I've gone from anger to hurt and absolutely have to get my feelings out. Unfortunately, I've had some issues with some blog posts I've read recently. Ah the freedom of speech. So much so that I've ceased reading them because I'm afraid of what I might read and the friendships I may lose.
By the tone of their writing I feel like these aforementioned bloggers are attacking me personally just because I voted differently than they did. They use the term "democrat" as if it's a cuss word. I suggest, in another four years when we elect another president (perhaps Obama again), blog about facts and leave the emotions behind. State merely why you voted the way you did...not why someone who voted against you is wrong and that you're disappointed in your country for its choice. I understand this is hard to do...especially when this election has been so emotional. And contrary to the advice I just gave, I will be emotional in this post because I feel as if my personal choices and intelligence has been attacked.
All I'm asking for...is a little respect. Just a little bit. Ha. Ha. Aretha Franklin? No? Alright. So I voted on the issues and by your telling me I made the wrong decision by voting for President-Elect Obama, you're telling me my reasons for choosing who I chose are invalid. That hurts.
Why are the blue states wrong? Why are all democrats (and republicans for that matter) lumped together like we all voted for our guy for the same reason? Why can't we accept and respect others' opinions? Why is someone who didn't vote for the same person you voted for stupid for choosing that person? Everyone has different reasons for voting. Mine? The environment, women's rights, and health care. McCain did not, for any of those issues, go in the direction that I would have liked. And to be honest, had it not been for Palin, my decision between McCain and Obama might have been much more difficult to make. I certainly sympathize with McCain's POW status and it definitely had a pull on me. But in the end I'm going to look at the big picture.
Do I think everything's going to change over night?? No. Do I think everything will change in four years? We might see some change and it may or may not be dramatic change. Did I vote for Obama for his "Change we can believe in" slogan? No. Have I "bought into" something?? Absolutely not. I did my research and voted for the person that had the most similar viewpoints to mine.
I'm attaching a videoclip from The View. It's somewhat long, but what I really want you to see is Elisabeth Hasselbeck's response to Obama as our next president. For anyone who doesn't know, she's a supporter of McCain who is known for (among other things) the intense arguments she had with her Obama loving co-hosts. She sums up nicely the position I feel those who have had an adverse reaction to his being elected should adopt.
I feel it's ridiculous to refer to Obama with his full name; including Hussein like it refers to terrorist ties. Feel free to read this article to educate yourself on the origins of this name. McCain himself even said that using his full name is inappropriate. I think I'll name my son after Hitler just so he'll have a hard time becoming president if he so chooses that route. When else has a person running for president consistently been referred to by his full name? It's low and I'd say one who does so is ignorant and prejudiced for stooping to such depths.
Growing up in a military family, I have and will always have intense pride for my country, its leaders, and the freedoms I possess because of those who have (and have not) died for her. I had love and was devoted to my country even as Bush's popularity waned and the economy plummeted. I don't pick and choose when I love the United States and her people depending on how things are going. Even if whomever is elected is making incompetent decisions, I embrace it because that's who we, as a country, chose. That's who we had the freedom to choose. I've heard many people (not just the new First Lady) say this is the first time in a long time that they've been proud of the United States. I have always and will always be proud of my country. PERIOD.
Do I think Bush was a good choice? Maybe not, but I still supported my country, the people's decision, and our president. Do I wish "our boys" had never gone to war? As a sister of someone previously deployed to Afghanistan, absolutely. But when one enlists, one understands that he or she may be called to duty (a reason I have never enlisted) and when/if that time comes, one stands up and serves his or her country proudly. Do I think Obama's going to bring everyone back? Nope. Do I think he should? Nope. We're in too deep to pull out now. My brother (active duty AF) opened my eyes during a conversation we had regarding Bush. His stance may have changed since our discussion, but at that time he maintained that Bush had been the best president the military had seen in a long time. Funny, huh?
I revel in that I am able to vote. I revel in the fact that I am able to voice my opinions for all to hear. As a patriot and no matter my political views, I will stand up and support my new president and this wonderful country in which I was blessed to be born.
I appreciate that not everyone will have the same views I have and I will not condemn those who choose paths I may not choose. I will not disrespect you for your choice. I will not think you're dumb and were "taken" by McCain. You have your opinion. I have mine. Neither is wrong.
These are my feelings at this time. They may change and I'm open to that change. Indeed, I welcome it.
Well said, Nicole. I don't have a problem with people voting against my candidate for legitimate reasons, but I wish people would take the trouble to inform themselves before they go vote.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. You may not have meant it this way (perhaps I'm ultra-sensitive at this point), but your comment sounds as if you feel many people who voted for Obama voted for him because he was "popular" and not because of his stand. This assumes a lot and the same thing can be said for McCain voters. I'm sure many McCain supporters voted for him strictly because he was a POW.
ReplyDeleteHey Nicole,
ReplyDeleteThanks for this insightful post. You know I love you. And I was pretty sure you were an Obama supporter before I read this blog. Why? I don't know, but I did.
The only thing I feel compelled to address here is the issue with his name? Why can't we refer to him as Barack Hussein Obama? That is his name, after all. No one complained when Dems and Reps alike called our current president "Dubya." People repeatedly refer to Kennedy as John F. Kennedy and Hillary Clinton as Hillary Rodham Clinton.
If we cannot refer to Barack Obama as Barack Hussein Obama without offending people, I have to ask...why?
Does that mean you think something is wrong with his name, too? Why does it offend you to hear his name spoken/written?
Of course his having the middle name Hussein links him to terrorism just as much as having the middle name "Honda" links one to a car company. It's absurd.
It is, however, a coincidence that frightens people. And I think that is why people like Anne (sp?) Coulter refer to him as B. Hussein Obama. When asked why she calls him that, she said, "Because that's his name!" Of course, she has a political agenda to push...but it is his name nonetheless.
If he shouldn't be ashamed of his name (as your article clearly states), then why are people like myself ignorant or hateful for referring to him as such?
Are you still going to be my friend? :(
Haha! Of course I'll still be your friend...it takes someone attacking me personally (like someone saying I'm the most stuck-up person they ever met--actually happened btw!) for me to "de-friend" them. :o)
ReplyDeleteI agree that his name in and of itself is not derogatory. My argument is that some people use it in a hateful and spiteful way to point out supposed terrorist ties. You may not have been referring to him in this way when you used his full name. It seemed to me, however, that you were and that's what upset me.
:) I tried to post a reply but it turned into a rambling blog about nothing. See my blog for the end result- it's a mess!
ReplyDelete*cowers in shame*
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry if my dumb post offended you in any way. I was just frustrated and venting in a hurry. I truly respect the office of the President. I think my frustration lies with the uneducated voters...and not with Democrats in general. I mean, it's stupid to paint with such a broad brush and I feel bad that I did it.
So, in summation, forgive me.
I actually cried on election day...obviously, the emotions were running on high.
But, I'm anxious to see good things come out of this election because I'm sick of hearing the negative attacks on Bush. I'm ready for the change, whatever it may be. Obama is our man, and I'd be exactly what I disliked if I didn't give him the respect that the President deserves.
Anyway. I'm really really sorry for offending you.
Very few public figures are referred to by their middle names, so I have to ask why someone would do it for Obama other than to push a baseless fear mongering agenda. ...and "W" is not a name, it is an initial and is used to distinguish him from his father. Completely logical for that example. Interestingly, assassins are usually referred to by their full names: John Wilkes Boothe, Lee Harvey Oswald, Billy Ray Cyrus, etc.
ReplyDelete...yes Billy Ray Cyrus is an assassin, as he kills music everytime he performs.