WARNING - POLITICAL POSTING AHEAD!
When I first decided to add a blog to my website I reminded myself readers would come here to spend a few minutes with a romance writer. They'd come to share a few laughs with an average American mom with one husband, three kids and a crazy cat from the NY suburbs. I reminded myself there are two things that can quickly turn a readership off from a light and fluffy romance writer's blog - religion and politics.
Now, don't misinterpret that to mean that I don't have strong religious and political opinions, because I do. So much so, in fact, that I have a new personal blog in the planning stage that will let me discuss those two topics in great detail. Rest assured, I will NOT be posting that link here at the Saucy Scribe!
But in the meantime, I have two things that have been nagging at me so much lately and a clip I saw last night pushed me over the edge and I'm here to blog about them, I hope my readers will indulge me this one political post.
Would you believe the First Amendment is my favorite? Hmmm...as a writer and a blogger, I would guess that would not come as a shock. It's a fundamental right of all Americans, guaranteed by our constitution. I don't think it matters what side of the political fence you're on either, extreme left, far right or everything in between - we should all be able to get behind this. So, why is our goverment at this moment waging war on FOX news? I feel they are venturing into dangerous territory here and I'm flat out scared for what it would mean to the country if they continue on this path. The First Amendment gives me the right to read whatever books I choose, disagree with my government and shout it to the world when I agree with them. The First Amendment allows me to write erotic romance, it allows me to read political blogs and watch any news channel I see fit. I might not agree with you, but I would fight for your right to express it. I'm begging the government not to trample on that. For a democracy to work, ALL voices should be heard. Debate is the cornerstone of our great society.
Would you believe I support our armed forces? I hope you not only believe it, but are a supporter as well. Supporting our troops is NOT the same as supporting the cause. You don't have to agree with the wars, you don't have to be a democrat, republican or independent to know that our fighting men and women are there for US. They are there, shedding their blood and putting their lives on hold for ALL OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. OUR RIGHT TO FREEDOM! Our armed forces don't make policy, they don't choose war over peace. They are doing a job, they are following the orders of the people we elect. You don't agree with the cause? Get out and vote.
Supporting our armed forces means giving them the right tools to do the job in the field. I don't think any decent human being would deny them the right to be prepared for the battles ahead. We live in a great and wonderful country, with every technological advance at our disposal - I'm begging our government to stop the bi-partisan bickering, and do the right thing. Stop wasting time and give our men and women what they need to not only complete their mission, but to bring as many home alive as possible. Every one of those soldiers in the field is the son or daughter of our family, friends and neighbors. When a community loses a loved one - we all feel it! They are all missed.
You might be a Glenn Beck fan, you might not be (and that's your RIGHT to choose!), but he aired this at the end of his program last night. I hope you'll watch it and then go to http://www.milmoms.org and show your support any way you can. (and if you're a mom or at the very least, have a heart...grab a tissue)
And while I'm on a roll. God Bless America! (since I've already crossed the line with my political post, why not toss some religion in there too!)
Angelika Devlyn (1)
David Bridger (1)
Debora (1)
George Allwynn (1)
Kissa Starling (1)
I’m thinking the only problem the government had is how he ended that clip. You know I just posted on FB how my husband and I were going to a dinner hosted by the Democratic party. And I felt the need to explain my political stance, and that I do not vote a straight ticket. You see, I have seen both sides, being the daughter of a republican, and the wife of a democrat. While I love them both I see one commonality, blinders.
My husband came home from running a Union meeting last night, yes I used the word Union – shock and awe anybody? – Well, we discuss the meetings, and last night he comes home and says, he loved it. Even though several members had complaints, and some even attacked him on a personal level, he loved it. Not because he likes people angry, or over-joyous, or concerned, but because they come. They utilize their first amendment right and talk about what’s on their minds. He said the idea is not to shut them up when he’s up front running the meeting, the idea is to get them talking, and make sure the members get heard.
Much like my husbands Union, the government should want us talking. They should want us involved. Because if we, as Americans, don’t stand for anything, then we’ve lost what this country is about. We should live with principals, respect, and consideration. But that doesn’t mean live with a hand over our mouth.
Great post Debora. R.M.Gilbert(Quote)
Yes, it’s the open debate of differing sides that sees all great things accomplished. We don’t need one-sided opinions pushed down our throats – we need discussion from both sides to find common ground! Debora(Quote)
LOVE your post, Deb!
No political party is “perfect”, so thank God we have the First Amendment rights to stand up and debate when we feel someone isn’t getting a fair shake or something is being neglected.
PS. Love Glenn Beck, too!
Jennifer Shirk(Quote)
Well, even though I’m in the UK, sure, I agree to a point.
But I don’t know what the fight is about.
If you believe having a fight with a news station is bad… then you want to come over here some time.
The lawyers of Trafigura (An oil trading company) have put a “Super-injunction” on a newspaper here, when they dared to report on a question raised in parliament about the oil company.
A super-injunction means… how to best explain it.
Say a tree falls in the forest.
Does it make a noise?
I couldn’t tell you, because I’m not allowed to tell you there’s a forest – let alone a tree, or that it might have made a noise.
That’s what a super injunction does.
In fact… anyone (including you me and the rest of the world) who knows what the question was, and who knowingly breaches the super-injuntion is in contempt of court and could have their assets seized.
Freedom of Speech… yeah. Right. Not.
Stuff like that simply shouldn’t be allowed, period. (And Twitter was all over it, of course.)
I dunno, but from the outside it looks like Obama is trying to make the best effort he can, but I’m sure he’s limited in the resources he can plow toward this war, while the economy is so bad.
No, I don’t want to see freedom of speech trampled, but at the same time… I don’t know the full story or what the objection is.
As for money… I think no matter what a government does, there will be voices of discontent. If they put money into the war over there — they’ll be seen as warmongers and not looking after people at home, and when they try to stem the money going toward that war, then it’s no good either.
I totally support voices of concern though, and raising debate on a subject close to heart. As you said, I might not agree with you, but that doesn’t mean you need to keep your opinion to yourself.
If everyone did that — nothing would ever change.
And yes… if you don’t agree with what a government does… well. Vote. Silke(Quote)
I’m one of the evil minded Republicans that feels beaten up at this point. I vote for the person, not party. My values lean toward less government, less taxes. I believe there is corruption with power, regardless of which party. I didn’t vote for Obama because of his lack of business management exp., and his voting track record for the short amount of time he was in office. He promised alot and didn’t follow through. His politcial platform was shallow and amazed me that he was voted into office even when he failed to “show” how his policies would work. I didn’t vote for him because I do not believe those that have worked hard should “distribute” some of the wealth and pay more taxes. I’m actively involved in my local charities. I also have somewhat of a brain. I know if you grow government, social programs, spend money out the wazoo…it has to be paid for somehow. SO many people were appalled that our fed deficit was at an all time high when Bush left office, but those same people should be in the grave from heart failure at what Obama has spent without telling us exactly how he plans to balance the budget. He says he can, says he will. But the man has been in office long enough to “show” me. Less taxes means more money in our budget every month. More money in the budget means I can pay bills and support my family. More money in our budget means less need for help. What’s so wrong with less government? Why does he need 36 “advisors” to tell him what the problems are with our country. I’ll be glad to pop the top on a beer and give him some budget advice. YOU CAN’T SPEND WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE!
I was raised by a single mother without support from my father. Not only did she raise us without state or federal assistance…she didn’t expect them to help. We were taught that you work hard for what you want. Not expect someone or the government to bail you out.
And I completely agree there is active racism in our country. But it goes both ways. I voted for political platform. It had absolutely NOTHING to do with the color of skin. But if anyone disagrees with Pres. Obama or the current administration (including FOX news), then we are racist. Yet there were news stories during the election where African Americans pulled GGrandma out of the nursing home, or registered for the first time in 50 years because they could vote for a black man.
I’ve got family and friends fighting for our country. My husband was over there and knew first hand what was going on. They are without working guns, vehicles, and life saving equipment. But our President needs more time to “think” about whether he should send more money. Regardless of what his experienced military advisors have confirmed and are practically begging for. Men he put or kept in that position to advise him. Obama didn’t have a problem spending millions of dollars to take his cross country town-hall meeting trips when he could’ve had a television speech to tell us the same damn thing. He didn’t have a problem spending over a million dollars to take his wife to dinner and a show…in New York City.
OMG…you got me on a roll. Sorry. Bottom line is our soldiers and support staff are dying because our government has it’s priorities in the gutter. Pick a party, it’s system wide. Chelle Sandell(Quote)
I was about to go on a roll… but Chelle did it for me.
Thank you love, I feel better now.
PPS i like glenn beck, too.
Bethanne(Quote)
ROFL! Sorry.
But yeah…me too.
DD…you were right about dangerous territory. You get all kinds of lunatics (moi) blowing off steam with 3 page rants. (It was originally quite a bit longer
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We just talked with Kris’s buddy in the Army. He’s home on R&R and his wife delivered a beautiful baby girl today! He is pissed because the administration has started pulling troops out and giving the bases over to the Iraqis. The soldiers are scared shitless because they don’t know who the enemy/ally is. Chelle Sandell(Quote)
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Whether or not you love that guy or can’t stand him, you must consider if having these types of opinionated folks on the media tv channel is actually doing a good thing for America and democracy in general. I would love to see the news channels go back to talking about real facts, certainly not thoughts and opinions. artificial floral arrangements(Quote)
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The problem with this country is BOTH the Democrats and Republicans. Anyone who seriously thinks that one side isn’t corrupt or slaves to Corporate America hasn’t done an adequate job of paying attention. To the Republicans: The GW administration will go down in History as one of the worst administrations. They eroded your constitutional rights, expanded the power of the wealthy elite, invaded countries under false pretenses, destroyed diplomatic relations with the rest of the world, and spent money like it was going out of style. To the Democrats: Obama is a dud. He promised much and has turned out to be another corporate lackey. He made deals with big pharma to ensure you could not get your medication cheaper elsewhere, he flip flopped on military tribunals, he refuses to fix health care properly through nationalization or single payer, he populates his inner circle with more Wall Street insiders, he spends money on bailouts and useless stimulus packages. auto quote(Quote)