you didn't vote?

Then you have willingly given up your voice until the next election.

In other words, you cannot talk about politics unless you have participated in them. (You don't have to be a snaky, sneaky politician to participate in the political world. In the US, we have the privilege to vote for representatives. Whether they do their job or not is another question entirely.)

It's just that simple.

Why, then, do non-voters pretend to care about political matters and measures?

Why give us your opinion if you are not going to use your privilege as a US citizen to vote and thereby appropriately voice this opinion?

People have died to maintain this privilege; other people have crossed boarders so their children may have this privilege.

Clearly, Americans take freedoms for granted on a day-to-day basis.

In fact, the right to vote -- the privilege of electing representatives/etc. and accepting or rejecting measures brought up in legislature -- is the right that US citizens are most apathetic about. Yet it sets the stage for the rest of our "rights" under US law.

Elect the wrong guy and your nation could turn on its head, from capitalism to socialism. Haven't we already seen the effects?

Then again, perhaps one vote doesn't count.

Remember in college or high school, when you had a question for your instructor (but you were too cool / ashamed to ask it in front of everyone else), and then someone braver than you asked the very same question out loud! In front of the whole class! Whoa, impressive! And then, you had your answer?

Voting is like that. Other people share your thoughts / your positions, but think they won't be heard or are above voting for one reason or other, and so they don't vote. At all. How effective that is, I'm not quite sure.

A friend of mine, who has quickly grown liberal while attending the same public ivy league school I recently graduated from, posted an article on his Facebook wall. Yeah, I Facebook stalk. No big. In it, one of The Economist writers quips, "The stakes of November: It doesn't matter that much" (article: http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2010/10/stakes_november?page=1). Now, I could go into depth on this one but here's the main gist: "It's okay if conservatives take over the House and Senate, little worried children. It's not going to change anything; we still win through brute force." Oh honey, if only you knew what you were talking about.

Look. All I'm trying to say is, if you want your voice to count -- yes, even with "one measly vote" that "doesn't matter that much" -- then VOTE. It's not that hard. If you're in Washington, you have no excuse: there is a mail-in ballot. It's pure laziness NOT to vote.

In the end, if you don't use your privilege and vote, you don't get represented. And no one else will care to hear your opinions either. Me included.

End rant.

rossi.

So. Where I'm from, in Washington, there's an election being held right now. Points are being charted as we speak. Sooner or later, the scores will be drawn.

What I'm hoping for is some real change. I'm tired of the same shenanigans that we've blindly accepted in the last ... well, how many terms HAS Murray served? And by "we" I mean, Washingtonians as a whole. Who clearly are blind.

You'd have to be to base your vote for someone solely on their contribution to the GLBT agenda. Since this is what the news media has jumped on, I will too. What else has she done? Give me some proof-positives of her other contribution(s) that have improved the situation in Washington in the last two years.

How supporting the GLBT agenda benefits the entire state of Washington is a mystery. If you can shed some light on the subject, feel free to comment (scroll to the end of this entry). You may do so anonymously, if you wish to.

Side Note:: To me, the GLBT agenda falls under a type of religion. Argue what you will, they have a belief/beliefs they are pushing on others and require tolerance be given them -- if not outright acceptance.

It's time for Murray to GO.

There should be a cap on how many consecutive terms a person may serve. It's ridiculous.

I think it worked back in the day because the life expectancy rate was so much lower. But I guess, that would be the down side of a prospering health care industry ...

maturity.

Some events in my life have lead me to read I Corinthians 13:11 with fresh eyes.

intro

I have read the verse before. Thought I understood it in context. This time, when I read it ... well. "Chide" is a good word to describe how I got what I did out of it. The verse, which I originally believed only applied to others (and not to me), convicted me. I need to further analyze my behavior at all times and on all levels -- to include not only group settings and interactions with others individually, but also in my thought life.

side note.

Behavior? I realize this could get dicey. It's fairly obvious what "behavior" entails: action. Basically, what you think, say, and do in any given situation.

Easy enough, right? Yeah, but hard to control. After all, humans have a sinful nature that tries to call the shots.

seeking wisdom

Maturity is something that comes not only through advance in years but also through wisdom. Since wisdom comes from fearing God alone (Proverbs 1:7), couldn't a person be mature beyond his or her years? Have you ever read I Timothy 4:12?

Okay. Yes, I confess. That was a rhetorical question. Now I feel guilty; I have to explain myself. In this verse, Paul is instructing his young pupil Timothy, "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." Despite your youth, Timothy, you can darn well be a leader in the faith.

And later on Paul chides, "Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you."

If you don't think other people pay attention to the way you present yourself, let this be a lesson! Sometimes other people pay closer attention than you do.

action?

*Everything* you think, say, and do is a reflection of what you believe and demonstrates your convictions in this life to a watching world.

For Christians, what we do and say is a reflection of Christ in us. We need to be mindful of our presentation, cautious in our approach. Our actions and words need to match, as they speak volumes about our values and Who we ascribe honor to. You could draw a similar correlation to marriage here, where the husband and wife only do and say what they know will benefit and honor the other person.

maturity

"When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known."
- I Corinthians 13:11-12

I find it interesting that this verse falls after the discussion on "love." Maybe it's the English major in me that enjoys analyzing. Maybe it's just that I want to know more ... but doesn't it seem to imply that to know True Love is to mature into a "man"?

I don't think I'm going out on a limb here.

To love God is to grow in Him, right? Thus, it is for us to truly love God (as described in I Cor 13) and to seek His wisdom after Him (I Cor 13:11). Yes, this means to obey Him.

closing thought

Where does this leave you and I? With a choice.

"Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant --"

Have you ever been on a liquid diet? I was on one for a month (I had mandibular surgery in 2005). I lost weight and muscle tone like no one's business. Liquid meals aren't quite satisfying. They are designed to sustain and provide nutrition value, but are never sufficient. Bench-warming at church is like this.

"--But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about Christ, let us press on to maturity ..."
- Hebrews 5:12-6:1.

This I write not for my reader alone, but also as a reminder for myself. At work, at school, and so on. It's a choice to serve the Lord. May He be pleased with our thoughts, the words we choose to speak, and our actions today and in the weeks to come.

breathe.

Welcome, fleeting August --
You are not my favorite. True, we have had our times ... but they are not in California.

Welcome, hot September,
With your clear blue skies and drenched-in-sweat nights. I cannot say I've missed you.

Welcome, dear October,
If we never meet again, I can guarantee my smile would never end. Let's not be friends.

Welcome, cool November!
You are the crisp nights and starry skies I've been dreaming of. But you're just not right.

Welcome, lovely December --
You are sweet cold wet rain on my window pane. Cozy and happy to be home in Seattle.

Welcome, early January,
And welcome new year. Another plane ride brings me back, 1000 miles from my love.

Welcome, cold February,
With your uncanny fingers of spring and shadow. May the sun shine to drown loneliness.

Welcome, sweet March --
You are welcome indeed, even through the harried business that will ensue. Home calls.

Welcome, lively April ...
Another assignment in a land far away. The light at the end of the tunnel beckons me.

Welcome, darling May!
You are the hopeful light. Summer is but a breath away, and until then will I breathe.

george washington.

"It is the duty

of all nations

to acknowledge

the providence

of the Almighty God

to obey His will

to be grateful for His benefits

and to humbly implore His protection and favor."