New Year, New Adventure

First came Susi's Soap Box, then PhiloSusi and now I have a website where all my thoughts will go.

IWriteHer.com

Please join me there. And/or you can like the FB page - I Write Her 

That's where you'll find me sharing my guts. :)

Privileged, I Am

It's not hard to see I'm privileged. Looking at that wheel, I fit neatly into many of those categories.

I'm fortunate. Plain and simple. Being privileged gives me opportunities and options in life. I accept that, but don't automatically respond that it should afford me better treatment in life.

For all those out there who are embracing privilege at the expense of others, please stop acting like you are entitled to it. In reality you are just lucky!

Haphazardly winning that jackpot of  fortuitousness isn't a virtue or worthy of applause. It's by chance you are who you are.

Shame on you for thinking you can look down on those with less privilege. As if you are better.

Right. 

Yes, you are privileged, but also, an entitled and truly despicable human being.

Betrayal

Your actions made me feel like I wasn't special to you.

You claimed...

     I was important to you. Did you show it?

     I was a good friend. But obviously not enough for you.

     You loved me unconditionally, but I was too much to take.

     I was unique and different, but I was too combative because of the way I think.

     I was such a role model, but truly too honest for you. What with all the speaking out so much.

     It's good that I'm honest. But I just wasn't sensitive enough to others.

But I was just being me.

And you didn't know how to take me.

Then I doubted myself because of you.

I shouldn't have.

Our connection ceased to exist because of selfishness. Your selfishness, and your ego.

A war of two individuals whose permanent solution ended up in no victory for either side. And you gave up while I was actually still fighting for us. 

Then I let you go.... willingly.

Self-preservation was required.

I realized that all you would do is continue to injure me.

Just know...

I am important.

     I have value.

          I am special.

               You will never fuck me over again.

Just Waiting For You To Die...

... misogynists
... bigots
... racists
... willfully ignorant
... intolerant of others
... black and white world viewers
... self-absorbed people using any means necessary to promote their world view
... extremists, in thinking and in action, in any subject matter
... anti-intellectuals or anti-progress
... arrogant people
... manipulators

but what I hate most - the above indoctrinating our children! The only good thing is, the more of you die the less indoctrination that will occur.

Myself and others will continue to point out what is inherently wrong with your attitude, shut you down at every turn and ensure that others don't follow your way of thinking.

We promise.

Old Day, Same As The New Day

www.vosizneias.com

It's not a new year, it's just another day. Let's be clear. Nothing changes from one day to the next. If your 2016 was shitty, it will be so in 2017 UNLESS something affects your circumstances either by chance or actual intentional interventions.

I find it mildly irritating that humans like to pretend that a man-created calendar provides an illusion that things will just mysteriously change on their own. They don't. Or that because it's a new year your resolve will be stronger. It won't if you didn't have the determination to begin with. Please stop with all this nonsense of making resolutions at the beginning of the year. Fucking change your life around when you notice it sucks (if you can) or get help from others who will contribute to it being turned around. Maybe then at the end of the year you won't feel quite so sorry for yourselves and then be grateful that your life was actually pretty good all things considered.

And this thinking that "oh no, so many good people lost this year!"... well duh!!! People die, that's a fact! Are we shocked? Do we lament? Of course. Who wants their favorites to die? Is it all very sad? Of course. But this is life! We are born and we will die. We're not immortal, we're live human beings that will eventually cease to function. And news flash, it's only going to get worse as the heroes and idols we grew up with are getting older just like us. 2017 will probably be a higher death toll statistically, and it will include more of our own circle of close people. Let's start being realistic, people.

Celebrations to put the year behind us and usher in the new is a way for the human mind to get over the crap they had to deal with. Every year there are shitty situations peppered in, and at the end of the year there is a hope that the next one won't be as hellish. That's it. Call it what it is. But thinking that we're going to look back at less problem-free times in our lives and they will magically come back the next year is just wishful-thinking. Think about it. As we get older we are so much more exposed to situations that could turn bad, and we are also more responsible for things (usually, unless you're just an immature asshole or never been in that position where you could be) where there is a possibility of something going wrong. All these things continue to escalate UNLESS we make choices that change that to minimize problematic times for ourselves.

And life doesn't give a shit, so remember that. Bad things do and will continue to happen. You either are in the path of it or you are not. Prepare, and secure yourself and loved ones for those moments that are out of your control; then deal with them as best as you can in the aftermath.

Wishing you a  HAPPY NEXT DAY,try to understand it's not a guarantee.

Imperfect Word

 clraik.com

Recently, a Christian friend told me she believed the bible is the "inerrant word of god". Naturally, a chuckle escaped knowing what I little I do know about the history of the bible, but enough to make it suspect as a credible source for a God, and specifically for a Jesus. I composed myself and proceeded to discuss what she believed.

We are all familiar with storytelling and how generations will pass down their knowledge from one to the next by word-of-mouth. Let's assume that the practice of oral tradition was used to pass down the information we find in the Bible. As most people were illiterate at that time when this Jesus supposedly lived, it stands to reason that most of what was compiled in that book is just mostly what 'stories' they heard. "Increasingly though, scholars are pointing out that the Gospels are entirely literary creations, and heavily borrowed from one another as well." says David Fitzgerald, author of Nailed: Ten Christian Myths That Show Jesus Never Existed At All. There is also the evidence that scribes in some situations either didn't copy properly, and even inserted different meaning into what they were transcribing. They were writing, not transcribing.

Add to that, we only have fragments of this alleged inerrant word of God until nearly the end of the 2nd century. Again, fragments not complete books which to compare to the current books we do have full versions of today. The ones we do have complete books of - Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus - didn't appear until the 4th Century, and they differ from each other - and both differ from our New Testaments.

When presented with this information she didn't agree it was possible that the inspiration of God would change what was the truth, so the passing down of information would remain consistent.

Ok, let's say we accept that. What about the alterations by scribes, intentional or otherwise, when new texts were commissioned? She didn't know about the information about the fragments, but even that bit didn't deter her because the passing down of information was the truth and sacred. She agreed there could be mistakes by the scribes, but believed that ultimately, the information published in the good book today IS the inerrant word of God because what made it into the books was what He wanted to represent. The Word was accurate.

Now let's finish this to its logical conclusion. If this is was her reasoning, then it follows that prior to the establishment of the current text some of the text was not the 'inerrant word of god. That is what my friend was saying. What ended up being what Christians currently believe is the truth, through and through, no mistakes.

I guess my only question after that would be - Why did he fuck all the other people into believing something wrong? What is up with this dude? How is that loving providing your people with something that is possibly wrong?

Just one more reason to think this is all bullshit.

In All Things, Do Good

TalkIslam YouTube

If you replaced this man with a truly kind, loving christian - it's the same message. Each have interpreted their holy texts (or had them interpreted for them by a truly kind, loving denomination/congregation) and taken nothing, but goodness from it.

What it boils down to is the text is subjective because there are mixed messages in each of those books they read. It's cherry picking. Either the individual IS good and WANTS only good for himself, other people and this world or the person IS bad, and wants only to dole out the same craziness and chaotic directives from that holy book they cling to.

And when I say good or bad, I'm speaking of their intention. Individuals choose the actions they take because of what their natural bent is, their care growing up and their life experience which has shaped them.

Would I prefer to have no religion, absolutely. Let's understand that a human being knowing where their intention comes from - themselves - is a far sight better than those who claim who they are and what they do comes from a god. Having said that, I would still rather have a deluded person intent on being a force for good in this world than an asshole who is intent on harming all others in the name of their religion.

"We The People" NOT "Our God Is A Mighty God"

BeSecular.com

Just because you have a personal relationship with Mr. Skydaddy does not dictate the outcome for "We the People". Making a personal decision to be ruled by an invisible man doesn't equate to a legal responsibility for him to rule the rest of the country, believers and non-believers. Stop interjecting religious law into secular law!

And also, please stop being misguided to thinking this is a Christian Nation... it is NOT! Do just a little bit of research (this is just a small start to get you in the right direction), and you will find our forefathers were indeed interested in keeping church and state separated. We are a secular nation because the historical dudes realized true freedom comes from allowing all to express their beliefs in this country, but legislating it would give religion opportunities to make decisions in a process where faith and beliefs just don't belong.

Our country has a long history of religion trying to creep back into having a strong-hold.

Don't let it!

Christmas: Starbucks Style - It's All Good

Josh Feuerstein is at it again. He's doing his part to fuel the fictitious War on Christmas with his latest YouTube video. And apparently, some of you are following your leader.

Guys, do you not get that we don't give a shit about you celebrating Christmas however you choose? No one is forcing this tradition away, from you or at all! Starbucks and many other establishments want to include all and let them celebrate it however they want. Them changing their advertising eliminates nothing about how you want to celebrate Christmas.

"This year we wanted to usher in the holidays with a purity of design that welcomes all of our stories," said the company's vice president Jeffrey Fields."

Now, excuse me. I'm going to Starbucks and telling them my name is Happy Holidays to counter all the foolishness about this being some kind of battle instigated by the secular community to eliminate Christmas.

AND I'll let them know I LOVE their red fucking cups! #HappyHolidaysStarbucks

Christians And Muslims Both Love The One True SAME God

You'd think there would be harmony when they have the most important thing in common - the big guy they worship is the same. Both religions have similar ideologies. Each want the same things. Their holy books (Bible, Quran) are almost identical. These cults may worship in slightly different ways, have traditions and rituals which are dissimilar, but in the end the god they all believe in is the same. 

Jesus and Muhammed - the two spokespeople for their religions, each proclaiming their god is the greatest of all, and the only one to be followed and worshiped. Think about that for a moment... take your time. 

IT'S THE SAME GOD!!!

According to both religions, if you truly do believe in the one true god, it's all good and you are safe. The ultimate goal of religion is the persuasion of the masses to believe in the righteous and holy one. It would seem they have succeeded in both camps!

So why such a need for animosity for the other and/or this incessant desire for dominance in the supernatural realm?

Seriously, why can't you all just get along? Because the only thing you are proving to the world is that it's really not about YOUR ONE TRUE SAME god, it's about wanting to establish yourselves in the position of being better than your almost identical counter-part.

And that's not godly, that's pretty fucking immature.

newreligion.eu

Duggar - Keep Digging, I'm Sure There's More

Josh Duggar is in the news again. Who's surprised by this? Not me!

Once again we feel all disgusted with him because he has shown the world that he is not only a child molester, but a cheat and a liar to boot! Add to that, he's a huge hypocrite doing all those sinful things right under the prayerful eyes of his wife and his family. He even admits that. Good for him. And honestly, as soon as the news was confirmed in both instances, good on him for not squirming out of it. He immediately admitted what he had done when he was finally exposed in the mainstream media.

But what else does that tell us about Josh Duggar? He got caught.

He may act as if he is just a fallen sinner and needs back into the good graces of his lord and savior, but in fact, what he actually is just that... caught. And he can't get out of it by hiding anymore.

In fact, it says the same thing about most of the public figures which have a religious bent.  And frankly, to me, this detail is the ONLY reason they fess up. It is because it hit the news cycle in a big way and there's no stepping back from that reality. It's called damage control. They were exposed and now they may be repentant. But it's only because it's now out in the open in all its glorious salaciousness!

How many times do we have to hear in the news what so and so has done after telling the whole world they are better than everyone else? I'm really getting sick and tired of seeing this kind of crap. Almost daily! But yet, me being an atheist - I'm the really nasty character. Right.

Here's an idea - Josh and all you other holier-than-thou types, how about you be brave and tell us now what else we can expect to find hidden in your closet? I'm sure there's so much more. Honestly, I think I would have much more respect for that. I'd really be willing and able to understand you were human and had a failing; we've all been there. But to have your type throwing in my face what a disaster I am for my belief system while you were out there being the lousiest humans ever, it's just unacceptable. Always was... still is.

Here's to the next shoe to drop...

Here's A Novel Idea...

GET THE FUCKING MONEY 
OUT OF POLITICS!!!

Stop peddling influence! How about we empower people to learn about the issues to elect non-corrupt people instead.

PACs serve a purpose, but they should only help to educate on the issue they support, lobbyists should just go the fuck away. If a congress person doesn't know about an issue, they should make the effort to inform themselves, not the other way around. That's why they are collecting a paycheck!

Every eligible citizen should become informed and exercise their right to vote for qualified candidates. Money grubbing politicians and special interest group supporting those politicians should not get to dictate who gets in. We need to clean house of anyone whose sole purpose is just to leech off the governmental teat to get power, which then procures them advancement in the private sector when they conclude their stint on our dime. Elections should not be a networking opportunity to continue their inevitably greater financial success, but rather be a representative to the fine people who elected them.

PEOPLE... NOT CORPORATIONS, DAMMIT!!

We need to find those who want for the better of the people they represent. Their job is to listen to their constituents, educate themselves about what needs to change, have an intelligent idea of the big picture for the district or state they represent and find ways for progress in the areas of most need.

That's it.

This will allow for a much more ethical group of people getting in and only staying because their desire is for improvement of who they represent rather than self-enhancement.

Will you join me in making that happen?

*end rant

I'm Angry

You know that feeling when you could jump out of your skin when you see a perceived injustice or stupidity unraveling before you?

I feel this quite often being on the Internet or just walking out my front door.

I'm really, really, really, REALLY, REALLY getting sick of things that bring me to this place. Realize that I understand I'm in control of my emotions, feeling this way is only brought on because of what I have deemed worthy of getting upset about. 

Here's just the short list...

• the unending stream of people who claim they have all the answers and, in reality, the lack of understanding they produce
• seeing proof of humans being unkind or hurtful, intentionally, for the fun of it or worse, to make a point - whatever that point may be
• having politicians who hold positions of power when all they really want is power in a position from which to control things
• watching illogical and unreasonable people decide the fate of others, not just in politics but in everyday life
• feeling betrayed by those claim to have your best interest at heart
• people suffering because of the lack of compassion in those who are in a position to help
• watching the innocent and the vulnerable be neglected by the greedy, powerful and disinterested in this world

This world needs to be a better place. Its inhabitants are counting on it. Really... if we don't get our shit together, and start taking care of each other and ourselves, what kind of place will we really end up inhabiting?

#LOVEWINS #LETHATEDIE

jthughes.blogspot.com

June 26, 2015 is a day we'll not soon forget. It was much too long in getting here, but it ultimately did arrive.  Love won and the majority of this country is just fine with it except...

You'll remember that Rick Scarborough, a Christian political activist, said...

"We are not going to bow. We are not going to bend, and if necessary we will burn." 

He implied things are going to hot for us if the immoral take over and make decisions for the righteous. He's inciting all the followers to rise up and protest in what could possibly end up in the worst case scenario - the lives of those who would like to think they know better, taking all the naughty ones with them.

Say we believed in their alleged god, do you ever wonder what he thinks right about now? Why aren't believers contemplating that instead of them deciding what the next step is? Who left and made them king? No one actually since we are all lowly sinners, people!

And that's my point. If god is the almighty ruler and life flows how he dictates (at least that's what believers keep chanting) then let your god decide what happens to this country for the decisions it's making for the collective.

Don't instigate, stop hating, stop fighting... you'll supposedly get what you deserve in the end anyways right? You'll be living the charmed life in heaven with your pops and the sinners will be down in hell flaming it up with satan. Let god make his appearance to either shit and finally get off the pot to punish us or he doesn't and you're just wrong that gay marriage is the be-all-end-all thing.

Let it go, and leave us in peace. That's all anyone ever wanted... RIGHT?!?!?! 

Mike Hucka - Be President?

salon.com

God allegedly wants him. I don't.

"We've divorced ourselves from an understanding that we cannot survive as a republic if we do not become once again a God-centered nation that understands that our laws do not come from man, they come from God," he said. "It is the natural law of God."

After insisting that he is not intending to create a theocracy, Robison piped up to declare that "we have a theocracy right now; it is a secular theocracy" and Huckabee readily agreed.

"That's it!" Huckabee said. "It is a humanistic, secular, atheistic, and even antagonistic toward Christian faith, and that's what we need to understand. Our basic fundamental rights are being robbed from us, taken from us piece by piece."
Later, Huckabee asked for the audience to pray that God's hand will be upon him as he decides whether to run for president.

"The only thing worse than not being elected president would be to be elected president without God's blessing," he said. "I can't think of a worse place in the world to be than in the Oval Office without God's hand upon you. I'd rather not get near the place."

- See more at: http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/mike-huckabee-plans-run-president-fight-secular-theocracy#sthash.ajpeNKrJ.dpuf

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/01/mike-huckabee-gods-blessing-will-make-me-president-to-stop-the-atheist-secular-theocracy/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unDAYiRg4uo

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/mike-huckabee-plans-run-president-fight-secular-theocracy

http://www.salon.com/2007/11/13/huckabee_5/

Separation of church and state much?? Apparently not. :/

Ugh... I had to shower after reading

and watching the links.

End Times On The Horizon. For Sure This Time? It Would Seem So.

Azure_Adonis's Bucket - Peace Fire War Ice

The chants are getting louder. The crazy section is convinced we're going down! When religion feels threatened, this usually occurs. Something is going to happen, and for them it seems it can't come soon enough. Can't you tell with all that's going on around us - droughts and other devastating weather events, uprisings, Christian's being murdered everywhere, abortions happening, the atheists are getting louder, and don't forget the gays! Oh, bring back the good old days when this was a Christian Nation!!! (BTW, NOT EVER!) You know it can only mean one thing... The End Times have arrived or we're shortly before them... as predicted for the 2000th year.

The scenario of End Times obviously predestined for the evangelical community speaks of believers being set free from this terrible world, but only doom and gloom for those who would dare not believe in their god! What inerrant, bible-thumping Christians (and many shy, quite god-fearing and all loving patrons of the mystical) hope for is the exalted one will finally lay down his wrath, smite all the evil ones with banishment to that dark, hot place reserved for them... burning and blackening crispiness awaits them while the true believers are floated to the utopia in the sky or wherever the hell his kingdom supposedly is. It is a reward for their belief and a punishment for those who couldn't quite get with the program. We see it all around us, they are chomping at the bit for their righteous to finally have what they deserve; a better place above us sinners. As if the majority haven't already been lording over us since they found out how we think. 

I hate to be the buster of bubbles, but here's my take on it.

Pew confirmed recently what many have suspected. The numbers of all prominent religions, with the exception of some non-Christian faiths, are going down. The Nones are happy to see the decline in religiosity, but also to see their sector is growing, and substantially at that. Many predicted this was inevitable, but most did not expect it to occur so quickly. My own thoughts were by 2020 we'd see around 30% listed as Nones. How validating to see we are actually on track for that possibility to occur, maybe even to surpass it!

So yes, there seems to be an end, but I don't think it's quite what the religious had in mind. Those of us who do not partake of religion, however it's dressed up, and choose to not align with it for a wide variety of reasons, we are entering what seems to be the fast track to the end times of religion itself. 

When the religious frame of mind is no longer the majority, it will die out and yes, it will end. But I predict it won't be with much fanfare, it'll just go away and we can finally live in a rational world. There will be no more need for the exhaustive pointing out of the hypocrisy, the contradictions of the faith, the history of it, the illogical, and the downright willful ignorance anymore. It will be such a relief to never have to address any of it ever again.

End times will result in a sort of metaphorical Utopia, it meaning we shall finally live a progressive, natural and rational future. I say bring on the End Times now!!!

afremov.com

Not Changing For You

Not many people would guess this tattoo represents atheist solidarity, and standing up loudly and boldly for the cause. They think I'm quoting Pink and her song "Raise Your Glass". I'm happy when I'm able to explain. Pink is awesome, the song and what it stands for is too, but my tattoo means much more than my understanding of the lyrics - standing up for those who would be kept down by a society who would like to dictate to us how to be as individuals. It's just one part of why I got the tattoo.

I'm labelled an atheist because I don't have evidence for the existence of a god. It's an accurate description of what I've come to think based on years of research, and understanding of the history of our world. I've come to this conclusion because not believing in a god is rational and it makes sense. But it doesn't to speak to my character or what kind of person I am. 

My tattoo represents my allegiance with all those who feel keeping quiet about who they are is over. When I got that tattoo, I was done keeping my views to myself out of some sort of misplaced respect for a believers views. They proudly go on and on about their thoughts, so will I. The tattoo was just a way to remind me that I had the same rights to do what they do. 

They'll wear a cross and say God Bless. I wear my atheist t-shirts and tell them to have a nice day. Believers will Thank God! when good things happen, I'll point out why a medical intervention is most likely the cause. When bad things happen to our friends, believers will pray and I'll make sure to actually do something effective in easing my friend's sorrow. And when that tornado rips through a town and kills 180 people, I'll be sure to say nature is brutally indiscriminate rather than blame the LGBT community for the community's losses while others would say god is only punishing the sinful for their behaviors.

The point is, I'm going to stand up to the irrational, I will call out the ridiculous, and I will orate loudly for common sense and logic; whenever, and wherever it's necessary. And it's going to happen whether people like it or not. I have as much right to speak up about what makes sense as the believers have about what doesn't.

And I won't change. Especially now. Once I let myself out of the closet, going back in would never again be an option. It feels way too good to be honest to myself and others. It's freeing to fully feel that I am being myself in what I say and what I do. Staying here, staying put. Deal with it.

Pro-Potential Life, But Really Pro-Choice

When I was pregnant with my two children, I was in situations that weren't entirely out of control and I had a mindset of not approving of abortions for myself. For me, the life I helped to create was one I was obligated to bring to term. My first pregnancy, I was invested from a place of love, even though the situation wasn't the greatest. But I believed it was the natural consequence for which I, along with my partner, should take full responsibility for. The second time there was no question we had two fully engaged and loving parents, and we knew we could raise him in a somewhat secure financial situation. Abortion was never a consideration, nor would it ever have been an option as I was so happy to have received the news and knew I would provide the best I could for my children.

But I've always felt that the decision to have an abortion lies with the woman who is about to have one. It is her body, her pregnancy and something that impacts the course of her life, making this her personal choice. She must confront and weigh all the options when making that decision - does she terminate the potential life within her or decide to see it through to the end of her legal responsibility to that imminent child?

I knew a person who, during her lifetime, had three abortions which honestly left me with a negative view of this woman for many years. And it evoked so many questions, ones she never fully nor satisfactorily answered when asked. How does someone let that happen three times, and each time the only option is termination of the pregnancy? How does a grown woman who obviously has the ability to educate herself and use any number of available contraceptive options get pregnant? And when that contraception fails, how does this same woman make that choice to not carry to term the potential life that is a product of her supposedly loving, close relationship with her significant other? Why would she decide to end a potential human being just because she has that option?

Those are questions I have struggled with as a pro-choice person all my life because I also have a tendency to think that if you get pregnant - you carry within you a potential life and it is developing in you because of actions you participated in. We all know that every action has a consequence and that is the part I get hung up on. The phrase You've made your bed, now lie in it comes to mind. But...

Every free woman is guaranteed by Roe V. Wade to make those decisions for herself but on some level to know that many who are supposed to be role models of adulthood would choose to end a potential life, it leaves me feeling sad. How could they make that decision? It is a part of you and the person you chose to be intimate with and probably love! That guided my thinking for a long time.

But then I lived life for many more years and began to look at the situations that many of these women face. The women could be single or married, and are just not able to financially ensure these children would get their basic needs met. Maybe they also endured a poor quality of life and don't want to subject another possible human to those conditions. Many of us know that a life of poverty is not a good place to be, but then the question is, what about the women who can afford to raise a child and still get an abortion?

Their situations could be fraught with emotional and/or physical abuse, the individual who contributed his DNA is in a bad place - unable to be a good parent, abusive, neglectful. Many times, this alone is an agonizing emotional situation that steers a woman to this place of choosing an abortion. Couple that with financial instability, and I can understand now making that choice.

After having had two children myself, I now understand these women could be wrestling with the idea their potential child might end up in a situation being deprived of the emotional security they deserved. As innocents brought into this world without their permission, they require that, at the very least. Babies being deprived of the best offering of loving and nurturing at the start of entering their new life is a set-up for disastrous consequences as they try to maneuver through life. Where would they get the basic foundation of becoming the whole human beings they need to be to enjoy a future quality of life when what they encounter is uncertainty, angst, volatility and deprivation? We would set them on a path of not having a stable sense of themselves or a safe family they could turn to when their future let them down. I understand why women would choose abortion in this case.

I can imagine these scenarios repeat over and over in the heads of women faced with a pregnancy that is not openly welcomed, planned for or even wanted at the time... regardless of the fact they might otherwise embrace a potential life. When they are faced with the reality that their lives are less than optimum, they choose to protect a potential life from having a rather bad one. I can see that now.

Add to this debate rape victims, and you have an even wider pool of reasons to terminate pregnancies. The devastation a woman potentially feels learning she would have to endure more physical evidence of that act of violence perpetrated on her. It would look into her eyes every day. Imagine being reminded of the fear and shame you had to endure at the hands of a maniac? What kind of love are you able to give a child who deserves your love and support but all you can feel is disgust? I would rather her bring a wanted and already loved child into the world.

We would hear the words uttered Every life is precious! The potential life brought into the world pro-lifers are trying to protect will be exposed to more risk factors like poverty and child abuse, are more likely to be dependent on social services, and/or end up in jail. Their lives overall won't be as precious as they'd like you to think. How about they look at that and the cost to this society versus that little clump of cells called a potential life. In reality, this life they want to save was just conceived at the wrong time.

Could a potentially bleak financial and/or emotionally distraught situation turn around in their future? Absolutely, but at the time these pregnant women make these decisions, their current state of being is the only one they can base their decision on. They are assessing their current state of affairs with everything coming in at them from every direction and trying to make the best rational decision. It is an extremely difficult decision to make with all that has to be considered.

But at the end of the day, I hope they answer the question that is most important. What does the potential emerging child deserve if they didn't abort? It deserves a good life filled with love, respect, a quality of life and a loved one with a support system that will do what it can to enrich, enlighten and protect that child. In other words, an innocent who never asked to be born deserves what we all crave and deserve - that potential can translate into a meaningful outcome. That's really what it means to be Pro-Life.

I may be Pro-Potential Life, but I'm still Pro-Choice because it's really not my choice. I'm not the pregnant one. And I'm not the one who has to grieve or feel guilty if they do bring another life into this world whose existence is tainted by the bad this world has to offer.

Hey Indiana! Learn The Definition Of Discrimination

Justin Burlin Pinterest, pinned from wolfysmuse.tumblr.com

The first business of Indiana is publicly stating their beliefs coincide with Governor Mike Pence's beliefs as well. He being the one who recently signed into law the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a bill designed to actively promote the discrimination of members of the LGBT community.

And of course, this restaurant supports this bill because, you know... god. They wear their religion on their sleeves and the bible tells them so. It didn't take them long to rush to the local media to show exactly how much their religious beliefs mean to them. Me thinks they don't understand how this legitimized discrimination will hurt them in the long run.

Their bigotry and ignorance is glaringly obvious, just watch the video as she can't even understand how their actions and this new law function in reality. Given how she blatantly says she will refuse service based on their religious beliefs, one can see she doesn't understand what the word means.

But that's OK, I guess. When they have to put up the "Going Out Of Business Sale" sign, maybe then they'll understand.

This bill may have been pushed through with the intention and restatement of what they already have a right to and hold dear, but ultimately what it will accomplish is to give those who support this bill the legal right to discriminate against a class of people who make them feel icky. That's it. They'll for sure tell you it's only about upholding their religious beliefs, but marginalizing others because you don't agree with their lifestyle is discrimination. Period.

But we're just supposed to throw out the fact that words have meanings.

dis·crim·i·na·tion

dəˌskriməˈnāSH(ə)n/

noun

1. 1.

   the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.

   "victims of racial discrimination"

   synonyms:

   prejudice, bias, bigotry, intolerance, narrow-mindedness, unfairness,inequity, favoritism, one-sidedness, partisanship

Wake up people... one religion is not more important than the other and if you think it is, you don't understand the basic tenets of our constitution. You have a right to freely practice your religion, but you do not have a right to impose your religion on others. Denying service to someone because of your religious beliefs IS imposing your beliefs on them.

All this new law wants to accomplish is to legitimize discrimination. Propping up religious beliefs as the reason for it is just wrong. Sharia Law, American-style baby! This is what it looks like.

We've come so far with all the states who have legalized gay marriage. To see Indiana pass this law, and do so gleefully, means we are going backwards. Sadly, there are others now trying to follow suit.

It just makes me sick to my stomach that we as a nation can't seem to get on the right page of history.



***Interesting Facebook page of Memories Pizza and be sure to check out the website. The backlash has begun.

****UPDATE: It got ugly quicker than I expected - Memories Pizza is closed for now... maybe permanently.

*****UPDATE 4/2/15:  The GoFundMe page for the owners of Memories Pizza has received donations in excess of $200,000 in support of them sticking to their principles and upholding their faith.

Dear Candidate 2016

It might seem like it's too far off, but it really won't be long before the lawns begin to sprout all those lovely candidate signs signaling the election season is upon us, once again.

I'm not a big fan of how long this process goes on. Plus I'm always hoping that we'll have some reasonable campaign reform before the next election season, which never happens. Change that nips not only the huge money in the bud, but also reels in the amount of time we have to spend listening to the candidates telling us who they are, what they stand for, and how they'll vote; usually a load of crap they think the masses want to hear, one lie after another after another. In a perfect world, campaigners would also curtail their boasting about how much they love their god and how they'll uphold that book once they get into office. As if it has any relevance to how well they will do the job. Check any paper after the election and you'll find just how immoral some of those leaders have been once they got into office.

The candidate(s) who would top my list would possess integrity, first and foremost. Don't lie, plain and simple. In this day and age when things can be fact checked relatively easy, just don't do it. And if, for whatever reason, it's found out that something was done improperly, admit it. Be intentional in transparency, stop putting up smoke screens to deflect away when being human is all that happened. I'd have much more respect for that than a cover-up. Oh, and using this as a photo-op is also not a good idea. Sincerity and honesty is key. Be the person who is represented on the campaign trail, not just give us a showy version of an ideal you think we want to elect.

Productivity is also very important. Did the candidate show up for the job and produce? I want to know that who I've got representing me is not afraid to get their hands dirty and work. Roll up the sleeves and get things done kind of effort. If they have political experience, were they present at the time of voting, were they in attendance on committees they served and, more importantly, did they do the research on whatever the issue was before they voted? And if they are new to politics, what did they bring to the table in their own communities or what were they active in and passionate about? How did they contribute that was meaningful and substantive? I'd vote for anyone who can demonstrate what working hard means and shows how it was done.

Along with being a person who knows how to contribute, the prospective candidate who has the ability to work well with others shows a genuineness for collaboration. It is another key trait which promises to ensure success in getting elected. It's certainly required in all positions, but politics demands the ability to see both sides of issues, and determine solutions that will achieve a balance between differing opinions. The end goal being that the welfare of the community is maintained, not the stroking of the biggest ego in the room.

The last qualities that would put a candidate in as a top contender for me are the ones who possess intelligence and common sense, and can speak without stammering about how to implement good ideas in a rational, sensible fashion. Having a good grasp on the overall big picture and how to solve problems is an enormous plus! Making the right choices for the people they represent as well as taking into consideration what is ethical will only enhance those choices.

What I want to see in a candidate who stands before me begging for my vote is someone who is a genuine and humane human being. We've all see the flashy, disingenuous, smug lifetime politician who says all the right things to one group and changes his or her tune to coincide with the next twenty agendas of organizations visited during the campaign. It's disgusting, it's manipulative and it's not what we need at the helm of legislating laws. Those that are supposed to be there for the betterment of the communities that elected them need a trustworthy candidate.

I'm always hoping that the selection offered up of local, state and federal campaigners has a quality and caliber about them that truly shows leadership and empathy for the communities they represent. And there are some, but not enough. The volume of good leaders has to increase substantially. I hope it does before the next election season.

In my old age, I've gotten rather cynical though as I've watched election after election boil down to the lesser of two evils in just about every one I've been privileged to participate in.

So, Dear Candidate 2016 - if you don't fit the proposed mold - don't even get in the ring this time.

Please and Thank You.