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| from our recent trip to N.Ireland (more photos, including outfit posts, coming soon) |
I was going to post some photos of our recent trip to N.Ireland,
but then I remembered today was the big day in the USA.
ELECTION DAY.
I can feel the anticipation and nerves all the way over here.
I stay away from anything political on this blog,
even though I do have some of my own, strong, beliefs.
I was very involved in the 2008 elections,
and saw so much ugliness during that time,
and have seen some of that same ugliness (although I will say facebook has not been as bad)
again this year.
Ignorance, hateful rhetoric, and belief bashing is just not something I ever want to associate myself with,
so I choose to stay quiet,
especially in very public places like this blog.
However, I will say this...
However, I will say this...
I am so proud to be an American.
I have such a deep love and new admiration for my country.
Even though there are some things that we do that I may not agree with,
or things I think need some changing,
I feel honored and privileged to call myself a United States Citizen.
Today we have the freedom and right to vote,
where once upon a time not all Americans had that right.
Exercise that right today and vote.
And maybe in the process,
show your gratefulness towards this ability,
an ability that so many people are still denied today.
Support those who are your brothers and sisters...
your fellow citizens...
your fellow citizens...
no matter what side of the fence they stand on,
because at the end of the day,
although it may look differently to some,
we are all trying to fight for each other in the best way we know how.
Yay! Love this post - I absentee voted :)
ReplyDeletexxx
Jenna
Whoo hoo for voting. I love this post =)
ReplyDeleteYessss! Got up early today to vote before work and it was great to see everyone coming out before the sun was up and cast their ballot :)
ReplyDeletewell put. glad i did absentee since i heard the polling stations are already a mess :(
ReplyDeleteYou my dear are a lovely person!
ReplyDeleteAmen!
ReplyDeletevery well said... I couldn't agree more!
ReplyDeletewell stated!
ReplyDeleteperfectly said!
ReplyDeletelove this post! well said! i, too, posted about election day over on my blog!! xox
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more! I hope that means you too absentee voted!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Election Day!
Thanks for the great reminder of what a blessing and freedom we have to vote as a United States citizen :-)
Thank you for this. I love that you blogged about this because I've had such a hard time with all the bashing. In particular, people think it's free reign to degrade and put down my religion. It's so frustrating because no where else or time in the world would that ever be acceptable.
ReplyDeleteI rocked the vote today! (ps... my husband and I totally voted differently).
In Oregon we can vote by mail - so Luke & I made sure to do that weeks ago - like the day we got our ballots in the mail! :)
ReplyDeleteYou said it so much better than I could @ http://seealicego.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty passionate about politics myself and am both nervous and excited! I have a feeling we're hoping for the same outcome :)
Best,
A
It helps going away for a while to be proud of your country, don't you think? When I came back from living in the UK I had such pride in both the UK and America, so much so that the 4th of July was a massive deal. I am proud to be an American, and I wasn't before. I didn't like our reputation. Then again, I helped break that stereotype (i'm not obese, stupid, etc.). Great point, Meg!
ReplyDeletexoxo, hma
Yes. Living in the UK has definitely made me appreciate my country, and not because the UK is bad. I LOVE the UK. I actually agree a lot more with certain systems they have in place here than in the USA, even more so after living here for over two years. But, for some reason, I just have found a new sense of pride in being American.
DeleteI definitely agree with this one :) I'll be voting right after work! Meanwhile, I will probably avoid Facebook/Twitter for the day today...I can't stand the ugliness! Everyone is entitled to their opinion but why put down others just to make a point? But you are right, it hasn't been as ugly this year as the last election..or maybe I'm just more prepared this year? Hehe!
ReplyDeleteI am pretty shocked today how "mild" the debating seems to be on (my) social media networks. I cant speak for everyone elses..but the last election my facebook was CRAZY town. its not that bad this time (but that could change quickly..lol)
DeleteYes! Yes! Vote. It's such a privledge and right that so many of us don't take. Thanks for being mindful of today.
ReplyDelete-Heather
I think sometimes take personal offense because others have a different opinion than them. Unfortunately, that is where the nastiness can come in. However, there is nothing wrong with standing up for what you believe in when done in a mature and non-condesending manner. I try not to be too dogmatic as I have an equal number of friends with differing political (and faith views), but I'm still honest about who I am and what I believe in my heart. I wish things like politics and religion didn't have to be such a "dirty" subject area. It makes me happy to hear you are proud to be an American. As much as I love Europe and other places I visited, I do love so much what we stand for and the freedom we have here. (Can you imagine living somewhere where they told you how many children you could have? That would be rough)
ReplyDeletei think some people get sensitive and defensive, but then i think some people just like to be heard and fail to think before they speak..it is those people that have made politics and religions a "taboo" subject, as well as the people that play into them. I think there is a time and place for honest, heartfelt, and mature debate...unfortunately public forums like this is not one of those places..or at least my blog isnt going to be one of them. But im just not the type of person that feels the need to express opinions in that way, but i admire the boldness of others who do.
DeleteGood points. I hate to see people fall into that trap on Facebook. It's just not the place for heated political discussions. There are actual forum boards for that, or you can use the comment feature on major newspaper website. It's also cool that you haven't lost your patriotism in your time abroad. I think that can happen to expats. It happened to me a little while I was living in France, but then I realized how many things were great about the States.
ReplyDeleteThat was very well said!
ReplyDeleteamen sista!
ReplyDeletexo the egg out west.
Here here!
ReplyDeleteYes! Great little pep talk :) EEK! Good g-chat today friend :) xoxo
ReplyDeleteI love you Meg Stern.
ReplyDeleteI hope you filled out an absentee ballot. I was stressed watching results coverage from Canada, so I can only imagine what you Americans must have been feeling! On the bright side, I couldn't be happier with how things turned out so the nail biting was worth it. America, you've done me proud!
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