A Detour to Unity...

I’m sitting here sipping Swiss Miss hot coca from a cow mug, and surfing for headlines to help me gloriously procrastinate my day away. The dishes are calling my name, but I’m not listening. My attention has taken a detour. It is now headed to Unity, New Hampshire.

Unity, New Hampshire

Population: 1,715

In the 2008 Democratic primaries, both Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama received 107 votes in this small town. After a well fought battle, the Democratic contenders are moving forward in order to defeat John McCain, the not-so-conservative Republican. Mrs. Clinton made a statement that resounded within the scope of my political thinking. She said, “In the end, Senator McCain and President Bush are like two sides of the same coin, and it doesn’t amount to a whole lot of change”.

Change. Change is what we are all hoping for. When I first heard Obama speak, I was afraid to even hope for change. If I spoke up, and demanded change would my voice be heard? I even doubted that freedom of speech really existed. My misperceptions about freedom were shattered during the wake of 9/11, and the eve of the Iraq War. What I have learned during this period is that freedom is not safe, and it comes with a price. However, freedom is not the result of a war. It is the result of respect for humanity, and passionate people who love one another despite their disagreements. Freedom takes tolerance. Freedom knows which battles to fight, and embraces the soldiers that fight them. Above all, freedom is responsibility. Take a look at American’s today. How have we used our responsibility?

For some of us, I don’t think that we have. Washington does not take us seriously because we will not even go to the polls and cast our vote. I hope that American’s all live up to their responsibility this November to take their truth and opinions to the voting booth. This is our first step to unity: taking full advantage of our constitutional rights. Many have died, and risked their reputations for that very right. Let us remember them, as we move forward with change.

As for Unity, people, it is not only a place on the map. It is a place in our hearts. We just have to reach in there, and find it.

Oh, and BTW...If you are not registered to vote check out my rock the vote widget located on the right side of my blog.

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Political Blunder of the Week:

Political Blunder of the Week:

This blunder comes straight from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/24/bush-to-filipino-presiden_n_108985.html

Never mind, that a number of Philippine Americans entered this country to relieve our present shortage of medical professionals. Of all the Filipino “talent” in America, George W. Bush may be enlightened if he looks past the White House kitchen. Well, I guess that old saying is correct. A way to a man's DIPLOMACY is through his stomach...or was that HEART? Who keeps up with these things anymore?

All jokes aside, I believe that Mr. President was trying to pay Filipino President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a compliment. But, once again, foreign diplomacy (and, for that matter, open ended small talk) is not his strong suit.

~SouthernDD

The 2008 presidential campaign is all about change. What change would you like to see TODAY?

If you desire change that I did not include in this week's poll, just let me know!

Please feel free to comment about the poll here!

Thanks,
SouthernDD

Genealogy of a Southern Democrat's Daughter: Part 1

Note: This blog is part of the “History” or "Genealogy" of a Southern Democrat’s Daughter. Through the study of my family’s political opinions, this series of blogs is an attempt for me to understand my political views...Oh, I can faintly hear a collective "good luck with that" from the readers of SouthernDD. Hey, you can't blame a girl for tryin' to uncover her political roots. No matter how deep in the "mudslinging" they may be.

Part 1: A chrome bumper, and an oxymoron.

I am not a card carrying member of the NRA. I am not a pro-choice feminist. I do, however, come from a long line of Democrats. My paternal grandfather puts such high esteem in one's political party that I would be afraid to bring a Republican suitor to meet him! Things would get nasty, really nasty. Did I mention that he also takes full advantage of his right to bear arms? Like I said…nasty!

My grandfather is also not one to deface his property with adhesives. But, the bumper of his Chevrolet Silverado (not your typical run-of-the-mill left-wing hybrid, eh?) proudly displays a bright red bumper sticker, and his affection for his chosen political party. “I’m a Democrat, not a fat cat” his shiny, chrome bumper proclaims for the world to see! His world, rural West Tennessee, does not always find favor in his political viewpoints. Still, that does not stop him from sharing the good news (or not-so-good news) to anyone that will listen.

Really, this man is the most conservative man that I know! How can this man with all of the ear-marks of a conservative Republican be a Democrat? From my limited experience in the political analysis of people, I think it is because he realizes that if the working men and women of this country are a major part of this country’s economy. As inflation rises, the people that have average wages, and who live on fixed incomes are the ones that hurt the most. He appreciates the Democratic policies that have enabled him to provide for his family. Deep down he feels that everyone should have this chance. Maybe, He feels ignored, and shut out with the way that the current President’s administration ignores American citizens with an opinion that differs from their own. But, through it all, he refuses to be silent because his opinion is his to express, and the US Constitution enables him to shout it from the rooftops! Well, that is, until he violates a noise ordinance! Come to think of it, I don't think that the rooftop is his forum of choice. I would think that maybe he prefers an old country store, or a bench at the Wal-Mart. But, who knows? He may venture to climb a rooftop now and again.

Writing this article, I have realized that about one-half of my knowledge pertaining to my grandfather is correlated with political conversations during Christmas, and infrequent semi-annual visits. The knowledge will make for some intrestin' bloggin'...that's for sure!

Part two of this "genealogy" series will most defiantly be about my Daddy. Trust me, you will not want to miss that one!


-SouthernDD