Friday, January 21, 2005

Technological Dependency.

Oy vay. As of yesterday, my computer decided that it no longer wished to be friends. With sheer panic, I disassembled it, put it back together again, changed slots, unplugged things, and did all the things that I know to do, all to no avail. My tinkering was in vain, my soul and spirit crushed. I have been cut off from the Internet and all of technological civilization. Did I mention, oy vay?

I have limited access to the computer. I'm not sure when exactly I will have my machine up and running again. Until then, I shall be reading, writing, and watching TV. Maybe I'll be a little more productive with my Gentle Yoga DVD. Maybe I'll get some more zazen meditation done. Maybe I will be more fervent in prayer. Maybe I'll just sit around feeling sorry for myself. Who knows? The fact is, My name is Samantha and I am technologically dependent.

Until we meet again...

Tuesday, January 18, 2005

Another Four Years.

The inaugural week is here. The Condoleeza Rice hearing is on television. One can only hope that the next four years of this administration doesn't ruin the good ol' USA. They're spending an absurd amount of money on the inauguration festivities. I love how the Republican party will spend insane amounts on the inauguration, yet when it comes to feeding the poor, housing the homeless, and giving healthcare to those (like myself) who do not have it, there's so much stinginess. What I love even more, is that they tout their moral values, all the while ignoring what Jesus said about how to treat those less fortunate. I'm not a Christian, however, I am very well versed in the Bible. I don't understand how people who can claim to be God-fearing Christians, who love and follow Jesus, can do what the Religious Right does.

I understand the logic behind the Pro-Life movement. I also understand the logic behind the Pro-Choice movement. While I can't conceive of ever having an abortion done, I also couldn't conceive of taking away the ability from women to do so.

As for gay rights, I don't see how keeping us gays from marrying one another desecrates the sanctity of marriage. How can gay marriage desecrate the sanctity of marriage any more than shows such as The Bachelor(ette) and Who Wants to Marry My Dad? I had a conversation with a relative of mine, who said that their only beef with gay marriage is calling it marriage. The word marriage, they said, is a religious term that has religious connotations to so many people, that to use the word marriage, could offend others on a religious basis. While I understand that point of view, wouldn't that pose the mindset that the institution of marriage be specifically reserved for those who follow those specific religions, and that marriages only be recognized by those religions and not our government? Furthermore, wouldn't it suggest that in order to be recognized as a legal couple by the government, each couple would need to have a civil union? If we are going to seperate church and state, should we remove the right to perform marriages from our government officials, and leave it up to a church or synagogue to perform these holy ceremonies? Rather than the tax filing status of Married, should the status be changed to Civilly United? There is so much more to the subject than most people seem to realize. Personally, I don't care whether you call it a civil union or a marriage, just so long as it's federally recognized with the same dignity that marriage is, and just so long as it is recognized from one state to the next, just as marriage is. All I want, is to have the same rights as 'straight' couples who love each other have. I don't think that's too much to ask for. On October 26, 2004, President Bush stated, "I don't think we should deny people rights to a civil union, a legal arrangement, if that's what a state chooses to do so," Okay, Mr. President, put your mandate where your mouth is.

The next four years will be interesting to say the least. I look forward to watching Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday nights, and the Daily Show with John Stewart. If nothing else, the next four years should prove to be entertaining.