Firstly,
check out Obama's new website "change.gov". I think it an especially good idea to continue his innovative on-line approach to communicating with the American people.
I think watching election night was one of the most amazing things, as far as being an American, I have ever seen. The only other big American event I've experienced on this scale was September 11th but that was more of a shivering on the couch and watching the sky as it was empty of plane trails sort of event. Looking at pictures across the world of happy celebrating people as we rejected the legacy of President Bush and it's terror scale, torture and Guantanamo Bay made me feel proud to be an American. Rarely have I been proud to be an American. Michelle Obama stated a similar sentiment and was ripped apart for it, but I do understand what she meant. That's not to say that I don't feel lucky living here, as opposed to the
landmine infested hills of Cambodia or a place where I would not be let out doors unveiled because I am a woman. It's just the idea of America and our freedoms has not been apparent of late. We have been lied to by our government, friends and family have been shipped overseas to fight in a publicly unsupported and unnecessary war, we know good and well there are people locked up without due process in Cuba by our government (whether or not they be terrorists!) and our local economy is falling apart before our eyes. In the last 8 years we have been asked to support our country only by spending money or calling in our neighbors if we suspect them of terrorist activities. I think both candidates knew this and McCain couldn't shake the spectre of our national disgust towards this culture of fear.
Unfortunately for McCain, who probably would have done a fine job, a vote for him was a vote for the status quo. It said to the rest of the world, we are perfectly happy continuing our role as the "world police" and don't view any of the injustices we've perpetrated as worth changing. We like our military mind. If McCain had won would there have been celebrations on the streets of countries across the world? Instead of nation-building we are leading by example. I don't think it is our job to topple unfair dictatorships across the world (stopping genocide, with the United Nations is a different beast in my opinion) but, by proving that it is possible to live in a country that can "vote for a change" we can inspire those nations to topple their own dictatorships and lead by example.
Meanwhile I am very sad about California's vote to ban gay marriage. As a married person I do not feel that gay marriage at all devalues my own. I know the bible has several verses that say being gay is wrong "Man shall not lie down with another man. In the lord's eyes, it is an abomination" Leviticus 18:22.
But it troubles me, in this land of "separation of church and state" could the hate speech of one religious book be written into law. I do not believe the bible is infallible. If anything it is an interesting historical reference and a guide to living during the time it was written. It also suggests that people not eat "beasts of cloven hoof" or shellfish, yet obviously we are not banning pig farming or clam bakes. In the context of living thousands of years ago anal sex was probably very risky and lead to the spread of disease. Similarly eating clams and pigs would make people sick. Better to ban it than risk early death.
The bible even advocates slaves obey their masters!
"Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ." (Ephesians 6:5)
I, however, think slavery is wrong (as does most everyone). If the Bible was a guide to living in today's world hopefully this verse would read "Slavery is evil, no person is born a slave" instead.
There is plenty of arguing with the bible. If using the bible as a reason to take away the rights of a section of people you should not be able to pick and choose which verses you believe are right. I am not a biblical expert and expect my mother to rip up my argument into shreds. The fact remains I do not believe the bible is a realistic guide to living today. (The love your neighbor parts still have weight, yes). Separation of church and state allows the state to make choices you religious folk find "an abomination". The state is not making you marry gays in your churches. The state will not arrest you for hate speech against gay people. The word "marriage" should apply to everyone with the same rights, privileges and foibles that straight folks are allowed.
It is my hope that my children will look at this generations bigotry against gays the same way as I view racism in my grandparents.
