On August 28, 1963 I rode the train to join the "March on Washington" and to hear Martin Luther King's, "I've Got a Dream" speech; although there was no name to this speech, of course, until after it was given. However, it was a week or two before schools opened again and I was a staunch supporter of civil rights, so I went...by myself. The experience was an other worldly one and led me to understand the difference between "freedom" and "liberty". In 1864, Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation abandoned slavery in this nation and gave all slaves their liberty...but not their freedom. They were not free to walk on the same side of the street as whites, they were not free to sit in the front of buses, they were not free to drink from the same water fountains as whites, they were not free to use the same rest rooms as whites, they were not free to get into the college of their choice, they were not free to get decent, well-paying employment, they were not free to attend the same schools as white children, not free to run for political office--especially the Presidency, and more recently, not free to eat at Wendy's...and I could go on and on. Surely, slaves were liberated--they had their liberty, but not their freedom. But Dr. King dreamed that someday they would, indeed, be free. As it turned out, sadly I was absolutely the only teacher in my school district who was sufficiently motivated to join that movement on that day. And now, his dream is becoming a reality. We have a black man running for President of the United States. Can that be possible? In America? Certainly for the most part a racist nation?
I've heard some vicious comments about Barack Obama and I've received some scurrilous emails regarding his views on all sorts of issues, but I don't pay any attention to anything anyone says, or to anything anyone writes. I don't trust these self-proclaimed pundits, nor can I guess where they get their information. I will, however, pay attention to what Obama has to say, himself, in these days before the November election. I want to hear what he believes from his own lips, not from some prejudicial gossip or rumors. As for John McCain, I cannot vote for a 73 year old man who was a POW for several years. And I have no doubt that he still suffers from PTSD--because I am very familiar with the vagaries of that result from war injuries...whether physical or mental. Of the two, I believe Barack Obama, young and vigorous, and full of fresh ideas to be the best hope for this country. You may disapprove of my obstinate stand on this issue, but I really don't care what you think...this is my blog, and these are my opinions. If you have a different opinion, I don't have to respect it! You know the wimpy statement you often hear, "I don't agree with you, but I respect your opinion."
If you don't agree with someone, then you really don't respect their opinion. Say so! Something like, "Hey...I respect your right to an opinion, but you're full of hot air!" It'll make you feel better, not bitter.
2 comments:
Lest any of you believe that the Baron is a cantankerous person of a certain age, he was just as opinionated and lovable 50 years ago as he is now.
And, 50 years from now, he will be no more obdurate than he is in 2008.
I've heard vicious comments about McCain and Palin as well -- and also prefer to make up my own mind after hearing from their own lips -- not from pundits, polsters, preachers, or pedantics.
I disagree about whether one can respect other peoples' opinions. If I respect someone (i.e., my father), then I appreciate that he is wise and smart enough to make a decision on a given issue. While I might disagree with it based on my perception or experience, I can respect his opinion (as well as his right to have an opinion). I would hope I would be offered that same courtesy.
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