Liberal Talk Radio

I was on the freeway today, stuck in traffic, and I got bored. I started surfing the radio dial, looking for something interesting to kill the time. What did I find? A radio station out of Santa Barbara CA, whose tag line was "Progressive radio". As I listened to the host, a Thom Hartmann, I realized that I was listening to a left-wing counterpart of Rush Limbaugh (keeping in mind that Rush has the reputation amongst my Democrat friends as being a rabble-rouser fear-monger who spews shock-talk). Ever interested in having an open (well, mostly open) political mind, I decided to see what our friend Thom had to say. He was complaining about the Tea Party members and the violence that they encourage. He read a blog post written by a Tea Party member (a woman) who made sure to bring her "little friend" (her gun) to Tea Parties, and encouraged like-minded folks to do the same. From that post, our friend Thom concluded that all Tea Party members are gun-toting zealots, "hatriots" (hate+patriot), and the REAL terrorists (as opposed to Al Quada, who killed 2,819 people on 9/11, as well as hundreds of others all over the world?) It brought to mind my experience with Prop. 8, when activists in the GLBT community were threatening all kinds of violence against Mormons. I read some blog posts that were inciting violence against the CHILDREN (!!!) of those who donated money to the Yes on 8 campaign. Some GLBT activists beat an elderly woman at a Prop. 8 rally. They vandalized churches and private homes (mine included). Were they "REAL terrorists"?
Next, our friend Thom demeaned the intelligence of Tea Party members by calling them "Tea bags" and insisting that they don't have a clue about reality. And no compassion for the poor. And all they are is a bunch of money-hungry racists. Who don't use their brains. And "doesn't it just make your head explode? I can't believe these people exist!"
My point is this:
1) You can't judge an entire movement by the words of one or two blog posts.
2) There are liberal radio talk show hosts who are JUST AS inflammatory as ANY conservative host.
3) The liberals are hypocrites who say its ok when their side incites violent protests, but if there is even a rumor of violence from their opposition, they cry out in condemnation as loudly as they can.
Progressive? No, more like REgressive.

It was enlightening to hear what the liberal talking points were. But it just made me mad. So much for trying to be open-minded. I just can't swallow Thom's liberal swill. It just reinforced my commitment to conservatism!

Go C4!

I love a good grassroots political campaign. I love when concerned citizens get passionate about their political beliefs and decide to really do something about it!

"March 20, 2010
New Harmony, Utah....

76 Citizens Gather to Urge Congressman Matheson to Vote 'NO'

Concerned Conservative Citizens Coalition (C4) and other interested citizens held a successful rally at Congressman Jim Matheson's St. George office this morning to urge him to vote "NO" on the proposed Healtcare/Student Loan Legislation. The group gathered at his office, heard statements from Speaker David Clark, Senator Dennis Stowell, Representative Bradley Last, Senator Bob Bennett and St. George Mayor Dan McArthur, and marched to the corner of Mall Drive and Red Cliffs Drive where the enthusiastic protestors received a warm reception by drivers along the busy street.

Following the rally the participants filed through Congressman Matheson's Office to sign a petition stating their objection to the Healthcare/Student Loan Bill.

C4 is a group of citizens from New Harmony and Kanarraville, Utah who meet monthly to discuss and take action on legislation and events effecting our constitution, individual rights and limited government." (On a personal note, this group was created by two very savvy senior citizens who decided there was no reason they couldn't make a difference. My parents. And I am very proud of them and the snowball they got rolling!)

Guess what? Their rally was covered by the radio and newspaper. And it worked. Matheson voted NO!!! Didn't keep the bill from passing, but did prove (YET AGAIN!!!) that grassroots efforts really DO make a difference! And I think it should inspire us all to let these politicians, who are supposed to represent the people, know what we the people think of them. Vote them out of office in November!

Wright Thinking about Same-Sex Marriage

I do not hate gays and lesbians. I understand that many of them feel that they had no choice in their sexual preferences. I understand that life can be very difficult for someone who is attracted to the same sex. I consider gays and lesbians to be fellow human beings sharing in this life-journey. I feel the same way about gays and lesbians as I do about people who wrestle with drug/alcohol addictions - they were born with some gene that made them more susceptible to certain struggles in life.
However, I do not feel that sexual preference deserves special civil rights. If we start down that road, what is to hold me back from suing for special rights just because I prefer a certain sexual position? I think everyone would agree that would be ridiculous. I do not ask to control the personal intimate choices that people make in the bedroom, but I also do not think those choices merit special civil rights. I will never understand how this personal choice became such a huge POLITICAL issue! But it has, so here we are.
This leads me into the concept of TOLERANCE. If we are to understand the current definition of tolerance, it would be "live and let live, except those who don't support homosexuals - they are bigots and shouldn't have civil rights." To me, tolerance means treating EVERYONE with kindness, not unconditional acceptance. I get to disagree with choices other people make, that's my right. But I don't get to abuse them. And I am not.
Now I am getting to the heart of this issue. You do not find homosexuality in nature. All living beings that desire to reproduce, mate with someone of the opposite sex. The puzzle pieces fit together they way God intended. All living beings live in families. When animals get separated from their family grouping (pride, pack, nest, etc.) then there is a much greater chance of them being picked off by a predator. Animals learn survival skills from parents, siblings, or other relatives. It has been this way for eons of time. It works the same way, but with much greater effectiveness, in human beings. In modern times, there have been countless scientific studies performed that support the claim that children progress in a much healthier way when parents of both sexes are present in their life. In the psychological world, it is well known that if a girl has no strong male figure in her life, she faces a much greater chance of being promiscuous and chancing life-destroying sexually transmitted diseases. Children have a much greater chance of being healthy, happy, and successful when parented by an involved mother and father.
Same-sex marriages take that opportunity away from children. In this modern world, life is hard enough for children who must accept the actions of their parents without any say in it.
As well, the legalization of same-sex marriage has consequences attached. This is not just about giving gays/lesbians the right to have a lovely ceremony and a reception afterward. They can do that now, if they want to. This is about dehumanizing a sacred and historically successful institution. "Party A, do you take Party B to be your lawfully wedded partner..." That's ridiculous. But it has happened in CA already. How can that be good for anyone?
If same-sex marriage is legalized, what will happen to churches, businesses, or individuals who, because of basic moral beliefs, do not want to cater to the homosexual population? Will they be sued into going against their beliefs? Who is being "tolerant" then? Catholic Charities in Boston, Mass. had to close their doors because they were threatened with a lawsuit for not arranging adoptions for same-sex couples. What a shame to have lost an organization that provided so much joy for so many families!
And while we are talking about Massachusetts...the legalization of same-sex marriage in that state has changed family-friendly communities into places of where you can't even visit the beach for fear of having to watch public gay sex.
The law ties the hands of the police - who have tried to arrest the individuals for indecent exposure. Families have had to leave that community completely, to escape the promiscuity that has invaded their beaches.
This is a ripple effect. There are many. Will educators be mandated by law to teach homosexual sex education in the schools? Will churches whose beliefs are opposed to the new law be allowed to preach those teachings?

I respectfully ask you to think about these things as you are considering the issue of same-sex marriage in the United States today.

What I did this weekend...by Laura Wright

On Saturday our family joined about 344 (give or take a few) other people to walk in the Moorpark Country Days parade behind the "Yes on Prop.8" sign. We all bought matching shirts and the kids carried balloons, and gave out pamphlets and candy to parade watchers. I have lived in Moorpark for 6 1/2 years, and I have NEVER, not once, attended Moorpark Country Days. But Prop.8 was enough to get me out there, and to top it all off, IT RAINED!!! We live in a desert, and it rains maybe 10-12 days a year here. Why did it have to rain on that one day? And me in my WHITE prop. 8 shirt?! (I tried using an umbrella but kept poking the people around me with it, so I gave up and just got wet) Anyway, I think we made the statement we were trying for. I heard a city official say, "This is GREAT! Can you all come next year too?" We were an impressive sight! Thanks, everyone who joined in - and thanks to Heather and Nathan Roberts for being the organizers behind this big thing. It was an honor to participate.
I was thrilled to see people of all walks of life (no pun intended) marching in support of Prop. 8. HIspanics, whites, all religions, all races. It was inspiring to see how many people there are who value traditional families! I love this country where we can say what we want and march for what we believe in, and then VOTE!!! Thank goodness for America, and go Prop. 8!

Veep Debate

I got so busy trying to get my taxes together last night (we always file an extension so it is due Oct. 15 instead of April 15, I don't know why) that I almost forgot to watch the debate! But I only missed about 25 minutes of it. Chad called and reminded me.
So here's my take:
Sarah Palin was inspiring at the RNC. Then she had those interviews with Gibson and Couric and I started to feel a little less inspired. Last night, Sarah renewed my enthusiasm. Here's are some undebatable facts about her:

1) Yes, Sarah Palin has no experience with the Washington Machine. Dems would say that is a HUGE shortcoming. I think it is refreshing. Those guys in Washington have messed things up pretty badly so far. Everyone knows that Washington politics involves so much special interest game-playing that even really good people who seem to have integrity end up making questionable decisions. Washington Politics corrupt. I, myself, have wished I could walk into the White House and slap some of these idiots around. Sarah Palin obviously isn't part of that corrupt machine and she has the courage to walk in and do some slapping for me. I would much rather elect a candidate who hasn't already been corrupted. Ronald Reagan got elected as a governor. So did Bill Clinton. Is Arkansas bigger/better/somehow more educational than Alaska? No.
Please, Dems, put that one to rest.

2) Yes, Sarah Palin sidestepped some questions. As long as I have been watching political debates, candidates have been sidestepping questions. EVERYONE does that, even Obama. The protocol of a national debate allows this. Doesn't bother me at all.

3) Yes, Sarah Palin is folksy. She is Everyman. She isn't polished. She isn't perfect. Thank goodness! The McCain/Palin campaign has grabbed on to this and given Sarah the go-ahead to make it part of her image. While she did carry it a bit too far for me last night (dawgonnit?), I still don't mind it. And I think the voters of middle America will agree.

4) Yes, Sarah Palin is hot. In the words of my husband (thank you, Chad). How many males will vote for her just for that?
(Ok, that is kind of chauvinistic, but whatev. I am a realist.)

5) Biden kept harping on how the McCain/Palin ticket will just carry on the same policies that the Bush/Cheney administration has, thereby taking the country deeper into an abyss. This argument is nothing but a scare tactic. Both McCain AND Palin have said time and time again that they are in this to reform, reform, reform. They have acknowledged the "blunders" that this administration have committed. History proves that Palin can do this, look what she did in Alaska! Again, dems, please put that one to rest.

I often find myself voting for a candidate because I have confidence in his/her running mate. This time, no exception. I think Sarah Palin kicked it last night. Go, Sarah, Go!
Posted by Laura at 7:40 AM

Sarah Palin - you go, girl!

Ok, how big of a geek am I? I was glued to the Republican National Convention last night...first time in my entire life that I have done that. I didn't want to miss Sarah Palin (Rep VP nominee) in her big first speech. Now, before my husband and parents start freaking out, I do believe that a woman needs to see to her home and children first. But we are also encouraged to be involved in our communities and that includes government. With all the hype we've been hearing, I opted to reserve my judgement until I actually saw Palin and heard what she had to say. Conclusion: I would SO be willing to help out with Palin's kids just so she can go to Washington and kick some butt! Besides having a pregnant daughter (that's just sad. I wish the media would leave her alone)...and being able to field-dress a moose (yikes!)...I identify with this woman and I think she could do a world of good if she was elected! Palin is tough, articulate, intelligent, and a heck of alot nicer to look at and listen to than Hillary. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a conservative hockey(soccer)-mom to have some real national influence, and I just hope she gets the chance.

I have become a political activist!

After years and years of being very opinionated regarding politics and other things of national interest, I have officially stepped into the ring and am about to start throwing Laura-sized punches.

About 8 years ago, 61% of the state of CA voted for marriage to be defined as between man and woman. That meant that same sex marriage was illegal, although gay domestic partners still received all the same rights that married partners get (joint tax filing, legal rights in wills, hospital visitation and decision making in emergencies, etc.) It was a huge victory for those of us interested in protecting the traditional family. 3 months ago, 4 San Francisco based judges decided that this law, that the people voted in, was unconstitutional, and it was abolished. Which now makes it legal to marry a dog, in the state of CA, if you really wanted to...give me a break, the institution of marriage HAS to mean more than this!
In November, there will be a new proposition in response to this miscarriage of justice. Proposition 8 is the same 14 words that CA voters approved before, but this time it's put into our state constitution: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in CA." Vote "yes" on Prop. 8!!!

Why do I feel strongly enough about this that I am going door-to-door to get the word out? Because in the course of my life, both in University (where I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Human Development) and as a mother, I have read literally hundreds of scientific studies that proved that children have the very best chance in life if they live in a two-parent family, with both sexes present. It just makes sense - yin and yang, balancing each other out. I can see society falling apart, and I am certain that the disintegration of the family unit is a very basic part of this.
In addition, it infuriates me that 4 judges can overturn the will of the people. This issue has already been voted on. The voters have already spoken. We shouldn't have to do this again. Do we live in a democracy or not?

If you are not a CA resident, don't think you're off the hook. If our state is voting on this, yours will follow. Please visit ProtectMarriage.com and educate yourself on this issue. And send money!!! I am. Although I didn't live in CA at the time of the previous vote on this issue, I sent money then. It was my way of taking part in this battle to save traditional family values. The other side has been yelling so loudly for a lot of years on this subject. I think it is about time we started being heard. And I want my kids to see me standing for something!