Ok – I’m going to go ahead and go on this rant, because I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately, I’m awake and because Texas has pissed me off.
That could be the start of many blog subjects, eh?
The crux for those of you that want the short version is this: I’m glad to live in a country where it is your right to do and or say stuff that I wish you wouldn’t.
It’s Your Right
I wish people wouldn’t burn flags. I think it goes beyond disrespectful to the men and women who make great sacrifices in a country that says – “OK, it’s your right to burn the flag.” I want that right protected, I wish people wouldn’t do it.
I wish the word retarded didn’t become a hate slur. And it is, so I wish celebrities, politicians, and my co-workers, would stop saying it. The caveat for celebrities is that they make their money making people laugh, think, nod, fight, cook…whatever, and when those watching say to the celebrity, “Quit it or we won’t pay you (via not watching, laughing, eating, whatever)” The celebrity is forced to choose, “Hmmm, say this hateful thing or keep working.” That’s capitalism and I like it. And if the kid down the street wants to say it, he can. And I can remind him that “Words have power,” and, “Is that who you want to be?”
The crazies in Missouri that are full of hate and spew it for a living. I REALLY wish they didn’t. Is it their right? Sure. Jerks can be jerks if they wanna. (Great little imaginative story of what happens when they die, btw).[1] And thankfully other, non-jerks, can come from unlikely sources to help out. (As seen here[2] – thanks Kelly for these.)
I really wish abortion was rare. I wish it was a last resort. I wish women of all ages had available to them and took precautions to prevent conception instead of finding themselves having an abortion. I wish everyone who got pregnant had the desire and the resources to love and raise their child.
But…this is not always the case. Women have to make this difficult decision and it is and must be their right to do so in a safe environment.
And not only that, Texas I’m talking to you, I want to live in a country where – when the rules are threatened and people stand (literally) against threats, the people must be heard and most importantly, the lawmakers must be true to the rules they themselves set into motion. Now, as aforementioned, it’s late and even in the Texas Legislature, no one knows if the vote was handled legally yet or not. I’m sure it will all be clear in the morning and my Twitter feed will be split with disgust and admiration.*
You will hear me speak up about abortion again, fair warning. Because, in short form, I especially wish that parents who conceive on purpose, women who want a baby, would stop aborting because the child has Down syndrome, or dwarfism, or the wrong eye color…
But, as warned, I will discuss this more later.
So, what do you wish folks wouldn’t do, but agree they should have the right to?
Personally, I want democracy to be true to itself and to its people foremost. Texas?
— Mardra Sikora (@MardraSikora) June 26, 2013
And here’s your update:
BREAKING from Texas Senator @TxChuy: #SB5 was timestamped at 12:03a.m. Vote was taken late. No getting around that.
— NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) June 26, 2013
I wish people would stop arguing about whether or not to give homosexuals the same rights in marriage as heterosexuals. Let them get married. Give them the same benefits as everyone else. How’s it going to hurt you?
That is so True, Kristi. And the same argument turned inside out. It should be peoples right to argue about gay marriage, but not to withhold it.
I am so on board with this argument Mardra!
I’ll defend your right even if you’re morally or ethically wrong and even if it burns me up. That doesn’t mean I won’t be annoyed, even pissed off, if you burn a flag in front of my face or yell at me for attending Mass. But I won’t result to violence or hate speech.
It’s a crazy world we live in. I think part of the problem is the constitution was written in a way to basically allow people to do whatever and when everyone is allowed to do whatever, toes are stepped on. It’s the ability to handle that in a humane and respectful manner that seems to be deteriorating.
Yeah, maybe that’s the problem, the constitution doesn’t ever mention respect. So hard to come by.
I agree…I do love living in a country where we have rights, opinions, ideas and individuality.
However, there are times people who make it their mission to constantly fight for rights have gotten lost in the act of wanting to be ‘right’.
I think there’s a fine line between activism and narcissism.
THAT is true.
Course, that said, I rarely understand why everyone doesn’t just think like me…I mean the world Would be a much better place if they did.
Seriously. Better.
Just because we have the right to speak our minds doesn’t mean we should do it any time, any place. I wish people would use discretion. Be truthful to yourself and your beliefs, but be wise about what you share, how you share it, when and where you share, and with whom. Use discretion, use tact, use common sense, use courtesy. That’s what I wish.
Mardra, you chose an excellent place to voice your views, and you did it in a thought-provoking, appropriate way. Brava.
Thanks Chris. It was this or wake my husband and rant. He LOVES that…
Thank you. That is all.
So many important bills going through right now that affect our most basic rights – to marry who we choose, to make our own health choices for our body, to protect ourselves by owning a gun. I hope people are paying attention and voicing their concerns like you are Mardra, regardless of what side they are on. The debate educates us all.
Exactly. Thank you, Char
Here’s what I won’t defend and I don’t think people should have the right to do… be stupid. I don’t mean have a low IQ. I mean… “Obama’s gonna take away our guns!” Stupid. Do you know what it takes to appeal an amendment to the Constitution? Never gonna happen. “Gay marriage invalidates ‘traditional’ marriages.” Stupid. That’s like saying the Whopper invalidates the Big Mac. “Global Warming is a hoax.” Stupid. 80 kajillion climate and other scientists are not trying to pull a fast one on you to trick you into recycling. If we could solve the “stupid” problem, so many other things would just fix themselves!
Wow Julie, you’re pissed off too.
Yeah.
So, there.