I am the Lorax...
...and I speak for the trees. Does anyone else remember this jewel from Theodor Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss)? It was always a favorite of mine when I was younger. At the time I didn't completely appreciate how political it was, or what context to put it in. Now that I am older, it has become more meaningful. I believe that there need to be more Loraxes in the world. And not just to speak for the trees. But also to speak for the atmosphere, the sick, the homeless, the poor and our waterways. We should all speak out about what we care for.
It has never seemed to me that a knitting blog is the place for me to discuss politics. I've always seen my blog as a peaceful place, a controversy and negativity-free zone. Discussions of politics are usually not done without the risk of disrupting the peace and introducing negativity. I don't make any attempt to hide my general leanings, but since I've never wanted to offend anyone or make politics a part of my blogging experience, I've generally stayed away from making my feelings public.
But since November 2nd is tomorrow, and I do believe that a great deal hinges on this election, the time has come to put myself out there and take a risk. The time has come for me to speak for my personal trees. To anyone this offends, I'm sorry. Tomorrow I'll be back to my regularly scheduled, politics-free knitting content.
I think I can express myself best by telling you something of who I am.
I was raised to believe that I could be anything and do anything I could dream -- that my gender should not be a barrier to accomplishment. I am an avid supporter of women's and minority rights, in particular, the right of women and minorities to have equal opportunities in the work place.
I was raised Catholic, with a healthy dose of skepticism. I believe strongly that we must respect and forgive and be honest with other people and that we must teach these values to our children. But I also believe that we must think about and question the "dictates" we hear in our churches -- or from any place that is trying to teach us morality. We may be part of the flock, but we should not simply act as sheep. I am pro-choice and pro-birth control and I believe that devoted same sex couples should have the same rights as my husband and I do.
I am the child of two people who were amongst the first in their families to go to college. I am married to a man who broke through barriers and paid his own way to pursue his own schooling. I believe strongly in the value of education and feel one of the greatest priorities in this country should be the education of all children. Knowledge is power that everyone should have, not just an elite few.
I am a scientist. I believe in making decisions based on data not on what I want to be true. I am pro-stem cell research and I believe that future advances in science will improve health and lead to longer lifespans. I believe that a country with the incredible technological horsepower found in this country should be able to make sure that everyone in this country has access to affordable and regular health care. I also believe that we must discover ways to have a more positive impact on our planet. We must find cleaner and more sustaining sources of fuel. We should research ways to avoid polluting and abusing our environment. I feel very strongly that we should find ways to reduce greenhouse gasses and slow global warming. I want the planet to be someplace that the children I have not had yet will want to live.
I am an American. I love my country and have always considered myself lucky to be born here. I am proud of it's many accomplishments and the vision of hopefulness that is part of its founding and constitution. I believe in my right, and the right of others -- even those who disagree with me -- to speak and gather freely.
I am very embarrassed by my country's leadership, and saddended by the image it has created of the place that I love. It is a leadership that is fostering fear, a leadership that wants to erode freedoms that so many have fought to protect. A leadership that has no problems supporting policies that damage our environment and has no vision for how to provide affordable healthcare to all Americans. A leadership that seems to believe that the United States should be seen as a great bully instead of a role model. A leadership that time and time again has misled the American people.
I believe it is time for a change. On Tuesday morning I will be casting my vote for John Kerry and John Edwards.
I think this is the first time I've commented in your blog (I've been reading for about a month now). I just needed to say well said! I agree with your beliefs about education, heathcare, science and the environment. I'm the first in my family to get a college education, and it pains me to see the programs that helped me finance it slowly erode away.
Personal religious belief is one thing, allowing it to determine the future of others in a country founded upon the idea of freedom of thought and religion is unconscionable.
Amen!
I have never posted to any blog, but read many daily. I am probably old enough to be your parent and I agree 100% will all you have written. I worked all my professional life in a man's world, paid my way through college. I also believe that this country is falling into disgrace. I voted already, for John Kerry and John Edwards.
The world needs to hear your voice. Thank you for allowing me.
Theresa, I live in Europe, so I can judge from abroad and don't know many things but from reading and hearing about them. I am worried about the fact that someone like W is leading the US and still cannot believe it. And I cannot believe that so many people are still going to vote for him, after the all lies and the mistakes. I do hope that Kerry becomes your new President.
Congratulations, Theresa! You have written one of the best essays on reasons to vote for John Kerry that I have read. You've stated your reasons very clearly and supported them, all without hysterics. I've sent the link to your blog to some non-knitting friends, because I want many people to have the opportunity to read this. IMHO, yout blog is still very much a peaceful and negativity-free zone. Let's hope John Kerry is elected tomorrow so we can begin to make the world a bit more peaceful and negativity-free.
Well done Theresa. I am a Canadian, and while tomorrow's vote does not affect me directly like it does you, I still hope that all American's will see things the way that you do, because if W is in for another term, I am scared to think of what might happen to this world. Good luck tomorrow
Thank you!
Yes, yes, yes...It's your blog.
Hi Theresa,
I am from the Uk, and agree with everything you say, I am also embarrased by my countries leadership and can only hope for change. I know you don't write about politics often, but thankyou for doing it today, it is so difficult to know what people in the US think about it all, we get such biased media coverage in the UK. It's great to hear what people from the US think.
It's really interesting because it does seem that Knitters tend to be pro Kerry! I wonder why?
jeni
I believe this is my first time commenting and I must say, brilliant! You said it so much better than I ever could. Another Kerry voter here, for all the reasons you mentioned and more. It frightens me to think our leadership might be re-elected, but all I can do is vote & hope that the newly registered & undecided will opt for positive change.
Thanks for stating your position calmly & rationally - truly a breath of fresh air. :)
Beautifully stated!
I think invoking the Lorax is perfect at a time like this. This book is in heavy rotation at our house leading to good discussions about responsibility and thoughfulness.
Lovely essay, I sure hope there are enough people like you voting tomorrow.
bravo!!
Amen, Sister! What a well-written piece. I'm going to vote today, and for exactly the reasons you stated so eloquently, it will be for K/E. Let's hope - with all our might!
Thank you
Theresa -- I am a faithful reader of your blog and have never commented until now. Your words are some of the best words I've read about why we should vote for John Kerry and John Edwards. BRAVO!!! Thank you and I encourage everyone to get out and vote on Tuesday!
Very well said - I couldn't agree with you more. The current leadership makes me very sad and afraid for the future. While I don't love everything about Kerry, at least I believe he will bring a positive change to our country and repair some of the damage that has been done to our reputation and standing in the world...not to mention the damage that has been done to our relations at home.
Simply and eloquently put, Theresa.
Bravo...After being bombarded with partisan phone calls and arguing with my evangelical brother over the weekend, I thought the last thing I wanted was to read more political rhetoric. But your entry was wonderfully written and right on the money. Thanks so much for putting your thoughts on politics into this great knitting blog. From a long-time reader and dyed-in-the-wool democrat...
Thanks for putting yourself out there and so clearly and brilliantly. We no longer (if we ever did) have the luxury of silence. Thanks again!
Thank you for writing your mind- very well said. I wish us all luck tomorrow. When I was in high school I had this quote from the Lorax written on my jacket "UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.
It´s not. " Thanks for reminding me.
I agree wholeheartedly, and to say how much of a fan of The Lorax that I am, I have a T-shirt of the Lorax on the Truffula tree stump saying I am the Lorax I speak for the Trees!
One of my friends has given me the nickname The Lorax because of my environmental leanings... :)
I'm a crocheter but I still enjoy your blog! More so now. I too was raised Catholic witha dose of scepticism and I'm probably old enough to be your mother. But I agree with everything you say. When I was young Ameerica was a land of opportunities and culture - high culture. It exceeded in science, the arts and technology. We were inspired by adventure,
(Remember we landed a man on the Moon)and not just money. I could go on and on. But the way to fix things is not to elect a man with no curiosity or flexibility.
Great post!
Alright Teresa!!!!!!!! So happy to hear you voicing your opinions! Silence about alternate or opposing views is DANGEROUS in these times. It is a patriotic duty that needs to be upheld even when we're told you're either with us or against us. The Constitution needs to be protected as this particular administration clearly doesn't have any reverence for it at all. I'll be joining you tomorrow by placing my vote for Kerry! May FREEDOM prevail!!!!!
you go girl! I cannot believe that my liberal state of MN is considered a toss up this year. I hope we wake up from this flirtation with the dark side and remember that we are the home of Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale.
Keep the faith, we shall overcome...
Very well said! I appreciate not only that you stated your position, but that you stated *why* it is your position. So many political conversations/debates these days are so lacking in actual dialogue that a message like yours is a refreshing change.
Hooray, Theresa! Well-said and well-timed. I'm so excited that tomorrow is The Day!
AMEN! Although I'm a Republican (the crowd *gasps*), I have to say I totally agree with many aspects of your very peaceful opinion! When people offer their opinion in such an educated manner, things can happen! I do believe we have lost this ability in this country. (hmmm.. perhaps it is the leadership!)In many ways both 'sides' have lost the ability. I will be glad when the election is over, but I'm concerned as a whole- things in this country are only done with the single thought of re-election... all negativity aside...THIS is how we must keep talking...THANK YOU FOR A VERY WELL SPOKEN POST!
I've been reading your blog, and many others, for about a year and I'm getting up the courage to start my own. I rarely comment, but had to drop in today to say how impressed I was by what you had to say. There are many of us who feel the same way, but I don't think I've seen it put quite as eloquently as you did. Too bad there is not a national "Letter to the Editor" page to get this out to the largest possible audience before tomorrow. Thanks for putting my feelings into words.
Well Written!! I am also proud to be an American. We should never judge other people for who they decide to vote for...I know a few people that do. It is our own decision and as long as we remain "good people" that is what should matter!!! :-)
Bravo! As a Dane I'm not allowed to vote in the US, but with all the BS that comes from W and is parrotted quite effortlessly by our PM here in Denmark I can only hope for a change in leadership and politics. The world needs it.
From your lips to god's ear! Amen, And so it is. Our thoughts are prayers....blog on, Grrlfriend...delta
this is the place to put your comments - it is VERY WELL worded. thanks for your views.
Well said. You are echoing the thoughts of so many. Hopefully Kerry will prevail tomorrow and our country will start heading in back in the right direction.
That was absolutely the most beautiful thing I have read in a long long time. Brava!
Great post on a very important topic. I couldn't agree more wholeheartedly. I don't think it was at all out of place to say what you did, and thank you for speaking out.
Theresa - I have always loved your blog, and find you to be a wonderful writer. Today, you have outdone yourself - this is the best entry I have ever read, and I think I have read 60% of your entries for the last year.
Thank you for your insight and your candor. I am also a politics avoider [not going to change now, sorry!], I just like to soak it all up and vote privately. I really appreciate your input - thanks!
Theresa- Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your writing brough tears to my eyes as it expressed so eloquently what I feel.. My daughter-in-law told me about your blog and I have enjoyed reading it. She sent me a special message to check it out today and I am so glad she did. Thank you!
Amen, Theresa!! thank you for writing this...I so agree with all that you have said - and you have said it elegantly....and thank you for your wonderfully written and photographed knitting blog!
Delurking to thank you for this most eloquent post. In these contentious times it takes real bravery to speak out as you have. Heartfelt thanks from a French knitter who lives in, and loves,your country dearly.
Right on, sister!
Brava. I'm proud you took the risk, it was worth it.
Hooray! Go Kerry!
100% agree with you. I'm going out to vote for Kerry now!
thank you - that was very well said
Thanks for such a great post. The Lorax is a favorite at our house, too--and we even get to visit the statue at the local Dr. Seuss Sculpture park! I'm off to vote later (with young'uns in tow) and then I'll be biting my nails until tomorrow.
...for they have no tongues...
a beautiful and appropriate invocation of the Lorax... Well said.
Teresa, thank you for your beautiful and thoughtful words. Julie and I obviously feel the same way. I am an aspiring writer who has recorded reams of commentary on the Bush Administration and this election, and yet I don't think I've written anything as eloquent as your single blog post. I'm humbled, yet happy to read your thoughts. Excellent, excellent.
Thank you so much for writing this, Theresa. I don't think that anyone could have written it any better. I am hoping that tomorrow's results will bring a change in leadership!
I'm a couple days late in reading this, but right on time w.r.t. today's election. Crossing all of our fingers here!!
As one half of a committed same-sex couple, it warms my heart when our allies are outspoken and include LGBT issues in their political thoughts and words.
Thank you so much from your blog ring neighbor!
I am reading this a day or so late. I just returned from waiting in line for almost 2 hours to vote. Your writing is so simple and elegant. Like another of your readers, I have to say it brought tears to my eyes. Let's hope that tonight they will be tears of joy. You have spoken my heart as well as your own. Thank you.
Thank you for your eloquent commentary. I am a lone wolf in my *very* conservative community, so it is always refreshing to see a contemporary with parallel, rather than confilicting, viewpoints. Today I cast my vote for a stronger America.
At just the mere mention of The Lorax I started to cry even though I haven't read it in years. Then I remembered that I have a collection of six of Dr. Seuss' works, including The Lorax and decided to read it again to refresh my memory.
On the ninth page of the story the Once-ler "hides what you paid him away in his Snuvv, his secret strange hole in his gruvvulous glove." and there's a picture of a hand with an opening in the pointer finger. And do you know what I thought? I thought "I could knit one of those. I could knit a glove or a mitten with a hidden compartment. Now, what would I want to hide in a mitten or glove?" And then I remembered the task at hand and why I was reading this in the first place.
I will not be knitting a glove with a secret compartment in it, but I will remember that whatever happens we always have our knitting and all our knitty friends to help us get through. And no matter what happens today, or tomorrow, or whenever they decide this is over, someday it will be in the distant past.
Thank you for a wonderful post.
Brilliant!
I live in Canada, so unfortuantely I can't vote for Kerry, much as I'd love to. I've been to the States many times and am aghast (never thought I'd actually use that word) at what 4 years of Bush has done to your beautiful country.
Here's hoping...
Yes, I agree fully with your sentiments-I observe your US politics from Australia. The Lorax is the bedtime favourite book at our place every night.
You go girl, cause you sure rock!
Cheers
nat
And today, the Lorax weeps for the trees....
Thank you for that. And, yes, the Lorax weeps and weeps and weeps today...
I personally believe people aren't political *enough*. There really is no separating a person from her politics. And that's a good thing! :)
My sister, a committed knitter and Kerry fan, forwarded the URL for this BLOG entry to me, a committed non-knitter and Kerry fan. I agreed wholeheartedly and passed it on to many of my friends. But, I was very surprised to see no comments of any kind from anybody who seemed to disagree with us. Do admirers of 'W' not knit?
Now faced with four more years of 'W' and his merry band of nitwits, we can only dig in even harder and be energetic in the mid-term elections.