Well Are We Still Friends?!?

Here in the Inland Empire we are always fighting for great causes, and against great injustices. We need allies, we need each other. The problem is that we all don't hold the same values, or share the same beliefs. Sometimes we fight like cats and dogs. Some of us want emanate domain, others would like to take away civil rights, some would even condone social bigotry. Some of us believe that as long as it makes our own individual lives better our beliefs are justified. Well I don't believe that. I want to leave no doubts about what goes on in my head.


My thoughts, feelings and beliefs are different from most. That is why I write this blog. I guess that I'm trying to recruit people to my point of view. Isn't that funny? “Life is a tragedy for those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.” Horace Walpole (English writer, connoisseur, and collector, 1717-1797)


I'm not sure why other people share their personal information. I am sure why I share certain parts of mine. I want to try to drive home to everyone that social standing and material wealth are all fine and wonderful but never at the cost of family, friends, and emotional stability. So I hope after reading this I still have friends left.


I guess what I'm trying to do is stop and smell the roses. There's even a song along those lines possibly you know it, “You got to stop and smell the roses, you got to count your many blessings along the way. You're gonna find your way to heaven is a rough and rocky road, if you don't stop and smell the roses along the way.” That's the chorus. I can't remember who sings it at the moment, but it might be Ringo Starr.


When people meet me a lot of them form opinions about my personality, beliefs, political views, sexuality, and financial capabilities. Well I'm going to let you know that you're all wrong. I guess I can’t really talk about this without at least giving my views on key issues. Well here goes...


Abortion: This is tough. I do believe a man should have some kind of say on the issue. It seems patently unfair that a man’s rights/choice ends with the decision whether or not to use a condom or believe the woman is on the pill. In a fair world the man would have equal say, but biologically that’s not possible, yet. Judges have laughed men out of court when they have challenged with the “we agreed not to have children- now she’s pregnant- we’re not together- and you’ll force me to pay child support soon even though we agreed to have an abortion if this ever happened” defense. In essence their take is they had unprotected sex based on an oral agreement (nice pun) that a child would not be born even if the seed took. So that aside, it is hard for me to legally force women to engage in an activity that can bring death. Remember for the record I am against abortion because I don't think murder is a good form of birth control.


What would happen if it was illegal? Would women use unsanctioned doctors/back alley butchers? Is it worth that? So I am in the “safe, legal and very rare” camp. I believe abortion is a medical issue and should be deliberated in the doctor’s and pastor’s office, not the halls of congress that is mostly filled with lawyers. Not to mention, it goes against my principal of wanting government out of my personal life. It's simply not their decision to make- nor is it yours or mine. It is solely the decision of the couple or woman to make. These women know that the religious right believes they are going to hell, so spare me that argument. Well are we still friends?



Free Speech: It’s damn near absolute. Conservatives often pick on the ACLU for defending opposite interests. But that’s the point of free speech. To truly be a backer of the first amendment you have to defend both the Nazis and their right to talk their nonsense, and the Jewish Defense Organization who say things like “death to Nazis”. I know the whole “fire in a theater” concept, but the bar to arrest someone for something they say must be set very, very high and the evidence must be overwhelming, anything short of that invites a chipping away of this right. Well are we still friends?


Religion: We have the right to freely worship just about anything or nothing at all. No tax payer money should be spent on religious activity. Churches must be free to perform same sex marriages or not perform them. Well are we still friends?


Guns: I am pro-gun rights. I have owned guns in my life time. I don't believe in hunting for sport or killing anything for fun, but I have no problem dispatching someone trying to break into my home. It’s the sanctuary for Diane, my son Ronald, and myself. Anyone trying to disturb that should first think about the cost. Sometimes ignorance can be painful. Well are we still friends?


Education: I support free education for all citizens. We keep hearing that America is falling behind other countries in science and math. Well maybe the government should start a scholarship fund for those things. Let people that major in math and science get free education up through their PhD. It makes sense. Some people claim that education isn’t a right and should not be funded by the government, but think our world would be like without it. You know how it makes you upset when a cashier cannot count your change back to you without using a machine? Imagine if they couldn’t count at all! We’re a first world country because of education and for us to discontinue that would be disastrous for our countries morale, micro and macro-economies and our competitiveness in the world in just about everything. If anything we should increase spending on academia and decrease spending on sports in our collage system. Well are we still friends?


Immigration: First we must make it easier to immigrate to the U.S.A. I do want better public services for our citizens, but we cannot achieve that if we continue to allow people to come across the border at will. Just sign in, take a test, let a doctor check you out, and pass a felony background check. My main concern with them is their lack of paying taxes while soaking up benefits like health care, education and jobs, passing illnesses that we are not use to. People who have gone through the gauntlet of legally immigrating here deserve those things. If I ran across the border into any country on earth I would not expect that country to take me in and give me and my child all the services provided to their citizens all the while not paying taxes. If you want the benefits of citizenry in our country then you have to become a member by paying the dues. Membership has its privileges. Well are we still friends?



“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” - by Emma Lazarus (on the plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty)


The liberal part of my personality believes that the world doesn't revolve around me. I believe that if my community does well then I will do well. I believe that there is enough for everyone. Some believe that if others have something there might not be any left for them. That said, I don't believe in forcing charity.


What do you believe? What will you fight for? Well are we still friends? As always let's make this a two way conversation. As always please post your comments and opinions in the comment section at the bottom of the article on the blog page (http://www.AricIsomsBlog.com). You can also post to past articles in there proper location at the bottom of each. I look forwards to your feedback. Please take note of the added features, such as the daily news feed, video clips, opinion polls, outside links, and Java games.