Topical Juice

The last three nights I have been held captive by CNN - enthralled with the special 3-part series presented by Christianne Amanpour, titled “God’s Warriors“, which reported on the extreme fundamentalist movements within each of the three major religions of the world - Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Specifically the report focused on how each of these movements were politicizing their message and influencing governments. It was a well balanced, unbiased, and unvarnished look at how the world, our interactions, and possibly our futures are being shaped by the beliefs and convictions of these groups. Brava, Christianne!

I would urge anyone who missed it to take advantage of CNN’s planned rebroadcast this weekend, over both Saturday and Sunday nights, beginning at 9pm ET. Six hours in total, so they are going to split it into two 3-hour segments instead of the 3 2-hour segments just shown, but it is well worth the investment of your time and attention.

It is imperative the everyone - regardless of your religious affiliation, or even if you have none - be informed on what is going on in our world, because ignorance breeds complacency, and complacency will be the downfall of individuals who value their rights and their freedom. Religion should not be politicized and governments should not be controlled by religion. Governments should represent all people, of all faiths, not just those who espouse extreme beliefs. We cannot allow ourselves to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to those who seek to subvert the very civil liberties this country was founded upon and impose their own will instead.

Pay attention - be informed.

I was really hoping that the whispers wouldn’t get so loud, so soon. Almost immediately following the first few days after both Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama both declared their candidacies, they started. “Wouldn’t it be incredible if Hillary picked Barak to be her VP?” and “A woman and a black man on the same ticket - unthinkable just a decade ago, but now?”….

But the voices got louder and it hit the mainstream - there it was in Newsweek (For Hillary: A Proposal by Anna Quindlen - Jul 22, ‘07).

It’s not that I don’t think very highly of both or either - I do. I believe that Hillary has more experience and is more qualified, but I like Barak and what he has to say. In the 2012 election (or the one after) I think he’d have enough experience to be a very viable candidate in my eyes, and if he were still saying the same things then as now, I’d vote for him without hesitation.

But together? Now? It concerns me. Because I believe it’s HIGH time we elect a woman - not just any woman, but someone intelligent, experienced, logical, and capable. I really believe Hillary is that woman. And while I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Obama, I’m not sure that the folks who might be ready to elect a woman, are also ready to elect a black man to our nation’s second highest job. I would HOPE so, but I’m not convinced. I still see a great deal of discrimination practiced in many segments of our society, and not enough being done to send the clear message that discrimination will no longer be tolerated.

So I’m concerned that such a pairing might hurt Hillary’s chances. If that is what she chooses, I will still vote for the two of them. Will you? Vote and comment - but PLEASE if you are “Hillary Hater” (or a Barak Hater) this is not the outlet for vitriol - I welcome logic and thoughful opinions but there is no place for hate here - I will delete comments that don’t add anything but hate to this conversation.

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