Fun Isn't Everything

Don’t get me wrong—I like Sheryl Crow. I like her hippie-ish, everyone-be-happy style. Style aside, however, I can’t say I agree with her message. This song here, All I Wanna Do is one of her popular tunes.

"All I wanna do is have a little fun before I die,"
Says the man next to me out of nowhere
It's apropos Of nothing
He says his name's William but I'm sure,
He's Bill or Billy or Mac or Buddy
And he's plain ugly to me
And I wonder if he's ever had a day of fun in his whole life
We are drinking beer at noon on Tuesday
In a bar that faces a giant car wash
The good people of the world are washing their cars
On their lunch break, hosing and scrubbing
As best they can in skirts in suits
All I wanna do is have some fun
I got a feeling I'm not the only one


We all want to have fun. The sad part is, life isn’t always fun. Those people washing their cars might have had fun lives for all we know. But cars got to be washed, folks.
For some personal perspective, I’m taking a geometry course right now. I don’t like it. All I want to do is have some fun, but I also want to get into college. I want good ACT and SAT scores. I want to understand what makes parallelograms congruent. That is not fun. However, it is worth it.
That, right there, is my thesis. Life isn’t always fun, but what isn’t fun, should be worth it. So, by all means, go have fun. Just make sure you finish your geometry first.

We can make a difference.

Hope

I Can't Tolerate the Intolerance!

In Arizona, the proposition about marriage was Prop 102. It was 20 simple words, "Marriage will remain between one man and one woman." In California, it was Prop 8. Gay rights activists demanded that people do not discriminate against them, that we tolerate their lifestyle. I don’t discriminate and I do respect all people, no matter their choice of lifestyle or anything else. That doesn’t mean I can’t embrace my views on what marriage means. This issue was not about accepting people, it was about defining a word: marriage. One of my biggest problems about this issue is that the gay rights people do not want to get married as much as they want our culture to embrace and accept their lifestyle, they want to impose their lifestyle upon us. I honestly don’t think they want to get married as bad as they want to make a big deal. By living together, they can get all the domestic rights of a married couple, so why the big deal about being married? I could go on, but this wasn’t the point I set out to make.

Prop 8, Prop 102, and the other marriage propositions in Florida and Arkansas passed. Marriage is between one man and one woman. Period. Ever since this decision was made on Tuesday, November 4th, there have been protests breaking out particularly in California. These gay rights activists demand tolerance of their lifestyle, but when the state votes against it, they cannot tolerate the new law. They will not accept the result of the election, yet they demand acceptance. I have a hard time listening to people who will not walk their talk.

We can make a difference.

Faith

Citizenship--More Important Now than Ever Before

The value of citizenship seems to have decreased for many Americans. For example, after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor strong feelings of patriotism swept the nation and life changed for all U.S. citizens as they supported their country’s decision to enter World War II. Victory gardens popped up everywhere—growing food so there would be enough for everyone, including the soldiers. Overall, the nation ate less to conserve food for the military. To conserve gas, signs were put up that said, "Is this trip necessary?" and "When you Ride Alone, You Ride with Hitler. Join a Car Club today!" As men were needed to serve in the military, women took up their jobs, and some even went to war themselves as men were fewer because of casualties. Persuasive posters including famous Rosie the Riveter inspired citizens to help the best they could. People collected tin cans, pots and pans, razor blades, and old shovels to recycle metal for war production. After all, the government reminded the public that "Waste Helps the Enemy—Conserve Material." Slogans such as "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." became common phrases that reminded the citizens how important their contributions were. Americans bought war bonds to help finance the war. It seems like almost all citizens were actively aware that the needs of the soldier came before their own. And when anyone complained or slowed down his work, he was told, "Don’t you know there’s a war on?"

In sharp contrast to this attitude is the one we have today. When we entered the War on Terrorism the attitude was nothing like the one I just described. Instead of posters promoting loyalty and support, bumper stickers degrading President Bush were printed, anti-war protests broke out, and the feeling of unity did not seem prevalent in the lives of every citizen. Instead of expressing gratitude for the men and women who were entering the war and risking their lives, the overall population expressed its freedom of speech by protesting the decisions of our government leaders. I believe that even if we feel America has made a wrong turn, it is still our obligation as good citizens to express our beliefs in a kind manner and continue to support those who lead the country. Yes, of course there were many who were and still are very patriotic and support our troops. There are thousands of families who have sent their husbands, wives, sons and daughters off to the war. They don’t deserve anything but our support. We owe so much to them. We must shine as patriotic citizens and not engage in the negative attitude of our times.

After the recent election, I am concerned about the future of America. I was severely discouraged on the night of Tuesday, November 4th as the results came in. I do not agree with Obama on hardly anything. I cringe just listening to him. However, this subject of citizenship came to mind, and I realize now that my support and good citizenship are needed now more than ever before. With a President elect that will change America in ways I shudder to think about, I know I must stand up for truth and goodness and be part of the solution, and not create more problems for our country.
We must ask not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for our country. Our country needs our good works now more than ever before. To make a nation of better citizens, we must first be better citizens ourselves.

We can make a difference.

Faith