman...and by the same token that is no reason to discount someone either.
I don't know anything about Biden either, but I do think Obama and Clinton would have made a really good team. People say she's a bitch...but to me that's just a lame way of saying that she doesn't back down and gets the job done---that teamed with Obama's ability to remain calm and see a bigger picture down the road, seems like it would have been very complementary.
*now stepping off soapbox and putting bullet proof armor back over tender heart and extremities*
And like Forrest Gump, that's all I have to say about that.