Getting Political
Ok, well I haven't been as active on my blog over the last couple months as I would have liked. While it is still not my intention to make this a personal blog, I will at least refer to what has been tying me up. I am currently expecting my second child, please hold the applause, and shortly after my first post they diagnosed me as having borderline gestational diabetes, which is a whole post in itself. So between getting that all figured out and preparing at my office and home for the arrival child#2, who will be surprising me within the next 4 weeks, I just haven't had the time and energy to keep up my posts.
And now getting to the aim of this particular post... I don't really consider myself a political person. I wouldn't say that it is specifically apathy. Probably more so just a time management thing. Being politically active seems to be such a time and energy consuming thing. I would so much rather be spending that time and energy with my family, exploring the world and/or learning more about my newest curious whim. And unfortunately I do realize that to be able to continue to do those things, I really need to be more involved in the political process. This last year I've been the most political I've ever been. I donated to and was actively involved in a political campaign. A first on both accounts. While I haven't decided for sure who I will vote for in November, I can say with certainty that it will not be John McCain or Barack Obama. As they say, the lesser of two evils is still evil. If you still have qualms as to "the other guy" winning, I've heard an idea floating around about finding a friend or relative who feels the same way on the other side and making a pact to each vote for someone else you do believe in (doesn't need to be the same person), thereby canceling out each others "lesser of two evils" vote and not giving either side an advantage.
Anyway.. even though this is political, I have still been a little off topic. What is really on my mind is the constitution and our rights. I will not claim to overly knowledgeable on the constitution. I've got the basic idea and I did bother to at least lookup a little of what I will be blogging about, but really it was not something covered in public school other than to mention "the constitution" and it is not something I have read on extensively. I know it is pretty sad, but I'm not trying to give any false illusions. On my mind are some of the rights granted & alluded to in the 1st, 5th, 6th & 14th amendments. Things like freedom of assembly & association. Also Habeas Corpus, due process and the idea that someone is innocent until proven guilty. I know the last is not mentioned in the constitution or bill of rights, but it is an idea generally associated with due process, which is mentioned. I was appalled in specific by some of the things I heard of happening prior to the Republican National Convention. I am sure some things similar may have happened prior to the Democratic National Convention, but it is not something I have read up on. Anyway, I am not sure in particular what some of these people and groups planned to protest, but I do know that they should have those same rights previously discussed as any other American. They were handcuffed and detained in their own home by police in full SWAT gear under the accusation of "conspiracy to riot". I don't know what you think, but to me it seems like excessive force to enter someone's home in SWAT gear, with assault rifles & hand cuff them on nothing more than conspiracy to riot. If I didn't question the direction of our government already, I sure do now. What kind of rights does my government really protect for me and what rights will be left for my children? If I don't have the right to peacefully demonstrate, have my own opinions & ideas and/or disagree with the government, how am I really free? Anyway, I didn't want to completely rehash the story I am referring to so I will include a couple videos and news links.
Heres a link to they NY Times. It's not a super in depth piece, but I know that many people out there like to see a big name publication. This publication isn't quite as big, but their piece has a lot more information. Salon