SIGN THIS PETITION!!!

Click on this link and sign the petition.  
https://www.change.org/petitions/mobile-county-alabama-prosecutor-bring-travis-hawkins-jr-to-justice

Here's the information from the petition site:

Mallory was an invited guest Thanksgiving Day to her gf fam dinner & brother, Travis Hawkins Jr, has been arrested, charged, and released on bail for ONLY 2nd degree assault! Mallory had experienced a brain bleed, reconstructive facial surgeries, (metal plates due to crushed cheek bones), and skull fractures! This at best was an attempted murder! Mallory deserves justice for the horrific attack & by the Grace of God her long road to recover! It is reported that the accused attackers family stood by, did not intervene, and have threatened the victim family!

Article:
http://www.queerty.com/alabama-woman-savagely-beaten-by-girlfriends-brother-over-thanksgiving-20121126/
Queerty is also where this image comes from:

How can someone do this to someone else?  Her life is completely changed now because Travis Hawkins Jr. decided he was better than her.  This is a hate crime and the family allowed it to happen.  Everyone present who did nothing to help her need to be charged.  By doing nothing, people allow this behavior to continue.  DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.  Sign the petition, write to the government, stand up for someone else, etc.  He needs to be charged with attempted murder.

People who think this is okay because she is a lesbian: DECENT human beings would NEVER believe this type of behavior is okay, this hate is not okay.  Also, if you say you are religious and think this is okay because she is a lesbian: you need to re-evaluate yourself and your morals because this is most definitely not even close to a religious act because this is hate.  Our justice system needs to prove that it can find justice system for people.  Letting him go will say our government and the people are willing to allow people to judge others and to physically attack and assault others.  She is equal to everyone else, regardless of sexual orientation.  Equality.

EVERYONE IS EQUAL, so why can he beat her and almost kill her and not be charged with attempted murder?

Misleading maps?

http://www.upworthy.com/we-have-been-mislead-by-an-erroneous-map-of-the-world-for-500-years?c=bl3

Interesting video and point.  We do tend to equate size with equality and things really aren't portrayed accurately according to size via the Mercator map we use today.  Possibly the Peters map could be of use?  Also, the end made me laugh, turn someone's world upside down when you turn a map upside down, even though a sphere doesn't really have a top and bottom.... :)

Back to equality: we associate northern and southern hemispheres and West and East with Good or bad or superior and inferior.  It shouldn't be that way, but people do it. If everyone works to set it straight that we are all humans living on the same earth, all equal we can work to change that mentality.  Again, I leave with this quote: "There is only one race: the human race."

*Kristen

PS. Hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving or for those who don't celebrate it, hope you had a happy weekend.

Obamacare

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/21/john-boehner-obamacare_n_2170722.html

After reading this article, I was even more unhappy with Tea Party Republicans than before.  If Congress continues to try to get rid of this even after WE the people agreed it would benefit the majority they are not working for us.  They deserve to be overthrown and kicked out on their butts.  They are wasting our money with their efforts and they don't care.  If they did they would have realized after the passing of Obamacare and the failed repeal that it is dumb to continue to try.  But no, they keep trying, knowing it is wasting our money.  KICK THEM OUT.  That's the only way to improve our government and get things passed the people want passed.  A contemporary republican is synonymous with selfish and greed, among other things.

Also, republicans who are still complaining about the outcome of the election = SORE LOSERS.  GET OVER IT.  Obama is President.  He was the best choice.  He's president for the next four years.  Stop whining.  If you're threatening to move out of the country, then do it.  Republicans are all talk, no action.  That's the problem.  Romney was all talk, no action, so are the rest of the sheep that follow him and the other Republicans.  Obama = action (for the people).  So if you say you hate Obama as president and want to move.  DO IT.  DO IT NOW.  We'd be better off without you.  Patriotism = supporting the president and the election process.  Sure, we may not always like the outcome, but once it happens there are ways to still get your voice heard.  Send your congressmen messages about things - they are the representatives for the people.  They'll get your message to the president.  If you call the election process fraudulent, then you need to have evidence supporting your claim.  If you don't you're just a sore loser and you must not be very patriotic. 

Kristen

Equality for Women

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP4e4vGP6oc

Ellen talks about trying to order 1 and 2 pound weights and how they come in only two colors: pink and purple.  As well as pink and purple pens "Her" pens, because, as Ellen points out: we could only write with our tears or lipstick.  You know, because we always have those on hand.  There is also a car made just for women and it comes in two colors: pink and eyeliner brown.  It has a climate control system to improve skin quality and windshield to prevent wrinkles.  Floral kiss computer for women which comes in feminine pink or elegant white and has a latch opening for women with long fingernails, pre-installed with scrap booking app and daily horoscope checker.  Wow.  Really?!  Do people want to move forward with equality or backwards?  I am a woman and I don't scrapbook.  I am a woman and I don't check my horoscope.  I am a woman and I don't like the color pink.  Ugh.

Women need to boycott these products.  Uniting under a boycott of these products will let these companies know women want to be treated equally and we don't need pens just for women to write or a pink car to drive.  Want to know the color of my truck?  Black.

"I checked my horoscope and it said: Today, your progress as a woman will be set back 92 years."

*Kristen

Rape camps?

In a FOX news interview with Megyn Kelly, radio host Michael Graham stated this about Obama:

“He ran on the Republicans are Satan incarnate and if women vote for them, they’re going to be forced into rape camps, and when that’s your campaign, you can’t be surprised when the people you ran against don’t want to work with you and you don’t have an issue to rally people around.”

Wow.  Really?  I'm fairly certain I never heard Obama once say anything about rape camps....though, since the Tea Party Republicans seem to not like independent women they may like the idea of rape camps.  Ugh.  This is getting even more ridiculous.

http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/fox_news_guest_pushes_obama_rape_camp_conspiracy_20121109/

Another ridiculous thought for people: Use a word other than the "N" word, seriously?  Tracy Watson, learn how to use spell check and stop spreading hate.  Also, people who use welfare or receive "handouts" from the government aren't necessarily lazy.  Walk a mile in someone else's shoes, learn to have a little empathy for others and try to understand another person's situation.  Just because someone needs a little extra help to get by doesn't mean they are lazy or bad people.  It is people like Tracy Watson and the other racists/people who believe they are superior to others that we have people starving in our country.  It is because of hateful people that we have so many murders that occur in our country.  The Tea Party Republicans can be compared to the KKK. 

http://www.classwarfareexists.com/its-official-i-hate-this-n-gger-loving-muslim-country-just-saying/#axzz2Bu0htsvc

Hate is the problem.

http://www.kwch.com/news/wpix-map-shows-distribution-of-racist-tweets-after-obamas-reelection-20121109,0,6492014.story

This is a link that shows a map showing locations of racist tweets after Obama was elected, Mississippi and Alabama have the most with Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, North Dakota, Utah, and Missouri.  All I have to say is REALLY?!  We are still facing ignorant people who say things like this??????   Ugh, get some compassion and education people!  This article talks about a woman from California (Denise Helms, 22) who is under investigation by the Secret Service from her post: "Another 4 years of this (N-word), maybe he will get assassinated this term."  Then her response to this to a news crew: "The assassination part is kind of harsh. I'm not saying like I would go do that or anything like that, by any means, but if it was to happen, I don't think I'd care one bit."  People like this are the problem.  People who have so much hate in their hearts that murder or cruelty is the answer.  Wake up people!!!!  This hate hurts everyone, tears apart nations.  Our country has to be better than this, have we learned nothing from our history?  Have we learned nothing from others' histories?  We had a civil war here (though not alone, other countries have had civil wars) where we fought each other, brothers killed brothers...or did we learn nothing from WWII and the Holocaust?  People make mistakes, yes, but we are in 2012, we can't change history, but we can LEARN from those mistakes.  Yes, Barack Obama is black.  Is this really the most important characteristic about him people can bring up?  Ugh. 

"There is only one race: the human race."

*Kristen

Obama is President.

Obama is President for the next four years.  I am super happy about this because it will give him the opportunity to show us what he really wanted to accomplish as President of the United States.  Of course, presidents also need some help from Congress to be able to get some things done.  Hopefully, they will be able to work together better than what they have been and be willing to compromise.  Also, I'd like to tell people who are unhappy with the outcome of the election to get over it.  Nothing they can do, we are still the United States of America.  We should be standing together.  UNITED States of America.  People need to look up the definition of that word.

Also, a congrats to the states that legalized same-sex marriage.  Thanks for realizing that more people getting married isn't going to ruin the sanctity of marriage nor will it cause every "normal" couple that is married to divorce nor will homosexuality spread like wildfire and "infect" everyone in the U.S.  People who believe this......well, they should really evaluate themselves with a more critical eye.

Another issue I wanted to talk about: what makes rich people better than everyone else?  Serious question.  They can pay the same amount of taxes as everyone else; people are supposed to be considered equal.  Many rich people believe they are superior to everyone else and should not have to pay more money.  They must like having poor people around to walk all over.  Everyone should pay the same amount to contribute to this country.  End of story.  Debate is over, I have the answer.

*Kristen

VOTE.

If you haven't voted yet, get a move on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Abortion.

Republicans/conservatives tend to be "pro-life," and Democrats/liberals tend to be "pro-choice."  Just an observation.  Pro-choice is NOT the same thing as pro-abortion.  People who think this are dumb, plain and simple.  Pro-choice is merely saying that one supports the right for a woman to choose to give birth to a baby or to receive an abortion.  Many pro-choice people (me being one of those people) would actually never choose abortion themselves, unless something huge influenced them, such as rape (of course, only legitimate rape is considered here *insert thick sarcasm here* - ugh) or medical problem that would either put the mother's life in danger or be something that the child could be in pain for his/her entire life.  I must mention at this point that if the mother's life were in danger and needed extra care or the child did have health problems that would create problems or pain for the rest of their life, many conservatives would say that offering them any help to pay for their medical bills would be handouts and would consider them lazy.  They want to take care of unborn babies but taking care of people after they are born is unacceptable.

I do not believe people should use abortion as a form of contraception by any means, but sometimes people have to make the difficult decision to have an abortion.  If they aren't ready just yet (people DO make mistakes - part of being human or they just aren't in the right situation for it at that moment of their life) or health reasons or rape or some other reason.  It doesn't matter, women have a right to say what happens to their body.  It affects their life.  Men shouldn't be concerned with what women do with their bodies.  These government committees comprised only of men attempting to make decisions about women and their bodies and their futures makes me angry to think that they believe they can actually make competent decisions.  They have no right to think this or do this, and women NEED to stand up and fight them.

Speak up for your rights and for other people's rights.  Don't allow your rights to be taken away, don't allow other people's rights to be taken away.  We can be unified as a country under the principle that we are all deserving of the right to be happy and to make our own decisions to create the life we want to live in our pursuit of happiness (which, I might add, is stated in the Declaration of Independence).  We can be unified in knowing that we are all humans and we should see each other as equal because WE ARE ALL EQUAL. 

More politics

Wow, President Obama came through for tonight's debate.  The thing that I can't understand is why Romney keeps opening his mouth; I think it would benefit him to keep it closed.  Fact checks are getting the best of him.  Not that I mind he looks like a complete moron, but you would think that some of his Republican buddies would advise him to do a little research or to talk less.  Favorite quote from this debate:  

"Gov. Romney, I'm glad you recognize al-Qaeda is a threat, because a few months ago when you were asked what is the biggest geopolitical group facing America, you said Russia — not al-Qaeda. And the 1980's are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back — because the Cold War has been over for 20 years. But Governor, when it comes to our foreign policy, you seem to want to import the foreign policies of the 1980's, just like the social policy of the 1950's, and the economic policies of the 1920's."

I think we all know who is president material and who isn't...especially when we look at their policies and look at how Romney doesn't seem to know how to make his mind up about things, except for his policy about gay marriage and equality.  He even wants to take away rights for homosexual couples that Obama has just given them.  Ugh.  Homosexuals getting married will not ruin anyone else's marriage!!!!!!!!  Homosexuals getting married will not result in an apocalypse!!!!!!!! Homosexuals getting married doesn't affect anyone else outside of the couple and their families and friends.  Who are these people kidding?!  Do not use the Bible/religion as a shield for your lack of tolerance of others, for your need to stomp on others so you can feel superior.  Mr. Romney, you are already a rich white male, of course you are on top right now, the only thing you are afraid of is having others that you see beneath you (common folk) as equal to you.  

Romney is also turning his back on people who have fought for our country, people who deserve our respect, people who deserve the resources this country can offer them.  If it doesn't benefit himself or his other rich buddies, it isn't worth his time.  He supports war, yet he has never served.  He wants others to die for him, yet he doesn't feel he owes them anything.  No benefits will find their way to deserving veterans if Romney becomes president.  President Obama has never served in war, but he doesn't seem to like war very much.  Basically, ask yourself if you could vote for a man of privilege who doesn't mind war and is willing to send other people's children to die for himself and others. 

Link to check out more about the debate:
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/10/22/best-romney-rebukes/



*Kristen

November Election

Midterms at WSU this week, but I realized I haven't posted in awhile.  Here's another blog listing accomplishments of Barack Obama, since there are so many people that feel as though he hasn't done anything worthwhile in office.  Also, I wanted to point out that we gave Bush eight years to create the mess we were in, bringing us almost another depression, how can we expect anyone to pull us out of the hole that he dug within just a couple of years?  We can't.  He has been working toward a better America, with very little support from Congress.  Come November, we will see whether the majority of our country is for progressing forward or if they want to take several steps back by voting in Romney.  I'm tired of counting the lies in the debates that he and his VP candidate tell.  If they are already this way, putting them in office is a really bad idea.  I'm not saying Obama is perfect; no human is.  I was disappointed at the lack of fight in him during the debates, but he didn't sink to Romney's level either.  He needs to step it up and be proud of what he's accomplished and point them out, modesty isn't that great in a situation like this.  People don't know what he's done because he, unlike most other politicians, doesn't brag about them every chance he can get.  He's probably disappointed that he hasn't made as much change as what he wanted, so he might see that as a failure.  Well, he's had about four years to begin filling the huge hole Bush dug us and threw us in, as well as adding water so we could slip around in the mud for awhile before being able to fix it.  Critique President Obama, but give him another chance, another four years to see what he really can do, now that he finally fixed some of Bush's failures. 

http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html

Keep in mind, that with Romney, people's rights will most likely get taken away, whereas with Obama, we'll continue to move forward toward equality.  If we truly love our country, we will vote for someone who advocates for those who are seen as "inferior" to people like Romney and the rich.  None of us are inferior just because of a difference in gender, sexual preference, skin color, economic status, etc, so we should step up and support people who see that as the truth.

I received my absentee ballot in the mail yesterday, and I am excited to vote for Obama again to truly see what more he can do for this country.

*Kristen

Say what you believe before ideas are lost

"Bottom line, if people don't say what they believe, those ideas and feelings get lost. If they are lost often enough, those ideas and feelings never return." -- David Wojnarowicz

This is a quote from the artist David Wojnarowicz, which I believe people should live by.  One person can make a difference, they just have to find the courage to voice their opinion about an issue.  People come from so many different backgrounds that everyone brings unique ideas and perspectives to the table.  However, if we don't voice these, they could be lost.  If we don't voice these opinions we could lose those ideas or we could stand in the way of necessary change.  This is such an important action we must all be part of in order to shape the world we live in and continue improving the society/world we live in.  Stand up for yourself, stand up for others.  Together we'll make change.  

PS.  The election is getting closer....everyone should vote and get their voice heard.  We need someone who will improve this country and progress towards a better future....not one who can cut 47% of the population out as unimportant.  

PPS.  Just to get people thinking...I'm pretty sure the Westboro Baptist Church supports Romney....and the Westboro Baptist Church (godhatesfags.com) has the word "hates" within their address, as well as the fact that I have never seen the word "hate" in so many places on a website...this one wins.  Do we want a President who the biggest hate group of the country probably supports?  Don't think so.

*Kristen

Election

As the election grows closer for us, I've been hearing more people around me talking about voting.  I have been surprised to hear that a lot of people are considering not voting, considering not letting their voices be heard.  Or I have been hearing people say they are voting for Obama because they are democrat or they are just voting for Romney because they are republican.  I write this post to challenge people to consider their choices, consider what makes them a democrat or republican and if they truly understand each party.  I also challenge people to look past the division of political parties and critically analyze each person who is running - their message, accurate potential, and character.

I bring this up and challenge U.S. citizens (as well as other countries who hold elections) with this because I've recently met some people who are voting for Romney just because they are Republican.  These people don't even agree with what he is saying, but they are still planning to vote for him because of their vision of the Republican party in the future.  If you vote for a party or person, then this says you agree with them now.  It doesn't give a voice of change, this says you like them how they are now, their goals, character, message, etc.  Don't vote for someone if you disagree with them, this isn't a smart move.  Though, if it comes down to it, I would rather see someone vote for a candidate that I disagree with than not vote just because they don't see any as reasonable candidates.  One of them is going to be President, vote for one who you think is the most patriotic, the one who cares for the majority of the citizens, the one you agree with most, etc.  I challenge people not to be ignorant.  Educate yourself before the election and don't vote out of ignorance or because you hate the other political party more that you have to vote for the other even if you disagree with them.  Hate shouldn't be a factor. 

I consider myself an independent because I look at the current candidates.  This is my second election that I am old enough to vote, and I believe Obama deserves another four years in office.  Bush dug a hole so deep that Obama first had to work to fill it up a little just to get our country even a chance to climb out; now he needs another four years to show what he can do now that that hole is filling up.  Obama knows what it is like to be a minority, which means women's rights and homosexual's rights and other minority's rights won't go back in time like what Romney could do.  We don't need another rich white man in the President's seat.  Not yet anyway.  This country still needs change. 


An article some may like to read: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/darin-murphy/to-the-47-for-all-you-do-_b_1892687.html

*Kristen

When Women Make Decisions, They're Usually Wrong

 When Women Make Decisions, They're Usually Wrong

"Every day is a struggle for most women to make decisions and fight the uphill battle of living with choices. Why don't you help save the world by sponsoring some woman's uterus?".....Kate Lambert's video is a must see.  This is what the United States' government is basically trying to do to us women in the U.S.  Our national legislation regarding women-specific issues is comprised of men attempting to tell us we are helpless and we cannot, under any circumstance, make the right decision (especially anything that concerns the uterus or female reproductive parts that we were..."burdened" with.  Women in the United States need to take charge of their rights and push to continue moving forward.  The only way to do so is to vote for Obama this year, Mitt Romney and extreme Republicans will only force us back into the past concerning our rights. 

http://www.upworthy.com/when-women-make-decisions-theyre-usually-wrong?c=bl3You

Bullies

I have a womb and will let you know what I want done with it when I want it done.  Ugh.  Dumb Tea Party/Extreme Republicans.  You'd think that these male Republicans wished that they also had a uterus.......oh....wait, but that would be unnatural.....hmmmmm...

Anyway, haven't written in my blog for awhile and decided to write tonight, especially after reading about yet another suicide of a young girl, age 11.  She was bullied until she couldn't take it any more, until she felt so alone.  She was alone.  The schools in the United States tend to wait until something like this happens to one of their own.  They do not care until they make it in the news with this type of negative publicity.  I am putting the blame on the schools and the bully and the bully's family.  The school needs to step forward.  They need to put a STOP to this kind of action before it barely gets started.  They do this, and children will feel as though they can come forward, that there are people they can count on to help them.  If they continue to allow the bullying, children feel as though there is no one there for them, no one they can go to talk to and get them out of situations such as this one.  They can talk to their own family who usually goes to the school to request help.  The school promises to "talk" to the bully and the bully's family......but this is where it ends.  Even if it is repeated, the school justifies the actions by saying, well we already talked to them...blah, blah, blah *insert excuses here.*  If our legal system charged the bully and the school district with murder each time there was a suicide, this could significantly decrease these suicides and bullying.  They would be so much more strict in their consequences for bullies.  This is extreme, but apparently numerous deaths of students who feel helpless and that death is their only way out, away from pain, isn't good enough.  School districts see these actions at other schools and they stand aside...ignoring what they see, ignoring the problems within their school.  Bullies should be charged with assault or harassment and severe and immediate consequences should happen.  Their families should be charged if they refuse to take action, if they refuse to admit there is a problem.  Many families refuse to admit their precious child is mean, is a bully.  Snap out of it.  There is time to stop the problem if you aren't ignorant.  This is how school shootings occur, this is how suicides occur.  Ignorance and ignoring problems will not solve the problem(s).  Duh.  Take action.  Protect people from bullies and hold bullies and schools who refuse to stop them accountable. 

*Kristen

Legitimate Rape and Ignorance

I pulled this image off of Being Liberal's Facebook Page.  Notice how they are all men commenting on rape.  I can't believe these were said.  Women's bodies go through a biological process each month, we ovulate, we menstruate.  If it is "legitimate" rape, according to these Republicans women will not get pregnant because we can control these.  If this is the case, then why can't I wish my period away until I want to get pregnant?  I've tried wishing with all my might that my period would go away until I actually want it back, it isn't like it is pleasant to receive.  Ugh.  These people are ignorant about women, their bodies, biology, life, compassion, and so much more.  If all these people all took a long walk off a short cliff, I certainly wouldn't mind the disappearance of these guys.

First, it is a woman's fault if she gets raped because she dressed with a little cleavage showing or she's in high heels, and we all know what that means:  Please mount me, with or without my permission, oh please.  Ignore me if I say no and please, rape me.  Morons.  And now, because they are desperate to try to try to get abortions looked at as negatively as possible, they are turning toward this load of crap that if anyone has even an ounce of knowledge about women and biology they would know this is rubbish.  I'm not saying that women should use abortion as a means of birth control, but I do think that it is their body and they have a right to decide.  We already have too many children in foster care and too many children being abused by parents who never wanted them.  I guess I'd much rather see them at peace than having to live a life that they are abandoned or abused.  Also, it isn't like these people really care about the children.  As soon as they are born, they want to eliminate any government help to them and their families.

All I can say is that come this election, if majority votes for Republicans, it will be a sad day for the United States of America.  I will be very disappointed in my fellow citizens and wonder how many could be so ignorant of the selfishness and ignorance of this party.  It is time to overthrow the extreme Republican party and get a different one, one that is more middle of the road.  The 1% richest people can vote for them, and I would understand those votes.  Republicans look out for the rich, no one else.  Everyone else who votes for them, there is absolutely no excuse for you and your stupidity.

*Kristen

Video and commandments...

http://www.upworthy.com/every-biblical-argument-against-being-gay-debunked-biblically?c=bl3

A link to a great video (Every Biblical Argument Against Being Gay, Debunked Biblically, Matthew Vines).  It is fairly long but definitely worth viewing.  This goes along with most of my previous blogs....Vines also has a facebook page you can like: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Matthew-Vines/409201242470903 and website: http://matthewvines.com/

This is just something to think about, if you know of anyone or if you are someone who is very....traditional or conservative then please listen.  What do you have to lose?  You get to hear a counterargument, thus making you more informed - how can this be a bad thing?  I do feel bad that he has to defend himself, defend himself for something he can't choose.  I do believe that we should interpret the Bible through a contemporary eye and choose which pieces still are applicable in today's society.




More to think about that is my opinion:
Let's look at a couple of of the commandments:
1. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me."
 2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My Commandments.
 3."You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."
4. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it."
 5. "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you."
 6. "Thou shall not murder."
 7. "You shall not commit adultery."
8. "You shall not steal."
9. "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
10. “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.”

***Cliff notes version: Put God first, worship God only, use God's name with respect, remember God's Sabbath, Respect your parents, do not hurt other people, be faithful in marriage, do not steal, do not lie, do not be envious of others.

How many people actually put God first?  There are a lot of "homophobic" people out there that use the Bible as some sort of shield, but how much of their day is devoted to God and putting everything He has "said" first?

If asked this question: If you were forced to live on a deserted island and you have the option of bringing one or even two or, heck, even three of your possessions along with you, how many people would say "My Bible!"?  No, it is because we live in a society, even though many pretend we do not or that they are not guilty of this, that worships material possessions.  So one can pretend to be oh-so-religious, but they'd probably try to bring along their iPod because they bought the new version that just came out for a lot of money even though their old one worked just fine.

Just the other day I heard someone use the Lord's name in vain, people do it several times a day.  We even read (and most laugh) at jokes that do it. Why is this, one of the 10 commandments not important to people today, yet homosexuality (not listed in the 10 commandments by the way) is important to shun people?

Sabbath....how many people do absolutely NO WORK on Sabbath?  I don't know about you, but my week is busy....when else am I going to clean my apartment?  I am definitely NOT the only one who does a little bit of work on Sabbath.

Respect your parents...if you are a parent, how respectful are your kids to you?  Do they listen with their undivided attention?  Need I say more?  I have seen kids scream at their parents, acting spoiled rotten.  Some kids do need to be spanked or punished, and if you disagree, then don't do it to your kid!  Ugh.  Backseat parenting annoys the crap out of me.  Make the kids work for something in their lives, if you hand them everything, they will not respect you, your hard work, your money, or the thing(s) you just bought them. Or if you aren't a parent, how many times to walk into a store and see kids screaming their heads off because their parents said "no"?

We do punish people for murder and stealing, but check out the prisons - overcrowding because people do this often.  A lot of these people are Christians....

People lie everyday, many several times a day....we tell little white lies, some to try to protect our friends or whatnot, but bottom line is it is still a lie.  We deem these okay because we have to justify to ourselves someone would get hurt.  Murderers and thieves lie to stay out of prison, usually.  Big fat lie = lie, little white lie = lie.  However, I do not advocate for someone to be so brutally honest with someone that it harms them in anyway, mentally, emotionally, or physically.  I think this is where interpretation comes in: I think God will judge you in the end how you treated others, were you kind? or did you judge them and shun them?  Because I am fairly certain that a kind person who doesn't necessarily go to church every Sunday, tells a few lies here and there to avoid hurting someone and is homosexual will make their way to Heaven before someone who lies about their lifestyle, is mean to people because of their race, sexual orientation, gender, etc but goes to church all the time, remember, if you believe in God, then you also believe you can't keep secrets from him.  Your life is an open book to Him. 

How many people do you know who have had an affair?  How many people do you know who don't leave their eyes lingering on an attractive someone who is not their significant other?  This happens all the time...the same political people who say homosexuals are bad or wrong are probably married but have someone on the side.

How many people have envied another?  People kill over jealousy.  Grass is always greener, people.

The 10 commandments merely offer a guideline of how to live.  We, ultimately make the choice of whether or not to listen to them.  For those who think being black, a woman, and/or homosexual is wrong, it is a choice to believe it is wrong, however, you should seriously consider this: those people didn't have a choice to be born that way.

*Kristen

Wipe Out Homophobia

I wanted to share this facebook and webpage of Wipe Out Homophobia.   If you are not already familiar with this facebook page, it offers a supportive community and believes that everyone should have equal rights.  Gay, straight, bisexual, etc. you are welcome here,  Their site offers more information about the fight for rights.  It speaks about hate crimes committed against people just because of their sexual orientation, just because of a single difference.

If you are open to differences and believe all have the right to be considered equal, then I praise your tolerance.  If you are not, I do not know your reasons, however, I ask that you consider this: if it were your family that were being targeted for a single difference, if it were your family receiving threats or having people chase down your children, or worse, would you think any different?  I am not saying you have to like the idea of being homosexual or having a different sexual orientation, but I am saying that everyone should respect others.  Everyone should respect that other people have a right to live their lives that allow them to pursue happiness for themselves and for their families, so long as their pursuit to happiness doesn't harm others.  Being homosexual doesn't cause harm to others, it doesn't break marriages apart, it doesn't cause hate, homosexual relationships don't harm children, or anything else.  Divorce rates are already high in this country, we could do with a little more love, not hate. 

A person's differences do not make them any less human.  They have a heart, they have dreams, don't take away their lives or dreams because you can't understand why they are different.  Just accept that they are and move forward with your own life as they move forward with theirs.  Everyone is different, don't lose sleep over it.  Instead, walk a mile in their shoes.  Look at this organization, hear what they have to say, hear alternative view points, etc. or just find a supportive community that you would like join.

https://www.facebook.com/WHOF1?ref=ts
http://www.wipeouthomophobia.com/

*Kristen

Opportunities

In June, I had the opportunity to visit Mexico City and Cuba with an art history class, attending the Havana Biennial.  We were in Mexico City for the first few days and then in Cuba for the rest.  It was an amazing experience, as it always is and will be to travel where customs and beliefs differ from your own.  Don’t fear differences but embrace them.  If we were all the same, we couldn’t teach each other anything and it would be a pretty boring world.

I wanted to share a couple of photos of the trip, these were both taken in Cuba.  One was taken on the most amazing day.  We traveled into the country, away from Havana’s tourism.  We stopped at a quaint little fruit stand on our way to see a mural and a cave.  Our group was supposed to eat at a more tourist-approved restaurant later, but the family was awesome.  Across from the fruit stand (which had the most amazing mango and pineapple and now fruit in the U.S. just disappoints me) was their home where they also had a restaurant.  Unanimous decision: stay and eat at this family’s restaurant.  Most awesome decision ever made.  J  It was peaceful, and they treated us like family even though we were basically tourists.  One of them began playing his guitar for us.  They did improv as well as traditional songs.  We stayed there for so long, we just didn’t want to leave.  The food was incredible, and we had freshly squeezed fruit juice.  We sang along with them and just hung out until our tour guides told us we really had to get going.  I will never forget this day. 

The other picture was taken when we had some free time and went to the beach.  I believe this was the day that one of our group members placed a dead fish under our professor’s things while he was swimming.  J  Professor = unimpressed, but he got his revenge.  The same member of the group also climbed a coconut tree while at the beach….he didn’t actually get a coconut off the tree, but the family nearby who gave him the inspiration gave him a couple.  I think they were impressed that a tourist would even attempt climbing the tree.

*Kristen

A lot of questions...

Though there are a lot of questions regarding this letter and it is actually pretty old...written in 2000, I believe, I think the letter on this site speaks to our critical thinking abilities. It also brings up the idea that we should accept that times change. It also begs the question of why some people choose to use the Bible as a means to define what should/should not be accepted today, should we go through the Bible and pick and choose excerpts that are convenient for us as well as when we deem them convenient for us? We can't say some of the statements in the Bible (or any one source) are "etched in stone" and should be equivalent to the law (also, please remember separation of church and state at this time) and discard other statements/suggestions.

Found the letter here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/drlaura.asp

Dear Dr. Laura,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's law. I have learned a great deal from you, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.

a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. How should I deal with this?

b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as it suggests in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev. 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may buy slaves from the nations that are around us. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans but not Canadians. Can you clarify?

e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

f)A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 10:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

g) Lev. 20:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here

h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27.  How should they die?

i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

j) My uncle has a farm.  He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of threat (cotton/polyester blend).  he also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot.  Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole two together to stone them?  (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.

*Kristen

Human Rights

I guess I have been thinking more and more about our nation’s history and about historical figures, specifically about Martin Luther King Jr’s I Have a Dream Speech: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” We see the same judgments being made today, only this time it is about gender and sexual orientation. This is not an attack against religious people, for everyone in this country has the freedom to choose their own religion (and might I add, some people disagree with this law, but it is still a law). It just breaks my heart that people decide they have the right to consider themselves superior to another because of differences.

During Martin Luther King Jr’s time, just because a person’s skin was darker than another’s skin tone, this made it acceptable to treat them as though they were not human, as though they did not have feelings, as though they didn’t have dreams. Until 1920, women fought for their right to vote, to be seen as equal enough to men to be able to have a political say in their future and their country’s future. And, yet, 92 years later, we are still fighting to be 100% equal to white men. Almost 100 years later after being granted the right to vote, we still have a male dominated Congress who spend a fair amount of time talking about whether or not women have the right to decide for themselves whether an abortion is appropriate for their circumstances or whether they need birth control or if birth control is even a right to have regarding their health. I guess men just have so much experience being women that they know what is best for those with vaginas, huh? Throughout history, there have been questions as to whether or not people who have a dominant left hand should be fixed as well. Lefties would have their left hands tied behind their back during school to force them to write with the “correct” hand. Being chastised or discriminated against because genetics won, in each of these cases. One doesn’t choose to be born black or white, or a man or a woman or left handed or right handed. One also doesn’t choose to be homosexual or heterosexual.

And though we still are not rid of our prejudices we have fought against in the past., today, we find ourselves in that same situation; except it isn’t a person’s skin color that makes one inferior it is their sexual orientation.

Why do we continue to allow history to repeat itself? Don’t we, as human, have the ability to adapt and to learn from our past mistakes? In the past we were able to see, unfortunately, after a lot of pain and suffering, that some beliefs were mistaken. How long before we see them now? Will we ever allow ourselves to truly see others as 100% equal with ourselves, or will we always deem ourselves superior and stomp on those around us? When will we walk beside each other as friends, or as equals? Will those who say a particular sexual orientation is wrong, consider this: the Declaration of Independence states life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are basic human rights. If marrying someone is part the journey it takes to get to that person’s happiness, then it is a basic human right, whether it is a man marrying a woman, a man marrying a man, a woman marrying a man, etc.

Everyone needs to stand up and fight for everyone’s rights. You never know when your rights will be the next to be questioned. I have friends and family who are homosexual, bisexual, transgender, and “normal” a.k.a heterosexual. I love them all. I will fight for their rights as if they were my own, as should everyone else.

*Kristen