politics

A Voice

/ Gina Marie / 3 Comments

Differences exist, everywhere.  I personally have this weird aversion to tomatoes; it’s not that I dislike them, it’s more that I don’t like them mixed with certain things…..and those things are usually where tomatoes are usually found.  Burgers, salads, sandwiches.  So, I will often say “no tomatoes”, though many in my family and throughout the world may look at me and think, “Gina, you’re crazy.”  Conversely, I LOVE garlic.  I could add garlic to almost anything; eggs, meat, pasta, burgers……literally, almost everything.  So many would prefer that I not eat it, and even if they like garlic, would not use it as often as I would like to do.

Who is right?

And that’s the thing……differences have existed since the dawn of mankind.  They manifest themselves in so many ways; preferences, religion, clothing, politics, entertainment, sexual attractions (and no, I am not just referring to homo or heterosexual realms – but to what we are attracted to).  Some like to live in busy, loud cities where “the action is”, while others would instead find joy in the quiet and slower paced “country”.  Some would rather spend their money helping others while others would invest in corporations that are developing new technologies.  Some listen to gangster rap and enjoy it while others think real music is found in the nuances of classical music.

Who is right?

You may be thinking at this very moment, “why does someone need to be right?  That’s just silly!”  And that’s my initial point – we too often work from a place of correctness.  We seem to, more often than usual nowadays, want to or feel like OUR way is the “right” way. Oh, that’s not new – especially in the realm of religion and politics – by any means.  But it sure seems like social media or rhetoric or just our very hearts have taken this phenomenon and made it SO……MUCH……BIGGER!

So, having said that, now my voice comes in.  In my estimation, beliefs and preferences and backgrounds don’t define our value or establish “what is right”.  Voting for Hillary or Trump doesn’t make someone right or wrong.  Being a Christian or a Muslim doesn’t make someone right or wrong.  Burning a flag, not burning a flag, peacefully protesting on the streets or kneeling during the National Anthem doesn’t make someone right just as  always standing and never protesting doesn’t.  Owning a gun legally or despising firearms doesn’t make someone right or wrong.  Only marrying someone in your religion/race or marrying outside of them does not make someone right or wrong.  All of these make us HUMANS with our morals and backgrounds and world views and preferences, and none of them break any laws.  Yet, especially today, it seems many of the loudest voices use these areas as the foundation for their measurement of “being right”, and all I see coming out of that is division, animosity, and arguments.  All when “right” remains nebulous at best.

I could elaborate on recent personal situations in my life where family, friends, and coworkers, in any of the above topics, have used their voice to imply my position or views were wrong.  I could even elaborate where I took the stance that my view was actually right, exposing THEIR error.  And there have been several instances where I chose not to react at all and let the interactions wash past me, only to realize that the resentment and hurt has stayed behind and festered deep within me.  Some of these exchanges were very deliberate – kind of “in your face”, as it were – and some started from a place of innocence that I truly believe were not meant to be offensive or abrasive.  In every case, it was clear that it was “me against them” or the focus was exclusively on establishing who was right.  Too often the root or measuring point was on the “winner”, and too often the interchanges left no room for listening, empathy, finding a shared middle ground – but instead worked towards finding the next zinger that incapacitated the other with their next arguments.

So, who really wins?

I assert, no one.  I am NOT talking about standing up for someone being harassed or attacked.  I am NOT talking about voicing concerns for injustices.  I am NOT talking about standing up for human or constitutional rights that may be in danger.  I am referring to interactions surrounding views/beliefs/”what is right”.

So, with that I challenge my 2.78 readers to step back and consider – what do you hope to accomplish in this realm?  Will your actions build relations?  Have you listened more than you have spoken?  Have you looked at the person you’re interacting with and seen their humanity more than your perceived opinion of them based on their views?  Perhaps we all could try more in this area…….

Further, I admit my background is Christian.  And due to that, I am reminded what Christ taught as recorded in the Bible.  It is not to win by any means.  It is not to annihilate my opponent and then scream out in victory afterward, “we tore that/them down!”.  No, instead He and His Apostles taught these concepts in the Bible:

To love our enemies and not feel justified to annihilate ANYONE based on their stances.  ENEMIES.  Matt 5:44-48

That perceptions or opinions, especially in the realm of social areas or in religious context and beliefs, are wrong to use to define who or how we interact with others.  Matt 9:9-13, Luke 15:1-7, 1 For 9:19-23

No race or religion has more worth or rights than others, but should receive the best from each of us as Christ gave His best.  John 4:5-54

And with that, I will say Au Revoir.  Peace.

It’s All in the Name

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

I am excited to announce that my blog, which I’ve been rambling in since 2005, has a new URL!  I feel like this little blog has finally grown up!  JustRambling.blog is the official link and that got me to thinking…….how important is a URL or even a name?

I go by many names, actually.  Gina is one of them, of course.  G, Sis, Mom, Maddy, Babe…..Spouse, Wife, Daughter, American, and a few more.  My mom used to call me Sam when I was little.  All of these evoke positive feelings and memories for me, and reinforce my position on this earth and my right to fill this space.  They affirm my existence and make me want to walk in the strength of who I am and to encourage those around me as I do so.

I’ve been called a few colorful names in my lifetime as well.  Jerk, Homo, Libtard, Abomination, Satan, Idiot, and others I won’t post here as I am trying to keep it PG-13 rated.  These names are not as fun, and usually don’t give me warm and fuzzy feelings as I recall the people or circumstances that voiced them.  These names make me sad, or mad, or ashamed.  I wonder sometimes if I focus on these names more deeply and more often than the positive ones, which makes me feel pretty gross.

Then, I think about the “Gina” I presented for so many years, the woman I thought my family, my church, and society wanted me to be.  That was a hard gig and, while I suppose many people were “happy”, I was lying to everyone including myself and carrying the burden of my lie and my very life like an anvil around my neck.

I am writing on the fly and just asked myself – so where are you going with this Gina?  This is getting pretty depressing.  Then I replied to myself, “this blog is called Just Rambling – go with it!”.  Which really is a strong indication that the 18 hours of PMP studying I’ve done today has taken its toll on my brain…….but I digress.

My point is this – we name ourselves or others name us things that can be positive or negative, but it doesn’t necessarily define us.  For example, my acknowledgement to myself and my family that I am a homosexual was a hugely honest and freeing moment for me (aka a positive), while someone screaming it at me as a slur is definitely a negative.  But the negative SITUATION doesn’t define me or turn the freeing truth into something bad.  And further, PERCEPTION of something doesn’t define our worth or call to fulfilling something bigger than ourselves.  We, as humans, seem to put a lot of stock in our names; we look for Job Titles and often think that gives us power, or add letters after our names to indicate our worth (like I will hopefully be adding “PMP” to my email signature soon!), or we lash out at our perceived enemies by calling them names to bring them down a notch or two.  And that’s just silly.

I believe God, for those who put faith in Him, knows our fixation on names and directs us differently.  While the names He is called in itself is lengthy and still does not quite capture His omnipotence and power, today I want to direct it to others in the Bible.

Abram, who was old and childless (a huge issue in his society), was renamed Abraham – “father of multitudes” – and the Bible says his line are as vast as the sand on the beach.  Sarai was also renamed Sarah – “mother of many nations”.  God saw and knew this even as Abram and Sarai decried their lack of children.

Jacob was renamed Israel – you know, the name that is now a country and home physically and spiritually for the Chosen People – and God proclaimed that he wrestled with God and men and prevailed.  How can you be overwhelmed with shame and lack of worth when you think about that?

No matter what anyone calls me, the truth is I am the King’s Kid.  Nothing can separate me from His love.  And that, my friends, is really all that matters.

Why I Love Rush Limbaugh

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

Hey, that got your attention, didn’t it?  I haven’t decided yet if I REALLY want to write about Rush, however!  More like I want to see how much affect having his name in my subject and tags bring people to my blog………appaling, I know!

You see, I have been exposed for years to Mr. Limbaugh, indirectly.  It started when I was in my late teens/early 20’s when my Dad made the switch from Democrat to Republican.  All of a sudden the world became clear as Rush would explain how very screwed up the Democrats were.  This did NOT boad well for my paternal Grandma, who was a Democrat until her dying day.  But it sure seemed to add some pizzazz to family discussions!  And for that, I am thankful.

Keep in mind, when I married and became active in my church, I switched from Democrat to Republican, too.  There are still many ideologies that I like about the GOP today.  But back then, it was because I believed, to be a Christian, you needed to be a Conservative Republican.  And of course, I also needed to be what my Dad was.  When I turned 18 and registered for the first time, my Dad was a Democrat, and therefore, so was I.  And when he switched…..you get the drift.  Add the hubby and the church, and it was a foregone conclusion.  I remained a Republican until this last Presidential Election……..

“Ah,” you say, “you’re one of THOSE people who voted for Obama?!?!!?!”  Yes, yes I am.  Do I expect Obama to make as many changes as everyone around me?  No.  I have lived long enough to know that one person, especially in our government structure, can’t do everything and quickly.  Do I expect Obama to be perfect or that I he will please me with every decision he makes?  No.  I didn’t have that expectation for GW either, and he didn’t let me down.  And yes, I voted for Bush Sr, and GW both terms.

But I’ve got to admit, while I have never been an idealist who thought our government officials really REALLY cared about us, as I’ve grown older, seen the world a bit, and started thinking for myself, I realized I am not that close to the ideology of the GOP.  Again, there are still things I like and reasonate with……but I don’t know……those years of hearing from my Grandma about how the GOP is more aligned with corporations seems to make sense.  Not that we can really make the ideologies so very simple, but I can share without beating up on anyone that I am more socially concerned for others, want to pay my taxes to help my community and country, and wish corporations (in general) would pay a bit more as well.  But I don’t want to get into the whole economic junk, or how spending is out of control (which is has been since GW’s first term and continues today).  Basically, I believe both parties are very good at spending our money, it’s just that IN GENERAL they spend money on differet kinds of things.

Anyway, back to Rush.  I seriously don’t know why so many people love him.  I mean, everyone likes to have a tough guy in their corner.  I get that.  I even respect it.  I also believe Rush, and everyone else, have the right in this country for free speech.  I also admit that Rush brings in a lot of cash to himself and his sponsors for implementing this right day after day.  And I don’t want to suggest that what he is saying, or those that like him, are wrong.  I understand clearly that people are different, have different views, and heartily believe that this truth is much of what makes this country so awesome!  So please hear that I am not suggesting he should shut up, but I AM saying, as an individual, I just don’t get his popularity.

I have listened to him on and off over the years.  I do believe he’s very intelligent.  And I believe he makes some good points.  But most often, he promotes anger and does nothing to help our government, which is wired to waste time arguing ad nauseum, get along.  He is usually “preaching to the choir” – talking trash about people to people that already don’t LIKE the people he’s talking about.  And that’s fine – you see that in most churches every Sunday.  But what I CAN’T explain, is when he makes those crazy statements like the environmentalist caused the BP oil spill to get attention about global warming or whatever.  What?  And people buy into that?  But hey, I have to give it to him – he is great for the income stream to himself and his sponsors……..I am sure the publicity alone was golden for him.  But hey, again, say what you want Rush and God Bless You – you are an American and I respect that.  I respect your right to say what you want.  I just pray that more people stop just listening and knodding.

And, for what it’s worth, I say the same thing for the Dem or Progressive radio hosts as well.  Just because someone says something that you agree with, doesn’t mean it’s right, accurate, honest, etc.  I wish more people would approach each agenda, item, or issue with fresh eyes and research it as unbiased as possible.  I try to do that and sometimes fail.  But I try.  And I especially do it if someone tells me that “all the church” or “all the democrats” or “the majority” is for it.  Yeah?  Well, you know what?  I am going to take a minute and actually RESEARCH this before I decide what my opinion is!  I am not going to vote on it just because “everyone is doing it”.

And for those of you who like to blame people for voting for Obama – shame on you!  Again, I didn’t think he would save the world, nor did I or do I trust ANY politician to be 100% agreable, honest, productive, etc.  But this country was founded on election by the people, and the majority voted for Obama.  I believe it’s very unAmerican to say stuff like “shame on you for voting for Obama – he’s the reason this country is so messed up!”  To me, it’s like saying, “shame on you for using your Constitutional right to vote!  DOWN WITH THE CONSTITUTION!”  Although, if you really don’t like Obama, I wouldn’t mind you saying, “I really don’t like what Obama is doing.  I think many problems have been created by his position on {enter issue here} and it’s very frustrating.”  Yeah, voice your concern – I respect that.  But don’t beat me and the majority up for voting for him.  Please.

Okay, so this random post evolved as I sipped my coffee this morning.  Not sure where it came from.  But I appreciate your comments!

Gina OUT!