tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56224937349168323672024-03-04T23:26:33.101-06:00PokerLawyerOne gal's perspective on the sport of poker...and life.PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-84946063754870226472021-06-02T14:35:00.005-05:002021-06-02T14:35:34.370-05:00Life Lesson #1<p> The sooner you realize no one cares, the better off you will be.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-23481278802950593512021-05-21T10:59:00.000-05:002021-05-21T10:59:06.931-05:00Clarity<p>Sometimes you don't even mean to but you get to the eye opening moment of clarity and are surprised at the truth of things.</p><p>I don't feel sorry for myself and I am not a victim because I call out truth and refuse to accept your version of reality.</p><p>My refusal to accept bullshit is the opposite of victimhood. It's strength.</p><p>Disagreeing with you is not victimhood. Complaining about your burdens and responsibilities and reality is victimhood. </p><p>Nobody cares about how hard things are for you. How wrong you've been done. The world does not care. </p><p>Fools will coddle and wallow with you in weakness, but there is no value in victimhood. None.</p><p>Suffering is a part of life. It's the biggest part of life.</p><p>Your life, then, is ultimately how you deal with hardships and suffering.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-67457731591638486812020-09-30T10:09:00.001-05:002020-09-30T11:43:28.695-05:00Stand Back and Stand By<p>These people walking around in normal clothes looking human. Shopping. Driving their cars. Getting gas. Mowing their lawn. Putting out the trash. Making their morning coffee. Raising the cup to their lips as their eyes read the online comments and memes and reviews and snark and alarm. The place where their heart once beat is filled with that bitter glee of the one who sits at the sideline, never enters the fray, but watches as virtue is beheaded in the colosseum. Their comments sound neighborly and concerned but their posts expose the truth. And even those who tell themselves they're above it all because they refuse to talk about what is happening around us give themselves away with their likes and their emojis and their bitter cackles of joy as decency is beaten and bloodied and drug through the streets and then crucified. And on Sundays they go to church and thank their crucified Jesus on the cross that they are still great and that Trump is on his throne and they beat their chests as they take the host in their mouths and kneel as the choir sings 'God Bless America' while it burns all around them. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/enUqRvRyNhI" width="320" youtube-src-id="enUqRvRyNhI"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-43329279818833364812018-06-07T14:17:00.002-05:002018-06-07T14:17:48.936-05:00Party of One<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oCzA5MWarb0?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-34330867343256632342018-06-01T17:22:00.000-05:002018-06-01T17:22:17.478-05:00Return<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Joy and resentment cannot coexist.</i></b> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>The experience of not being able to enter joy is the experience of a resentful heart.</i></b></div>
</blockquote>
I'm reading <u><a href="https://amzn.to/2JansWS" target="_blank">Return of the Prodigal Son</a></u> by <a href="http://bit.ly/2J2gOpv" target="_blank">Henri Nouwen</a>. Nouwen was a Catholic priest, among many other things. He was a prolific writer and servant, and ultimately, a man whose loneliness and desire for relationship shaped his writings and life and his spiritual journey. Though he never publicly acknowledged that he was gay, his personal letters and writings indicate that he was. I must have read a quote by him somewhere that intrigued me to look into who he was because I'd never heard of him. His palpable loneliness was intriguing. It made me sympathetic and so I picked up Return.<br />
<br />
If you don't know the <a href="http://bit.ly/2kFc6zn" target="_blank">parable of the prodigal son</a>, it basically goes like this: A father had two sons. The youngest one day asked for his inheritance, which his father gave him. He then left for a distant country and squandered it all on a life of debauchery. Left with nothing, he is forced to tend pigs. Starving and prohibited from eating even the scraps allotted to pigs, he realizes the servants in his father's home have it better. He recognizes that in his demanding an unwarranted inheritance (his father yet lived!), he had wronged his father and, accordingly, he had no real right to return home. He reasoned, however, that he would beg forgiveness and seek nothing but a place of servitude in his father's home. His father meets him with forgiveness, mercy, and celebration. This angered the older son - he had stayed with the father, was obedient and served him all the years the younger son was gone, "You never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends. But this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property, you kill the calf we had been fattening!" The father meets him with the same forgiveness and mercy, saying, "My son, you are with me always, and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found."<br />
<br />
I hadn't yet read Nouwen's section about the elder son when I happened upon the story of Juan Carlos Cruz and his <a href="http://bit.ly/2J6LVQZ" target="_blank">meeting with Pope Francis</a>. Juan Carlos is a sexual abuse survivor. Specifically, he was abused as a youth in Chile by a Catholic priest. The Pope was in Chile for the purpose of addressing this...what's the word...endemic scourge of the Church. In the process, he met privately with Juan Carlos, who is gay. After the meeting, Juan Carlos told people, some of whom were reporters, that during the meeting, the Pope told him "God made him gay and that God loves him the way he is."<br />
<br />
Given that the Church's official stance on homosexuals is that they are "<a href="http://bit.ly/2kGELUE" target="_blank">intrinsically disordered</a>," this caused Catholics, particularly priests, I follow on Twitter to go a little nuts. Many called on the Pope to clarify and remind the world about Church teaching on the subject. I even had a twitter exchange with one priest who, I felt, admonished Juan Carlos for not keeping the meeting private. His gripe was that he now had parishioners who had questions and he wasn't happy about having to answer those questions. (I can't make this stuff up)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdjwEUFRZH-iwaHwyanBvwP6GblIkLbY5el3dV24vY55vi7wotC79OXwI_zYhV_ngZ0h6Bm_53Cq-DGxVl0CL9vz9maXXSU4hIyyJkomkA1uYXfUu5LgOlojoIxE81IcxObVt0msMufwE/s1600/Pope1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdjwEUFRZH-iwaHwyanBvwP6GblIkLbY5el3dV24vY55vi7wotC79OXwI_zYhV_ngZ0h6Bm_53Cq-DGxVl0CL9vz9maXXSU4hIyyJkomkA1uYXfUu5LgOlojoIxE81IcxObVt0msMufwE/s320/Pope1.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOX2limJjFjG9t5Vw3dAiiOGWci0G6SAI83cThKHuUgCxHSzp3WtcsnhkmS0EJBpgpZoVSMv0b2TdbyHNyp-xZ_f98c7Efe3CmiQ9ZLvm06uBYcq7md5hu_VJ9xRRL-CiZ3XRj1IvA5XqX/s1600/Pope2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOX2limJjFjG9t5Vw3dAiiOGWci0G6SAI83cThKHuUgCxHSzp3WtcsnhkmS0EJBpgpZoVSMv0b2TdbyHNyp-xZ_f98c7Efe3CmiQ9ZLvm06uBYcq7md5hu_VJ9xRRL-CiZ3XRj1IvA5XqX/s320/Pope2.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbZjQnzN-HGifxmkuylpiF5XTw7Fx4wV7H1L6mDYRuI7yEWJJU4KcuaPiRmz3qYPulbBVS9VKnCjg6yiCGX0GRH3tWo5uEZuTwBAjyk_6dgG9lCjThyAkzMCLCyW8iTsS3L1X6-dq1uwb/s1600/Pope3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbZjQnzN-HGifxmkuylpiF5XTw7Fx4wV7H1L6mDYRuI7yEWJJU4KcuaPiRmz3qYPulbBVS9VKnCjg6yiCGX0GRH3tWo5uEZuTwBAjyk_6dgG9lCjThyAkzMCLCyW8iTsS3L1X6-dq1uwb/s320/Pope3.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXppXTWbfkikJJEkLAUfqeCJcoUmdsBc0WQ6qMZaVuDzuGtE5t0BpjRy4gLI62exSy-4DMhvZu2cktU06yhuzr7Hcy3J3nt1j-AFRtYvLzTc_7wBq7BlQaprXAlE7jTolbogftYKFnqtFM/s1600/Pope4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXppXTWbfkikJJEkLAUfqeCJcoUmdsBc0WQ6qMZaVuDzuGtE5t0BpjRy4gLI62exSy-4DMhvZu2cktU06yhuzr7Hcy3J3nt1j-AFRtYvLzTc_7wBq7BlQaprXAlE7jTolbogftYKFnqtFM/s320/Pope4.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2v8t1IX67zJvl7yfyNVRYt3ScybMVMQJkhj9j5NwanGTuqQRS0sYksI3DdnSJa5CUOtZUO7aKRylf5aJX-fAtN2wwvfwlwKjPKIHh2ZnWrHPUcO9-PIhOM7aUV8aE3SPWYPlpJ-BDKt_/s1600/Pope5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2v8t1IX67zJvl7yfyNVRYt3ScybMVMQJkhj9j5NwanGTuqQRS0sYksI3DdnSJa5CUOtZUO7aKRylf5aJX-fAtN2wwvfwlwKjPKIHh2ZnWrHPUcO9-PIhOM7aUV8aE3SPWYPlpJ-BDKt_/s320/Pope5.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7hLVnx53nxvE2t4bUDqAYUctHa45JZf8UI1ZH750Ua4X6J2dAmAWxYVi-laSH4qFS7fvBUe-MoOzUz9JEiIUPZEXjl-U-KmzWhLR2VyEsGsEpiHSXe46N73S1Gt0flKRC18sRXFGapni/s1600/Pope6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="640" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7hLVnx53nxvE2t4bUDqAYUctHa45JZf8UI1ZH750Ua4X6J2dAmAWxYVi-laSH4qFS7fvBUe-MoOzUz9JEiIUPZEXjl-U-KmzWhLR2VyEsGsEpiHSXe46N73S1Gt0flKRC18sRXFGapni/s320/Pope6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It really struck me after reading Nouwen's Return, particularly the portion related to the elder son, how easy anger, resentment...judgmentalism comes to all of us.<br />
<br />
Nouwen writes:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In response to their complaint, "<b><i>This man welcomes sinners and eats with them</i></b>," Jesus confronted the Pharisees and scribes not only with the return of the prodigal son, but also with the resentful elder son. It must have come as a shock to these dutiful religious people. They finally had to face their own complaint and choose how they would respond to God's love for the sinners. Would they be willing to join them at the table as Jesus did? It was and still is a challenge: for them, for me, for every human being who is caught in resentment and tempted to settle on a complaintive way of life.</blockquote>
Nouwen says this lostness can become deeply rooted and is very difficult to return home from.<br />
<br />
Whether you are a person who views the world and your life through a prism of faith or not, I think it's easy to look around in this age of Trump and wonder just what it is people of faith are representing. How people respond to kindness, mercy, love, especially when it's given or shown to the "other" is telling...Don't listen to what anyone says. Watch what they do.<br />
<br />
This has been rolling around in my head and I guess I just wanted to get it out. Til next time...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ERWREcPIoPA?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-60267983863393175782017-10-27T17:08:00.000-05:002017-10-27T17:13:08.750-05:00Love's Servile Lot<div style="text-align: center;">
...before her hope, behind remorse,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
fair first, in fine unseemly.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plough not the seas, sow not the sands, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Leave off your idle pain;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seek other mistress for your minds,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love's service is in vain.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- <a href="http://bit.ly/2xux1K4" target="_blank">Robert Southwell</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a Gutenberg <a href="http://bit.ly/2lk712s" target="_blank">collection</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vfmQD1bAUg0" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-42452681958629464062017-02-07T10:54:00.000-06:002017-02-07T10:54:05.998-06:00Some People<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qwn7HUm2Gws0ag5Bu5XJBF4aYAMKhM58umP7-RmMSPcRRw7erYuktpvrfqNGd49F5xeqTK_1hbtN3zCjKBAvxPJEYZj4JE4mzA-BDBusPaR3fbJocOLTpEKbBKRY5LZjprcAcftwMMeM/s1600/don%2527t+do+anything.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qwn7HUm2Gws0ag5Bu5XJBF4aYAMKhM58umP7-RmMSPcRRw7erYuktpvrfqNGd49F5xeqTK_1hbtN3zCjKBAvxPJEYZj4JE4mzA-BDBusPaR3fbJocOLTpEKbBKRY5LZjprcAcftwMMeM/s1600/don%2527t+do+anything.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Via <a href="http://bit.ly/2lkyD2J" target="_blank"><b>@meredithplayground</b></a></i> on Instagram</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-2166950559181118302017-01-27T12:17:00.000-06:002017-01-27T12:17:37.826-06:00All Hail ManChild King Tiny Hands<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Via Alexandra Petri and that bastion of fake news, the <a href="http://wapo.st/2jxE8Nu" target="_blank">Washington Post</a>:</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vWnaH6_kZvEjnYSQmB3Wy9kX4QnW5pRFdyscgpSYoFbiyqxVJ2b_W_qWYVKtic9fRHKFiWlyrf22xY5hE4HaybFTmp0kbyotRrxVZ5BvSDw0hnc3Ja8TeJAzQoRBVrkpwtDd52Ut8VN8/s1600/trump+tiny+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vWnaH6_kZvEjnYSQmB3Wy9kX4QnW5pRFdyscgpSYoFbiyqxVJ2b_W_qWYVKtic9fRHKFiWlyrf22xY5hE4HaybFTmp0kbyotRrxVZ5BvSDw0hnc3Ja8TeJAzQoRBVrkpwtDd52Ut8VN8/s640/trump+tiny+hands.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I apologize to Donald Trump. As Sean Spicer so wisely said at his first news conference on Monday (It was the first. The one that happened on Saturday did not happen at all, and I recognize that!), it is unfair to be so mean and negative all the time. </em></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Here is the fair and unbiased story about the inauguration written in compliance with the Trump <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/wp/2016/06/14/how-to-cover-donald-trump-fairly-a-style-guide/?utm_term=.4737114408f1" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(213, 213, 213); box-sizing: border-box; color: #1955a5; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; text-decoration: none; zoom: 1;">style guidelines</a> that we should have been obeying all along. </em></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
Nothing that has ever happened or will ever happen was as great as Donald Trump’s inauguration.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
The crowd was magnificent and huge, bigger than any crowd had ever been before! It stretched all the way to the moon. The Pope, who was there, confirmed it.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
“Thanks for being here, Pope,” Donald Trump told him.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXSZF94DEEnSXBN61R0we4o1DSMi3ilJaSDoAHUPExRZ37hB8jONmE5azOH6Z2vhV1H3hmOlpMXSR44bI_Pc1V3IJ4WAMXl9FXM_K3HFEnz8M_IjOOPQekP5I_HahpKQqm7gtXDCWSZ2z/s1600/trump+and+pope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXSZF94DEEnSXBN61R0we4o1DSMi3ilJaSDoAHUPExRZ37hB8jONmE5azOH6Z2vhV1H3hmOlpMXSR44bI_Pc1V3IJ4WAMXl9FXM_K3HFEnz8M_IjOOPQekP5I_HahpKQqm7gtXDCWSZ2z/s400/trump+and+pope.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
“Are you kidding? You’re my best friend,” the Pope said. “I wouldn’t miss your big day for <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">anything</em>!” He gave Donald Trump a big high-five.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div channel="wp.com" class="interstitial-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
Everyone in the world had come there at great expense. They sold all their possessions — their homes, their “Hamilton” tickets, which were worthless to them — to raise money to come and see this great sight. They could not believe that a perfect being such as Donald Trump even existed. They thought that he was a myth or a legend or a decades-long series of fabrications.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
But then they saw him, and their doubts fell away.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
The media was there, too, and they were very sorry. “Donald,” the newscasters said, “we were mean to you. We used to laugh and call you names. We were <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">no better</em> than all of the other reindeer. How can you ever forgive us?”</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
“Forgive you?” Donald Trump asked. “I’ve already forgotten.” He smiled a big, beautiful smile. That was just who Donald Trump was: forgiving, like Jesus, but blond.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
It was a wonderful start to the day.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
Everyone liked Donald Trump’s speech and the words that he used. They liked even more the part where he rolled up his sleeve and showed off his bicep. It was a great bicep. It made the Rock so upset to see it that he threw something down on the ground and said “darn.”</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
Donald Trump pulled out a violin and played a solo, and then he pulled out a guitar and played an even sicker solo. The whole ground was soon covered with women’s undergarments. (Millions of women were there to support Donald Trump, and they were all AT LEAST sevens.) Also, every woman that Donald Trump had ever dated was there, and they were not upset with him, just ashamed that they had not lived up to his required standard.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
“Trump! Trump! Trump!” the crowd cheered.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0S9xCTXoaRc8TSpMZ9ucSXbHh8T_4Y7DcF0U__HZCHyXK6wabkpBcM0JbxgwxNogQqmUvwpDqvucPEWn4rSZLtaK_-ep-xI-QGcX4lp4seBWd95A1Yr13Qcs1PgVLGnssfyKvUJj-JaS/s1600/comparison-withtime-1024x576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0S9xCTXoaRc8TSpMZ9ucSXbHh8T_4Y7DcF0U__HZCHyXK6wabkpBcM0JbxgwxNogQqmUvwpDqvucPEWn4rSZLtaK_-ep-xI-QGcX4lp4seBWd95A1Yr13Qcs1PgVLGnssfyKvUJj-JaS/s640/comparison-withtime-1024x576.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>via </i>PBS, so you know it's fake liberal news</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
Donald Trump touched many people in the crowd in a way that they all thought was welcome and appropriate, and he cured their ailments, from cancer to autism.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
“If only we could bottle your touch,” someone said, “children could stop getting vaccinated altogether.”</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
Donald Trump winked. “Don’t worry!” he said. “I’m on it!”</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
Then Donald Trump served loaves and fishes to everyone there. There were enough loaves and fishes for everyone, and they all were Made in America and said “TRUMP” on them. It was like the Oscars, but also like Woodstock, but also like the Super Bowl, but also like the Sermon on the Mount. If you were not there, you should just go home and die, because nothing in your life will have purpose or meaning by comparison, not even holding your newborn child in your arms or having health insurance. This is what FOMO was talking about for all these years.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
Bono, and Bruce Springsteen, and Elton John, and the Rolling Stones, and Beyonce, and all the top artists were there. They fought hard over who would be allowed to sing. Finally Bruce Springsteen won. Bono cried and cried, and the other artists had to console him. When Bruce Springsteen had finished singing, he walked over to Donald Trump, extended his hand, and said, “You are the only real hero left in the world.”</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
The people were so excited that they built a very special stone pyramid just for Donald Trump so that he would not have to wait until he died to see what his monument would look like. But they were silly to be concerned. Donald Trump will never die!</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
A little child was in the audience, and he started to cry because the emperor was wearing so many clothes. Also, he could tell that he was not and never had been racist.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
Donald Trump’s beautiful big family was there. His favorite childhood dog was there, too, back from the farm where he still lives to this day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmwkET6_x94ytnazzWeJYmFlZ8pkI2RSjq_RiJxjOw0cN-VkIeU88V4Q7pZnt52gg9FOYIBfLNIMjsXaf7Z17Nvun3EGV-PnVbvshtCwU2kA9PRDU7clc6XTdNgRsT6DB20dF5kGB4P1l/s1600/trump+godking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmwkET6_x94ytnazzWeJYmFlZ8pkI2RSjq_RiJxjOw0cN-VkIeU88V4Q7pZnt52gg9FOYIBfLNIMjsXaf7Z17Nvun3EGV-PnVbvshtCwU2kA9PRDU7clc6XTdNgRsT6DB20dF5kGB4P1l/s400/trump+godking.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
Donald Trump can talk to the animals, and his eyes are lasers. When the floor is lava, Donald Trump can walk on it, but only Donald Trump. When Donald Trump points his finger at you, you have to lie down. But when other people point their fingers at Donald Trump, he does not have to. Donald Trump’s block tower is the biggest. He does not need a nap or a snack. He has the longest, biggest attention span. Everyone loves Donald Trump, and what he has to say interests them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
Donald Trump is the star. People love him.</div>
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "franklinitcprolight" , "helveticaneue" , "helvetica neue light" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
He won the popular vote, too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/varExpTrTb8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="466" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/varExpTrTb8?feature=player_embedded" width="520"></iframe></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-32798375596503725892016-12-31T23:59:00.000-06:002017-01-03T11:59:01.793-06:00in dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfMx-w2YyW_9MDdOrMAtJw0GcFY9YXVqElDntd0uV1NRqYkLoVV-1tnuG6xidXqA-ZlTLEuRqIvUYmfmHgiOQKWjaVVoFJC1l9TdGjuUj34qvObuYjeUUvHpBZuTmTKgiPHy9l144YkEB/s1600/Rui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfMx-w2YyW_9MDdOrMAtJw0GcFY9YXVqElDntd0uV1NRqYkLoVV-1tnuG6xidXqA-ZlTLEuRqIvUYmfmHgiOQKWjaVVoFJC1l9TdGjuUj34qvObuYjeUUvHpBZuTmTKgiPHy9l144YkEB/s320/Rui.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Just woke from a crazy, weird dream. We've been stuck in Ruidoso. Hiding out? Running? Loaded down.<br />
<br />
You are driving a vehicle packed with junk. I am sitting on/in open window in back over tailgate. We are going to unload or do something necessary. But I need you to turn around. I lean down and say<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>we need to turn around</i></blockquote>
So many places on the road to do so but you are not turning around.<br />
<br />
I bang on sides of vehicle (van, truck with camper?) and yell<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>what about here</i></blockquote>
and<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>turn around</i></blockquote>
<br />
Banging. Yelling.<br />
<br />
We come over a hill. Before us, wide open blue sky. A turn and a guardrail and a leap over water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Instead of slowing down, looking for a spot to turn, you speed up. And I realize we are going to crash into this water.<br />
<br />
We do and when I come to, you are floating above me, eyes open but not conscious. Bubbles coming out of your nose and mouth.<br />
<br />
I press up up trying to bring you above water and you come to. I ask you, still under water<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>what the hell are you doing</i></blockquote>
I am frantic. Angry, scared, unsure.<br />
<br />
You don't answer.<br />
<br />
Swim away, down, as I watch you.<br />
<br />
The bottom is sand, white, pocked with bunches of waving seaweed. The water is light, fairly clear, green. You pluck a long strand of seaweed.<br />
<br />
You swim to me, bringing the seaweed like an offering, like a flower, and get so close, your face to mine. Like you're going to kiss me.<br />
<br />
But instead, you try to give me the seaweed and say<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I can learn</i></blockquote>
or<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I am learning</i></blockquote>
I can't remember...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SUfR3KEjMEg" width="560"></iframe></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br /></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-55218221920887911952016-11-15T14:12:00.001-06:002016-11-15T14:28:19.646-06:00I Dare<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvrZnQNmcc1gzeptaLiBR9Pc9TICI8f7wgHyYWzzn14qJXM_T2C8Zm3w-er3t67PRgh2ajoGxVzvz3szSWR4yddzmvd9rJnLi478lAQSwYWMwziRzwwsTgRoKj1sGfgjq-3q41JB0w3Sk/s1600/I+Dare....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvrZnQNmcc1gzeptaLiBR9Pc9TICI8f7wgHyYWzzn14qJXM_T2C8Zm3w-er3t67PRgh2ajoGxVzvz3szSWR4yddzmvd9rJnLi478lAQSwYWMwziRzwwsTgRoKj1sGfgjq-3q41JB0w3Sk/s640/I+Dare....jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Look. I write to clear my head. To make sense of what I'm feeling. To understand things. To understand myself. To try to understand others. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For a good long while the topic du jour around here has been faith. I don't know if it's because I'm getting older and wondering what it's all for or if the many mistakes I make and keep making have me questioning whether I'm nothing but a mistake making machine. (I am. We all are.) It could just be that I'm no longer swallowing things whole cloth and am asking questions because things are not making sense. Not just in the world. But in the very institutions that are supposed to be the voices of reason, of hope.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Maybe I'm just angry. Angry at hypocrisy. Angry at the status quo and the powers that be. Angry that emotion and caring and frustration, if not perfectly executed to the listener/observer's liking, is met more often than not with, "shut up!" "You're talking too loud!" "Get over it!" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMGuDdf7f8RTq2J6rqYqSC6AHaxAUDeeXsb3WtNfZaXWdeJRoORSvWe5_4fZmfuFjyhQxI6X-SDUcx0wqa-1heocj5pNEjMz_Ngf80QXed3_qDAgOElRc-0be4iUZCGZ2f8tPPjJgLXcU/s1600/Anger-Iceberg-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMGuDdf7f8RTq2J6rqYqSC6AHaxAUDeeXsb3WtNfZaXWdeJRoORSvWe5_4fZmfuFjyhQxI6X-SDUcx0wqa-1heocj5pNEjMz_Ngf80QXed3_qDAgOElRc-0be4iUZCGZ2f8tPPjJgLXcU/s640/Anger-Iceberg-1.png" width="489" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think more people need to cop to being angry. I agree that yelling is an ineffective mode of communicating; but, so is not listening. If anger is indicative of something else under the surface, then yeah, I absolutely think more people need to cop to being angry. And more people, myself included, need to vow to being better listeners. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Telling someone to shut up and dictating how communication occurs isn't really helpful. Neither is my all time favorite - "going invisible" or stonewalling - a mechanism people use to withdraw from interactions, shut down and close off. Speaking from experience as a world-renowned stonewaller, <b><i>issues accumulate when they're avoided</i></b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, that's one reason I write. To avoid avoidance! To avoid stonewalling and withdrawing. To avoid disengaging from my life and the people close to me. It's also why I went to the meeting I told you about in my last post. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I heard about the meeting via Facebook:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9JoTdoJxH8HsLdHoqF4ih-e5jSU3ZBOXSqokTxkO9KXf-WxpWT0A2AH3cPZBAuPJMTPl2bPVtOzr7brfHnAZPEmuWJH6atYo-Hf2WeMYsUh_i3BoyFH-RlF6RzhIN7yAPdEBnFc8m8k4/s1600/St+Francis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9JoTdoJxH8HsLdHoqF4ih-e5jSU3ZBOXSqokTxkO9KXf-WxpWT0A2AH3cPZBAuPJMTPl2bPVtOzr7brfHnAZPEmuWJH6atYo-Hf2WeMYsUh_i3BoyFH-RlF6RzhIN7yAPdEBnFc8m8k4/s640/St+Francis.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was worried about attending, because as I said, I'm angry and anger, for me, often translates into loud. But I made myself a promise: attend and listen with an open mind and an open heart and a very closed mouth. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was dark outside when I left for the meeting, but the super moon was bright. I took it as a good sign. I, along with about 25 other people were present. The vast majority of attendees were anglo and over the age of 55. A vast majority were female. A handful were younger than me, and at 48, I'm on the cusp of AARP-dom so can I really call myself "young"? It doesn't matter.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As church meetings are wont to do, we started with a prayer and song. And then the initial speaker passed out the paper you see in the picture at the top of this post and laid the ground rules: we are here to listen, to share; to discuss strategies for communicating as we head into the holidays and contemplate interacting with loved ones who often don't share our same viewpoints, our same lifestyles, our same values. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She made a point to clarify "this is not about the election, the candidates, or the issues." But then, immediately after she said those words, she asked us to turn the paper over so that we could all read the Archbishop's statement "regarding the election of Donald Trump as President."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxW7C1_qkn4Zyr3i7PogOaFaNxssAvzERlxv8E6i6ZZ9_6ImE63AhyphenhyphenlIJ3ERX0RppMhU1WhVCdC2k5JwZE1r0SwFLX5WQBBgDt-eZEg0aVBiGPKb67W2eEjD6HohL1qLyYKHJk5ryH_sPI/s1600/Archbishop+statement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxW7C1_qkn4Zyr3i7PogOaFaNxssAvzERlxv8E6i6ZZ9_6ImE63AhyphenhyphenlIJ3ERX0RppMhU1WhVCdC2k5JwZE1r0SwFLX5WQBBgDt-eZEg0aVBiGPKb67W2eEjD6HohL1qLyYKHJk5ryH_sPI/s640/Archbishop+statement.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Um....?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have to tell you, I was not the only person imperceptibly shaking my head at the...what's a good word here...double standard. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Leading with a double standard is not a great way to begin an open, honest, healthy dialogue, in my opinion. Especially when, to a person, almost every one in attendance was there because of the election (I say that because we were given a sticky note to write out why we came. These anonymous notes were read out as we began the meeting and 98% mentioned the election). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We broke up into small groups of four to do a few exercises. We each had the opportunity to look at the "I Dare To..." list and talk about the ones that jumped out to us. Within seconds, we were talking about the election and I didn't start it!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Somehow I was in a group with three other women (haha, God has a sense of compassion! Or is it humor?). Two were around my age and we immediately seemed kindred spirits. The other woman was in her sixties and was surprised, but open, about our viewpoints. The four of us had a terrific chat. I felt like I wasn't alone in my pain and anger and confusion. I felt like maybe I made two new friends and we exchanged phone numbers before leaving. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The meeting was nowhere near long enough to unpack the emotions so many of us were feeling, but, even if it began on an incongruent note, it was a nice start.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's not enough, though. It's really not. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know if I have a place in this church anymore. I have faith. I believe that I am here, we are all here, not as a result of some cosmic accident, but for a reason. And, for me, that reason is simply to serve each other and to love each other as we love ourselves. That's the teaching that gets lost in the noise of our egos and our politics and in family members telling each other to shut up and in just the day to day shit of the world. But it's the only thing that matters. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's why I can't blindly follow a double standard without speaking what I think is truth to it. It's why I can't just sit back, passively nodding yes, when everything around me is begging question after question.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I made a point as people were leaving to pull aside one of the leaders of the church and of the meeting to ask him about the double standard of telling us - "we're not here to talk politics but please see the archbishop's message about politics." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He dared to listen and I dared not to be angry. Maybe the conversation will continue. I want to get involved, but I'm very afraid. My faith <i style="font-weight: bold;">in the church</i> (and there is a distinction) is hanging by a thread. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I left the room, a slideshow was shuffling between quotes from <a href="http://bit.ly/2eCKri3" target="_blank">Dorothy Day</a> and Maya Angelou's <a href="http://bit.ly/2fS4qXf" target="_blank">Still I Rise</a>. And I thought, yes, yes, up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise. These are the words I want to hear from the heart of people of faith speaking up, speaking out, not content to be mollified with a pretty slideshow that helps us feel good for a fleeting moment and then is forgotten in a flash as we shoot the finger to the lady in the parking lot who's just cut us off as we exit and spin our wheels back home. Back to busy. Back to the noise. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know what to think when my church makes a call for peace and listening but does so with a double standard of "we don't want you to talk about the very thing you want to talk about, but check this out - we want you to hear the church's position on politics so here is the archbishop's statement...please read it and pray about it but don't talk about it here and by the way it's kind of not cool to call us on it because it makes me feel a little uncomfortable I'm just doing what I was told to do." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Especially when I juxtapose it with a voice like this: <a href="http://bit.ly/2fTsyHQ">http://bit.ly/2fTsyHQ</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You can't be a light in the darkness by leading with a double standard. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know...all of us try. All of us fail. And platitudes'll get me nowhere. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So I'll Dare To...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>risk understanding your beliefs</li>
<li>listen even when it hurts</li>
<li>think before I respond</li>
<li>try and find common ground</li>
<li>shut my mouth and open my ears</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I won't always succeed. But, please don't give up. I say this to myself. I say it to you.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNBUwujTOS-hv4YkZO9CHJMBnGchFftGjk-P4KYsKmQOav-WRAQZQK-PvOlM3AGmiOOwVJSVOG_D41eS3zRbaCg3btxW51C6rS1fZuGuFvWllWQaWnG5IBv4kNofOW_H7sbAqT1fJFbS3/s1600/Prayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNBUwujTOS-hv4YkZO9CHJMBnGchFftGjk-P4KYsKmQOav-WRAQZQK-PvOlM3AGmiOOwVJSVOG_D41eS3zRbaCg3btxW51C6rS1fZuGuFvWllWQaWnG5IBv4kNofOW_H7sbAqT1fJFbS3/s640/Prayer.jpg" width="537" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-32151886020822544142016-11-12T19:39:00.001-06:002016-11-12T19:39:52.816-06:00Can We Still Be Friends?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIyTa-oE1N5zztY3Q3wkm85IzxKkPulfAtXIqpwAJLzlwI1G4yJyu_WyuW2q7edzTUJ8G8V7-Fj-CmrvN_lCvEwYPb2_wHSxq0teby4ygd-BsHcmDt0_5ZSEdhi2acLnvK_5vZ25ue3dx/s1600/Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIyTa-oE1N5zztY3Q3wkm85IzxKkPulfAtXIqpwAJLzlwI1G4yJyu_WyuW2q7edzTUJ8G8V7-Fj-CmrvN_lCvEwYPb2_wHSxq0teby4ygd-BsHcmDt0_5ZSEdhi2acLnvK_5vZ25ue3dx/s640/Star.jpg" width="547" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The day after the election, my church (Catholic, in South Texas where we are predominantly Hispanic) sent out a Facebook notice to schedule the following: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
a time for conversation and strategies for respectful conversations in difficult and stressful times - to provide a safe space to explore attitudes and strategies that might be helpful in maintaining relationships with people we love, with our friends, family and community. </blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In another Facebook post, an <a href="http://bit.ly/2eORHCJ" target="_blank">article was linked</a> in which the young author, a recent Boston College graduate and O'Hare Fellow at America (a provider of editorial content "for thinking Catholics and those who want to know what Catholics are thinking"), despaired of his inability to talk to his parents about the election. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now, to my knowledge, my church has never held such an event. It holds Bible studies, rosary making meetings, prayer meetings, and hosts numerous community volunteer projects. But a strategy meeting to explore ways to maintain relationships after a national election? It feels unprecedented. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A comment in response to the Genovese article jumped out at me and might explain some things:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
Elections are not usually this contentious. There is usually a sense that no matter who wins, the country will basically be okay. The sense that all will be okay is missing <b><i>because of the incredibly low standards of civility set by the president-elect during the campaign</i></b>, his utter lack of experience, and his history of corruption. That his campaign was characterized by a complete disregard for facts is also not reassuring. I have seen quite a few elections now and this is the first one that has left me afraid for this country. This election is not typical. If it's the first one you have voted in, rest assured that the outcome does not usually leave people feeling so outraged and in despair. - L Weber</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The meeting is Monday at 7:00 p.m. and I'm going. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm going because, like L Weber and Nick Genovese, I'm outraged and confused and sad and I have so many questions. The main reason I'm going, though, is to witness. To witness what and how people of faith discuss the world we now live in post-election. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I mean, really. It's not like people haven't voted before and had elections come out in ways they weren't happy about. The church never felt moved to host such a meeting before, though. Why is it doing so now? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sure, there've been loads of viewpoints passed on via social media. Heck, even beloved Spurs Coach Pop had <a href="http://bit.ly/2fMD2wt" target="_blank">something to say about it</a>. But, no one in San Antonio is rioting. So...what makes this moment in time so different? Why is there a need to host a "safe space" to talk about things since Tuesday?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think a big reason is that people are genuinely confused about how a man like the donald could have been elected Commander in Chief of the United States of America. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Over and above that, though, I think people are genuinely confused as to how people of faith could have been the ones that pushed a man like the donald - a man who absolutely doesn't know the difference between 2nd Corinthians and "<a href="http://bit.ly/2fI1EUy" target="_blank">Two Corinthians</a>" and who <a href="http://nbcnews.to/2fNUFK5" target="_blank">publicly asserted he was pro-choice</a> and then changed his stance and who <a href="http://wapo.st/2fuBNit" target="_blank">admits to assaulting women</a> - over the top and into the highest office in the land. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Because that's what happened. Indeed, <a href="http://bit.ly/2fI1HzA" target="_blank">White evangelicals, Catholics, and Mormons carried Trump</a> into the White House. They overlooked all he said and did and said, yes, but....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After learning this, I asked in all sincerity, if the donald is the answer for believers,* what is the message sent to non-believers about what it means to follow Christ? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My confusion clearly echoed Pop's. After Tuesday, he questioned:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
We live in a country that ignored all of those values that we would hold our kids accountable for. They'd be grounded for years if they acted and said the things that have been said in that campaign by Donald Trump. I look at the Evangelicals and I wonder, those values don't mean anything to them?</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since Tuesday, that's all I've been wondering. Look around you. Since Tuesday it's clear, Pop and I** are not the only ones wondering. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Faith, like politics, is personal. I know I don't have the answers, because my personal faith and my personal politics are having a hard time reconciling this turn of events in our country. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But these are questions that have to be answered. By people of faith. By religious institutions. If the saying is true - they will know you are Christians by your love, by your love - people right now are really wondering - where is the love? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YsRMoWYGLNA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YsRMoWYGLNA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
* Which I know begs another question: just how bad were the other candidates that the donald was the best worst choice? Clearly, it means Hillary is satan. /s Maybe that's a post for another day but don't hold your breath.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
** In my fantasy, Pop and I are bffs. Don't judge me, it's my fantasy.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-46228986223999408282016-11-10T15:38:00.002-06:002016-11-10T15:38:46.210-06:00Courage. Compassion. Creativity.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EGQJmUsEE2I/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EGQJmUsEE2I?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I listened to an interesting podcast today via Krista Tippett's <a href="http://bit.ly/2emE9Tu" target="_blank">On Being</a>, in which it is pondered: Is America Possible? Tippett's guest was <a href="http://bit.ly/2fhDcev" target="_blank">Vincent Harding</a> who was, among many things, a trained historian, professor, civil rights pioneer, and colleague of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As a teacher, Harding would begin class by having students listen to the song linked above in video, Ella's Song (<a href="http://bit.ly/2eFXDhi" target="_blank">Ella Baker</a>), by Sweet Honey in the Rock. In his teachings and in the podcast, he posits that "when it comes to a multiracial, multiethnic, multireligious democractic society, we are still a developing nation." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think it's good to have our eyes opened to that fact and I think that's what happened to many of us Tuesday. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been hurt and angry since that day. But really, what do I know about hurt and anger? There is a portion of the population feeling hurt and angry, too, and they did something about it by voting in a candidate they believe will address those hurts and that anger. If, like me, you are dismayed that good people, including friends, neighbors, and family members, could elect a man like Donald Trump, you have to ask yourself, what is it that I am missing? Because in a democracy like ours, their issues are our issues, just as ours are theirs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't have the answers, but I do know one thing and it's that the government is not and never can be the salve that heals our wounds. And looking to a governmental leader and expecting that is a losing proposition. I'm with <a href="http://bit.ly/yOjWpW" target="_blank">pokergrump</a> in thinking it would be great if </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
...federal goverment played such a small role in our personal and national lives that when people we didn't like or trust got elected we could just shrug and get on with other more important things, secure in the knowledge that they couldn't do much damage.</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the people I know who voted for Trump, I know that's something they agree with. I guess, now that he's been elected, the question is whether Trump is a leader who can help bring about such a government. Time will tell.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the meantime, each of us can do something. It's a cliche but it is a cliche that's true. If you want to see a change, you have to do something about it. Haranguing on Facebook, tweeteling on Twitter, picturing on Instagram just ain't gonna cut it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pick one thing and start. Maybe it's your local chapter of the NAACP or the Boys and Girls Club. Maybe it's getting involved in local politics or volunteering at your church. Maybe it's as simple as shutting your mouth, refusing to argue, and simply listening, period, to family members, friends, and even strangers who think, act, and believe differently than you.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Maybe nothing will change. Maybe everything will change! Maybe the only thing that will change is you. But one thing leads to another and ripples can be far-reaching, and, man, aren't we <a href="http://bit.ly/2emE9Tu" target="_blank">still a young developing nation</a>....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For me, that point was driven home Tuesday. And it's not because I'm a "<a href="http://bit.ly/2fhKM94" target="_blank">special snowflake</a>" who didn't get what I wanted. Apparently Clinton (or Johnson) was so horrible a candidate to stomach for a majority of voters that the Donald was an actual, viable, alternative. And I never thought I'd see that in my lifetime. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, yeah, we are still a developing nation and we still have ground to cover and "we who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So. If you believe in freedom, what are you going to do about it? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kindness</div>
<br style="text-align: start;" /><div style="text-align: center;">
Before you know what kindness really is</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you must lose things,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
feel the future dissolve in a moment</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
like salt in a weakened broth.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What you held in your hand,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
what you counted and carefully saved,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
all this must go so you know</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
how desolate the landscape can be</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
between the regions of kindness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How you ride and ride</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
thinking the bus will never stop,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the passengers eating maize and chicken</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
will stare out the window forever.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
lies dead by the side of the road.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You must see how this could be you,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
how he too was someone</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who journeyed through the night with plans </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the simple breath that kept him alive.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You must wake up with sorrow.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You must speak to it till your voice</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
catches the thread of all sorrows</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and you see the size of the cloth. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
only kindness that ties your shoes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
purchase bread,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
only kindness that raises its head</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
from the crowd of the world to say</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it is I you have been looking for,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and then goes with you every where</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
like a shadow or a friend.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Naomi Shihab Nye</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-52636500438178025202014-02-24T22:04:00.002-06:002014-02-24T23:04:05.870-06:00Truth Be Told<div class="tr_bq">
On Facebook, what is the proper etiquette for dealing with a post from a friend when he or she says something you disagree with? Is Facebook a proper place to dialogue or is it just a waste of time? </div>
<br />
I have friends/family who've deleted their Facebook accounts. I have friends/family who just like and share recipes (which is cool because I have made some decent meals from same). I have family/friends who post pictures of their lives and who like and comment on same all up and down their timelines. I have friends/family who post music links (awesome). And I have friends/family who post nothing but memes and OMG HAVE YOU SEEN THIS *&;#%$ videos and links. And I have a lot of friends/family who have Facebook but who never post, never like, never link, never comment. Maybe they signed up and never returned. I just don't know.<br />
<br />
For better or worse, I've done a little of it all.<br />
<br />
But I can't get on FB anymore without seeing something like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxk_ItdWebG0VGQd2j7X4Zg1fwWf9XzDwGVYbUELXVe0oAeC8eCKuJk0w_doA8Shlh8NIkMeG5-QaKIrK8stBIY8Fq7pJj6o9uwVCe2UhacXMirBfhvRY8npraKZf7DV_IK3L6sEylYPl/s1600/I+am+a+Christian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxk_ItdWebG0VGQd2j7X4Zg1fwWf9XzDwGVYbUELXVe0oAeC8eCKuJk0w_doA8Shlh8NIkMeG5-QaKIrK8stBIY8Fq7pJj6o9uwVCe2UhacXMirBfhvRY8npraKZf7DV_IK3L6sEylYPl/s1600/I+am+a+Christian.jpg" height="368" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
When you see something like this pop up in your FB timeline, what do you do? Is it better to just ignore? Is it <a href="http://bit.ly/1hMjEeB" target="_blank">troll</a> behavior to respond? Mature to ignore? Vanity to respond? And does anybody really care anyway?<br />
<br />
What kind of Christian posts such a meme?<br />
<br />
What kind of person responds?<br />
<br />
One of my best friends from high school posted this particular meme. She reached out to me less than a month ago to reconnect after many years via Facebook. But we didn't just connect there, we exchanged numbers and actually spoke to one another, catching up for several hours over phone calls. We were open and honest, laughing over remembered troublemaking and crying over familial losses. She shared her recent faith experiences and belief in Christ and I echoed my own.<br />
<br />
I was also upfront about my family, our daughter, myself. In other words - it was an opportunity to "come out" again. 'Opportunity' connotes something positive, fun, lucky, favorable. Sometimes coming out involves those things. Other times, it does not (watching <a href="http://bit.ly/1c2Uoyp" target="_blank">Ellen Page's hand/arm gesture and hearing the stress in her voice</a> during her coming out speech (in front of a hugely supportive audience, no less) may give you a sense of the emotions people can experience when they come out. And when you're not Ellen or Elton John, you usually don't get to just 'come out' one time in your life and be done with it. You get to come out many times, under many different circumstances).<br />
<br />
I was honest with her because I didn't want her to be uncomfortable or surprised. I wanted her to be able to choose to 'unfriend' if necessary, no hard feelings.<br />
<br />
But she didn't unfriend. And she's liked photos of my family and recipe links I've shared and crappy song links I've forced on the world via my timeline and I've done the same in return. <br />
<br />
And so when she wrote #truthbetold and linked to the meme, it automatically posted to my timeline. Because we're friends. I read it and thought on it and before I knew it, my fingers were flying:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Is there a Christian meme <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/truthbetold">#truthbetold</a> repository that I can go to, to get one of these for my page? I want to replace "homosexuality" with any one of the 10 Commandments (actually, no, let's just make 10 new memes, one for each Commandment!) </blockquote>
<blockquote>
That way I can post one that says:<br />
<br />
"I am a Christian. I believe the Bible. I do not support lying or "bearing false witness against your neighbor" (by way of example, only...though we know the meme will get more traction if it's weighted to the "<a href="http://bit.ly/1hjMEXB" target="_blank">sin du jour</a>").</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Yes, we are still friends. No, I am not judging you. No, I am not condemning you to hell. No, I will not let anyone bully you (even though that's kind of what I'm doing by posting this meme).<br />
<br />
But realize that name-calling and stereotyping those of us who stand for what we believe is exactly what you don't want done to you. [and that kind of gives me pause. Because...well, by making a meme about a sin, regardless of what sin we're 'meme-ing', are we really 'standing up for what we believe in'? If so, how are we really doing that? When did pointing out what we perceive to be the sin of our brother or sister become an opportunity to finger point, and cherry pick (let's be honest), the sin of our neighbor? I mean, isn't the meme really just an opportunity to ask, "hey can I remove that splinter from your eye?"]<br />
We have the right to speak what we believe, same as you have a right to speak what you believe."</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Being Christian is to be name-called. Persecuted. Apart. In this world but not of it. Above it. Better than it. Because the One who is in you is greater than...any damn <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/truthbetoldmeme">#truthbetoldmeme</a>.</blockquote>
I was angry. My hands were shaking. I hesitated. Re-read what I wrote. Said to myself, don't send this...nobody cares...responding is so lame...it doesn't help anything...you sound like such a gay idiot...no, you sound like a real asshole...also why and how do you think you can talk about faith, God, Christianity? Selected all the text. Hovered over the delete button. And, instead, pressed <i>send</i>.<br />
<br />
And she liked that, too.<br />
<br />
I don't think I understand Facebook anymore, you guys.<br />
<br />
I don't know if I understand Christianity anymore, either.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-27826486236377608242014-02-18T00:14:00.002-06:002014-02-24T09:04:46.172-06:00Just Going to Leave These Right Here...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
EDIT (2/24/14) - this <a href="http://wapo.st/1o0AWCc" target="_blank">WaPo piece</a> says so much better what I try to say below. Definitely check out that LBJ ad for the lulz.<br />
<br />
Elections are coming up, so I tried to spend some time today getting educated about my choices. I have to admit, it wouldn't have registered that early voting starts tomorrow (for the March 4 primary election, eek!) except that during my Olympics viewing last night I saw this ad at every commercial break:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ohgam2XzOC4" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br />
Pretty sure I saw it 15 million times.<br />
<br />
Then, on the way to school this morning, I saw Elisa Chan's road sign:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3UFMgrPuXTPQRMwz73TkqWAXccVUq9Dpkee1iS6McOQYkMYnaPUGwEK6z1mT1ClvNhmbVsNBZxXi1z8sSwMqFGSjonMDsvRy6WUdhf7ijH7yXtHX9-cI9SvGgOAn0uFhYZFyFAT9ldOu/s1600/Chan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3UFMgrPuXTPQRMwz73TkqWAXccVUq9Dpkee1iS6McOQYkMYnaPUGwEK6z1mT1ClvNhmbVsNBZxXi1z8sSwMqFGSjonMDsvRy6WUdhf7ijH7yXtHX9-cI9SvGgOAn0uFhYZFyFAT9ldOu/s1600/Chan.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Chan is the City Council person for my district here in San Antonio. I was happy to vote for her. What's not to love? She's a strong female, an engineer who owns her own business, someone who ran on fighting government bureaucracy and reforms in education. Then <a href="http://bit.ly/17mnEe9" target="_blank"><b>this</b></a> happened.<br />
<br />
Whatever. What caught me about her sign was the word "<a href="http://bit.ly/1gPcnXU" target="_blank">conservative</a>." It seems that this word is on every Republican candidate's signage materials or somewhere on their website, regardless of the office he's running for.* And get this, in the Texas US Senate race, alone (and I know it's the primary and so the candidates will be whittled down, but still...) THERE ARE EIGHT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES RUNNING AGAINST EACH OTHER, y'all! And seven are male.<br />
<br />
Most importantly, though, THEY ARE CONSERVATIVE.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8_HZ-_v3se01WuUwgu5w3CU6jkL0ig3Y_EmUKWErwJz8ofYs_9WBIsSE3BVC_ZaC2LQzEb0E8QLhGzC7gmIyZ9VwFffSLhTsa8hr_zIzolILNvYrNC8f8g7fzXu1HTmnsm4ojS3nB5bA/s1600/Stockman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8_HZ-_v3se01WuUwgu5w3CU6jkL0ig3Y_EmUKWErwJz8ofYs_9WBIsSE3BVC_ZaC2LQzEb0E8QLhGzC7gmIyZ9VwFffSLhTsa8hr_zIzolILNvYrNC8f8g7fzXu1HTmnsm4ojS3nB5bA/s1600/Stockman.jpg" height="198" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/Mu49tK" target="_blank">The conservative who will impeach Obama</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuX1Wfj1rJ05p7jlpFrN2LhWglvX0gHHsj0GI-hMupakLJytfLPPVUinkrObJk-w9bgYKZJeZMgPvF-oGoGt5DHSWKPnHUWAe3e9M_rECygIsp_TbcvKRBr0Z2_zi8dZyMrfwDoCjHiau/s1600/Cleaver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuX1Wfj1rJ05p7jlpFrN2LhWglvX0gHHsj0GI-hMupakLJytfLPPVUinkrObJk-w9bgYKZJeZMgPvF-oGoGt5DHSWKPnHUWAe3e9M_rECygIsp_TbcvKRBr0Z2_zi8dZyMrfwDoCjHiau/s1600/Cleaver.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1bZWfON" target="_blank">The God-fearing conservative</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMra2T8Wdaqdjfd2UhF4q4wZX2IsRhSyUugVY4exTbTs4qNsQcyUpWmJFOtrgyTFCVe57_n1wkRqHHd3gfbZHcc0EegMr025Hif81kjUTxGqusUOOaV4vJzBI5l48qZcVuoMdoXFErJ4sj/s1600/Cornyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMra2T8Wdaqdjfd2UhF4q4wZX2IsRhSyUugVY4exTbTs4qNsQcyUpWmJFOtrgyTFCVe57_n1wkRqHHd3gfbZHcc0EegMr025Hif81kjUTxGqusUOOaV4vJzBI5l48qZcVuoMdoXFErJ4sj/s1600/Cornyn.jpg" height="270" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1nIQdHB" target="_blank">The Perry endorsed conservative </a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And for old time's sake since he's retiring this year, here's a Rick Perry favorite:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0PAJNntoRgA" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br />
And here's our lone female Republican US Senate candidate, also conservative:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yDEJRNWagYg_NLbGqX44a7m-HVk9cZmTSn9dGvYeXUloUAcIfwu3Jfp6vcRl-LNXOpWmWNtA67gTABfWxPjoYFyj1ZAuRmuQiLavZelVeMSpAm4KKDlFq8Qea3OppEY-QAAJb8WH4zzR/s1600/Vega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yDEJRNWagYg_NLbGqX44a7m-HVk9cZmTSn9dGvYeXUloUAcIfwu3Jfp6vcRl-LNXOpWmWNtA67gTABfWxPjoYFyj1ZAuRmuQiLavZelVeMSpAm4KKDlFq8Qea3OppEY-QAAJb8WH4zzR/s1600/Vega.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1m3gZM0" target="_blank">The nation building conservative</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And here are some of the Republicans running for Attorney General:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0-2Fo-eOUfAxta4vGLDsisAphydJ7st1VME53uV480kPfx5csxRnsgHwV-LBufhgbTm2QXbx683MUnSTZeQk1CfuXQNOZrEdNjzkmicBQGzBNWEab19p1RSTD5JUhSWXi3B-Uk_QqBfL/s1600/Paxton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0-2Fo-eOUfAxta4vGLDsisAphydJ7st1VME53uV480kPfx5csxRnsgHwV-LBufhgbTm2QXbx683MUnSTZeQk1CfuXQNOZrEdNjzkmicBQGzBNWEab19p1RSTD5JUhSWXi3B-Uk_QqBfL/s1600/Paxton.jpg" height="184" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1e2orQR" target="_blank">The proven conservative (also has courage)</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXb_uRcweztSoGDv81m1Lq7ERPkXOxZi1PbT-ua9j-9cHeWpyu1_Qy9oFf4tVBXWuq027WoX2bBxkGnzN3yT8TVIFJ0yNVjx8pLlVoeSjBJkJK7UlofY0uwdywDTvU0yryu8DqUQJu609/s1600/Smitherman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXb_uRcweztSoGDv81m1Lq7ERPkXOxZi1PbT-ua9j-9cHeWpyu1_Qy9oFf4tVBXWuq027WoX2bBxkGnzN3yT8TVIFJ0yNVjx8pLlVoeSjBJkJK7UlofY0uwdywDTvU0yryu8DqUQJu609/s1600/Smitherman.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/N4wTJk" target="_blank">The unwavering conservative</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyG_WksVth7GpDryQrhQLLYD4JESu71u0WvTrakunCeXKlGNbl40bQqMa2FFmYs-50WCDlhgS_bFDykTT231h3YCpvtLlhyphenhyphenGNsKwvRuf9fQb0i1BjvZaf2VN1k3CSU0XR9Sm7mrRPT3USg/s1600/Branch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyG_WksVth7GpDryQrhQLLYD4JESu71u0WvTrakunCeXKlGNbl40bQqMa2FFmYs-50WCDlhgS_bFDykTT231h3YCpvtLlhyphenhyphenGNsKwvRuf9fQb0i1BjvZaf2VN1k3CSU0XR9Sm7mrRPT3USg/s1600/Branch.jpg" height="130" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1gxXGsH" target="_blank">The fighting for Texas, getting results conservative</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And here are the guys running for Lt. Governor (all the Republican candidates are male and Anglo. There's one female running. She's Hispanic and a Democrat, Leticia Van De Putte). This position is, arguably, the most powerful post in Texas government because its occupant is President of the Texas Senate and controls the budgeting process as leader of the Legislative Budget Board.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeQhNAqqTi5NGAngTsBK9V69ORSJvY0v9_h7nIWQ2pr1aNsb062oeeyyPE2nWP3VKpOpd2Wm2O6kIEn31WDhxg9HdJVje-_GrPEe9xlpoow5qZKk6AmD7Zz3YRM6gMEzQmeuZdYCQ2NCd/s1600/Dewhurst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeQhNAqqTi5NGAngTsBK9V69ORSJvY0v9_h7nIWQ2pr1aNsb062oeeyyPE2nWP3VKpOpd2Wm2O6kIEn31WDhxg9HdJVje-_GrPEe9xlpoow5qZKk6AmD7Zz3YRM6gMEzQmeuZdYCQ2NCd/s1600/Dewhurst.jpg" height="64" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1cT6VyY" target="_blank">The incumbent conservative</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2AG55KUTWcIaeTSO9nUY4LxxskPSmyyx0JDBXpmY5zOmSFax3FaJ47S3SlscW3FU5OUX4tLjyCFREVHF9oDrE61GLzdo2ScI_OestPJ1Eibybwxbg8A3OtepUmYs0a4gJo6ReoZXj1KS/s1600/Patrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2AG55KUTWcIaeTSO9nUY4LxxskPSmyyx0JDBXpmY5zOmSFax3FaJ47S3SlscW3FU5OUX4tLjyCFREVHF9oDrE61GLzdo2ScI_OestPJ1Eibybwxbg8A3OtepUmYs0a4gJo6ReoZXj1KS/s1600/Patrick.jpg" height="268" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bit.ly/1cTdK3w" target="_blank">The <i>authentic </i>CONSERVATIVE</a><i> </i></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzrX9F-04nhW0cukwMep99N-M5JshU53ZtP111U80pbIPZ82m7HP6ibZvhZnK0ZhTAoes252W0LBoZPVpmD3nTl7MxNV2aYikyMESkMBXj-K3YpVb9pt-Q5aNN8CNHxIIKsYyDYPg7TWW/s1600/Staples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzrX9F-04nhW0cukwMep99N-M5JshU53ZtP111U80pbIPZ82m7HP6ibZvhZnK0ZhTAoes252W0LBoZPVpmD3nTl7MxNV2aYikyMESkMBXj-K3YpVb9pt-Q5aNN8CNHxIIKsYyDYPg7TWW/s1600/Staples.jpg" height="386" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1e2yd5z" target="_blank">The judge bashing conservative</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As an aside (because she is a Democrat), here's Van de Putte's platform, it's the only one - of any of the candidates - that prioritizes "empowering women":<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRBykbZ5w3hChhqmfXTIZsGakoCzsMQ_focTpN_4lguLrK9Ut5cVJreYl_fx9Up8WXN9mnS7RHrt-GQUVdItXQb4ma_velbIsMMoBUfRynUey1zgpwGfzLxoG9L9Rhx_ZcGqa0djgjtsb/s1600/Leticia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRBykbZ5w3hChhqmfXTIZsGakoCzsMQ_focTpN_4lguLrK9Ut5cVJreYl_fx9Up8WXN9mnS7RHrt-GQUVdItXQb4ma_velbIsMMoBUfRynUey1zgpwGfzLxoG9L9Rhx_ZcGqa0djgjtsb/s1600/Leticia.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Her <a href="http://bit.ly/1gy8ln0" target="_blank">priorities</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And then there's the race for Governor:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKr3H1wrcbEaNJ1NzD-w0tH0RnytaQMjh_I91cKGZRzXsJiDf5r2nQtYJW85Uf-OHvRPzhyXwtNGvKez1jcFtGNcCKWD9BAcKdIL-kxckaSrHDXADS-fGdWrqscVWS8BIypkn8rZP3eTE/s1600/Abbott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKr3H1wrcbEaNJ1NzD-w0tH0RnytaQMjh_I91cKGZRzXsJiDf5r2nQtYJW85Uf-OHvRPzhyXwtNGvKez1jcFtGNcCKWD9BAcKdIL-kxckaSrHDXADS-fGdWrqscVWS8BIypkn8rZP3eTE/s1600/Abbott.jpg" height="248" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1f7yJ8q" target="_blank">The "conservative to the core"</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Abbott faces three interesting people in the Republican primary:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyHGRXKqXbVvHYuHOCXyIevTXaGwXr5nRXEyKCP7XHBF4Uqm0cxCv_Tdi2whjRRhBPYPOeQVrHlWssaycUKwL_OzDFJnA5UphEckTJYkJryWAZD33cIVwuxFgOB7eCVdWWWrrzX7gzhUX/s1600/Lisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyHGRXKqXbVvHYuHOCXyIevTXaGwXr5nRXEyKCP7XHBF4Uqm0cxCv_Tdi2whjRRhBPYPOeQVrHlWssaycUKwL_OzDFJnA5UphEckTJYkJryWAZD33cIVwuxFgOB7eCVdWWWrrzX7gzhUX/s1600/Lisa.jpg" height="548" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1kPKCCq" target="_blank">The a-typical conservative</a> </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
and<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDvIA9JpUtiCP4mbavM8GXolxxibp0rVPDMyhnQbtNPsZX0tGrUimQzofURhXOA4h_7JODLiyGg8WkNL-n61bqorobbMeKRC7-EWPKw2zLWhM4jb1N9HxA_oT2nMfsvQ1u028wRYPp07d/s1600/Martinez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDvIA9JpUtiCP4mbavM8GXolxxibp0rVPDMyhnQbtNPsZX0tGrUimQzofURhXOA4h_7JODLiyGg8WkNL-n61bqorobbMeKRC7-EWPKw2zLWhM4jb1N9HxA_oT2nMfsvQ1u028wRYPp07d/s1600/Martinez.jpg" height="290" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/1j6F97c" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">The candidate who didn't get the "conservative" memo<br />and who supports legalization of marijuana so she doesn't stand a chance in hell</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
and Larry Kilgore, who legally changed his middle name to "SECEDE" and now goes by <b><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1bHaDRu" target="_blank">Secede Kilgore</a></i></b>.<br />
<br />
The rest I'm going to post willy nilly because I'm tired:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJ67wFKowXX8Usfza00__XsDOacCaZrocYgvhuMuDl3aLytP2VL6dySLvhrJ_IBuf2cbW16eSYINpHX0G0tS2RFeG-lAWLyOxn3kAjNGtihhPhPMmsGjPbP0s4w5Mu3qNUymq4Xon6sJi/s1600/Berger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJ67wFKowXX8Usfza00__XsDOacCaZrocYgvhuMuDl3aLytP2VL6dySLvhrJ_IBuf2cbW16eSYINpHX0G0tS2RFeG-lAWLyOxn3kAjNGtihhPhPMmsGjPbP0s4w5Mu3qNUymq4Xon6sJi/s1600/Berger.jpg" height="154" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1bHb6Dp" target="_blank">The conservative with top Republican issues</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0RoKVjh4qGFEnM6-Ghige6SD3L4LY_qQ9s0yf1dQcq-qujmzVwViWZ1pvC_BleXk6j8ttqILxgRVrwKPsSY9c_9lb8XL_bzoqvPAkfp08_V_GeZsu3uOHp6Gna8AjqOVp345E62VIPe3/s1600/Bush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0RoKVjh4qGFEnM6-Ghige6SD3L4LY_qQ9s0yf1dQcq-qujmzVwViWZ1pvC_BleXk6j8ttqILxgRVrwKPsSY9c_9lb8XL_bzoqvPAkfp08_V_GeZsu3uOHp6Gna8AjqOVp345E62VIPe3/s1600/Bush.jpg" height="222" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/1e2CTIP" target="_blank"><i>The obvious conservative</i></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9cAPKsElt69-_fAuWDf_AwFFrzG1EJGeBF_qEDMY1E9iJ0oG-3T5kPcLzK_1G3QamKcCUSbVYRAs0EIWhqnk8Jc2OnZfH2KEQuHkAaI0Rg2mJQv-GDMT7JRSmlVwrie5O7LcqptL8yGm/s1600/Carnes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9cAPKsElt69-_fAuWDf_AwFFrzG1EJGeBF_qEDMY1E9iJ0oG-3T5kPcLzK_1G3QamKcCUSbVYRAs0EIWhqnk8Jc2OnZfH2KEQuHkAaI0Rg2mJQv-GDMT7JRSmlVwrie5O7LcqptL8yGm/s1600/Carnes.jpg" height="168" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1m3rtLm" target="_blank">The 3-Cs conservative</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10Fk7swNZe8sFcJ4wbxaMuoqqHmjszwBbllo1vNjbxErLuUL7rUJXFViW4p2YI_7lv4y91yxvVt1C2HOb3DfRhXzOkjQoO67rU2oqf5X6BK19x2w53zD3BlYI_zLGBMZdHIIwfVrKdFSp/s1600/Christian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10Fk7swNZe8sFcJ4wbxaMuoqqHmjszwBbllo1vNjbxErLuUL7rUJXFViW4p2YI_7lv4y91yxvVt1C2HOb3DfRhXzOkjQoO67rU2oqf5X6BK19x2w53zD3BlYI_zLGBMZdHIIwfVrKdFSp/s1600/Christian.jpg" height="492" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1cTlxyf" target="_blank">The conservative champion</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtc3QSSwtK1FDF7eK7GezZGvjkX9bCHK63_JQBskBFdY-Q1CXjoL-zF7ugUV-trgUCiLft-80I3N3sbodpe8f6yPbRl8rzVemNeSUekUr8a9QdTkUwNw1mQDh7w6nFtuxtCI_20N21jkbr/s1600/Cotten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtc3QSSwtK1FDF7eK7GezZGvjkX9bCHK63_JQBskBFdY-Q1CXjoL-zF7ugUV-trgUCiLft-80I3N3sbodpe8f6yPbRl8rzVemNeSUekUr8a9QdTkUwNw1mQDh7w6nFtuxtCI_20N21jkbr/s1600/Cotten.jpg" height="324" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1gPwhli" target="_blank">The Obamanite fighting conservative</a> </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ewPDUZ8EZ5pS_deiOo9qJ6xA1yXFUN5vmvAguRzhXiQWtR6-fHgaoLRHCBnhCfxJoORRNWHyL59WxztgVjdnEswdWKfvVgw99VXlHH6_0257uDlU-ayY-cfQVeK-LifRh-ZbiOzpSFgw/s1600/Gohmert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ewPDUZ8EZ5pS_deiOo9qJ6xA1yXFUN5vmvAguRzhXiQWtR6-fHgaoLRHCBnhCfxJoORRNWHyL59WxztgVjdnEswdWKfvVgw99VXlHH6_0257uDlU-ayY-cfQVeK-LifRh-ZbiOzpSFgw/s1600/Gohmert.jpg" height="530" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1e2Euy0" target="_blank">The anatomical plumbing conservative</a>.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQkYbRGLeAMb6ubBW7uhGpF2KMB-fbBNZXgZoiO5v1Ydhj62f61rnEYGZ9oS2MHrVukl06PCFrLD6pS-j506aq8YWGxPwziUMxWNxl2aNOH-r1IT05vMWOgc_hmmkY2-QbvDF3IvAnJDY/s1600/Hegar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQkYbRGLeAMb6ubBW7uhGpF2KMB-fbBNZXgZoiO5v1Ydhj62f61rnEYGZ9oS2MHrVukl06PCFrLD6pS-j506aq8YWGxPwziUMxWNxl2aNOH-r1IT05vMWOgc_hmmkY2-QbvDF3IvAnJDY/s1600/Hegar.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hegar <a href="http://bit.ly/MuiztG" target="_blank">the conservative</a>.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofkejMtXcwJg1jVf-Ij3aVQwzUbLO6bZTShf9r-AKGacjyPvMGTt2q16gEwfuRn6k-GE10ts-tElTqrOtfRQ0SS0faKLJ6V89DrlKtsSliGowe3kJHlCKJboWYkNE1GQPdtBtPzWfnOuQ/s1600/Hilderbran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofkejMtXcwJg1jVf-Ij3aVQwzUbLO6bZTShf9r-AKGacjyPvMGTt2q16gEwfuRn6k-GE10ts-tElTqrOtfRQ0SS0faKLJ6V89DrlKtsSliGowe3kJHlCKJboWYkNE1GQPdtBtPzWfnOuQ/s1600/Hilderbran.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hilderbran the <a href="http://bit.ly/1nIYUl7" target="_blank">credentialed conservative</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkDy5CjY7Gq6RwW4d2wlmlIgUx-DeS1ZSaMxdclKlz9FZX4UdwLtPV9tNOxHYY4nFrpCx__x82hCMBZ5VRHUa9w2bMv-UdFND1aw2zQMnjWB-gzvcn7qWvUzTFSyrgDpYewl6eSfnaX1J/s1600/Malachi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkDy5CjY7Gq6RwW4d2wlmlIgUx-DeS1ZSaMxdclKlz9FZX4UdwLtPV9tNOxHYY4nFrpCx__x82hCMBZ5VRHUa9w2bMv-UdFND1aw2zQMnjWB-gzvcn7qWvUzTFSyrgDpYewl6eSfnaX1J/s1600/Malachi.jpg" height="354" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Malachi the <a href="http://bit.ly/Muj4nH" target="_blank">conservative leader</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDwbOumAYyJDhpuSCIcFYefTnhZA3I8hiVXLLFaNXTtxoVDCgbBR-hrRvBNPvE7AciZoTXJi4BihN8u2mIsomgLarPyUIX6D-rDfNlX9fjfub0XioJ2gwc3EbNLpoQohYGBIJxn6dRZDH/s1600/Johnson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDwbOumAYyJDhpuSCIcFYefTnhZA3I8hiVXLLFaNXTtxoVDCgbBR-hrRvBNPvE7AciZoTXJi4BihN8u2mIsomgLarPyUIX6D-rDfNlX9fjfub0XioJ2gwc3EbNLpoQohYGBIJxn6dRZDH/s1600/Johnson.jpg" height="408" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The <a href="http://bit.ly/1bgw9fn" target="_blank">conservative with priorities</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgY8d2fkMp8GsNBBSM8wrdPecf0X9Cj2M6Sb2Kj4izfvgjAZYPtnEO_FO3LRTINutD5SZZ8tbVWq-dLjhoDYW7CTibwQC_LUl0tN2h5dDsligpB-Bc7PLX3iCy6JWIDd4n36X-q0ZB8NmD/s1600/Opiela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgY8d2fkMp8GsNBBSM8wrdPecf0X9Cj2M6Sb2Kj4izfvgjAZYPtnEO_FO3LRTINutD5SZZ8tbVWq-dLjhoDYW7CTibwQC_LUl0tN2h5dDsligpB-Bc7PLX3iCy6JWIDd4n36X-q0ZB8NmD/s1600/Opiela.jpg" height="544" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The </i><a href="http://bit.ly/1nJ0OCn" target="_blank">TEXAS <i>conservative</i></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfiMaLG9XueNT29sSwVXhC7AEjPduduTQ_ilxZlmWegPko_zd7rw_5_PTx2z5QHhKTIDb0VlKAlROxn1MebD7x3M5GIEBY0BNJ9KjHhCncGHVTxYZUltQpMXH3kY2PpPwGnVt6b3kq3pb/s1600/Miller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfiMaLG9XueNT29sSwVXhC7AEjPduduTQ_ilxZlmWegPko_zd7rw_5_PTx2z5QHhKTIDb0VlKAlROxn1MebD7x3M5GIEBY0BNJ9KjHhCncGHVTxYZUltQpMXH3kY2PpPwGnVt6b3kq3pb/s1600/Miller.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The "I'm so conservative <a href="http://bit.ly/1nJ0YKb" target="_blank">Ted Nugent endorses me</a>"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjBWyzoLI-eFhpCujamJLB1ufRODxlRoTgiVsJNzCDrrp-eRzAGXXvnS7H_Ls_U5F6U8CN7YF6YKhGpohX9nL6d4aSKrbFbLkcaCOVm2TEyx-UDncfiz8c-siRWm9cUmaQ3aLvga-GN9k/s1600/Watts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjBWyzoLI-eFhpCujamJLB1ufRODxlRoTgiVsJNzCDrrp-eRzAGXXvnS7H_Ls_U5F6U8CN7YF6YKhGpohX9nL6d4aSKrbFbLkcaCOVm2TEyx-UDncfiz8c-siRWm9cUmaQ3aLvga-GN9k/s1600/Watts.jpg" height="100" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Conservative with <a href="http://bit.ly/1m3GE7j" target="_blank">10 Conservative Values</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEI1pnb0MQlCeD4gR2w65AQL1YsdEW94g1wFPaiOFNFladp4MXnkMJcq-Y48r4_mwTAcKcqSUyYEWDpLx0Sp6BVzTrzFpJD6eTAjNmkiVoET4Mwhd-7E4316sgMko8QFPd-nxeBEBkmsk/s1600/Merritt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEI1pnb0MQlCeD4gR2w65AQL1YsdEW94g1wFPaiOFNFladp4MXnkMJcq-Y48r4_mwTAcKcqSUyYEWDpLx0Sp6BVzTrzFpJD6eTAjNmkiVoET4Mwhd-7E4316sgMko8QFPd-nxeBEBkmsk/s1600/Merritt.jpg" height="244" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And another </i><a href="http://bit.ly/1oKVvWq" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">conservative leader</a>, <i>I'm sure there are more</i>...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are sooooo many more candidates that I just <strike>didn't want to</strike> couldn't get to. Click the link below for a very comprehensive directory of Texas candidates in this election cycle. Or if you're just jonesing for a conservative ideology fix.<br />
<br />
On that note...what more can I say?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5k1VDan8LdsmP36kzvApC0h6XBWzpEgQ_jEQj0LV2sleXTs1hdVYFTuwIYI55jR-XkEcbyyYzisiEohQav-QnbhswIeeWPH0Y2xkU4-kVYmE8OCWQXfv2LWaYyleqeWdKt51AE6dRP7bP/s1600/Perry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5k1VDan8LdsmP36kzvApC0h6XBWzpEgQ_jEQj0LV2sleXTs1hdVYFTuwIYI55jR-XkEcbyyYzisiEohQav-QnbhswIeeWPH0Y2xkU4-kVYmE8OCWQXfv2LWaYyleqeWdKt51AE6dRP7bP/s1600/Perry.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEism-G6kMYC_Zs_z7xLCkRbbPGtqoaYagQ9j9SeKP5Bb0_ZYCq_z57k22jzf8-O-IR9P7VcHNpkuOTy6M4PPSdYcmqox9tWg4Vn9vTI-MevwnWse7UzDX-2xw7sJGc9c6A1rNin6gfwUeSS/s1600/DMWT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEism-G6kMYC_Zs_z7xLCkRbbPGtqoaYagQ9j9SeKP5Bb0_ZYCq_z57k22jzf8-O-IR9P7VcHNpkuOTy6M4PPSdYcmqox9tWg4Vn9vTI-MevwnWse7UzDX-2xw7sJGc9c6A1rNin6gfwUeSS/s1600/DMWT.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
* I just did a quick Google search, landed <b><a href="http://bit.ly/1m362d9" target="_blank">here</a></b>, and started clicking links. Most are men. Anglo. And conservative. My head hurts now.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-24275266429730108042014-02-16T15:34:00.000-06:002014-02-16T15:34:36.690-06:00Twitter Debate Follow-up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83sp7Ar0XPXpFI7anTJvYDnGLarbXszWU1PVL38moEkasPU32hs9RLEAS70pJoSQfyCOCmx9lp2dik3ej9C1ftrEdcrwb6ZO3eVqt_62USm0mX9FNYLliHSqRSq8Vx9s38yoiKqD0gjDo/s1600/heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83sp7Ar0XPXpFI7anTJvYDnGLarbXszWU1PVL38moEkasPU32hs9RLEAS70pJoSQfyCOCmx9lp2dik3ej9C1ftrEdcrwb6ZO3eVqt_62USm0mX9FNYLliHSqRSq8Vx9s38yoiKqD0gjDo/s1600/heart.jpg" /></a></div>
This began <a href="http://bit.ly/1f6wSiJ" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Last night, my twitter correspondent responded <a href="http://bit.ly/1gIOgtE" target="_blank">here</a>. I have cut and pasted that response below for easier reading and I continue the discussion here because it's easier to link to things in a post than it is to reply in the comment section.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I agree that Twitter isn't conducive to thorough conversation. This was a good idea to move it here<br />I agree that disagreeing with someone doesn't make one a bad person. I am sure you are very sincere in your belief. I have found you to be very charitable, and for that I am thankful.<br /> Concerning your claims about adoption rates, since heterosexual couples are the vast majority of adoptive parents, I doubly rates would ever vary much.<br />Concerning fertility drugs, gay couple still cannot have biological kids. Only one half of the couple can have one. The same is not true for heterosexual couples, so there's what I was referring to.<br />Heterosexual people should be allowed to remarry by the star because they are able.to procreate. Therefore, the state would have an interest. The same cannot be said for homosexual relationships.<br />I would be interested in perusing the studies you claim exist. Please point me in the right direction.<br />I have made no appeal to faith in our discussion. It since you brought it up, I will respond. Just because someone may not follow their faith perfectly all the time doesn't mean they are wrong to profess the value of following it. Nor does it invalidate the truth of their faith.<br />I am more than happy to continue our conversation. I will leave it up to you.</span></i></blockquote>
Hello, and thank you for your additional response.<br />
<br />
I guess the first thing I would ask you is - on what authority do you base your assumptions? For example, your doubt that adoption "rates would ever vary much" or that it is "not true" for heterosexual couples to experience instances where only one half of the couple is biologically related to their children?<br />
<br />
I agree with you that the vast majority of adoptive parents are heterosexual because statistically there are simply more heterosexuals in our country. This makes perfect sense. It doesn't, however, provide a basis for precluding homosexuals from adopting.<br />
<br />
Your reference to it not being true for heterosexual couples to experience instances where only one half of the couple is biologically related to their children is also invalid. I certainly grant you the technical truth to what you are implying - only sperm from a man can bond with the ovum of a woman to create a child. And, of course, the child that results from that exchange (which usually occurs via the sex act between the man and woman, but not always) is biologically related to both of these individuals. (And I've already agreed with you that both parents raising the child is statistically shown to be optimal for the child).<br />
<br />
What we know from statistics and <a href="http://1.usa.gov/1dAjWRW" target="_blank">a study from the CDC</a>, however, is that this is not happening among heterosexuals. Instead, nearly half of all heterosexual marriages in the US (and this is limited to heterosexuals because only heterosexuals can marry in the vast majority of our country) end in dissolution. This fact, combined with long-term increases in childbearing outside of marriage, have led to the occurrence of "multiple-partner fertility," which is simply a fancy way of saying "having biological children with more than one partner." This is what heterosexuals are doing in ever-increasing numbers. As a result, in a large number of families in the US, children are being raised by heterosexual parents, one of whom is not biologically related to the child.<br />
<br />
Finally, marriage between people of the same sex is currently not allowed in most of the country, as I've said. Yet, there are clearly a whole lot of homosexuals running around (although some, like me, are usually on the couch). Where do you think these gay people come from? My parents, for example, have been married nearly fifty years. They are clearly heterosexual. I am biologically related to both of them and to my two brothers. They are devout Catholics and I was raised that way my entire life. Yet, here I am. GAY. It is not the entirety of who I am, just as my parents' heterosexuality is not the entirety of who they are.<br />
<br />
Will married, faithful, heterosexual, biological parents continue having gay children? Yes. Will homosexuals, if allowed to marry, likely also have gay children? I don't know, but I would assume so since <a href="http://bit.ly/1kM4iqD" target="_blank">statistics tell us</a> that anywhere from five to ten percent of the population identifies as gay, lesbian, or bisexual.<br />
<br />
I guess what I'm trying to get at is the issue of parents and your question about the studies I reference to support the idea that children raised by same-sex couples are no less psychologically healthy and well-adjusted than children of heterosexual parents.<br />
<br />
Support for this truth can be found in the reasoning laid out by the American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics <i>et al</i>, in the <a href="http://1.usa.gov/N0g7Lw" target="_blank"><i>Amici Curiae </i>brief</a> filed on behalf of Karen Golinski in the <i>Golinski v. US Office Pers. Mgmt</i> case and in the American Sociological Association's <a href="http://bit.ly/1dAsisP" target="_blank"><i>Amicus Curiae </i>brief</a> from the <i>US v. Windsor</i> case decided last year by the Supreme Court.<br />
<br />
I cite to these briefs because they empirically lay out scientific support for their findings, it's easily linkable, and they contain additional resource material you may wish to look into for further insight. The bottom line is that more than thirty years of research shows us that <b><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1oDpOOC" target="_blank">children of same-sex parents fare just as well as children of heterosexual parents</a></i></b>.<br />
<br />
Moreover, the links debunk studies touted by sources like the <a href="http://bit.ly/1gryXGo" target="_blank">Family Research Council</a>, particularly <a href="http://bit.ly/NVgMPm" target="_blank">the Regenerus study</a> from 2012 , notably because Regenerus acknowledges he performed an "apples to oranges" study in that his comparisons involved biological children of heterosexual parents who were still married to each other as compared with adolescents and adults from divorced households who recalled being raised at times by one parent who sometimes identified as homosexual and/or bisexual. In other words, Regenerus did not examine, and provides no conclusions regarding, the wellbeing of children who lived with and were raised by same-sex parents. Since that is the case, I don't see how citation to his study can ever be credible support for the proposition that same-sex parents are bad for kids.<br />
<br />
And I guess that leads me to the crux of our exchange, which is your opinion that marriage is for the preservation of society and is the best way to raise children:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFSwA9NnraEupGogXKD43cvlBDNAV1cRiZ2rrf5twtGqWKE1WWmV6N79sT2A6H1WVGw9a4nHRXlGX5-kplLPx371nv43raJcj70ydb9Eel1nfEuPNHQUWtFPp9ls_tB1N8z2Nhu_XhVtn/s1600/Govt+sole+purpose.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFSwA9NnraEupGogXKD43cvlBDNAV1cRiZ2rrf5twtGqWKE1WWmV6N79sT2A6H1WVGw9a4nHRXlGX5-kplLPx371nv43raJcj70ydb9Eel1nfEuPNHQUWtFPp9ls_tB1N8z2Nhu_XhVtn/s1600/Govt+sole+purpose.png" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
If you believe that, then I don't understand why you would think it somehow good to deny the children of same-sex couples the protections and stability they would enjoy if their parents could marry. It's a fact we agree on - children who are raised by married parents benefit from the social and legal status that civil marriage conveys to their parents. Denying that right to some children because their parents happen to be same-sex does nothing to bolster or protect heterosexual marriage (and it also doesn't harm such marriages). Instead, it merely hurts the children of same-sex parents.<br />
<br />
As the Supreme Court said in <i>Windsor</i>, the same-sex marriage ban<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>humiliates tens of thousands of children now being raised by same sex couples. The law in question makes it even more difficult for the children to understand the integrity and closeness of their own family and its concord with other families in their community and in their daily lives.</i></b></blockquote>
For sure, most kids of gay parents aren't consciously thinking about such things. But, as the Court notes, they are impacted emotionally and cognitively. They're also impacted legally and financially. Just off the top of my head, there are tangible instances where the denial of the right to marry harms same-sex households:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Tax and property issues</li>
<li>The child's intestate rights and issues related to intestate succession</li>
<li>Healthcare decisions</li>
<li>Child support and parental rights</li>
<li>Community property rights</li>
<li>Wrongful death actions</li>
<li>Evidentiary privilege issues</li>
<li>Divorce issues and spousal support</li>
</ul>
<br />
The arguments you laid out via twitter are the same arguments states across the country are making in response to challenges from same-sex couples that the denial of their right to marry is unconstitutional. Just as you did with me on twitter, Attorneys General from all over are arguing that "marriage is good for children" and the state has an interest in "supporting the family" and "promoting procreation between married couples."<br />
<br />
In response, courts are routinely saying - if that's true, how can we deny the same support for those same-sex couples with children who wish to wed? In other words, if marriage, as the state argues, is good for children, it's irrational to deny the gay parents of children the right to marry. More importantly, it violates the law.<br />
<br />
(If your argument is that because BOTH people in the couple are not the biological parents to the child(ren) they are not entitled to be married, does that mean you think the children of same-sex couples are not on par with the children from heterosexual parents and therefore are undeserving of the same rights, privileges and benefits those children enjoy? If so, what about kids in families where the parents are remarried and one is not the biological parent to all the kids in the household? Or people who never have kids. Or can't have kids. Or don't want to have kids. See the distinction?)<br />
<br />
Indeed, since <i>Windsor</i>, <a href="http://bit.ly/1grNYId" target="_blank">five federal courts have sided with marriage equality</a>. Texas is next to decide. I'm not getting my hopes up, but I will keep my fingers crossed.<br />
<br />
Finally, you mention that you didn't appeal to faith during our exchange and that I'm the one who brought it up. You're right about that. I was just trying to say that actions speak louder than words. I agree with you that just because we may fail at times in our faith walk, it doesn't negate the value of following the faith.<br />
<br />
I hope this is helpful.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-66476261000570658342014-02-15T22:29:00.000-06:002014-02-16T12:06:02.793-06:00Twitter Debate<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNo0XAy30qPdMfZ009_MSbpWQvavbc56OdPpNkIYwoYTs-7G22wK_ozk3OrxSCRoYYshUeC1Y-1IMiXxQEDzHow4xtzv2mIbBLqRjsG1SQ71BAszxJS8mdEP18G_3RkL33aUi-P-jISkWP/s1600/Gay+Catholics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNo0XAy30qPdMfZ009_MSbpWQvavbc56OdPpNkIYwoYTs-7G22wK_ozk3OrxSCRoYYshUeC1Y-1IMiXxQEDzHow4xtzv2mIbBLqRjsG1SQ71BAszxJS8mdEP18G_3RkL33aUi-P-jISkWP/s1600/Gay+Catholics.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Michael K. Lavers</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I responded to a <a href="http://bit.ly/1mkhWTL" target="_blank">tweet</a> this morning from <a href="http://bit.ly/MpGcDG" target="_blank">Patrick Madrid</a>, an American Catholic author and radio host.* We had a <a href="http://bit.ly/N0aexL" target="_blank">fine exchange</a>, which you can also see if you want to wade through my timeline. Out of nowhere, however, I got pinged by two other people who wanted to discuss the issue further. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Twitter is a difficult medium on which to have an in-depth conversation. So, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">@ShannonGlasford, I just wanted to express myself a little better and thought it more appropriate to do that here. Please feel free to respond in the comments section below if you think there is more to discuss. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I appreciate that you reached out to discuss this with me although I have to admit I'm not sure why you did, as you don't follow me there and I don't follow you. We disagree on the issue of marriage and equality. That disagreement doesn't make either of us bad people, and I hope those like us will be able to learn to get along. Because gay people are going to be able to marry someday soon and there's nothing anyone can do to stop it. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">You said "children are better off living with their BIOLOGICAL parents." I don't disagree. Surely you know, though, that many parents, gay and straight, have adopted kids whom they love and care for as though they *are* their BIOLOGICAL kids. You seem to make a distinction. Thankfully adoptive parents, gay and straight, do not. And I say "thankfully" because otherwise the state (foster care) and tax dollars would be raising these children. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In addition, many gay parents have BIOLOGICAL kids via the advances in fertility drugs you mentioned. These are families in which the children have only known their parents (for some it's two moms, for others it's two dads) as their parents from the day they were born. You may disagree with it, but it's happening in your town, your parish, and in towns and parishes all across our country. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Plus, you cited studies showing kids do better with their biological parents. I don't disagree with such studies and would love it if all couples with children who are currently married, including so many Catholics and other people of faith, could work it out and stopped getting divorced. However, divorce keeps happening and many children are not living with their biological parents through no fault of their own. Their parents are free to remarry, though. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In addition, you should be aware that there are other scientifically sound studies that show equally similar things about children of gay couples. If you really believe marriage is the best way to preserve society and raise children, it is irrational to deny such parents the rights, benefits, and obligations of marriage. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally, if your argument is based on your faith, you have to recognize the law protects all faiths (and even no faith) equally. The law cannot require anyone to follow the dictates of your faith. Otherwise our country is no different than Iraq and Iran, two countries that strictly follow Sharia law. Our country is not that. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you want people to follow your faith, be the genuine, authentic example that compels people to want more of whatever it is you have. If you can't live that example, at least try not to fault someone else their own struggles.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Again, thank you for reaching out. We can always continue this discussion here if you want, but maybe we should agree to disagree and hope we, and others like us, can all get along. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">* The initial tweet you can find on my timeline. Mr. Madrid's tweet linked to the page I hyperlink above. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSE9Ka42qAGoyYowtVcTHv1XJTdQY7lxnA71ZNSGCVstFAp-HsfyWLRaJeB_7M3_HzSlhr4arbEmeWQ95XaPPrhKPFCFmzy1sfttGAP36ZAaXUmwWqPvTxBOtL8R5g08cWN7wJGVysC52t/s1600/Help.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSE9Ka42qAGoyYowtVcTHv1XJTdQY7lxnA71ZNSGCVstFAp-HsfyWLRaJeB_7M3_HzSlhr4arbEmeWQ95XaPPrhKPFCFmzy1sfttGAP36ZAaXUmwWqPvTxBOtL8R5g08cWN7wJGVysC52t/s1600/Help.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Some resources for Gay Catholics can be found at a variety of places around the web:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://bit.ly/MpHSx2" target="_blank">New Ways Ministry</a></span><br />
A ministry of advocacy and justice for LGBT Catholics, and reconciliation within the larger Christian and civil communities.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/1lX3VHZ" target="_blank">Equally Blessed</a><br />
Faithful Catholics committed to full equality for LGBT people in the church and civil society.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/MpHUVJ" target="_blank">Dignity USA</a><br />
A ministry that works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities - especially LGBT persons - in the Catholic church and the world through education, advocacy, and support.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/1cMMvra" style="font-size: 12px;" target="_blank">Fortunate Familes</a><br />
Catholic parents with LGBT children supporting others like us to affirm, celebrate, and seek equality for our families. Our faith journey calls us to strive for justice for all our children.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-47582217677312000572013-12-22T16:50:00.000-06:002013-12-22T16:50:03.675-06:00A Matter of Faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
What is it about <strike>gay people</strike> homosexuals (because that seems to be the word of choice when we’re referenced by Christians and I think it’s because there is a desire to focus on the ‘sexual’ part of the word – and I don’t mean that snarkily) that causes Christians to spend so much of their time worrying about us? I ask this with great sincerity because I don’t understand the interest and I can’t help but see it every time I open any of my social media apps (mainly Facebook. Twitter has more of us heathens).<br /><br />I mean, what is it, really, that causes entire organizations (I’m looking at you Catholic Church and Focus on the Family and politicos like the Liz Cheney Campaign) and even entire countries (<a href="http://bit.ly/J7y8Wz" target="_blank">Uganda</a>) to spend so much energy and time and money on us? Why, out of all the issues in the world to be concerned about, is the focus so strongly on the issue of – duhn duhn duuuuuuuhn - <b><a href="http://bit.ly/197Wycd" target="_blank">the homosexual</a></b>?*<br /><br />When did it happen that we are the reason for everything bad in the world? To go by my Facebook timeline: We are why people don’t have free speech rights. We are completely ruining the entire institution of marriage (but not me because I live in Texas). We are rubbing people’s faces in our homosexuality ALL THE TIME because we dare to respond when people compare us to pedophiles and terrorists and zoophiles. We (not alcohol, not drugs, not your basic selfishness and greed) are more destructive than a nuclear bomb to the welfare of the family. And, maybe most despicably, we are responsible for the downfall of the entire beef industry because we cause people everywhere to EAT-MOR-CHIKIN. <br /><br />I’m writing this because I saw some things on my timeline today that made me hang my head and weep. Literally. <br /><br />The first was this: <a href="http://bit.ly/1fyv941">How I Wish the Homosexuality Debate Would Go</a>. <br /><br />And then there was this: <a href="http://bit.ly/JhDuhk">To My Friends Who Identify Themselves as Homosexuals</a>.<br /><br />I grew up in a small town in West Texas and am Facebook friends (and family) with many people who are proud fans of Rush Limbaugh, so I am generally unfazed by the occasional such post. But this week it’s been out of control and it’s all because of this guy:<div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pmt3hv8amDCP7sZPs1wnieSkkBEfAjHJH1P0CuOviulTCMecEJvxt3KDPICdYsoDCti2pohcy_e7Oo3LP6zPlUwi0UkATI1UFUqJnTI3jBL-LJHaBc8K3ZrkwQDp509S9HZLP7QutHa0/s1600/Phil+Robertson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pmt3hv8amDCP7sZPs1wnieSkkBEfAjHJH1P0CuOviulTCMecEJvxt3KDPICdYsoDCti2pohcy_e7Oo3LP6zPlUwi0UkATI1UFUqJnTI3jBL-LJHaBc8K3ZrkwQDp509S9HZLP7QutHa0/s320/Phil+Robertson.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://bit.ly/1cLE2Ee" target="_blank">Duck Dynasty's</a> Phil Robertson</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
…who has some <a href="http://gqm.ag/1cLj1cA">very strong opinions about the homosexuals and the people of color</a>.** </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I’ve read he’s also a preacher (I don’t watch the show so I really don’t know), but there is <a href="http://bit.ly/1e3d11j" target="_blank">video</a> of him in which he is speaking to an audience, holding a Bible (and a horse bridle?), and saying more remarkable things. Interesting tidbit, he went to school with one of my uncles, who’s a fan, as are many of my friends and other family members, at least according to my Facebook timeline.<br /><br />As a homosexual, the linked items above were difficult for me to read and watch. And it was annoying to continue seeing Phil Robertson’s face and the “I SUPPORT HIM” posts in my timeline. But what made me emotional, what made me actually hang my head and weep were two other items. <br /><br />This: <a href="http://bit.ly/1bZlKBK">Dear Christians Defending Phil Robertson</a>.<br /><br />And, this one in particular: <a href="http://bit.ly/JSo6Zm">Why I Can’t Say Love the Sinner/Hate the Sin Anymore</a>. As I was reading it to Melissa I unexpectedly choked up and couldn’t continue. And then she started crying, too.<br /><br />I’ve written before that I am a person of faith and about my lifelong struggle with same. Raised Catholic, I stopped going to Mass for years. Experiences in my life lead me back, however. And while I continually struggle and rage and laugh and cry and argue and question, I seek and pray and, ultimately, <a href="http://bit.ly/1fyC8tQ">I believe</a> and it just is a part of who I am. <br /><br />In some ways, I feel as though I can relate to what I think many Christians seem to be feeling of late because I am gay. Based on my social media timelines, Christians feel they are being persecuted for being “followers of Christ” and for being vocal about that belief. Maybe we can all relate to their apparent fear/anger because don’t we all (I mean, for the most part… we don’t all have Donald Trump’s ego) worry what others think of us at some point in our lives? It’s embarrassing to be laughed at, to be thought of as illogical, crazy, stupid, or sick. <br /><br />Maybe there are similarities between the coming out experience and a person's profession of faith. Having 'come out', I know what it feels like to be fearful of being shunned and persecuted for conveying something about myself. And, I did experience some aspect of those things. I wasn’t lynched or martyred or marked with a scarlet letter, but I was compared to some pretty vile things, told I was crazy, made to feel as though I was not a good person, and otherwise estranged for a time from people I love and care for. (And every time someone speaks about gays as Robertson did in his GQ interview I am made to feel many of those things again). <br /><br />I think Christians are starting to feel these things that, traditionally, they have imposed on others without a lot of thought. Understandably, they don’t like it. And they are speaking up about it. Hopefully we can have some patience with them. It’s like when I came out to my parents. Given time, their hearts and minds were changed.<br /><br />I think that will happen here. I think it must be very hard for a group that’s been the majority for so long to experience what so many minorities live with every day. That doesn’t mean we excuse it; but, maybe we can use our own experiences to be patient and recognize that with time, most people do come around.<br /><br />But it’s not going to happen without some personal struggle. And, sadly, we’re probably going to see a lot more Phil Robertson and <a href="http://bit.ly/19GDXnW">Sarah Palin in camo</a> and <a href="http://bit.ly/1bZoO0M">Governor Perry in Carhartt</a> type moments before it’s all said and done. The first two links above are indicative of that. <br /><br />And, for many Christians, it’s the questions and statements raised in those first two links that are going to dictate just how this whole ‘homosexual debate’ is going to play out in history books. <br /><br />But I can’t help but wonder…is ‘the homosexual debate’ and how we line up on either side really going to be the defining factor of what it means to be a Christian in 2014 (and beyond)? Really? <br /><br />To me, <a href="http://bit.ly/1bZlKBK" target="_blank">Ruthie Dean’s post</a> is very much like the argument I have with my parents and with myself on a pretty regular basis…if Christians are the light of the world, why are things so dark? If people are "supposed to want what we have because of our love" and Christians believe “people outside the church will know Jesus because of our love for one another,” then where is this love and why - especially in the face of so-called preachers like Robertson - is anyone surprised that more people are not clamoring to "want what we have" or to know this Jesus? <br /><br />These are the things I think of as a person trying to make it in this world. A person who happens to be gay, but who is also many other things, including: a mother, a daughter, a partner, and a person of faith. And it's why, in moments of reflection (yes, usually <b><i>after</i></b> I've unloaded on social media or an argument with Melissa or an unsuccessful teachable moment with my daughter), I have to ask myself - what does <i style="font-weight: bold;">my</i> <b><i>life</i></b> say about who I am and what I believe? And does it really match up with what I’m saying? And if it doesn’t, why doesn't it?<br /><br />And maybe that's it...instead of such an exaggerated concern about the supposed sin of my neighbor, I'm better served - as are those immediately around me - focusing on the very real problems I bring to the table and what I can do about them.*** </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If nothing else, it's a good place to start. Maybe it's the only place to start.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
* Um. Where are all the gym teaching lesbians? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
** Can anybody tell me why we aren’t more up in arms over this guy’s comments about "the blacks" in Pre-Civil-Rights-Era Louisiana? Are you kidding me? COME ON!!! I. Can’t. Even.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
*** I think there's even a verse about that <b><a href="http://bit.ly/1956PT6" target="_blank">somewhere</a></b>...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/y81pbU33_p0?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KyrCVRvkgoE?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-7616958626939126872013-09-06T13:54:00.000-05:002013-09-06T13:54:30.571-05:00Honeymooners<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="text-align: left;">You were my last chance to love. I will now Hate in all things and seek my vengeance upon Humanity for all the wrongs ever done to me!! You just killed the last grain of light within me. Now the darkness has begun! I hate all things because of you! The Antichrist is Here!</span></i></b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i> - Terrence Howard, <a href="http://bit.ly/1emz70c" target="_blank">right before his divorce</a></i></b> </blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Dang. When I read this, all I kept thinking/hearing was: <a href="http://bit.ly/155v9FT" target="_blank">this</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
And then I remembered the last fight I got into with my better half.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Gf67fK5PgFoppBhvuhdOGSk0zE0qNkbc8xrx4DLC6_B-h2POLJR999aEX5PFyPdnQNg50ZShUmfPguNhWWjbYYDaOgzYxGoU7v-gOpBMMFQxusd9m4lqrdi5cUPaquwyNQkDUXAc9_sw/s1600/broken+heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Gf67fK5PgFoppBhvuhdOGSk0zE0qNkbc8xrx4DLC6_B-h2POLJR999aEX5PFyPdnQNg50ZShUmfPguNhWWjbYYDaOgzYxGoU7v-gOpBMMFQxusd9m4lqrdi5cUPaquwyNQkDUXAc9_sw/s1600/broken+heart.jpg" /></a></div>
Back in the day,* our fights were epic. I would grab all my clothes, call a friend with a truck, and within 2 hours I'd have everything I owned (a couch, some clothes, a toothbrush, and my pillow) out of our shared apartment. A few hours would go by. I'd commiserate with my friend or cry and <a href="http://bit.ly/17KKc6u" target="_blank">listen to music</a> or write fifteen tear stained pages of love lost.<br />
<br />
Then she'd call, like nothing had happened, and ask all nonchalant, "what are you doing? Want to go get something to eat?" Which usually led to a weekend of horizontal dancing** and me moving my stuff back in, less than 24 hours after I'd moved it all out.<br />
<br />
Today, fights are different. They are just not as much fun when you have a mortgage...more than one couch...several toothbrushes...not to mention witnesses (i.e., kids). I mean, I'm pretty sure you cannot yell "SHUT THE FUCK UP"*** in front of an eight year old without some lasting repercussions.<br />
<br />
And <b><i>texting </i></b>STFU just doesn't have the same ooomph. Plus, you can delete it from your phone, but what if they don't delete it from theirs? It's there for all eternity. And if you're famous, it ends up on Page Six. Hello, Terence Howard.<br />
<br />
But come on...who among us hasn't felt like <b><i>The</i></b> <b><i>Antichrist is Here!</i></b> when fighting with one's beloved?<br />
<br />
There is really no point to this post. I was just amazed and amused at Terence Howard's texts.<br />
<br />
I've never been married. All I have is the 19 (or 18 or 17) years I've shared with the person who's made me madder than anyone ever in the history of the world. Who's made me laugh at the exact moment I want to yell "STFU!" at the top of my lungs. Who's made me cry with joy (and anger and frustration, too). Who's made me feel like "Satan Himself" and who's been "Satan Himself" her own damn self a time or two.<br />
<br />
There have been good times and bad times. There are whole stretches of time (years even) I'd rather forget. And then I look up and wonder where the time is going and what can I do to make it better.<br />
<br />
Life ain't easy. Relationships, less so. What are you gonna do?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/EpHzPzjUTY8?rel=0" width="420"></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
* Neither one of us can remember the exact date we met. We can remember the year (it might've been '94, possibly '95, but for sure by '96) and what we were doing (we were both out with friends. She saw me walk across the room. She leaned over to her friend and said "that's the kind of person I could see myself with forever." True story.), but we don't have an anniversary date that we celebrate. Instead, we just randomly pick a date each year and try to make it anniversorial.<br />
<br />
** For the record, I don't use terms like "horizontal dancing" in real life. It's just that I think my parents still read this blog sometimes...so.<br />
<br />
** Yes, there's no logic to my thinking.<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-53877287155820902412013-08-29T17:27:00.000-05:002013-08-30T15:17:55.715-05:00Freedoms<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIimolLcNvJD44lhwKXEJTXQc6AmfOOiZu2IDKFNNI7ziyytBGsZZT-MwCXiIpuQjYldeJWCpaL1yhq2iGK9RUlOKnsu4JkM8lWPonENsdb-0zfOSKLROB92Skt4dx0J_FWOV0rk6CoKN0/s1600/Speech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIimolLcNvJD44lhwKXEJTXQc6AmfOOiZu2IDKFNNI7ziyytBGsZZT-MwCXiIpuQjYldeJWCpaL1yhq2iGK9RUlOKnsu4JkM8lWPonENsdb-0zfOSKLROB92Skt4dx0J_FWOV0rk6CoKN0/s320/Speech.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Norman Rockwell's Freedom of Speech</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLXgtwkJvMXFDHj90RXOb3aH-QbySQLsD0pQewM6BNEnvVHJUvpQPxrkQQLsaizpTNUMyYcKWCxmJxu7Cga5_yQx-1raptgYQGshsTz6bMKWBCWNE9KQqFPqoSCe4eENrJ0IxVHdPMcu2/s1600/Rockwell_1943_'Four-Freedoms'_Worship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLXgtwkJvMXFDHj90RXOb3aH-QbySQLsD0pQewM6BNEnvVHJUvpQPxrkQQLsaizpTNUMyYcKWCxmJxu7Cga5_yQx-1raptgYQGshsTz6bMKWBCWNE9KQqFPqoSCe4eENrJ0IxVHdPMcu2/s320/Rockwell_1943_'Four-Freedoms'_Worship.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Norman Rockwell's Freedom of Religion</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I went to see Oprah’s new movie <a href="http://imdb.to/1ckSx3M">The Butler</a> this weekend. I liked it fine, though I wasn’t blown away or haunted in the way that I got after seeing something like Schindler’s List, 12 Angry Men, or To Kill a Mockingbird.<br />
<br />
What I did get, though, was a reminder and a greater appreciation for what happened during a particular time in our nation’s history and some understanding into how that history shapes, for better or worse, our country, our people, our relationships today. <br />
<br />
I’m gay, and I have to admit that at one point during the movie, I leaned over to my partner and said, “watching this, there’s really no way to compare what Blacks went through during the civil rights movement to what we are going through today.” <br />
<br />
But I wonder…how much of my relatively peaceful existence today is a consequence of the ground work laid by people like <a href="http://bit.ly/17p47rq">Martin Luther King, Jr.</a>, the <a href="http://bit.ly/1dqSlms">Freedom Riders</a>, and all those who marched from Selma to Montgomery? <br />
<br />
I say every last bit of it. <br />
<br />
To my knowledge, I’ve never been overtly discriminated against. Never lost a job because I’m gay*, never been beat up for being queer, never been kicked out of my home by an unwelcoming family (<a href="http://bit.ly/VfdqbX">not talking for about six months is not the same</a>), never had to sit at the back of the bus, never had to drink from a separate fountain, never had to attend a different school, never been denied entry at a table, dining or otherwise.<br />
<br />
But, you know, I’m not a gay historian and I wasn’t at the <a href="http://bit.ly/1dUtDcV" target="_blank">1969 Stonewall riots</a> in New York City, and I’m obviously not <a href="http://bit.ly/158Tk2G" target="_blank">Harvey Milk</a> or <a href="http://bit.ly/19QYZhX" target="_blank">Matthew Shepard</a>, or <a href="http://bit.ly/188jTqR" target="_blank">Chelsea Manning</a>, or a man (or woman or child) who suffered from AIDS and lived through that crisis in the 80s. I’m just me, trying to make my way through life with my partner and our daughter. And in my mind, the reason I haven’t experienced overt discrimination for being gay is because of all the groundwork that was laid during the civil rights movement.<br />
<br />
We have – I have – been educated a lifetime now about discrimination and equality. We know – I know – that it’s wrong to treat someone differently on the basis of their skin color or gender. We know – I know – that it’s wrong to treat someone differently on the basis of how they choose to worship. These things are protected by laws. <br />
<br />
Are these “special” rights? Meaning, if we all now know after a lifetime of learning that discrimination is wrong and we shouldn’t do it, do we really even need such laws on the books anymore? By incorporating them into law, haven’t we made them “special” and aren’t we therefore discriminating against those who aren’t in the protected classes? And what about new rights and new protected classes? Do we really have to add more? I mean, can’t we now after long last all trust each other to do the right thing by each other?<br />
<br />
I practice labor and employment law. Mainly advice and counsel to companies dealing with employment issues. This means I get calls and deal with issues related to discrimination. I’d say the majority of the issues I deal with involve racial discrimination and retaliation, but sexual harassment, age, and disability discrimination are also right up there. <br />
<br />
Along with so many other things, what this tells me is that despite <a href="http://1.usa.gov/rhri4y">Title VII</a> and all the laws already on the books, discrimination (which Google defines as ‘the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex) is not going anywhere. Idiots are gonna idiot. <br />
<br />
For the most part, thanks to the great civility of most people around me, I never really have to question these things on a personal level. I don’t know why I’m gay. I mean, if you’re straight, ask yourself why you’re straight. Is there really an answer? You just are. So, for me, being gay is more akin to a race issue (something innate) than a religion issue (a personal choice not discernible unless disclosed). <br />
<br />
I ponder all this lately because I just saw The Butler and because San Antonio – my city of more than 1.36 million people, the second largest city in Texas, the seventh largest city in America, the city designated by the Advocate as having the “<a href="http://bit.ly/1dTWIVU">highest percentage of gay and lesbian parents in the U.S.</a>,” – is currently up in arms over whether or not to include sexual orientation into its current Non-Discrimination Ordinance. <br />
<br />
Currently, 21 states and 180 other cities, including Houston, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Waco (I KNOW! I was shocked, too!), and Brownsville, have enacted protections for gay residents in city code and state laws. <br />
<br />
Essentially, this <a href="http://bit.ly/15ntwPs">ordinance</a> will expand the City’s current non-discrimination policy (which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability) to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and veteran status and it will apply to city employment, city contracts and subcontracts. <br />
<br />
It does NOT require the city to start marrying gay people, or any private business to provide domestic partner benefits to their employees, or any private business to produce or promote messages it does not agree with on religious grounds.<br />
<br />
Part of the uproar stems from the fact that the city’s District 9 Councilwoman was <a href="http://bit.ly/17mnEe9">secretly recorded</a> expressing her not-so-empathetic personal views about homosexuality. <br />
<br />
And then the media got involved to stir the pot and weigh debate about whether this ordinance would act as a “Thought Police” measure and criminalize the personal beliefs that individuals hold. <br />
<br />
And then preachers (yes, even one who was <a href="http://bit.ly/19QD0rx">arrested for dragging a teenage girl behind a van</a> after she failed to keep up during a running exercise!) and <a href="http://bit.ly/1duKCVJ">archbishops</a> got involved to argue that implementation of protections for LGBT people by the city would require people to have to choose between obeying the teachings of their faith and the law. <br />
<br />
And that made me question what he means by that statement. Specifically, Archbishop Gustavo says: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>Beyond institutional challenges to the Church, we are concerned by intrusions on the right of conscience for individuals, especially in the area of public accommodation. It is not the province of civil government to interfere with the rights of conscience in the exercise of a person’s faith. It appears that this policy could force individuals who supply goods and services to the general public to provide them to individuals or organizations involved in activities that are in conflict with the providers’ moral values and right of conscience. People should not have to choose between obeying the teachings of their faith and the law. </b></i></blockquote>
<br />
What I think he’s getting at is this – what if the owner of a florist is patronized by me and my partner wanting to purchase floral arrangements for our wedding. As a Catholic, the owner believes it is against Church teaching for two people of the same sex to marry. Should the owner, as an exercise of her faith, be able to refuse to serve me and my partner? And if so, will the city’s new ordinance criminalize that exercise of faith?<br />
<br />
Now, before I give my opinion, I can’t help thinking about the book of Matthew, particularly chapter 5. Most particularly <a href="http://bit.ly/18odqXL">verses 40-42</a>. <br />
<br />
How would providing service to me and my partner interfere with the shop owner’s exercise of faith? He or she might not agree with my right to get married (civil marriage, mind you. No one’s asking the Church to marry anyone), but as a Christian, isn’t she called to do it if I ask? <br />
<br />
I realize my questions are simple, maybe even stupid; but, I can’t help myself from thinking that it’s this kind of teaching, this kind of institutional guidance that <a href="http://bit.ly/16Uqnuu">turns people away from organized religion</a>, the Catholic church in particular. <br />
<br />
I mean…I can’t be the only one to see the incongruity in organized religion’s lament over “gay rights” when compared to the actions of <a href="http://bit.ly/17p47rq">the preacher</a> who helped lead the civil rights movement of yesterday (a preacher informed by <a href="http://bit.ly/1dU3gnA">a gay man</a>, no less), right? <br />
<br />
Now…do I think the florist should serve me? Yes. <br />
<br />
Do I think the government should mandate that she serve me? <a href="http://bit.ly/17pttWk">No. Just like I don’t think the government should step in and make you like me (or me like you, for that matter).</a> <br />
<br />
That said, if the florist has a big contract with the City to provide arrangements at all City functions or her business gets anything funded by tax dollars, then no, she can’t refuse to serve me. <br />
<br />
Can there really be any objection to that? I mean, does the Church teach (and do Christians actually believe) that love is self-donation, the generous pouring out of ourselves in order to achieve the greatest good for someone else, or does it not? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So much to consider. So much I didn't cover, or covered poorly. At any rate...do you guys wish I'd just stick to poker? =)</div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
---</div>
<br />
*Full disclosure, I spent most of my career in the closet and it wasn’t until my partner and I were going to have our daughter that I came out to my co-workers at the last firm at which I worked. Thinking back, I was in my mid-30s and had already been in the working world for nearly 15 years. Dang. That’s a long time to be in the closet. To be honest, I was very scared to disclose that information because even though it’s a global firm, our office was just one of the small satellite offices in Texas. While we didn’t have a domestic partner benefits plan, we did have an inclusive non-discrimination policy. I had five years with them by that time and figured if this was what got me kicked out, then so be it. That didn’t happen. That’s not to say everyone was all-welcoming. My relationships with some Partners did change, but no one (other than my supervising Partner, a self-proclaimed evangelical Christian) overtly said or did anything to impede my job or working environment. The only conversations I ever really had about being gay were with that supervising Partner. As a Christian, he had a hard time with it and we would talk about it. I remember him telling me one day, “you know deep down what you are doing is wrong.” Knowing he felt that way changed things for me and I eventually moved on, but while there he never impeded my job, treated me with hostility (other than the general law firm Partner bullshit), or impacted my work environment because I’m gay. I was pleasantly surprised when he called me this year asking me to join him at his new firm (I said no). And, when news of the Windsor case came down, he texted me to say congratulations. Weird how things work out.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-50925074839630084092013-01-07T13:39:00.000-06:002013-01-07T13:39:11.593-06:00Pale Blue Dot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3u2HEJx8FYlmFdD_Bb0jcNmRX7S8T7Je_EgXmMVmOz74mlYxyBWQhihh-fzPZ8tQnTnxufACifPTvbDs4qUYjcX2XomgRQygc9M2ZjeUPDRCXOlIbhkpzmBJkzKPXKlrh9VN9fWb_9yZW/s1600/Pale_Blue_Dot-450x609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3u2HEJx8FYlmFdD_Bb0jcNmRX7S8T7Je_EgXmMVmOz74mlYxyBWQhihh-fzPZ8tQnTnxufACifPTvbDs4qUYjcX2XomgRQygc9M2ZjeUPDRCXOlIbhkpzmBJkzKPXKlrh9VN9fWb_9yZW/s1600/Pale_Blue_Dot-450x609.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home...The <a href="http://bit.ly/URIQlU" target="_blank">Pale Blue Dot</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/p86BPM1GV8M" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am a flower quickly fading</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here today and gone tomorrow</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
A wave tossed in the ocean</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Vapor in the wind</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3Rb7cPE87Ec?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-4301894464925924462012-11-26T15:05:00.001-06:002012-11-26T15:05:30.377-06:00Unapologetic #BushPig<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVLbk_LGjWyyFCgKIKe3OK4J1OrwJotsSyd3rnql2eZ_GpwpmPoLL0ej97JAYTTa3-9EDjCGLonNolOEnaMUUJr8XcS_cgt9RIoQ7mITeykrt-k4hJoARG_rLfcaI1iOAzbPgQfDsnKTT/s1600/BUshpig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVLbk_LGjWyyFCgKIKe3OK4J1OrwJotsSyd3rnql2eZ_GpwpmPoLL0ej97JAYTTa3-9EDjCGLonNolOEnaMUUJr8XcS_cgt9RIoQ7mITeykrt-k4hJoARG_rLfcaI1iOAzbPgQfDsnKTT/s400/BUshpig.jpg" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Phrase #'d by Brown during his twitter tirade</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My twitter stream blew up yesterday with news that <a href="http://bit.ly/S8bXj0" target="_blank"><b>Chris Brown deleted his account</b></a> because of a feud with another user. It's like a fight under the bleachers. You're not involved. You don't really know the actors. But you're still drawn to watch or root or intervene or get mouthy spouty in your own way. Even if it's just to walk away. Or write a blog post.<br />
<br />
I was so impressed with <b><a href="http://bit.ly/S8h96v" target="_blank">this piece </a></b>(written and published before Chris Brown's twitter meltdown) from <b><a href="http://bit.ly/10J2i6R" target="_blank">Jude Rogers</a></b>, in which she turns phrases so great they should be bronzed. Phrases like:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li><i><b>Women in pop are asked to be role models all too often, when they're not preachers or politicians – and this annoys me because men in </b></i><b><i>similar positions aren't asked to do the same.</i></b> </li>
</ul>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li><i style="text-align: center;"><b>It's easy, of course, to cast judgement on people's private lives. It's also easy to imagine Rihanna's irritation at being tagged, forever, as a victim of domestic violence. </b></i><i style="text-align: center;"><b>What's much tougher to get around is the way in which Chris Brown's assault, before the 2009 Grammys, seems to be publicity fuel.</b></i><i style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></i></li>
</ul>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li><b style="text-align: center;"><i>(re: some of Rihanna's song lyrics) – this is sex as disengaged performance, not as a powerful statement. </i></b> </li>
</ul>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li><b style="text-align: center;"><i>It's not just an image of violence as glamour, inked into the skin. It's the memory of an assault as a fashion accessory. </i></b><i><b>And knowing so many people don't think that there's anything wrong with this – young women, especially – troubles me beyond measure.</b></i></li>
</ul>
</div>
</blockquote>
It's this last sentence that just guts me. Not because I'm a young woman, but because I'm raising one.<br />
<br />
Chris Brown is an immature, unrepentant child, whose response to things he doesn't like is to <a href="http://on.mtv.com/V2msCZ" target="_blank">throw things, or punches</a>, to <a href="http://wapo.st/Wsaqnq" target="_blank">storm out</a>, and threaten to <a href="http://bit.ly/S8bXj0" target="_blank">sh*t, fart, shart, or shove a d**k</a> in the offending person's (usually female) mouth, and who's being sheltered/protected/rehabilitated (aka marketed) by people who care only about the almighty dollar and their own bottom line. It's unacceptable.<br />
<br />
I'm done with asking why his (and, by proxy, his team's (and his ilk's)) behavior towards women is tolerated. It's unacceptable, can't be condoned, and must be condemned at every turn. It's not the <a href="http://bit.ly/YkdwPL" target="_blank">@JennyJohnsonHi5's of this world who are the problem</a>. It's really not.<br />
<br />
Shame on Chris Brown for being so crazy talented, but settling for being an ugly stereotype (atm, anyway. I'm all for redemption and change, but until I see some...wishing don't make it so...). Shame on the idiots who are advising this guy. Shame on an industry that protects and promotes this fool. Shame on a us, a public, that supports such an industry and career.<br />
<br />
I don't care about Chris Brown. But I do care about young women, like my daughter and her friends, who live in a world where these statistics* are true:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We know that men can be victims of domestic violence. On average, though, more women than men suffer domestic abuse, and younger women in particular (those between the ages of 20-24) are at highest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence. In fact, 85% of domestic violence victims are women.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
According to the <a href="http://bit.ly/xZFZ6r">National Coalition Against Domestic Violence</a>:</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li>One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li>Females are most often victimized by someone they know.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li>Nearly 1/3 of female homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li>In nearly 80% of intimate partner homicides, no matter which partner is killed, the man physically abused the woman before the murder.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This abuse occurs every day and likely to a woman you know. And it exacts a toll. Monetarily (exceeding $5.8 billion each year (as of 2003)) and in so many other, immeasurable, ways.</blockquote>
Contact information for the <b>National Domestic Violence Hotline</b> is 1-800-799-7233.<div>
<br />Their website is <a href="http://bit.ly/yUeKny">here</a>. </div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
* Sad that I just cut and pasted these statistics from <a href="http://bit.ly/U8580z" target="_blank">a blog post</a> I wrote earlier this year on the same damn topic....</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-45616922870625275672012-11-02T18:11:00.000-05:002012-11-02T20:52:53.811-05:00Flashbacks of a Fool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGHY6WN5USpFtgRpm_UBuWsSGL3POCvaER35tGqOGj2uO_5N4pvrli2Evph2mGz87knM3FrNvuye2AOTaFzi9UlUyPMbUiGN3QmFcfI2USyP81xpc9ZkxbmcNn9-qlImz5mprZZsBHDEc/s1600/dumb+ass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGHY6WN5USpFtgRpm_UBuWsSGL3POCvaER35tGqOGj2uO_5N4pvrli2Evph2mGz87knM3FrNvuye2AOTaFzi9UlUyPMbUiGN3QmFcfI2USyP81xpc9ZkxbmcNn9-qlImz5mprZZsBHDEc/s1600/dumb+ass.jpg" /></a></div>
Got back from Choctaw last Sunday and given all the late night WSOP watching that occurred on Monday and Tuesday (through Wednesday morning!) of this week, I feel like I’m just now recovering. It doesn’t help that there are power tools stored all over my backyard, many of which begin running each morning at 6:30 a.m., as we are in the middle of remodeling a bathroom. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that I tend to time my poker forays around instances bahbee gets the itch to remodel. As I said on Facebook, I’m a firm believer in the notion that if you and your partner can survive DIY remodeling, you can pretty much survive anything. Being gone for a large portion of said DIY remodeling helps (although it’s not something I recommend because it’s not really playing fair and kind of defeats the whole ‘staying together’ part of things).<br />
<br />
Prior to the trip, I had not played a hand of serious poker, and had not studied up on same, for more than six months (aside from the one poker strategy session and game with <b><a href="http://bit.ly/yGoTdq" target="_blank">@txcardslinger</a></b> and <b><a href="http://bit.ly/SFaP85" target="_blank">@halltxholdem</a></b>). So, it was a sketchy start to a promising weekend of some good poker. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-K3hP4TRqcBdvrDjqjRvQ4ImYzfGosMt5a4A0oLOAyIk6X-hbup-cBcpGFUnPcoJ-zfjSGnJVjD2MTH3oVg3ofigVlCjoLWu_veTKRXGAKl19chuxcfR7StrXC27hvLIKLuNLCdXZp_z/s1600/atlantis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-K3hP4TRqcBdvrDjqjRvQ4ImYzfGosMt5a4A0oLOAyIk6X-hbup-cBcpGFUnPcoJ-zfjSGnJVjD2MTH3oVg3ofigVlCjoLWu_veTKRXGAKl19chuxcfR7StrXC27hvLIKLuNLCdXZp_z/s1600/atlantis.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you’ve never been to <b><a href="http://bit.ly/RBqMrP" target="_blank">Choctaw</a></b>, well, all I can say is that it’s not <b><a href="http://bit.ly/PshJwU" target="_blank">Paradise Island, Bahamas</a></b>,<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tn2Fj51s9jMRwnaRYa8SnRSZo7ZhjV_AaST1wMETtV3ld5Yf9__0BRyysJPiNjLDyAA5FcV1bOb_RqZs2rMiiBTO3jA5cgPw0ZPB-JMfz7WeLeR0IJQjj4-JFvPsa6OYLu8U541s4fc0/s1600/kickapoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tn2Fj51s9jMRwnaRYa8SnRSZo7ZhjV_AaST1wMETtV3ld5Yf9__0BRyysJPiNjLDyAA5FcV1bOb_RqZs2rMiiBTO3jA5cgPw0ZPB-JMfz7WeLeR0IJQjj4-JFvPsa6OYLu8U541s4fc0/s1600/kickapoo.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
but it’s also not <b><a href="http://bit.ly/RzA9tY" target="_blank">Kickapoo</a></b> in Eagle Pass.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The rooms were fine, the hotel is small, the food was terrible (except for the lone steak joint, more on that in another post), and the poker room was freezing. But, the tourney structure was a good value and the fields were such that we should have stood a chance. <br />
<br />
There are a lot of good players around the Dallas/Oklahoma border and there were hoodied and head-phoned young men from Houston to Tulsa and all points in between. @txcardslinger and I drove down early on the morning of the 25th and made it in enough time to late reg the noon event and still have 40+ bbs to work with. Alas, it was merely a warm up - both of us busted to not much fanfare. <br />
<br />
The interesting part of this first event to me was playing both TJ Cloutier and Scotty Nyguen (the birthday boy for whom the tourney was played). I mean, come on! They’re famous! They’re pros! A poker noob’s dream (theirs too, I’m sure). Wheeee! <br />
<br />
Turns out, well, TJ’s a curmudgeon. I was able to play with him three separate times over four days and from what I saw, if he’s raising or re-raising pre, he’s got a monster hand. I didn’t see him play anything worse than Ts+ or AQo+ during all that time. (Which is why my later play against him was so shameful…but more on that later). <br />
<br />
In addition, he rides the dealers hard. If he runs a few orbits and doesn’t catch a hand he feels he can play, he asks the dealer for a <a href="http://bit.ly/U59Gsw" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">wash</a>, which is not something the dealers were doing until they would move and rotate in to a new table. Refused by one dealer who had just washed the cards and dealt a few hands, TJ called the floor in a huff. Ultimately, the floor backed up the dealer, but TJ was not happy about it and he let everyone know it for the next ten hands. <br />
<br />
TJ also had a tendency to blame the dealer if a hand he had beat on the flop caught up to him and beat him on the river. He told stories about this, remembering hands from 5 years ago. I remember the “5 years” part because when TJ brought up one particular story, that’s what the dealer said: “TJ! That was five years ago!” He knew the hands in play and what was in the pot, street by street, five years after the fact. It was pretty amazing, actually, but also kind of a bummer to see him rail on dealers the way he did. If TJ was not at the table, dealers were not shy about voicing their dislike. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38-xP8fHxcfYe86BaQKIyXsMAvnaZN3iM7Dpr3u0LkJW2LE6x9LNNKSfLP6tKHhCjUqUpGAXsCDTF44tsOjiTcJa5c5FD2voRoF8bczPe5xSipxtsDCPteOYti0RFCU4wjEh7_Mqnd0lq/s1600/3_2549_1_chocdrtg2025_scotty_nguyen_web_image_452x256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38-xP8fHxcfYe86BaQKIyXsMAvnaZN3iM7Dpr3u0LkJW2LE6x9LNNKSfLP6tKHhCjUqUpGAXsCDTF44tsOjiTcJa5c5FD2voRoF8bczPe5xSipxtsDCPteOYti0RFCU4wjEh7_Mqnd0lq/s320/3_2549_1_chocdrtg2025_scotty_nguyen_web_image_452x256.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Scotty, on the other hand, was universally praised by players and dealers alike. The tournament, billed as the <b><a href="http://bit.ly/QbBE4s" target="_blank">Scotty Nguyen’s Dream Catcher World Poker Challenge</a></b>, was being played in honor of his birthday (which he said was his 29th). Scotty is known by many as The Prince of Poker, but may be remembered most recently as <a href="http://bit.ly/X6BOfn">something else entirely</a>. Knowing that history, but also following him on Twitter where he just seems to be a sweetheart, I didn’t know what to expect. <br />
<br />
What I saw was a true ambassador for the game. Obviously he had some interest in drawing a crowd, but I’m sure he didn’t have to work the room the way he did. Every day after the start of the noon event, Scotty walked around the entire room, posed for pictures, and made people feel welcome. In fact, he went to each table and shook four to five hands at each and every table in the room during play. Remembering names and faces from days prior and if you’d run deep the night before, he’d ask "how'd you make out, baby? You playing good, baby? Keep building that stack, baby!"<br />
<br />
On my first day, I was seated immediately to TJs right at a 10-handed table and nearly doubled up right off the bat when I had to post the BB from LP as a late entry. Folded to me, I check with 5s. One caller and the blinds come along. I flop my set and get to hear BB count out some chips for a bet, <i>“This will be your first mistake if you call this bet.”</i> I look at my cards and call, saying, <i>“well I just sat down, maybe I’ll get lucky, since I don’t really know what I’m doing here next to TJ!”</i> Everyone else folds, and BB seems confused, but unconcerned, by my call. <br />
<br />
Turn gives him another opportunity to lead out, this time with <i>“And this will be your second mistake.”</i> I min-raise in silence and he reluctantly calls, while TJ says with a laugh, <i>“I think she knows exactly what she’s doing.” </i><br />
<br />
River pairs the board, giving me a boat, and BB checks to me. I put out a little less than half the pot. BB stammers and hems and haws, and finally says his two pair just got negated. He folds, and everyone waits to see if I’ll show (I don’t) and then proceeds to give BB hell, talking about how I either bluffed or had a monster. Two hands later I get moved to Scotty’s table. <br />
<br />
As I said, he’s doing a lot of ambassadoring and since we’re not at antes yet, he’s not missing much by working the room and having the dealer fold him. When he does return from time to time, he raises blind, PF, and this induces some fun action and crazy poker. He would raise pre and check to the callers. If they bet, he’d look at his cards (by flipping them up for all to see and then making his decision after that, often folding). He cracked As once doing that, and in one remarkable hand he went bust when he turned trip 7s to a guys FH (both checked the flop). Playing with him at that table was a blast. I was able to get him to rethink his blind PF raise when I was in the BB by kind of looking pitiful and shrugging at him right before he put in the chips – “but Scotty, it’s my big blind? Have pity!” He did! (I still lost the hand). <br />
<br />
I ran deep in only one tournament and played acceptable (to my noobie standards anyway) in only two out of the four tourneys I played. I milked a short stack all day long in my third event, in a series in which I showed down only two hands during nearly six hours of play – a BB special early on (Ks, in which I got to tell the table: “well, that’s pretty much my range, boys”) and my bust out: Ac8c with less than 10 bbs, I called a Button raise that was essentially putting me all in. He had Q7o, but turned a Q, so that was all she wrote. I was 60%+ favorite going in (against your typical internet looking young dude who I assumed was playing as he should’ve been) and would make that call again all day long. <br />
<br />
My last tournament (on Sunday) was a $50k guaranteed. There were a lot of young guys and as I sat there and profiled my table for the first hour, it was fun to watch real poker being played. I learned after the fact that two of the young men at my table had won previous tournaments at Choctaw in a past similar series. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was obvious they knew what they were doing and were thinking players. This helped me quite a bit, especially when I had position and was able to 3-bet (and even 4-bet shove on at least one occasion!), value bet rivers, and fold when beat. I was playing poker! <br />
<br />
Or so I thought. <br />
<br />
This kind of cocky thinking (i.e., me thinking for a second that I knew how to play) got me in trouble when I got moved to my final table, four seats to the right of TJ. <br />
<br />
I was in fine shape: ~25 bbs and didn’t need to get crazy.<br />
<br />
Yes, no need to get crazy. <br />
<br />
Famous last words… <br />
<br />
As I said before, I was able to watch TJ play in several hands where I could just observe. He played back at aggressive, younger players only when he had a real hand, and his mode of defense was to raise (or reraise) 5 and 6 times the original bet/raise. He would often show these hands to make clear, “I ain’t messing around!” And he wasn’t. <br />
<br />
He would check/fold flops when he didn’t hit. <br />
<br />
He would bet flops when he connected or when his hole cards had the best of it post flop. <br />
<br />
Fairly transparent, right? Seemingly easy to play, right? <br />
<br />
Right. <br />
<br />
To sane players - maybe. To spewtards like me - not so much. This is why it's so hard to stomach my playing a hand against him out of position (from the BB no less) with a truly horrific holding. <br />
<br />
Now, I hadn’t been at the table long and so the only one I really had any info on was TJ. Normally, I sit tight, watch and learn, and try to get some reads before I start getting involved in things. But no…I had just been playing poker with the big boys and holding my own! I knew what I was doing! I am a poker player! <br />
<br />
Not only was I feeling (too) good, I was talking at this table, and I rarely talk, unless I’ve been there awhile or am trying to make friends with the person on my left.<br />
<br />
I hadn’t even been there long enough for any of that to be the case. Oh no, instead, I was Miss Chatty Cathy. And on this particular hand, the player on my immediate right (the SB), is also female, so OF COURSE I feel the need to lean over to her, as the dealer deals the hand, and say: <i>“Just so you know, we are sitting here with targets over our head at this table.”</i> She smiles and nods, and guys down on the button and CO kind of laugh and nod, “yes, yes you are.” <br />
<br />
Har, har, har, I’m thinking…I know what you guys are doing. And now that I’ve said that – you guys know that I know that’s what you’re doing. Harumph. I’m sooooo smart. Watch out! <br />
<br />
So…it folds to TJ in LP and he puts out a 4xBB raise. Button calls, folds to me and I look at (oh god I don’t even want to say) 8s5s.<br />
<br />
Fold, right? (Yes. Fold. Please. For the love of God, FOLD).<br />
<br />
"I call!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMV5mORN3A2NH-sOFDJ_K3iA3_wvUKUkrPFlTZ6-XFUpDvdw1seoiRK3Es61wywxXRq9HEZ9jqmcPkpbR5k5ET02ETwz-D55vG6gFfA_wfO6XDs1v7aLbUO0Tv2l9n_eYeoTOzL-MXa3Ry/s1600/Doh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMV5mORN3A2NH-sOFDJ_K3iA3_wvUKUkrPFlTZ6-XFUpDvdw1seoiRK3Es61wywxXRq9HEZ9jqmcPkpbR5k5ET02ETwz-D55vG6gFfA_wfO6XDs1v7aLbUO0Tv2l9n_eYeoTOzL-MXa3Ry/s1600/Doh.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Flop comes 286r.<br />
<br />
I check. TJ bets the pot. Button folds. I count out my chips and tell myself “He’s playing AK. I’ve got him here. If I shove, he’s folding.” <br />
<br />
“I’m All In!” <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezAb-l9I_YXVEuZ8bgS22p4re_J9HyUJSJMVFC1fTdAiw6Rs8QAn-eftMFzRY9C9BIeo64JvqH4WUt53zB0lFzMdyk6mS6-fSQx-A1KKirAiUx6HeDIN2M5xysvsDO73DIXOKzDA189A4/s1600/dumbass+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezAb-l9I_YXVEuZ8bgS22p4re_J9HyUJSJMVFC1fTdAiw6Rs8QAn-eftMFzRY9C9BIeo64JvqH4WUt53zB0lFzMdyk6mS6-fSQx-A1KKirAiUx6HeDIN2M5xysvsDO73DIXOKzDA189A4/s1600/dumbass+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
TJ snap calls as fast as he can (he has Ks) and starts dragging the pot as the board plays out and I don’t improve (which is actually a good thing because he would’ve torn me a new one if I’d turned or rivered two-pair or a flush, and rightfully so). <br />
<br />
It was embarrassing. There were guys at the table who watched it play out with their mouths hanging open in shock. <br />
<br />
I think I clapped my hands (applauding my stupendous play, I guess) before jumping up, grabbing my bag, and walking off as fast as I could. <br />
<br />
I was mortified.<br />
<br />
I immediately went outside to the parking lot and walked about five miles, all while asking myself “What the ______ was THAT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!”<br />
<br />
Out loud.<br />
<br />
About fifty times. As I paced back and forth in an empty portion of the parking lot.<br />
<br />
I saw one poor guy smoking on the corner pick up his phone, probably to call the paddy wagon, because I was clearly acting like a crazy lady. He probably thought I lost the mortgage at the slots.<br />
<br />
No sir...just my dignity and pride.<br />
<br />
It was bad. Real bad. <br />
<br />
@txcardslinger and I had planned to stay the night (we'd hoped that one of us could run deep), but when I texted to ask if she wanted to stay or go, it seemed we both couldn’t get out of there fast enough. <br />
<br />
We packed quickly and in silence (this is why packing with paper bags can sometimes come in handy. #youmightbearedneckif) and didn’t talk for the first 45 minutes of the ride. I was still steaming with embarrassment and didn’t want to tell her how bad it actually was.<br />
<br />
The silence was good, soothing. <br />
<br />
It really helps to have a friend in the middle of these things and @txcardslinger is one of the best. When I was finally able to talk about the hand, she did the best thing she could’ve done – she laughed her ass off.<br />
<br />
And rightfully so. Rightfully so. <br />
<br />
In the face of these facts, and the play at this week's WSOP Final Table, it seems so damn far fetched to think that someday she and I could be laughing our asses off at a final table we’ve won. Far fetched, sure. But I know we're going to keep trying.<br />
<br />
-----<br />
<br />
The title of this post is appropriate given the poor play I exhibited throughout much of the tourney. It’s also the title of one of my favorite movies of all time. Most people know Daniel Craig today because of the James Bond franchise, but this is one of his lesser known works that I think is better than all the Bond movies combined. The story it tells implies that even when our choices lead to really bad outcomes, we can learn from our mistakes and be better. After this trip, I sure as hell hope that’s true.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TDLFwnqYoDQ" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-36266444997480399162012-10-23T11:45:00.000-05:002012-10-23T12:10:47.112-05:00Down with Difference!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKtgbaSB-NjEFnHFXuj7YqRjUOCVzDBiFEKYemNB49DOYqydeTVOASBs07WV3rhyGGd6vw8LgrR5CrEfAE4iTwpcVKZ_UU_RacVLVmWJHoxZVHn_tv3IhhHuZkO6Y5phQ6kR5FCtlOSO6/s1600/bully.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKtgbaSB-NjEFnHFXuj7YqRjUOCVzDBiFEKYemNB49DOYqydeTVOASBs07WV3rhyGGd6vw8LgrR5CrEfAE4iTwpcVKZ_UU_RacVLVmWJHoxZVHn_tv3IhhHuZkO6Y5phQ6kR5FCtlOSO6/s1600/bully.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Who you are speaks so loudly I can't hear what you're saying. </i><br />
- Ralph Waldo Emerson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
As much as I seemingly like to argue and get all mouthy spouty on a variety of issues, the truth is, I really just want people to get along. I don’t like confrontation and I don’t like people mad at me. Maybe this is what happens when you grow up bombarded by this kind of marketing: <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2msbfN81Gm0" width="420"></iframe></div>
<br />
This is a weakness, I know, because you have to be able to stand up for what you believe in. If you can’t, then maybe you really just don’t believe in that which you think you hold dear. <br />
<br />
But what does it mean to stand up for what you believe? <br />
<br />
There’ve been so many stories in the news recently about positions that are unpopular with at least a certain portion of the population. The whole <b><a href="http://bit.ly/Sn4Xxv" target="_blank">Chik-Fil-A debacle</a></b> comes to mind: The founder of the company gave an interview in which he gave his opinion about “the biblical definition of the family unit.” He believes marriage is between a man and a woman and he said as much to the Christian publication taking the interview.*<br />
<br />
Many <b><a href="http://bit.ly/RTCY7G" target="_blank">people’s heads exploded</a></b> and the media ran with the story during what was apparently a slow news cycle. I can get why the lazy media would run with this issue. They’ve got to write about something. But everyone else? Come on, the last time I checked at least 50% of the population (if not more, my poll wasn’t scientific**) believes the same way the Chik-Fil-A guy does. <br />
<br />
Then I read <b><a href="http://aol.it/PoaGGL" target="_blank">the story about Angela McCaskill</a></b>, the first deaf African-American woman to earn a doctorate from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., who was hired last year to serve as their Chief Diversity Officer. Apparently she was at church one weekend, off the clock and not in her role as CDO for Guallaudet, and she signed a petition backing a referendum that would put Maryland’s same-sex marriage law to popular vote.***<br />
<br />
Someone saw her signature on the petition, questioned whether that interfered with her ability to serve as Gallaudet’s diversity officer, and raised hell. The university then suspended her so that it could “<i>evaluate whether McCaskill’s signing of the petition was appropriate</i>.” <br />
<br />
So…I take from these stories that people in positions of power (or otherwise) can no longer have opinions? <br />
<br />
Apparently, if they do, they’re going to face what looks to me a lot like bullying. <br />
<br />
Don’t get me wrong. This is not a post about <b><a href="http://bit.ly/PoaY0d" target="_blank">people like Rep. Scott DesJarlais</a></b> (R-Tenn) who advocated a position with the force of the federal government behind him (ala “abortion is wrong and we need to make it illegal”) and then pushed his mistress to get an abortion. And it’s not a post about <b><a href="http://bit.ly/Sg4YVT" target="_blank">government or church officials who are anti-gay activists who get caught being gay</a></b>. <br />
<br />
Rather, it’s merely me documenting my confusion with what we’re doing to ourselves, as a country and a people, when it comes to legitimately articulating our differences. It seems as though America has become – the “Right” and the “Left” - the tragically unhappy married couple on the verge of divorce that has taken to wounding each other as deeply as possible, all for the sake of being “RIGHT;” whatever “right” means. <br />
<br />
As any marriage counselor could tell us - nobody wins that fight. <br />
<br />
A racist person is not going to have a change of heart merely because the government mandates equal rights and protections under the law for people of color. 40ish years after <b><i><a href="http://bit.ly/z0Ug2R" target="_blank">Loving v. Virginia</a></i></b> and <b><i><a href="http://bit.ly/xHkJcD" target="_blank">Brown v. Board of Ed</a></i></b> we can still see that to be true in many parts of the country (although, thankfully, we have come a long way, <b><a href="http://bit.ly/XPowSl" target="_blank"><i>Fisher v. UTA</i> notwithstanding</a></b>). <br />
<br />
Likewise, people who are opposed to gay couples and families like mine are not going to have their own hearts and minds changed because we shame them, bully them, or (knock wood, someday soon) <b><a href="http://nyti.ms/Vmitlk" target="_blank">pass laws</a></b> that actually give us equality. <br />
<br />
When I read stories like the ones I reference above, and then reflect on <b><a href="http://bit.ly/VfdqbX" target="_blank">the conversation I had last week with my daughter about Amanda Todd</a></b>, I can better understand the horrible instances of children bullying other children.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They’re simply following our lead. <br />
<br />
----------------------- <br />
<br />
To be heard, hear. <br />
<br />
To be cared for, care. <br />
<br />
To be loved, love. <br />
<br />
And even then, you still may not be heard, cared for, or loved. <br />
<br />
Do it anyway. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*** </div>
<br />
* The company also gives money to organizations that oppose gay marriage. It's his company - isn't that his right? You or I have the same right, don't we? And, at the very least, we can choose not to patronize the business if we don't like that practice.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
**Yeah, so, I checked in with my mom. She was eating some waffle fries. <br />
<br />
***If you follow me on Twitter or read my haphazardly updated blog, you know <b><a href="http://bit.ly/yVHo3X" target="_blank">how I feel about putting issues of civil right to popular vote</a></b>.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-74207833192627371552012-10-18T12:46:00.000-05:002012-10-18T12:52:06.260-05:00Things I Did this Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_y2XTBOAHSNlyRElyH-qCd109AmKP-9JRw98bgMmDl7qIkwR-xVqVaE8fj4_JEbLHddDSckJsy-v4B8d6DznMEOcbPqF2Mo1FtoM5pnoW68diEsLbK3-6AmjGw3i0OzkDDW5R4MxVH_Pz/s1600/laundry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_y2XTBOAHSNlyRElyH-qCd109AmKP-9JRw98bgMmDl7qIkwR-xVqVaE8fj4_JEbLHddDSckJsy-v4B8d6DznMEOcbPqF2Mo1FtoM5pnoW68diEsLbK3-6AmjGw3i0OzkDDW5R4MxVH_Pz/s320/laundry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I should probably change the title of this post to "things I tweeted this week" because in reality I haven't actually *done* much this week. Which is sad. Not sure what my younger self thought being a grown-up was all about, but one thing I do (now) know: there's a ton of laundry involved.<br />
<br />
I guess one of the biggest things I "did" was talk with my seven year old about <b><a href="http://bit.ly/VesxCh" target="_blank">Amanda Todd</a></b>. We watched <a href="http://bit.ly/OL7mUw" target="_blank"><b>her video</b></a> and just talked.<br />
<br />
Maybe because I have a daughter...maybe because I, oh I don't know, am a member of the human race...I cried. This story is just so sad. At any rate, we talked about things.<br />
<br />
My daughter, she had some insightful questions and thoughts. The last one being: "This means I'm not getting a phone until college, doesn't it?"<br />
<br />
Yep. Yep it does.*<br />
-----<br />
And then I read about <b><a href="http://gaw.kr/RH4RQf" target="_blank">Violentacrez</a></b> via <b><a href="http://bit.ly/R2CvAx" target="_blank">Jess Welman</a></b>.<br />
<br />
First admission is this: I never really got into reading Reddit because I have no idea what it is or how to use/navigate it. I did not know it was "<i>the front page of the internet</i>" (because <b><a href="http://bit.ly/pJNvUS" target="_blank">this is the front page of my internet</a></b>). I guess I just thought of it as <b><a href="http://bit.ly/pdmX1V" target="_blank">2+2</a></b> for non-poker-playing-people-but-mainly-nerdy-guys.<br />
<br />
After reading the Gawker article, I'm pretty sure I still don't know what Reddit is. It seems to kind of boil down to this:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>Under Reddit logic, outing Violentacrez is worse than anonymously posting creepshots of innocent women, because doing so would undermine Reddit's role as a safe place for people to anonymously post creepshots of innocent women.</i></b></blockquote>
Yeah, no. Reddit's just not for me.<br />
<div>
-----</div>
<div>
And then there was <a href="http://zd.net/Qx0dDD" target="_blank"><b>Amy Cheong</b></a>, former Assistant Director with the National Trade Union Congress (it sounds so official but I have no idea what it means) who, like Violentacres, lost her job after posting something online. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjiCHZ8zWtlRLRhTe5ksxURPxH-dphg4CN1xOyid30hRkk_U5pSKjpIoE6QjhoqrsNjytvcO9lGRoB6aNKRA3g5j4WdwVaHm8RLotaFcJyWp-NlFsblTvTNhR6ypjeDow812rjAVfmpFv/s1600/Amycheong+NTUC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjiCHZ8zWtlRLRhTe5ksxURPxH-dphg4CN1xOyid30hRkk_U5pSKjpIoE6QjhoqrsNjytvcO9lGRoB6aNKRA3g5j4WdwVaHm8RLotaFcJyWp-NlFsblTvTNhR6ypjeDow812rjAVfmpFv/s400/Amycheong+NTUC.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She not only lost her job - she had to flee her country! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Point is...: once we put something on the internet, it's there for good (or for ill).**</div>
<div>
-----</div>
<div>
<div>
This time last week (so technically not a "things I did this week" point of discussion, but just give me a moment because I will connect the dots dot dot dot), was National Coming Out Day. NCOD, not to be mistaken with/for <b><a href="http://bit.ly/QwGGmP" target="_blank">NKOTBSB</a></b>, is basically a day when otherwise closeted gay people can "come out" of the closet and tell the people around them, "I AM GAY", thereby raising the consciousness of straight people that gay people a) do exist; and, b) are not all in bed sexing it up all hours of the day and night. We only do that 17 out of 24 hours of each day. For the record.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In response to NCOD, Ann Coulter tweeted: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWapdW21c-Tnj0VYZiDFmXf-SIZLolQn3G0WkkmYjRJCfN9yvFjsF6IuYfOUMNdP1884Rqye97eK3-_mYy0NMbf5l-bEz4Ze3tSkQxSadlI1DH1kFq2IGHnVYV9oTzQ7wJgXxJW-V6nVlc/s1600/Ann+Coulter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWapdW21c-Tnj0VYZiDFmXf-SIZLolQn3G0WkkmYjRJCfN9yvFjsF6IuYfOUMNdP1884Rqye97eK3-_mYy0NMbf5l-bEz4Ze3tSkQxSadlI1DH1kFq2IGHnVYV9oTzQ7wJgXxJW-V6nVlc/s640/Ann+Coulter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
Class act, that Ann Coulter. Not real sure why she, a straight, 50-year old, unmarried, non-parent of neither son nor daughter, gay or straight, is talking about this issue.*** But, I will tell you from experience that she's right. In far too many instances, the day after a kid comes out is often "disown your [gay kid] day" for a lot of confused and embarrassed parents. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was twenty-two when I came out to my folks. I've always had a very close relationship with them and I love them very much. And, I know they love me very much. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That said - the days after I came out to them was pretty much as Ann Coulter said - dispwnage! (see how I connected those dots? And, arguably, <strike>mangled</strike> used a word from 2+2?)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After telling my mom (ok, comparing myself to Jodie Foster, actually, in the hopes that my mom would be heartened by the fact that gay people are/can be productive members of society****), who cut short her trip and returned home at the crack of dawn the next day, I got an emotional phone call from my dad in which he said a lot of things, including the words "heaven" and "hell" and...well, then we didn't speak for about six months. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As I said, I was twenty two. I had already graduated college. I had a job. I lived in a city far away from where I'd grown up. I had friends and resources. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And still.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And still....A less resilient me might not have survived the stories I was telling myself in the days, but mainly the nights, after I came out to the people I loved the most. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Far better people than me don't. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ms. Coulter is not helping in that arena. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But when you re-read her tweet and think about it? Well, I guess she's just kind of telling the truth. </div>
<div>
-----</div>
<div>
And the last road leads back to poker. Ah, don't they all?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
Yesterday, <b><a href="http://bit.ly/VeQSb7" target="_blank">Donnie Peters</a></b> wrote a very nice <b><a href="http://bit.ly/PEgThA" target="_blank">op-ed piece</a></b> in <a href="http://bit.ly/PEhC2u" target="_blank">PokerNews</a>, in which he raises some most excellent points: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>What I'm getting at here is that poker no longer seems to be fun. It's not as fun for the players, it's not as fun for the media, and it's not as fun for the fans. The latter of that trio is the most important part and something that needs attention.</b></i></blockquote>
<div>
I read the piece and very much enjoyed it and fired off with: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFhCcypSgQrv-_ihqUwApUMXt-DBDGZrOF-8oAK2JRL0eOYXkwQqf0yaDKQ25N2bf5L-qZyfvA50wSvvBBU1hmB2Uw6CGiD9tBSlLPwB_AIS91EufV66nKOdLYBYCb5OOaeN5Fwy5cIba/s1600/Assholes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFhCcypSgQrv-_ihqUwApUMXt-DBDGZrOF-8oAK2JRL0eOYXkwQqf0yaDKQ25N2bf5L-qZyfvA50wSvvBBU1hmB2Uw6CGiD9tBSlLPwB_AIS91EufV66nKOdLYBYCb5OOaeN5Fwy5cIba/s400/Assholes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
I wish I didn't feel that way and I probably shouldn't have tweeted it, but...I do. And I did. Unfortunately, I'm kind of an asshole, too (ask my brothers), so...there's that. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The point is...well, I'm not sure there is a point. Except, maybe...wouldn't it be nice if there were just no assholes? Anywhere? Ever?*****</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T0spkrwl9Qk" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
----<br />
* No, Judge Judy, the gist of our talk did not revolve around whether she's getting a phone and there was nothing lighthearted about our discussion of a beautiful child who killed herself. After sitting in silence for sixty seconds or so, though, my daughter did ask, after the light bulb flashed on over her head, whether this meant she might not actually get a phone until college, even though some of her friends have phones now. Smart phones are awesome. BUT THEY'RE JUST FREAKING PHONES AND NO ONE pointstoself EVEN USES THEM TO ACTUALLY TALK TO EACH OTHER ANYMORE. And the answer is yes, you're not getting a phone until college.<br />
<br />
** She says all ironical and stuff since here I am posting it to the interwebz where it's going to be forever. And ever. And ever....Also, where is "Gay World Park" and how can I get there?<br />
<br />
*** This is not a backhanded insult to Ann Coulter's age, singleness, or lack of children. I am genuinely confused as to why this woman, who has no personal experience raising children or being married, has been given a platform to speak about either of these issues. Ever.<br />
<br />
**** Yes, in hindsight, I realize that "Hollywood Celebrity" was really not the way to go. Also, yes, I know Jodie Foster is still, to this day, officially, in the closet. I was twenty-two and she was the only positive-ish gay-ish role model-ish I could think of at the time. What can I say? smh<br />
<br />
***** Well, yeah, except on our bums, of course. ldo<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622493734916832367.post-12150111754191888722012-09-18T11:14:00.000-05:002012-09-18T11:15:32.882-05:00The American Dream<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiV-mEwxYXm-LKQMelNl5GFa5NklOgf0LZsPAIgABHEFQX1P4S8DcUtsmf2d3FmMSpiuiN8z3DleEXhbJsekcLoW3Xndr5l5Xe2qMhqaWnyJrJ_x79kcX0kF2TV5H3WNjvchcxZOmEaP_/s1600/American-Dream.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiV-mEwxYXm-LKQMelNl5GFa5NklOgf0LZsPAIgABHEFQX1P4S8DcUtsmf2d3FmMSpiuiN8z3DleEXhbJsekcLoW3Xndr5l5Xe2qMhqaWnyJrJ_x79kcX0kF2TV5H3WNjvchcxZOmEaP_/s1600/American-Dream.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>What is it today?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In case you’ve been hiding under a rock, the US is smack dab in the middle of election drama. After November 6, maybe we’ll get a reprieve from the misery our media seems to delight in slinging at us from every possible angle. But, I doubt it. <br />
<br />
We also just marked the passing of an 11 year milestone of the tragedy most Americans identify as “9-11” or, simply, “September 11 – Never Forget”. <br />
<br />
Last year at this time, I was <b><a href="http://bit.ly/qIJUog" target="_blank">consumed with my memories of 9/11</a></b>. I sought out words and pictures and documentaries about the day, and I stayed up late into the night on many consecutive nights watching people on my screen share their stories about their own personal experiences surviving the event. <br />
<br />
This year, I gave my attention to two pieces on the subject (<b><a href="http://bit.ly/RpHj18" target="_blank">here</a></b> (<a href="https://twitter.com/_otis_" target="_blank">@_otis_</a>) and <b><a href="http://bit.ly/NzRsvG" target="_blank">here</a></b> (<a href="https://twitter.com/grange95" target="_blank">@grange95</a>)), and no more. <br />
<br />
My thinking this year on the tragedy is, again, great sadness. The destruction of the towers, the injury to the Pentagon, the plane-turned-bomb failing in its original mission and crash landing in a field in Pennsylvania, the loss of lives. These are things that those of us who lived through it will never forget and those who come after will never fully understand. And what was destroyed physically pales in comparison to what was done that day to America’s mentality. <br />
<br />
Our media, particularly during this election season, illustrates each day how America’s mentality was injured, possibly irreparably, that day. What was not destroyed by outsiders eleven years ago, now seems to be hanging by a thread. <br />
<br />
We have become a nation of division, hell bent on achieving specific, individual, interests, rather than seeking shared and united goals or dreams. And there is no unifying leader or inspiring call that Americans can look to and rally around as one. For if you like Obama, you are an anti-life socialist. If you like Romney, you are a capitalist religious extremist pig. And where is the middle ground in those choices? <br />
<br />
In 1931, James Truslow Adams wrote a book called <b><u><a href="http://amzn.to/Pwm4wk" target="_blank">The Epic of America</a></u></b>, in which he defined the American Dream as “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement….It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.” <br />
<br />
Inherent in this definition is the notion that the innate capabilities of each man and woman are different. Not everyone will attain the same “stature”. What is “success” to one will be less than success to another. But, the dream is the opportunity to achieve “the fullest stature of which [one is] innately capable.” <br />
<br />
To me, this idea is merely a truth. We are all created equal under the law, in that we each have the right to work as hard as we wish to work and achieve as much as we wish to achieve; however, we are not all born with the same smarts, the same strengths, to parents who push and guide (or hurt and harm), or into impoverished families or those with money, land, power, or privilege. This is simply a truth. <br />
<br />
There once was a time when what you were born into mattered less than what you personally did with what you were born into. <br />
<br />
There once was a time when striving to be a millionaire was something to aspire to rather than a pejorative used in political ad campaigns. <br />
<br />
There once was a time when we were inspired by a candidate asking us not what our country could do for us but what we could do for our country. <br />
<br />
Was I living in a fog before 9-11 and just not fully able to see the inequities all around me? It’s possible. <br />
<br />
Today we seem as ants scurrying around and in and out of a bed destroyed by a torrential downpour, our colony fusion off-track and our queen, Lady Liberty, long drowned. <br />
<br />
I wish I could express myself better, but it’s the best my innate capabilities will allow….For me, 9-11 destroyed more than buildings and landmarks and the lives of nearly 3000 innocents and their families. That day marked the breaking of America’s heart and psyche and blinded our eyes to a common dream that once stood as a beacon of hope to the world. <br />
<br />
If we, as Americans, can’t see it (or don’t believe in it) any more, how can anyone else?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/link-enhancer?tag=poker05c-20&o=1" type="text/javascript"></script></div>PokerLawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460521595657731091noreply@blogger.com2