Imogen Lily (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} imogen_lily) wrote,@ 2008-09-17 18:55:00 |
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American election, God and other minor issues
I doubt anyone will read this entry so I feel safe to be entirely open.
First off, I'm not American, for which I am profoundly greatful. Sorry if that offends people, actually I don't give a toss if it does. People are far too scared of offending others and America has an appauling track record of being offensive and not appoligising.
I'm British, techincally England ans due to the Bush-Blair 'relationship' we've had the humilation of suffering, I've been paying attension to the presidental race more than I usually would, and now I'm damn scared that McCain and Palin will win, in fact I'm almost 99% sure they will.
Everyone keeps reminding us America is the most powerful country and as such the president affects everyone. This annoys me because America has got to be the most self-absorbed, self important nation on Earth. Other countries and continants exist too, but unless there's a conflict to get involved in, oil to be gained they generally don't want to know, because, y'know, God loves America, it's the only country he blesses. Apprantly. Yep that was a ref to Michael Moore there. He's one American I do like.
I have nothing against American people. One of my best and dearest friends is American, tons of actors, singers, scientists and thinkers I admire are American, there are a few past presidents I deeply admire too. What pisses me off it the whole attitude of America.
Take the whole Russell Brand 'scandel' for insulting Bush and people's reactions, mostly along teh lines of 'Die Brand Die' Bush is offically the most unpopular president in modern history, even he knows he's a joke, so where do Americans get off being so bloody prissy, what's thee big deal. Comedians are supposed to deliver barbs, they make us think but then that's never gone down well in some parts of America *coughRedneckcough*
I don't liek Sarah Palin, she scared me most, more than McCain. I respect that she's 100% sincere in her beliefs and she has charm to spare but being that rigid in her views does a country no favours. America is as sprawling and diverse as you can get. Each state is almost a country unto itsself so how does tunnel vision work? Unfortuntely she is exactly what America loves, her flaws work like Homer Simpson, whether it's an unmarried pregnant teen, a down Syndrome child, a son at war - she represents a 'real American. How terryfying.
I disagree with her on just about everything: abortion, death penality, war, polar bears, guns, creationism, ...I could go on forever but you get the picture.
Abortion would never be an issue in England like it is in America. Sure we have religous people, but nothing like the Evangelists that have a stranglehold on America. Religon cannot rule a democracy, because religon isn't fair. It tells you some people are more equal than others (like we didn't already know that), that many of the ways we live are wrong - then ironically that same religon (I'm talking Christianity here) endorces love, anti-war and forgiveness, not Repulican strongsuits.
If Jesus was alive now, he would be horrified his 'followers' condone death, guns, war and hatred. Jesus went out of his way to befriend the sinners, fallen and the outcasts. In today's society, that would mean death row inmates, gays, transsexuals, prostitues, and women who've had abortions.
Sure we've always been guilty of them, the Old Testimates condones most of it, but Chrstians should follow the new testiment, clearly Evangelicals didn't get the memo.
I don't think anyone has the right to tell someone else how to live. You believe abortion is wrong. Fine, but don't you dare try to contorl other women's decisions. Every situation is difficult. There have been cases of 12 year olds raped and getting pregnant, how the hell do you tell a child they have to go through a pregnancy because it's God's will. I'd love for Palin and McCain to have to tell every rape victim who's pregnant they have to endure a constant reminder of their attack for the next 9 months, to a mother who leave her other children motherless because the baby will kill her, to a family who already have a large family and can't cope with the severely disabled child she's carrying, or the woman that simply isn't ready for a baby because just maybe she should control what happens to her body.
Also from a horrendously scientic point of view, the world is over populated, look at Africa or China. If every woman had every baby, then the world would be in even more of a mess. We don't have unlimitied resources. Oil will eventually be gone, and our climate is changing, and future leaders need to accept that, because it's their future generations who will have to deal with all of this crap, and if Palin is truly pro-life, she'll want to see humanity survive.
Of course abortion is one of the big Things about this election, but want to know where McCain, and especially Palin stand on other issues that haven't been mentioned: domestic violence springs to mind. Homeless shelters, protecting children from pornography - which starts with stopping sexualising little girls.
And why is America so hung up on sex and virginity? I'm curious. Sex is a biological function. It's messy and can be amazing, painful, humilating, create life and be a powerful tool to communicate love or power. Why does it matter if someone is a virgin or not, America prizes virginity amongst it's young, but won't teach proper sex education. Why? Why is it so sinful to protect children, to teach them about STDs, rape (including date-rape), abortion, sexual abuse, porn etc. I'm not saying show them porn, for example, I don't agree with it, but it still exists and can do damage. Teens are confronted by sexually explicit or at least sexually suggestive images every day. Just telling them to abstain, wait till marriage or telling them to tell an adult if someone touches them in a 'naughty place' is not sufficant. A protected child is a knowledable child. All these things They happen so don't ignore them - everything they need to know to survive in the real world. If Americans value children, they'll stop they're own children getting an STD that renders them infertile. And stop putting all the pressure on women to be solely responsible for sex. Getting married after finding yourself pregnant is not acting responsibilty, they'll most likely end up divorced because you rarely stay with the ssame person from age 17 to 70. Just a fact. I'm all for responsibility, just dish it out more envenly.
And don't get me started on the environment! What's she got against polar bears, it's like saying 'never mind, I'm sure they'll be fine in the sundan dessert' such an ignorant and dismissive response is worthy of Bush, and what about God - this is his world, how would he feel about seeing such casual disreguard for the world he took the time to create?
Why is the largest and richest nation so blinded in it's own opinions? I don't get it.
I doubt anyone will read this entry so I feel safe to be entirely open.
First off, I'm not American, for which I am profoundly greatful. Sorry if that offends people, actually I don't give a toss if it does. People are far too scared of offending others and America has an appauling track record of being offensive and not appoligising.
I'm British, techincally England ans due to the Bush-Blair 'relationship' we've had the humilation of suffering, I've been paying attension to the presidental race more than I usually would, and now I'm damn scared that McCain and Palin will win, in fact I'm almost 99% sure they will.
Everyone keeps reminding us America is the most powerful country and as such the president affects everyone. This annoys me because America has got to be the most self-absorbed, self important nation on Earth. Other countries and continants exist too, but unless there's a conflict to get involved in, oil to be gained they generally don't want to know, because, y'know, God loves America, it's the only country he blesses. Apprantly. Yep that was a ref to Michael Moore there. He's one American I do like.
I have nothing against American people. One of my best and dearest friends is American, tons of actors, singers, scientists and thinkers I admire are American, there are a few past presidents I deeply admire too. What pisses me off it the whole attitude of America.
Take the whole Russell Brand 'scandel' for insulting Bush and people's reactions, mostly along teh lines of 'Die Brand Die' Bush is offically the most unpopular president in modern history, even he knows he's a joke, so where do Americans get off being so bloody prissy, what's thee big deal. Comedians are supposed to deliver barbs, they make us think but then that's never gone down well in some parts of America *coughRedneckcough*
I don't liek Sarah Palin, she scared me most, more than McCain. I respect that she's 100% sincere in her beliefs and she has charm to spare but being that rigid in her views does a country no favours. America is as sprawling and diverse as you can get. Each state is almost a country unto itsself so how does tunnel vision work? Unfortuntely she is exactly what America loves, her flaws work like Homer Simpson, whether it's an unmarried pregnant teen, a down Syndrome child, a son at war - she represents a 'real American. How terryfying.
I disagree with her on just about everything: abortion, death penality, war, polar bears, guns, creationism, ...I could go on forever but you get the picture.
Abortion would never be an issue in England like it is in America. Sure we have religous people, but nothing like the Evangelists that have a stranglehold on America. Religon cannot rule a democracy, because religon isn't fair. It tells you some people are more equal than others (like we didn't already know that), that many of the ways we live are wrong - then ironically that same religon (I'm talking Christianity here) endorces love, anti-war and forgiveness, not Repulican strongsuits.
If Jesus was alive now, he would be horrified his 'followers' condone death, guns, war and hatred. Jesus went out of his way to befriend the sinners, fallen and the outcasts. In today's society, that would mean death row inmates, gays, transsexuals, prostitues, and women who've had abortions.
Sure we've always been guilty of them, the Old Testimates condones most of it, but Chrstians should follow the new testiment, clearly Evangelicals didn't get the memo.
I don't think anyone has the right to tell someone else how to live. You believe abortion is wrong. Fine, but don't you dare try to contorl other women's decisions. Every situation is difficult. There have been cases of 12 year olds raped and getting pregnant, how the hell do you tell a child they have to go through a pregnancy because it's God's will. I'd love for Palin and McCain to have to tell every rape victim who's pregnant they have to endure a constant reminder of their attack for the next 9 months, to a mother who leave her other children motherless because the baby will kill her, to a family who already have a large family and can't cope with the severely disabled child she's carrying, or the woman that simply isn't ready for a baby because just maybe she should control what happens to her body.
Also from a horrendously scientic point of view, the world is over populated, look at Africa or China. If every woman had every baby, then the world would be in even more of a mess. We don't have unlimitied resources. Oil will eventually be gone, and our climate is changing, and future leaders need to accept that, because it's their future generations who will have to deal with all of this crap, and if Palin is truly pro-life, she'll want to see humanity survive.
Of course abortion is one of the big Things about this election, but want to know where McCain, and especially Palin stand on other issues that haven't been mentioned: domestic violence springs to mind. Homeless shelters, protecting children from pornography - which starts with stopping sexualising little girls.
And why is America so hung up on sex and virginity? I'm curious. Sex is a biological function. It's messy and can be amazing, painful, humilating, create life and be a powerful tool to communicate love or power. Why does it matter if someone is a virgin or not, America prizes virginity amongst it's young, but won't teach proper sex education. Why? Why is it so sinful to protect children, to teach them about STDs, rape (including date-rape), abortion, sexual abuse, porn etc. I'm not saying show them porn, for example, I don't agree with it, but it still exists and can do damage. Teens are confronted by sexually explicit or at least sexually suggestive images every day. Just telling them to abstain, wait till marriage or telling them to tell an adult if someone touches them in a 'naughty place' is not sufficant. A protected child is a knowledable child. All these things They happen so don't ignore them - everything they need to know to survive in the real world. If Americans value children, they'll stop they're own children getting an STD that renders them infertile. And stop putting all the pressure on women to be solely responsible for sex. Getting married after finding yourself pregnant is not acting responsibilty, they'll most likely end up divorced because you rarely stay with the ssame person from age 17 to 70. Just a fact. I'm all for responsibility, just dish it out more envenly.
And don't get me started on the environment! What's she got against polar bears, it's like saying 'never mind, I'm sure they'll be fine in the sundan dessert' such an ignorant and dismissive response is worthy of Bush, and what about God - this is his world, how would he feel about seeing such casual disreguard for the world he took the time to create?
Why is the largest and richest nation so blinded in it's own opinions? I don't get it.
