Judge yourself....

This country has a long history of hating people. We were a nation which had slavery for nearly half of our existence, followed by Jim Crow laws and a culture that treated women as second class citizens. When all of those issues were resolved we had to have someone to hate so we turned to the gays. I mean gays were the next logical choice right? However, it is not an us vs them scenario that we are dealing with here. We are all Americans. Black or white, gay or straight, we are all Americans. Hating someone for being different in this country is perhaps the most blatant offense to liberty that I have ever seen.

So if you are one of the blithering idiots that adopts bigotry as one of your personal values, consider this; the burden is on you to make your case. Gay Americans don't have to prove why we should be treated equally. We are not asking for anything more than what others already have. In this country we require those who are establishing separate standards to prove their case. You see, those who want to warp a religion and instill bigotry as a constitutional standard are the ones that have to answer the question, why? I do not have to justify my claim to equality in this nation.

And while you are pondering the question as to why your self righteous ass is somehow entitled to more then others in this, the nation that serves as a bedrock for freedom and democracy around the world, ask yourselves how closely you are following the principals of the extremists that you hate so much. Islamic extremists have warped a fundamentally peaceful religion into a tool that justifies their contempt for Americans, and our allies around the world. The have further used that religion to teach their followers that if they kill themselves for the cause they will find some eternal glory. Pretty stupid huh? Then there are the Christian fundamentalists that warp the words of a peaceful and loving messiah, to establish bigotry as a fundamental principal. Now granted the Christian extremists aren't blowing themselves up in gay bars (yet) but they are certainly practicing some of the basic principals of those who like to crash planes into buildings. And before you get on your high horse remember that in our not so distant past as American Christians we have killed the non followers, and "demonized" individuals who fail to accept Jesus.

So to those of you still holding onto the backward pricipals of old, may your bigotry follow you to the grave, and for those of the younger generation that still don't get it, get a fucking education and perhaps you will see just how stupid your ideals actually are.

Hope for America...

There is really something amazing going on in this country today. A true patriotic American is going directly for the jugular of the establishment in Washington. In the midst of a presidential election that has a primary for both parties, only one man truly stands for the ideas that will save America in what is perhaps the most trying time we have ever faced.

Congressman Ron Paul is trying something that those who currently hold the power in this country fear. He is speaking the truth and answering the questions that Americans are asking. We are in a truly dangerous time, and the sad thing is, the corruption and crime that is running rampant in the west wing and the halls of congress has done quite a spectacular job of covering it all up. The government is spending borrowed money to an extent greater than they ever have. We have runaway debts and deficits, that people really don't notice, and the ones who do notice it, don't consider it a problem. Social security is destined for bankruptcy, and a mis managed war on foreign lands has sucked the American tax payers dry. We have no money. We are destined for disaster at this rate.

I know I speak to it a lot, but the root cause of all of these problems is the apathy of Americans. By consistently not voting, and not even caring about our political process we have allowed an establishment to hijack this nation's government and seize powers that would make the founding fathers sick.

Fortunately though, there is hope for America. Ron Paul is the only man that has the plans which can save this nation. He is a man that has never been corrupted by Washington, and has something that we havn't seen in a Presidential candidate in a long time; a consistent voting record.

Never in my life have I been filled with this much hope and optimism because of a candidates run. I firmly believe that Ron Paul is a prophet like man sent to save this nation on the bring of its utter destruction. My only fear however is that the apathy which has plagued our broken democracy for years will hurt it once more by keeping this true patriot from achieving presidential glory. We all must hope and pray that Ron Paul gets elected to the presidency. It could be our last best hope for freedom and democracy to survive in this nation.

The power to let go....

I commonly find myself frustrated with the way of the world today...those who hold the power seek not to wield it for the common good, but seek to wield it for the sake of preserving it. The very nature of good leaders throughout the course of history is quite the opposite. If you seek to maintain your power then you will not use it to make the risky decisions that often times have the biggest pay off. Too many times our presidents are more interested in keeping the power concentrated in the hands of the few that they never consider the best interest of America.

I envision an America where the leadership is constantly changing. I don't think that change is always the best thing, however I recognize that leadership is best in many different forms with constant turnover. We cannot logically expect for someone who is a good leader now to be a good leader always, and we certainly cannot always expect good leadership to always be born in the same places. Different times, and different situations will always call for different leaders. It is our job as Americans to end the apathy that has allowed our government and our way of life to be hijacked by those who seek nothing more than to maintain power and influence. Perhaps the fact that it has been a long time since Americans have had to pay the great price for their freedom, has led to a dreadful complacency that must be defeated. I am not calling for war, nor saying that suffering must happen, what I am saying is that Americans of today need to appreciate the sacrifices that it took to build this great nation, and understand that if we do not maintain our strength, and elect good leaders, we are destined to have to pay that high price again, or worse, lose everything that we hold dear.

Looking back

On the eve of a new president I cant help but look back and comment on the one whose time in office will be expiring. As a conservative republican I am not ashamed to say that I think the Bush presidency has been one of the biggest failures in the history of American politics. The president has mis managed a war which perhaps was the best opportunity in recent memory for stability in the middle east, leaving the region in turmoil, and on the verge of civil war.

He has failed this nation here at home by increasing the national debt and turning the national surplus into the biggest deficit ever seen. He has bankrupted the American economy in the name of big government and bureaucratic waste. He neglected to solve the real problems of the day, like social security and the cost of health care, and instead lead his religious followers in the way of government sponsored bigotry.

I try to pull successes out of the Bush administration, and though there are many, they pail in comparison to the failures. When you assess his presidency with the age old standard of did he leave the country better off than he found it, I will say that the answer is an emphatic no.

Update...

Where to begin?

I have been absent for a while from these forums for no other reason then I simply havn't taken the time to write. I'm really not sure where my life is at this moment. I get so caught up in work that I really just don't want to take time for myself. I guess it kinda leaves my personal life in shambles, but I really don't have that much of a personal life to manage so I suppose it isn't too bad. The Navy takes up alot of my time, but the problem is, much of it is just me trying to be an over achiever, and I really don't get a lot in return. I want to fit in, and be one of the guys, but at the end of the day I am not. I suppose I never will be. I kinda feel like a second class citizen. People love my work and service, yet when it comes time for me to get some sort of reward for it they just don't want me to have it. Sad really.

On relationships...

I have decided that there is really no need to seek them out. Every relationship I have sought after has been some big failure, or has never happened. The two times in my life when I had something promising come along it was nothing I had sought, and both times I screwed it up. So I have decided that there really is no need to seek out something that I can and have done without for quite some time. I should focus more on my life as it is, and doing the things that I need to do for myself.

On politics...

I am not satisfied with any of the Presidential candidates this year. The democrats scare me and the republicans annoy me. I will have to decide on someone, but at this point I honestly can't see who it will be. They all have so many flaws in my eyes. When will we have a candidate worthy of the office that they seek?

Moving on....

There was a time when I would have given up all of my career ambitions to be with the perfect guy. I have goals and ambitions or at least had goals and ambitions that I held above my career goals. I don't think that I am that person anymore. Not because I don't still desire a family of my own. I desire that more than anything. But I am begining to believe that it is not achieveable for me. Most in the community don't want what I do. The ones that do are either taken, or not my type. I am also begining to see that nobody would really make that sacrifice for me. That then begs the question. If they wouldn't make that sacrifice for me, why should I make it for them? I don't know....I guess I just get frustrated at times.

It has been a while....

It certainly has been some time since I have lost put my thoughts on here. I have been really busy going underway, and returning just for a brief time. I hope to keep better track of my time one of these days, but for now I will just count it as a weakness of mine.

In spending so much time underway my mind has nothing but time to think. I ponder different scenarios all the time, and often I am inspired to write, but the fact that I am underway seems to limit that ability.

The major themes that have been running through my head for the last little while are entitlement, selfishness, romance, and equality.

As far as entitlement goes, I get so angry at the number of people that have false claims to things. The reality is, you really are not entitled to that much. Sure, you may have the ability to have great things in life, but that certainly doesnt mean that you are entitled to them. The fact that you have them, doesnt even make you a bad person, but when you expect things, and let not getting them effect your mood I think you are a bit out of line. It is amazing how many people believe that society owes them something, or that a hardship they may or may not have directly felt entitles them to some great reward. How much better of a society would we be if instead of expecting things, we actually worked to make them happen? I guess this will not happen until the world learns to be a bit more gracious and a little less self serving.

As for selfishness, I get so annoyed when I meet someone that is just downright selfish. Sure, we all have a level of selfishness in the very basis of our character. And I will admit that sometimes that selfishness shows through quite well. However some people are unable to keep that in check, and that concerns me. If you are so selfish that you wouldn't sacrifice everything for your kids, the you are scum in my eyes. I guess it is just the way I was raised.

As for romance, it simply doesnt exist in my life. This saddens me because I have wanted a deep sincere relationship for a long time. I tend to be alot more mature in that respect than most people my age, which makes the search even harder, but I have to keep myself in check, otherwise, I might start thinking I'm entitled to a great partner. I guess it is circumstance more than anything that is the enemy here. The reason there is no prospect of a relationship is because I'm gone all of the time. That makes the search next to impossible. And I believe that perhaps the time that I do get to search I spend searching in the wrong places. I don't know, perhaps the perfect partner has already come and gone, and my youth and stupidity blew the chance.

And my favorite subject of course is equality. I suppose I get so worked up over because it seems so black and white to me. It is the very basis of our nation, yet we have never had true equality. There are always multiple groups that have to struggle, and still often end up on the short end of the stick. I think the fact that we as humans don't grant it out right to our neighbors is ridiculous. I suppose it all goes back to that feeling of entitlement. We all think that we are entitled to more than what others are. I guess I just dont understand that mind frame. And equality issues are so simple to solve. Look at the issue, and ask yourself which side is asking for different rules to apply to different people, and then look at which side is asking for the same standards to be universally applied. It is not that hard to see who is out of line when it comes to issues of equality.

I guess I was just rambling here, but I needed to put something up, cause my mind has been a flurry of activity as of late. I would hate to think that the thoughts come and go, and then get lost forever.

Rest in Peace

So today the country lost one of its most polarized and influential political lobbyist, the Reverand Jerry Falwell. He spent his life fighting for those beliefs that he held dear, and for that I have respect for him. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those that loved him.

However, a time like this usually calls for looking back at the life he lived. Jerry Falwell was one of the most powerful bigots this country has ever seen. He gathered around an army of workers that all spend much effort trying to enact bigotry as a national policy. Though I have respect for Mr Falwell, I certainly have no respect for the legacy of bigotry he left behind. I just wish that his bigotry could be burried with him. Unfortunatly, it lives on, at least for now.

Leasons Learned

The damndable thing about learning "one of life's many lessons" is that often times it was something that you knew before you ever made the mistake. We knew that the oven was hot long before we ever touched it as a child. And it hurts so much when we have to make the mistake in order to learn because it tears down our pride and exposes some of our most embarassing vulnerabilities.