I am taking a risk....

DISCLAIMER

This post is not intended to offend. It is merely to express my views and add a couple of cents to this crazy world that we live in. I was journaling today and wrote down my feelings. I am taking a risk by allowing my private thoughts to be posted on the world wide web. If you agree or disagree with my points of view, I will still accept you all the same.

I don’t normally let my opinions get vocally involved in debates of political natures. I was in Speech and Debate when I was in high school and loved it. I actually did fairly well at it. However, in my political past, I have found that it doesn’t matter what my opinion is, it will always cause contention. Whether agreed with or not. I have since discovered that if I choose to keep my friends, I will not debate on political matters. I love my friends and family and no political debate is worth losing their companionship in my life over political garb.

On that note, I will say this:

Today is election day. Today there was something I saw from a person I am acquainted with through Facebook . They stated, “that if you plan on voting yes on 8, you're probably not someone he/she would enjoy on her friends list anyway. Sorry to discriminate…” Wow. This hits it home for me. I will speak up about this. For those of you who don’t know, proposition 8 has to do with not allowing same sex marriages in the state of California. The word “discriminate” was brought up. . If you don’t agree with certain points of view, that makes you bad in someone’s eyes who has different points of view. This is what makes our great nation. I guess the thing that bothers me the most is how people discriminate through stereotypes.
I have my opinions. My opinions entitle me to think and act in ways that I see fit. I go and vote. This does not mean that others like me vote the same. Allow me to give a few examples. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Not all members of my faith vote the same as me. I am a Breast Cancer victim, not all breast cancer victims share the same opinion and vote the same. I am an owner of a 2002 Pontiac Montana mini-van. Does that mean that all registered owners and drivers of the same vehicle all have to vote for the same candidate? Do you see where I am going with this?
So, with all this, I am irritated at the comment of my face book acquaintance. I don’t condemn his/her opinion. I don’t condemn him/her as a person. I am just bothered that this person declares him/herself as a liberal democrat. There are challenges from the democratic party to be more open minded as a human race and to accept change. Yet, with this single comment, the opposite example is shown.
With my facebook "friend," I respect his/her opinion to vote against prop 8. I don't however, condone banning my friends for choosing an alternate vote. I have many many friends with different backgrounds, race, faiths, and political views. I accept them as they are. There in lies is the beauty of this nation. We can do that. That is what our Founding Fathers wanted. So, why is that people want to cause riots and contention for not believing what they believe? Or why do they cut you off completely from friendship for voting a certain way?And so, with the election today, however it turns out, I will choose to still accept and love those that I love. I will embrace the future, whatever it holds, good and bad. I only hope and pray that everyone will do the same.

On a sad note, my nephew Tyler, almost 3 years old, was diagnosed with Leukemia last weekend. I have said all along that I am glad I have been the one to go through all this. It would be hard to watch one of my children suffer. Now, unfortunately, Josh’s brother and wife have that pain to carry. I know they will be strong. We will wait to hear his update and keep him in our prayers as I know everyone did for me. I also know that prayer is a lot of what got me through this. Thank you to everyone. I will continue to love and thank you.