the reality of our world is that we don't just have soldiers fighting overseas, we have soldiers fighting overseas in the name of freedom from a country where people drive drunk and kill people, teens are killing themselves, and adults are murdering children in the name of anger. Compared to some of those additional evils, I'm even more proud of the soldiers and what they are trying to accomplish in a thank-less world. Let's face it. Iraqi's have a lot more choice in their world today than they ever did before . . . don't they?!
All very great points, and I understand what your saying completely. To my point, though, I would say it's because their isn't enough of these soldiers putting their passion for freedom into afterschool programs, or building playgrounds for kids, or helping to rebuild houses in Louisiana. My question is, how come a soldier needs a gun to fight for freedom?. How come someone has to die for us to feel free?. We already are free, but it seems like we create wars, and label countries as good or bad just as a mark of our willingness to be free. Do soldiers fight in Iraq so children in America have the right to starve at night, or so sick mothers and fathers have the right to not afford healthcare in the worlds richest country?. I just don't think the war in Iraq will bring us to freedom and prosperity, and if it does, then who's next?. Iran?. North Korea?. There's always going to be that one country that threatens our livelihood, and we don't have the military, or the economy, to fight them all through force. Eventually if we want a peaceful world, which should be our ultimate goal, we will have to talk to these countries, and their leaders, or their citizens, and we will have to find a common ground. We as people all have needs, and we can't expect any 3rd world country to submit to us while we promise no food, and no shelter. Our mode of communication is force and we're trying to persuade people through violence. That will never work so unless we have a level headed, honest, and, yes, charasmatic leader, we will never truly convince Iran, or North Korea, or China, or Russia, that we are a nation that truly operates in peace. Barack Obama can, and will, harmonize us with all other countries who want the same. Maybe we won't reach everyone, and maybe we will need to explore other options, but at least we will have created bonds and fellowships with other countries that will stand with us so that if we do need to excercize peace through force, we will not be alone when we do. I hope you can at least agree, in part, with this, and I hope it gives you a better understanding of where I'm coming from!.
You know my Dad got an email this morning about the marriage issue. It's an anonymous email telling people that if homosexuals can marry, than they will be able to sue his church forcing them to perform the ceremony. He's quite concerned about that and I think that's understandable as that would be a clear infringement on his religious freedoms. The email made two outrageous claims further..
1. That this has already been done in Mass.
2. That a San Francisco Principal gave permission to a teacher to take her entire class to see her wedding (to another woman). Oh, without the parental permission.
To me it's clear that this is garbage fear tactics. I searched the net and could find nothing about these events, which should be huge stories if true.. If anyone has any knowledge of these, please tell me.
The main thing is, my Dad when I ask him if he took an anonymous email to be true or if he verified the info says how do you do that?
My dad is no dummy. He's a genious with numbers, knows just what he stands for and has held high positions in the Army, his church etc.. These tactics really work on some Americans and I don't understand it.
Very interesting and, to some, touchy subject. I'm not a christian, nor am I against gay rights, but I think your father has every right to be worried. Marriage is a sacred thing and I think that it should be reserved to the way it is told in The Bible (though I do think that religous leaders should have as much problem with gay marriage as they should with the increasing divorce rates in this country, but that's a whole other issue). As long as homo-sexuals have the same rights and priveledges as any straight couple, I think that marriage should be reserved for hetero-sexual couples. Especially for the reasons you mentioned, such as the possibility of someone suing your fathers church for not allowing the practice of same sex marriage in the church. I do think, though, that it should never be a scare tactic, and as far as rights, homo-sexuals should be entitled to the same freedoms as you, or I. Maybe one day things will be different, and people will be able to accept the possibility of gay marriage, but if not then that is just the same. Freedom is freedom, and all of us deserve it regardless of sexual preference. Thank you very much for putting this discussion out their, and I hope people respond with other opinions, as long as they aren't insensitive and they pertain to the subject!.
