Politicians @ MindSay

I recently read a blog that got me to thinking about how much we as a society tend to lump people into a category without thinking. We don't take the time to really get to know them or know why they think or feel a certain way, or ever bother to ask them if they believe or support a certain cause we assume that they believe/support XYZ?
I try not to do this, but being human I know that I probably do and I'm sure WS can attest to the fact that she has caught me in that trap, however she has also probably caught me not getting into that trap!
When I speak of this topic, I know that some people will not have a clue as to what I speak of, and that's fine. I just feel the need to write it all out to get my thoughts out, as I did take some offense to statements made lately (these were political statements so I shall let them blow over...people tend to make ignorant judgemental comments when it comes to hot topics).

I have written about this subject before though, and I am happy to say that I am consistent in my values and beliefs and that I have not waivered in what I feel/believe and support. I have witnessed too many "blanket statements" that refer to all "muslims" as terrorists, all Mexicans as lazy or ignorant, all blondes as stupid, all republicans as conservatives, all democrats as liberals, (I myself was recently accused of being an ignorant liberal which I can assure you I am neither ignorant nor completely liberal....more middle of the road). Recently I've read that if you support Obama you are supporting infanticide, and equally so that if you support McCain you must be supporting killing of a different kind...(via war in Iraq, Iran, or wherever we put troops and people are killed in the name of democracy). It's gotten so ridiculous that I simply refuse to add fuel to the fire by responding to those blogs by calling them out, replying on their blogs or doing anything else for that matter.

What I would like to point out, for good or for bad, for right or for wrong, is that we are all given a free will, and we are all perfectly free to think what we want about whomever we want, and unfortunately, this includes blogging or speaking in any public forum about those people. I say that it's unfortunate, because while I may (or may not) choose to support Obama, it does NOT mean I support infanticide, abortion, legal, illegal, early term, late term in any instance and while I may (or may not) support McCain, it does NOT mean I support the loss of thousands of lives that may have been needless due to poor planning, poor information and poor governing on the part of our current political leaders. See, I am NOT Stating who I stand behind, nor I am saying who I am against. I am just saying that since you say that all Obama supporters support abortion, you have just said that perhaps I do!!!!!!!! And if I am in fact an Obama supporter, you have made a false statement just based on generalizing commentary. Same case if you support McCain and the war. If I support him but not the war...you assumed the wrong information about me yet again!

So, when you make your generalized comments, please remember that many people may decide to vote on a candidate on multiple issues not just one, and while there may be some issues they disagree on, the "bigger" picture is that if you don't know each and every McCain or Obama supporter personally, it's hardly fair to make such blanket statements and end up upsetting people for no good reason.

Please don't generalize and lump people all together. It only serves to paint YOU in an unflattering light judging others when you don't know them.
This is not a political post, this was not a blog to start a fight with anyone. This was just a blog to point out people need to think before they hit PUBLISH. Thank you!

My personal site Life’s Ultimate Test and profile has received the attention of the Presidential 2008 Obama campaign for striving to bring about change in an area of education that has been overlooked and left on the back burner. The result was excepting the honor of being an Ambassador of the state of Maine for the 2007-2008 Presidential Obama campaign yearbook.

<BR>

<BR>

In the year 2000 I was honored for my unselfish attitude as a self appointed community advocate. For my dedication and inspirational work, Adelphia Communications and Romance classics, a network from the American Movie Channel, had selected me to receive the "Cool Women of America Award" Only two were chosen from Maine, and I was one.

<BR>

<BR>

I have volunteered in three different school doing craft projects with the students on all holidays. Done special projects, along with sewing customs for plays. Volunteered in the head start program. Been a member of the parent-teacher group, doing many fund raisers for classroom needs , and school playground equipment.

<BR>

<BR>

I have also served as vice president of both the People's Action Committee and the Maine Association of Independent Neighborhoods, which deals with low income issues. Held office as Treasurer for Task force on Human needs, as well as second vice president of the American Legion Auxiliary. I was certified by Pine Tree Legal as a community advocate. Volunteered helping the elderly, and handicapped along with anyone in need of help that has crossed my path as I go through life. Started a group for young children in the community called "Tiny Tots" doing fund raisers for t-shirts, parties and a float for the parade to enrich the lives of young children. I also hold many certificates in different fields.

<BR>

<BR>

I went on to publish books:

 

Thank you,

http://www.LifesUltimateTest.com

After hearing about John Edwards becoming the latest in a string of politicians to admit to having an affair (while his wife was undergoing cancer treatment, no less), I have to wonder: is fidelity too much to ask?

While some men (and women) can be idiots, it seems that politicians are a very special kind of idiot. In saying that, I'm assuming that politicians more frequently engage in affairs than non-politicians; on the other hand, there's the scary possibility that their behavior actually reflects that of the general population, who may cheat just as often but are less likely to get caught. I've heard the "monogamy isn't natural"/men-are-biologically -wired-to-spread-their-seed justification, but I don't buy it. We are also equipped with brains and the ability to choose. Women are biologically equipped to reproduce at age 11 or 12, but does that mean that they should?

I have always thought that infidelity is one of the most despicable acts a person can commit, and something that I could never forgive. That said, I think that people, including myself, are capable of just about anything under the right (or more accurately, wrong) circumstances, so maybe I shouldn't be so quick to judge. Who knows? The whole thing makes my brain hurt.

Has it ever occurred to anyone that the simple minded politicians talk of quick fixes after they have prevented preparation? The argument that drilling will not provide immediate relief for high gas prices is so obviously flawed and irrelevant it makes you wonder what they will try next to rationalize their bumbling interference. To say drilling will not help immediately is like saying it won't help to plow the garden cause the seeds won't sprout until later.

The process of getting oil requires getting land to explore on, determination of the most likely places to drill, running environmental studies, getting permits, getting the money for expenses and equipment, hiring personnel, learning how to find oil. taking the risk of drilling, capturing the oil that is found and transporting it and refining it, and setting up a distribution system to sell it. Does that sound like something a politician could even fathom doing?

And the environmentalists evidently imagine that when the gasoline gets too expensive to afford that they will still be able to travel to Washington to protest, that the goods and services they have that are delivered by truck,train and air will still be affordable and plentiful. And the caribou who not one person in 50,000 ever sees will be grateful they didn't have to hike around an oil pipeline. did you ever notice how cattle in Kansas and Oklahoma coexist with oil wells?

Want something? Get a supplier. Let the supplier produce. Don't put up barriers. Expect the supplier to profit form his efforts. Its really not that difficult. Except when you have a politician involved that thinks it is more important to have a constituency to keep him in office than to recognize that humans need sources of energy to survive and prosper. Clean air doesn't do much for an empty stomach.