Thoughts.
Tonight has indeed been historic. I have always been passionate about politics and the state of our world, but never before have I been this invested, this emotionally and personally 
involved in a major election. I've donated, I've proselytized, I've slapped stickers on my car and signs in my apartment windows.
Four years ago I saw this man speak at the Democratic National Convention. I saw him win the senate seat in his state by a landslide and looked into this charming, compelling, astounding individual. I thought to myself, "This man should run for President. This is a man I could vote for, happily and gladly." I may not agree with him 100%, but that goes for any other person on this planet - regardless of how close our beliefs may be, we are none of us exactly the same. This is a President (elect) whom I truly believe understands that concept. I believe, with all of my being, that Barack Obama will be a breath of fresh air for this country.
I don't expect immediate change. I don't expect the mountains to move and the oceans to swell and the world to suddenly be shiny and new. But I do expect this country to move in a more positive, progressive, open, and profitable direction. I expect it to become once again respected on the world stage, and I expect it to grow like it has not done in nearly a decade.
While I'm disappointed in California for Proposition 8, I have confidence that it will not last long. Much like the prior bans on interracial marriage in many states, I believe that within the next decade we will see sweeping changes on these -- as well as on other similar restrictions on civil rights. Eventually the Federal Government must step in - as that is one of the few uncontested jobs of that Federal Government: the protection of the civil rights of its people. The future is still bright, despite a dark spot at this moment. Hope has not ended.
I'm not, however, disappointed in California for Propositions 4 and 2, as well as the "bullet" train here in Los Angeles.
Prop. 4 was especially concerning for me, not only as a woman who could have been in that situation, but as one who has known many others who have been. Whether or not I was fond of all those people is beside the point - girls I have loved and girls I have hated have been in a position where they have needed to terminate a pregnancy and were unable to confide in and trust their parents. They were literally fearful for their future because of those parental figures.
True: in an ideal world, all teenagers would be comfortable enough in their home-lives, with their families, with their parents, to bring forward such a dilemma and deal with it intelligently and calmly, with their parents behind them. However, it is an unfortunate fact that there are so many who are not able to do so. We cannot operate under the assumption that these girls' families would be supportive of their decision to terminate an unwanted or unable-to-be-supported pregnancy. The last thing a 16 year old or a 14 year old needs is to deal with a child - especially if she herself does not feel up to the task. Education can be given, birth control can be provided, but in the end of things kids are still stupid and/or mistakes can still happen - regardless of protection. These girls need to have the ability to confidentially make the responsible decision as to whether or not they wish to bring a innocent child into the world to another teenaged mother with an uncertain future.
So thank you, California, for understanding (in this case) that not every family works the same, and that not all young teenaged girls have the same background and same life.
We'll work on that marriage deal.
involved in a major election. I've donated, I've proselytized, I've slapped stickers on my car and signs in my apartment windows.
Four years ago I saw this man speak at the Democratic National Convention. I saw him win the senate seat in his state by a landslide and looked into this charming, compelling, astounding individual. I thought to myself, "This man should run for President. This is a man I could vote for, happily and gladly." I may not agree with him 100%, but that goes for any other person on this planet - regardless of how close our beliefs may be, we are none of us exactly the same. This is a President (elect) whom I truly believe understands that concept. I believe, with all of my being, that Barack Obama will be a breath of fresh air for this country.
I don't expect immediate change. I don't expect the mountains to move and the oceans to swell and the world to suddenly be shiny and new. But I do expect this country to move in a more positive, progressive, open, and profitable direction. I expect it to become once again respected on the world stage, and I expect it to grow like it has not done in nearly a decade.
While I'm disappointed in California for Proposition 8, I have confidence that it will not last long. Much like the prior bans on interracial marriage in many states, I believe that within the next decade we will see sweeping changes on these -- as well as on other similar restrictions on civil rights. Eventually the Federal Government must step in - as that is one of the few uncontested jobs of that Federal Government: the protection of the civil rights of its people. The future is still bright, despite a dark spot at this moment. Hope has not ended.
I'm not, however, disappointed in California for Propositions 4 and 2, as well as the "bullet" train here in Los Angeles.
Prop. 4 was especially concerning for me, not only as a woman who could have been in that situation, but as one who has known many others who have been. Whether or not I was fond of all those people is beside the point - girls I have loved and girls I have hated have been in a position where they have needed to terminate a pregnancy and were unable to confide in and trust their parents. They were literally fearful for their future because of those parental figures.
True: in an ideal world, all teenagers would be comfortable enough in their home-lives, with their families, with their parents, to bring forward such a dilemma and deal with it intelligently and calmly, with their parents behind them. However, it is an unfortunate fact that there are so many who are not able to do so. We cannot operate under the assumption that these girls' families would be supportive of their decision to terminate an unwanted or unable-to-be-supported pregnancy. The last thing a 16 year old or a 14 year old needs is to deal with a child - especially if she herself does not feel up to the task. Education can be given, birth control can be provided, but in the end of things kids are still stupid and/or mistakes can still happen - regardless of protection. These girls need to have the ability to confidentially make the responsible decision as to whether or not they wish to bring a innocent child into the world to another teenaged mother with an uncertain future.
So thank you, California, for understanding (in this case) that not every family works the same, and that not all young teenaged girls have the same background and same life.
We'll work on that marriage deal.