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Jul. 7th, 2006 12:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
liptonrm_backupI just read the 'Call to Renewal' keynote address that Sen. Barack Obama gave and it had me in tears. Yes, just, yes. It expresses everything I've ever wanted to say about religion and secularism and poltics in the United States. If I'm ever again asked how I can call myself a Christian while still espousing progressive, liberal ideals I now have the words I need to explain myself.
My brother, the Big Lug, is a republican. He supports the president and the war and conservative economic practices. Last weekend we went out for some pizza and had a good discussiona bout our respective political beliefs. It was interesting and generally rancor free, thankfully we're both adult enough to recognize that opposing political beliefs don't have to cause irreconcilable discord.
He seemed so trusting when he talked about the free market and cutting social programs, that everything would work out all right for everyone. It's possible that the divide between conservatives and liberals rests along the lines of people who think that just because we could doesn't mean it's necessary and those who think that because we can means we must. It's also possibly a divide between those who believe that we make our own destiny and those who recognize that life sucks and sometimes, no matter how hard we try or how good we are we still need some help. It's fascinating.
Anyone who was around for the last presidential election will know how strongly I oppose the Bush Administration's policies and decisions. I made a remark to the Big Lug about how I wanted a leader who was 'smarter then me' something he's heard before and to which he quickly responded, 'Bush is smarter then you.' Later I realized that we were using the term differently. To the Big Lug I was being self-aggrandizing and arrogant, that my use of the word 'smart' was a classification, when what I meant was that I want a president who can look at all sides of an issue, who can recognize his own inadequecies and learn from his mistakes, one who isn't afraid of learning new things. I want someone who can give a speech like the one Barack Obama gave and make me believe in the possibility of a good government again.
I can't understand my brother can completely support a man who espouses divisive and contradictory policies. I don't understand why my brother thinks that the U.S.'s military practices are good because that wasy the world knows not the tread on us. And I'm sure he can't completely understand why I disapprove and disagree but at least we're able to talk about it, so that's something.
In happier news, Dead Man's Chest opens today. Yay PIRATES! Choose pirates! I am ridiculously excited.
Last night marked an auspicious event. It was the first time I was able to peacefully sleep through the night in my new place. I guess it's starting to become home. Wonderful.
My brother, the Big Lug, is a republican. He supports the president and the war and conservative economic practices. Last weekend we went out for some pizza and had a good discussiona bout our respective political beliefs. It was interesting and generally rancor free, thankfully we're both adult enough to recognize that opposing political beliefs don't have to cause irreconcilable discord.
He seemed so trusting when he talked about the free market and cutting social programs, that everything would work out all right for everyone. It's possible that the divide between conservatives and liberals rests along the lines of people who think that just because we could doesn't mean it's necessary and those who think that because we can means we must. It's also possibly a divide between those who believe that we make our own destiny and those who recognize that life sucks and sometimes, no matter how hard we try or how good we are we still need some help. It's fascinating.
Anyone who was around for the last presidential election will know how strongly I oppose the Bush Administration's policies and decisions. I made a remark to the Big Lug about how I wanted a leader who was 'smarter then me' something he's heard before and to which he quickly responded, 'Bush is smarter then you.' Later I realized that we were using the term differently. To the Big Lug I was being self-aggrandizing and arrogant, that my use of the word 'smart' was a classification, when what I meant was that I want a president who can look at all sides of an issue, who can recognize his own inadequecies and learn from his mistakes, one who isn't afraid of learning new things. I want someone who can give a speech like the one Barack Obama gave and make me believe in the possibility of a good government again.
I can't understand my brother can completely support a man who espouses divisive and contradictory policies. I don't understand why my brother thinks that the U.S.'s military practices are good because that wasy the world knows not the tread on us. And I'm sure he can't completely understand why I disapprove and disagree but at least we're able to talk about it, so that's something.
In happier news, Dead Man's Chest opens today. Yay PIRATES! Choose pirates! I am ridiculously excited.
Last night marked an auspicious event. It was the first time I was able to peacefully sleep through the night in my new place. I guess it's starting to become home. Wonderful.
