I reject your reality and substitute my own. --Adam Savage
Monday, February 04, 2008
V3: On Obama in the rain
I have a lot of other things to tell, of making new friends and losing more weight and generally feeling better. But right now, I need to tell you about Barack Obama, me, and the rain that just would not quit.
I'm really unsure about whom I'm voting for tomorrow. Why not Hillary? Why not universal healthcare? Why for someone who invokes being "Christian" in explaining why he's against gay marriage? (Not that HRC is FOR gay marriage, but she doesn't invoke JC)?
Seriously, I'm open to convincing, so...tell me, Frank!
Well, the best I can come to answering your question is this:
As I said in my vlog, I was with John Edwards for a long time. And in evaluating the two candidates as to who was closer to the ideals, the spirit, the fire, the freshness of Edwards - those were the things about him that drew me - there was no contest.
It is true that Clinton has good ideas as well. And it is true that we and our country will be better off in four years with either of them. But I believe Obama best exemplifies the values and ideas that are important to me, and is more likely to achieve more positive changes.
I, too, am aware of his use of Christianity in his campaigning. However, to me, Obama uses it in such a way that I don't mind it. It doesn't smack me in the face, or make me think of all the negative connotations of how religion has been perverted by politics, as when I hear most Republicans invoke God. He tells his story in such a way that, if you are religious, it will resonate with you, and if you are not, it will not push you away with both hands. I trust from this that he has found the right balance with which to administer government.
You and I both know that on policy issues, there is only a sliver of daylight between these two. I think the newer change, the better change, the more radical change can come from a person more like Barack Obama.
And finally, regarding gay marriage, the evidence I have seen of the progress on this issue since the 1990s gives me the feeling that this is a marathon, not a sprint. I also know that the views of one person, even the president, can be important, but not decisive. It is going to take concerted efforts across the country to secure equal (not just marriage) rights.
And just so you know, Barack Obama is fully in favor of civil unions, and of equalizing the access to over 1100 state and federal rights of marriage for straight couples and for same-sex couples. If it matters to you that such a thing be called "marriage," then perhaps Obama does not go far enough for your preference. But if it is the values, rights and benefits that matter, then Obama is with us as fully as Clinton.
I hope that helped. Whomever you vote for, just go vote!
2 comments:
I'm really unsure about whom I'm voting for tomorrow. Why not Hillary? Why not universal healthcare? Why for someone who invokes being "Christian" in explaining why he's against gay marriage? (Not that HRC is FOR gay marriage, but she doesn't invoke JC)?
Seriously, I'm open to convincing, so...tell me, Frank!
Well, the best I can come to answering your question is this:
As I said in my vlog, I was with John Edwards for a long time. And in evaluating the two candidates as to who was closer to the ideals, the spirit, the fire, the freshness of Edwards - those were the things about him that drew me - there was no contest.
It is true that Clinton has good ideas as well. And it is true that we and our country will be better off in four years with either of them. But I believe Obama best exemplifies the values and ideas that are important to me, and is more likely to achieve more positive changes.
I, too, am aware of his use of Christianity in his campaigning. However, to me, Obama uses it in such a way that I don't mind it. It doesn't smack me in the face, or make me think of all the negative connotations of how religion has been perverted by politics, as when I hear most Republicans invoke God. He tells his story in such a way that, if you are religious, it will resonate with you, and if you are not, it will not push you away with both hands. I trust from this that he has found the right balance with which to administer government.
You and I both know that on policy issues, there is only a sliver of daylight between these two. I think the newer change, the better change, the more radical change can come from a person more like Barack Obama.
And finally, regarding gay marriage, the evidence I have seen of the progress on this issue since the 1990s gives me the feeling that this is a marathon, not a sprint. I also know that the views of one person, even the president, can be important, but not decisive. It is going to take concerted efforts across the country to secure equal (not just marriage) rights.
And just so you know, Barack Obama is fully in favor of civil unions, and of equalizing the access to over 1100 state and federal rights of marriage for straight couples and for same-sex couples. If it matters to you that such a thing be called "marriage," then perhaps Obama does not go far enough for your preference. But if it is the values, rights and benefits that matter, then Obama is with us as fully as Clinton.
I hope that helped. Whomever you vote for, just go vote!
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