So, yesterday, I was tuning in to some of the big election day “hotspots”. Specifically, I was paying attention to the “No On 1” campaign in Maine. I remember last spring, thinking – those lucky people in Maine – finally some progress being made for the GLBT community there. So, I was particularly interested in the outcome of this issue on the ballots. While I was online, I saw the Facebook status of a Maine resident, and it read “Yes on 1! Stand for marriage between one man and one woman!!” As you might expect, this person had like-minded friends who posted notes supporting this stance, but the one that stood out to me was this one, which said:
“C'mon Christians! Get out there and vote... Don't vote your conscience. Don't FOLLOW your heart - it'll steer you wrong. (Above all, the heart is deceitful and wicked...) LEAD your heart, and vote according to Gods principals. That would be a resounding "YES", on 1!!”
It got me thinking – whoa! That’s really what we’re up against, isn’t it? I was glad that very shortly after I saw that, I happened upon this:
http://www.melwhite.org/blog/91
…which basically says (and I quote): “I will no longer debate the issue of homosexuality in the church with anyone. I will no longer engage the biblical ignorance that emanates from so many right-wing Christians about how the Bible condemns homosexuality, as if that point of view still has any credibility. I will no longer discuss with them or listen to them tell me how homosexuality is “an abomination to God,” about how homosexuality is a “chosen lifestyle,” or about how through prayer and “spiritual counseling” homosexual persons can be “cured.” Those arguments are no longer worthy of my time or energy.”
What I know for sure is that, someday, we will reach the point where “with liberty and justice for all” actually applies to ALL, and not “some”. I just hope and pray that we don’t do irreparable damage to each other in the struggle to get there.
God is LOVE, people. Doesn’t it make your heart sing to believe that? It does mine.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
President Obama On Winning the Nobel Peace Prize
This speech is an example of why he deserved to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. I'm amazed by all the people who ran around calling others communists and terrorists and socialists if there was the slightest question about Bush while he was in office - "YOU MUST SUPPORT YOUR PRESIDENT DURING A TIME OF WAR" was being blared over the loudspeakers... And, we now have a President who has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and he's being torn apart by most of those very same people. My aunt Ann said it best: could we all possibly get behind our President and give him a chance to actually fulfill the potential of his election?
Matthew Shepard - 11 Years Later
It is absolutely heartbreaking to see those images of Matthew as a child. Instant tearjerker. It shouldn't be any more heartbreaking than seeing pictures of him as he was when he died; but it's such a forceful reminder - he was their child. He was a human being. NO ONE deserves what happened to him, not even the people who did it to him. (Well...maybe them...but no one else!) And, as long as I'm here - can we get a WOOT WOOT for Ellen? She's one uber cool chick.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Olan's STAR themed 1st Birthday Party
We enjoyed a fun day of celebrating, and watching all of the boys play at the park at the Pavillion at Parker's Lake. Brock, Brayden and Olan had so much fun! Rayna was precious and appeared to have a perfectly lovely time (with the exception of her brief and chilly wardrobe change, necessitated by the fact that she's got a stellar digestive tract firing on all cylinders!). There was a nice breeze, so a kite was flown, and each of the boys took turns with it. It was a beautiful day!
HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY OLAN!
The Masterpiece Birthday Cake
Created by Kjersti and Alex, who, through careful and precise measurements, used 2 9x13 cakes to create this shooting star...with NO un-used cake! ;)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Olan is Bendy
This was taken during our recent visit for Olan's Baptism. I can't believe how he's growing - it's so fun to see.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Netiquette
Okay, so here's the deal. Lots of people say lots of things online that they might or might not be quite so willing to blurt out in person, speaking face to face. Now, when you go to some 'neutral' site - for example, Yahoo! or CNN - and you read about something that gets you thinking...and you see that there are comments posted about the story, that's the kind of place where you just let it all out - say exactly what you want to say, use whatever kind of language you want to. You don't have to have regard for any one or anything if you don't want to. You can just focus on conveying your opinion. Super cool. Love it. Do it all the time.
However, there's a difference (IMHO) when it comes to commenting on a friend's blog, Facebook page, etc... I have lots of friends on several different social networks. Some of these friends are lifelong companions. Some of the people who I connect with are family members. Others may be more casual acquaintences, but nonetheless, people with whom I've socialized, and shared experiences. So, on those pages, it seems like it makes sense to keep things in a more "civil" tone. Let me rephrase that. If I visit someone's page, and see something they've posted that I disagree with, or that I think is "inappropriate" or "distasteful" or "just plain stupid" (lol) I don't feel it's in good taste to comment there in the same way that I might, had I seen the same information just out on the web somewhere. Today, I had a friend comment about a link and video that I had posted. Not only did they a.) misunderstand completely the point of the link, they b.) made what I considered to be very rude comments in their so-called 'discussion' of the topic. Now, I WELCOME dialogue about any subject. However, it seemed evident that this person had no interest in discussing anything. Their mind was made up, there was no changing it, so sayeth the Lord. Amen. Okay, fine. Regardless of all of that, there were much better ways to have said the things that got said. I'mjustsayin'...
In the future, perhaps we should all take on the habits of good dog walkers. If, while you're out and about online, you feel the need to take a crap on my page please be sure to pick up after yourself. I'll be sure I do the same, if I ever take a squat on yours.
However, there's a difference (IMHO) when it comes to commenting on a friend's blog, Facebook page, etc... I have lots of friends on several different social networks. Some of these friends are lifelong companions. Some of the people who I connect with are family members. Others may be more casual acquaintences, but nonetheless, people with whom I've socialized, and shared experiences. So, on those pages, it seems like it makes sense to keep things in a more "civil" tone. Let me rephrase that. If I visit someone's page, and see something they've posted that I disagree with, or that I think is "inappropriate" or "distasteful" or "just plain stupid" (lol) I don't feel it's in good taste to comment there in the same way that I might, had I seen the same information just out on the web somewhere. Today, I had a friend comment about a link and video that I had posted. Not only did they a.) misunderstand completely the point of the link, they b.) made what I considered to be very rude comments in their so-called 'discussion' of the topic. Now, I WELCOME dialogue about any subject. However, it seemed evident that this person had no interest in discussing anything. Their mind was made up, there was no changing it, so sayeth the Lord. Amen. Okay, fine. Regardless of all of that, there were much better ways to have said the things that got said. I'mjustsayin'...
In the future, perhaps we should all take on the habits of good dog walkers. If, while you're out and about online, you feel the need to take a crap on my page please be sure to pick up after yourself. I'll be sure I do the same, if I ever take a squat on yours.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Robbin Gallery Opening
This is my friend Raki, and her son Andrew. The photo was taken about 30 minutes after he was born. She chose it as her favorite of the ones I took that night, so I used it in my first show. It was quite an event to witness his birth!
This was the other image I chose for the show. When I was in Atlanta after my nephew Olan was born, we took a walk one day on the patio at my sister's apartment. While we sat in the sunshine feeling the warm breeze of Fall in Atlanta, this little guy went scurrying by. I snapped a few photos, sort of as a joke, but they turned out pretty crisp and vivid and my mom loved them. So, into the show with the bug pics!
Here's one of Mom and me; her work was really stunning, too!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
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