Melinda's Blog

I read my friend Melinda's blog tonight and realized just how insightful she is about current events. As I typed that last sentence, I realized how horrible it sounds. It was only recently that we became friends, although we've worked at the same college for a while. We bonded over Facebook and our mutual love of our dogs.

But reading her blog tonight gave me great insight into her thinking. She wrote about the election, Rolling Stone's "greatest (fill in the blank) of all time" lists, the insanity and insensitivity of the common man, and a college catalog that seems to haunt her days and nights.

The election
The excitement surrounding the election has been more than I could stand at times, mostly because I am politically neutral. I can appreciate that this election was historic and in many people's minds, as a country, the United States has made a giant step forward in terms of race relations. However, one of the things that Barack Obama had going for him was that he wasn't George Bush. There were a lot of people who wanted "Anyone But Bush"... That campaign strategy didn't work for John Kerry in 2004. But this time around, people knew that GW was leaving and they just didn't want another version of GW in the white house.

But Melinda makes a good point in her blog. There are people who aren't happy that Obama won. They think the economy is going to get worse. They think that the world is going to end shortly after January 20th. What is worse, they think that Obama's plan to help the middle class will be nothing but a handout to help undeserving people. Wait! Isn't GW doing that now? He's just calling it a bailout for the greedy banks that gave out bad loans to people who couldn't afford them.

Don't get me wrong. I don't hate GW. I don't know the man. I think he made bad decisions as president. But what president hasn't? Even FDR who started the WPA and other programs to help stimulate jobs during the Great Depression was criticized for helping out the lower class. And in a way, I get it. Those programs were never meant to last indefinitely. But there are remnants of those programs in existence today.

But I guess what really gets me are the people who think that government programs to help people get back on their feet are wrong and support laziness...that is until the critics need help themselves. I have been seeing reports of middle class folks who are losing their homes and having to go to food pantries to get help to feed their families. When I see these stories, I wonder how these folks felt about government programs before they needed them. Here's another question - Is it wrong to help low income families, but ok to help middle income families? Some people would have you believe that it is.

One thing is for certain, at least in my mind. The scene of American politics is definitely changing. Some people will think that since we have an African-American president, then we, as a country, must not have the race relation issues that we've faced in the past. There are people who will continue to think that a "colored muslim" shouldn't run the country. They won't want to admit that they don't even know who Obama is and what he stands for. They will only see a black man. I've even heard bad jokes about what will be served at the inauguration (fried chicken and other assorted foods associated with African-Americans). It just shows that no matter far we have come, we aren't where we need to be.

Reba and Kelly, part 2

So I just got back from seeing Reba and Kelly and IT WAS AWESOME!




I've seen Reba perform 6 times, but it was my first time seeing Kelly. She is amazing. She has so many sides... so many genres that she can sing. I'm so glad that I saw her...

I guess I can say this... it is my blog after all... but I was sitting in front of some interesting people... OK...they seemed like rednecks.... the kind that would give Gretchen Wilson a run for her money. One even admitted that she hadn't taken her ADHD medication, so she might get a little hyper. It was fine, until she actually got hyper. I was so glad when Fancy finally came on because then she calmed down a bit.

I guess I dont' really having anything reflective to say about the concert. Except that one song in particular got to me. I have always loved the song "And Still". It's about a woman who, in a far away town, runs into the love of her life. The only problem is that they aren't together anymore and to make matters worse, he's married... but she still loves him and can't even tell him. It hit a little too close to home for me this time and I got a little teary eyed. I think Reba did too.

Reba and Kelly Clarkson

Finally, I'm able to get my thoughts together to sit down and blog again. I finally have a day off from the box office and I'm treating myself to a concert. I'm going to see Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson in concert at the 1st Mariner Arena.

I've seen Reba in concert 5 times; the first time was in 1995. Coincidentally, I met Reba at that concert. She was very nice. Reba put on a great show back then. Her concerts were very theatrical with costume changes and set changes. When I saw her in 2004, however, she had scaled back the show. Some people complained, but it was actually refreshing for me. See, it had always been about the music for me. Don't get me wrong, I loved the show. But ultimately, I went for the music.

Now Reba's with Kelly Clarkson and if it's anything like the CMT crossroads, I know I'll love it. Melissa Peterson, Barbara Jean from Reba (the show) is the opening act and from what I can tell, Reba and Melissa still have great fun together. They really are like Lucy and Ethel. It was a shame that the CW cancelled their show. REBA was one of the only shows that families could watch together on the CW.

I'll let you know how the concert goes tonight.

Neither Red, Nor Blue

Below is an excerpt from an article called "How do Jehovah’s Witnesses view voting?" from the November 1, 1999 Watchtower Magazine.

Of course, in some democratic lands, as many as 50 percent of the population do not turn out to vote on election day. As for Jehovah’s Witnesses, they do not interfere with the right of others to vote; neither do they in any way campaign against political elections. They respect and cooperate with the authorities who are duly elected in such elections. (Romans 13:1-7) As to whether they will personally vote for someone running in an election, each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses makes a decision based on his Bible-trained conscience and an understanding of his responsibility to God and to the State. (Matthew 22:21; 1 Peter 3:16) In making this personal decision, the Witnesses consider a number of factors.

First, Jesus Christ said of his followers: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:14) Jehovah’s Witnesses take this principle seriously. Being “no part of the world,” they are neutral in the political affairs of the world.—John 18:36.

Second, the apostle Paul referred to himself as an “ambassador” representing Christ to the people of his day. (Ephesians 6:20; 2 Corinthians 5:20) Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Christ Jesus is now the enthroned King of God’s heavenly Kingdom, and they, like ambassadors, must announce this to the nations. (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 11:15) Ambassadors are expected to be neutral and not to interfere in the internal affairs of the countries to which they are sent. As representatives of God’s heavenly Kingdom, Jehovah’s Witnesses feel a similar obligation not to interfere in the politics of the countries where they reside.

A third factor to consider is that those who have a part in voting a person into office may become responsible for what he does. (Compare 1 Timothy 5:22, The New English Bible.) Christians have to consider carefully whether they want to shoulder that responsibility.

Fourth, Jehovah’s Witnesses greatly value their Christian unity. (Colossians 3:14) When religions get involved in politics, the result is often division among their members. In imitation of Jesus Christ, Jehovah’s Witnesses avoid becoming involved in politics and thus maintain their Christian unity.—Matthew 12:25; John 6:15; 18:36, 37.

Fifth and finally, their keeping out of politics gives Jehovah’s Witnesses freeness of speech to approach people of all political persuasions with the important message of the Kingdom.—Hebrews 10:35.

In view of the Scriptural principles outlined above, in many lands Jehovah’s Witnesses make a personal decision not to vote in political elections, and their freedom to make that decision is supported by the law of the land.