I'm so pissed off. I came home from my 9 p.m. Anatomy Lab, rushing to catch this Vice Presidential Debate. Being that this is the first Presidential election that I can vote in, I've been trying to learn about the candidates and, even though it is something I don't necessarily like, I've been learning about politics.
So, I came home, turned on this debate, which is still going on as I write this, and watched for about thirty minutes up until both fucking vice presidential candidates agreed that they will never think of marriage as anything other than something between a woman and man. Sure Barack Obama and Joe Bidden will give rights to homosexual couples, and Palin said that the McCainies wouldn't take their rights away either, but no, they won't ever let them get married. I don't understand why they are so afraid of same-sex marriages. Who is this going to hurt? I really wish I could understand. No, I really wish they would understand.
And how many times can Palin say that she and John McCain are "mavericks"? I'm really quite tired of these people. Right now, I don't trust anyone. Yes, I want Obama to win. I actually have hope in my heart when I hear him speak, but I can't say if this is due to what he preaches or how he preaches. But I've decided that I really don't like politics in general. It's so much back and forward, "well I did this", "no, you didn't", "well you did this", "no that is not true".
And Joe Bidden can't pronounce "controversial" and Sarah Palin can't pronounce "nuclear". Did she not pay attention in her high school chemistry class? It's called a nucleus. Gawd.
Okay. Well, I'm not used to this much people-bashing. I have the habit of wanting to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, even if it does seem like everything they stand for is something I don't agree with. And I know that this gay marriage issue is a relatively small topic in this debate, compared to the massive economy fuck-ups and the war, but to me it's big. It's not just about gay marriage; it's about how these candidates view people that are unlike themselves. There is estimated to be 25 million gay people in the U.S. and if these candidates don't even respect and grant them the same freaking rights as themselves (if they are indeed straight candidates), well than I don't feel like I can completely trust their judgement on larger issues. It fills me with sadness that we are not a loving and open minded society.
To put it from a teenagers point of view- this sucks!
18 comments:
THAT WAS GREAT! I had the same reaction to the marriage question. When will we move past this bullshit and grow up and accept that everyone has the right to marry the person they love?
When Joe Bidden smiled and said that that was something that they agreed on, I actually cried. It got me so upset.
Thank you for the wonderful diatribe I haven't had the strength to write. I remember the first year I could vote. I had just moved to Florida 3 months earlier and they told me I couldn't vote. I went nuts until they finally found an "affadavit" (well, what do you know) that I could sign. I don't even remember who I voted for or who was running, but I remember that it MATTERED to me that I got to vote.
I hope, Ms. Honeyluna, that your whole generation is like you because we "grown ups" sure have made a MESS for all of you and it's downright embarrassing that it is 2008 and it's still cool to say homosexuals shouldn't be allowed to marry. It may seem like a small issue compared to the war and the economy, yes, but we know it does come down to WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE???? =0
I completely agree with you. Nice post!
Thanks Ms. Lopo. I really hope that my generation is more open and willing for change, and improvement, although I certainly have my doubts. There have been a lot of students on campus trying to get us registered and pumped up to vote, which is makes me hopeful.
That's so cool that you fought for that first vote of yours. See, it's not all you "grown ups" that need to open your minds and hearts.
I completely agree...it is absolutely ridiculous that this is even an issue!?
great post.
right on honeyluna - right on
This is a really good post. Thank you for writing this. I totally agree with you. In my country we have had gay marriage for about 15 years (and guess what, our society hasn't collapsed yet ;-) and it really isn't debated very much. Cause it doesn't matter! It is so dangerous to focus on 'value' debates like that, public attention gets diverted from the really important things. And in any case, others being granted more rights doesn't take away from whatever (identical) rights that I already have! People are stupid. >:-(
Did she not pay attention in her high school chemistry class?
I think I can safely say that the answer to your question is no. ;-)
Leisha--
Is Norway overall Christian? I think that the source for all the controversy in America is the religiosity of Americans. The Bible says that homosexuality is wrong, but the world knows that this is pure discrimination. Thus, the controversy arises.
Norway overall Christian?? :-D Not at all in any way, shape or form, I'm happy to say. :-) Culturally, we are of course a Christian nation. Christianity was introduced in this country around 1000 years ago, and then we became Protestants in the 1530s. We have a state church, in which more than 80% of the population are members. But they register you as a member completely willy-nilly and their member stats have no relation to the religious feelings in this country - it's more correct to say that 80% of the population are agnostics and atheists. The Church of Norway has little impact in political life and public discourse - partly because people have so little interest in religion, and partly because the Church has such a great interest in certain matters - like the gay issue - that your average person here doesn't care about. That is, the Church is fighting to keep gays from becoming clerics, and from getting married in church, but your average Norwegian doesn't care much whether the vicar's straight or gay ... or even there, in many cases ... or what kind of wedding takes place where. So the Church is marginalizing itself even as we speak. All to the good! :-)
Sorry for the long answer, but I can't really write anything briefly. ;-)
ITA that the religiousity in your society is the basis for these problems over there. Not at all to offend anyone, but to a Scandinavian, your country seems very backwards in that respect. ;-)
Leisha--
Hey, maybe I'll move to Norway! It sounds good to me! That is interesting that they even bother registering people as Church members, though.
And no offense taken about America. I love my country dearly, but the religious aspect is backwards and hopefully will change as more atheists and agnostics "come out" and are more accepted in society.
Their funding from the state is based on their membership rates - maybe that helps explain it ... ? ;-)
What happened was that about ten years ago, their membership lists were so disorganized - I mean, they had dead people registered as members - that they got a dispensation from the government which allowed them to update their lists based on the registers of residence that is kept in every county. So then everyone who wasn't registered with some other religious group became a member of the state church ... even if they had previously withdrawn as members.
This dispensation was originally supposed to be a one-time thing, but they've just kept on doing it. I heard about this one guy who had moved around a lot because of studies and work, and he had withdrawn his membership three times. But every time he moved to a new diocese, they reregistered him. He was interviewed about it and said that after he discovered he'd been enrolled as a church member for the fourth time, he'd given up. I'm sure you can understand why we laugh at this organization ... ;-)
It's nice to hear from someone who understands that even though one may criticize one's country, that doesn't mean that one doesn't love it ... ! :-)
That does explain it, and is quite funny.
There is nothing wrong with recognizing a flaw in one's country. Bashing one's country is incongruous with loving it, but constructive criticism is not an issue. I think that America is wonderful and I am glad and proud to be an American, but I would like to see change on the religious front.
:)
HoneyLuna, LunaLove, that was so fantastic. And a bonus to learn something new about Norway, I have to say.
But really, I think this is my favorite post thus far.
The danger is when people start thinking that all criticism is bashing, no matter how constructive. It's so important to keep those things apart. Unfortunately not everyone is able to.
Wow Leisha! Thanks for the awesome lesson on Norway. I don't think I have ever learned about Norway in any of my classes before, which is a shame. I, too, wouldn't mind living there, or at give you a visit.
And thanks for stopping by, Ms. Bliss and AJ.
You're welcome, luna! :-) Glad you found it interesting. I'm not really surprised that you haven't learned anything about my country - we are a tiny nation on the outskirts of Europe. Quite insignificant in the greater scheme of things ... and I personally prefer it that way. ;-) But the good thing is that one can always learn something new ... often from unexpected sources. :-)
You're welcome to come visit! :-)
And of course, HoneyLuna- do not forget- a woman from Norway, that your mother loves dearly, was at your birth- Anne-Helene.
This is so interesting to me. I love it!
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