Personal: November 2004 Archives

UNLESS

...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.