"Do You Have Running Water? I Don't Want to Hear You Ever Complain Again." -My Sister

I was tagged by Peter to participate in one of those tagging games. It consists of finding the book closest to you, opening it to the 123rd page, and typing out the 5th sentence in it. I have quite a few books on my desk, so I chose the book that probably has the most interesting sentence. I chose A Patriot's Handbook, as other choices were the MLA Handbook and DSM-IV; the latter may not have been as interesting.

Anyway, my dad gave me this book. It is subtitled as "Songs, Poems, Stories, and Speeches Celebrating the Land We Love." I keep it on my shelf, and sadly I have only looked through it a few times. Anyway, here is the fifth sentence on the one-hundred twenty-third page:

"These selections show the Constitution in action and reflect the deep commitment Americans feel to the rule of law."

It is the last sentence to the opening paragraph of a chapter heading. As indicated, the chapter is on the Constitution. With the election basically in full-swing now, I found this quote appropriate and a good opener to what I want to write on right now.

I love the United States. This is the greatest nation that the world has ever seen. It sickens me when people who are blessed to be born here talk down the country. I often tire from watching election coverage because candidates constantly talk about what is wrong with America. Granted, many things need improvement; however, much good is going on as well. An extreme amount, actually. We live in a country where we are free to do basically anything we want (okay, I know gay marriage is not legal yet, get over it).

We allow free speech, free press, freedom to do what we will, say what we will, and think as we will. The Constitution is the very document that protects those people's freedoms who would criticize the government it orchestrates. In China, people are fed propaganda constantly insomuch that their schema of the world is skewed; in Israel one cannot feel completely safe and secure behind just one locked door in their home; in Sudan armies march to murder you just because you are not Arab. It's no wonder we have a problem with immigration.

I was watching a documentary on the conflict in Darfur, The Devil Came on Horseback (which I completely recommend), and in it a black Muslim said he and his family always pray for the Americans. They do not pray for the Arab countries, they pray for America. I wondered why until he explained. It is the Americans who send them relief, who care enough for their well-being help with their survival. The Arab countries, who are predominantly Muslim as well, have done nothing for them. I wish we were doing more for those in Darfur, but situations are more complex that just what I would like to do. We are a nation of compassion, comprised of a people who wish to extend their luxuries with others. Granted, we do not understand other cultures well enough to do this effectively everywhere, but we are getting there.

A friend of mine told me last week that he has lost almost all his faith in the federal government. I think that sort of thinking is an extension of not appreciating everything that this government provides for us as citizens. It's amazing. One just needs to see a picture of a family in a starving country full on conflict to put his life in perspective. And if that does not do it, some personal evaluation is certainly needed.

The situations in Darfur, Kosovo, and Israel should make us appreciate our security. The starvation in North Korea due to Kim Jong-Il should make us appreciate the food that is readily available for us, allowable by our government. The corrupted and manipulative government of China should make us appreciative of the transparency of Washington. Saudi Arabia makes me appreciate the fact that I can explore religion and spirituality at my will and not be forced to prescribe to something I may not want to. If you have two pairs of shoes, you are in the top 10% of the wealthiest people in the world. 60% of the world makes less than $911 a year; that is probably less than the cost of the computer you're using to read this right now.

As my sister puts it, "Do you have running water? I don't want to hear you ever complain again."

I Often Equate the Gay Rights Movement with the Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement is a sort of precursor to what the homosexual community is experiencing with the desire for same-sex marriage. Certainly, African Americans had a more difficult situation to deal with, but the idea is quite similar. Both deal with a majority (or seemingly the majority) not allowing something due to prejudices and misunderstandings.

The most potent arguments against same-sex marriage are religions ones. However, religious arguments do not stand very strong in an American government or courtroom setting. So, it would seem that there is no real reason that stands ground for not legalizing same-sex marriage except the "unknown effects" it will have on society.

Yet, it is still not legal in many states. I am convinced one reason it is not is because the Pride Movement. The Pride Movement has severely damaged the struggling "reputation" of the homosexual community. In-your-face tactics and an "I'm here, I'm queer, get used to it" attitude are not the way to bring about any sort of gay acceptance. Also, Pride festivals do not portray the community in any sort of civilized, moral light. They are demonstrations of the tactic and attitude mentioned, and the settings they are thrown in encourage the drug-use and "whorish" behavior that the homosexual community is becoming known for. It gives off the impression that because there is no same-sex marriage, there are no rules for us, and doing whatever we want is the result. It should not be like that at all, not if we want to be accepted in this nation any time soon.

We must look to the leaders of the Civil Rights movement and how they handled the situation, and we need to learn how to being about change in the same manner. Why? Because it worked. Sure, civil disobedience is not really an option for us. However, it is the attitude of their leaders that we can emulate. Attitude of reason, negotiating, etc., not flaunting and flashing.

The community needs to remake its reputation into one that is civilized rather than radical. Homosexuality is not a concept that is difficult to grasp, but running around in parades half-naked with rainbow flags and an angry face are. We are a community of love and certainly do have pride, but it is definitely distrinct to see why Black Pride was more potent than Gay Pride - the attitude. Black Pride said "We are strong." Gay Pride should be similar, but is not.

I would like to see a homosexual leader rise up that is respectable, reasonable, and charismatic. Perhaps there is one that I am not aware of, but I mean one that will rally as Martin Luther King, Jr. did. One whose name everyone will know, not just a committee that plans Pride Fests.

I was invited to attend Pensacola Pride with some friends. While the camaraderie of all the gays is tempting, I will abstain from going. I support the movement for same-sex marriage and homosexual equality, but only in a reasonable manner. That does not represent my self-respect for my homosexuality.