Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Blogs | Writers | Paid | My Orble | Login

Politics - My Life My Muse

Finally a voice of reason for Barack Obama

September 17th 2009 22:36
Not really. Not at all actually.

In fact, this is the most ridiculous crap I've seen in a while. Amusing? Sure. But also scary.

And before anyone accuses me of picking on Conservatives with this video...hold on. The woman in the clip was a Hillary supporter! I'm sure that must make Secretary Clinton beam with pride.

78
Vote
Comments (5)Comments (5) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Natalina - Category: Politics
   


When being homeless is a crime

August 19th 2009 17:08
In the United States, about one-third of the adult homeless population have served their country in the Armed Services. Thirty-nine percent of homeless citizens report some form of mental health problem, and 20 to 25 percent meet criteria for serious mental illnesses.

Homelessness is often looked upon as something preventable. The faces of the homeless presented on television are often those of junkies and drunks and runaway teens. But, the fact is that in many cases, due to lack of resources or an out of control spiral of circumstances, more and more people are ending up living on America's streets. With unemployment numbers continuing to rise, it is likely that the number of people unable to provide themselves with adequate housing will increase.

Further, the most rapidly growing population among the homeless are families with children.

Robert Terrell photo


Which is why the following information is so disturbing. In San Francisco, homelessness has been determined to be a crime. Laws and ordinances have been passed criminalizing most anything that a homeless person would need to do to survive, and in some cases, have been brutally enforced. These laws are now being emulated in other cities, while little is being done to assist people or prevent them from becoming homeless in the first place.

Now, I don't claim to be an expert on solving the homeless crisis. And I certainly don't think that this is a Left or Right issue. How we treat "the least of these" is a moral issue. In my view, it is a Civil Rights issue. Something must be done.

In San Francisco, money was provided to the city by HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) to prevent or address homelessness. Unfortunately,it is widely believed that most of these funds have been misused.

However, they seem to have no problem using city funds to terrorize the homeless sleeping on sidewalks. San Francisco's dirty little secret has been caught on camera by angry citizens.

It seems that their way of solving the homeless problem is to spray them with water cannons mounted on a truck that drives up and down the city streets. In one video, you'll see a homeless man who was sleeping under a box getting blasted by water. In the second, you'll see a much closer view. In the final video, you'll hear one Vet's personal story of the treatment he received as a homeless man.

To spray water at human beings to clean them off of the streets as though they were refuse or cockroaches is deplorable, cruel, unforgivable, inhumane, and the height of shameful. I'm sad for my Country when I see things like this.







You can find a lot more information about the criminalization of the homeless at the following site: Justice is Homeless

Further sources:

National Coalition for the Homeless

Overview of Homelessness - Dept. of Veterans Affairs

National Mental Health Information Center
131
Vote
Comments (9)Comments (9) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Natalina - Category: Politics
   


Natalina takes a stand: Be nice or go away

July 1st 2009 07:07
Hopefully this is the only time I have to write a post like this. My real friends already know all of these things anyway, but for anyone in doubt, consider this my manifesto on warring bloggers, fearful accusations, and peace & love.

"What is tolerance? -- it is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other's folly -- that is the first law of nature." Voltaire

I am not one who is afraid to make my opinion known. If I don't like something that you've said, I'll tell you. Equally, if I appreciate a sentiment that you've shared, I'll let you know. But, what I will not do is pick and choose my friends based on whether or not I fully agree with their views. I will not hate people based upon who they associate with. I will NOT be bullied into backing away from anyone. I'll never hold someone's past transgressions against them. And I will love people with the fullest capacity of my heart. Even those who seem to believe that it is impossible for me to befriend a wide variety of people with a wide array of views. I will do my best to show compassion to you as well.



Perhaps it would help if I lay out precisely where I am coming from. I seem to have attracted an element of attention to myself by being....well...myself. I enjoy life. I enjoy people. I like trying to figure out what makes them tick. I like to hear their stories. I have plenty of room in my heart for all kinds of people, and I know that our world view is often formed by the life that we've lead, which is often outside of our control. Therefore, I try to base my opinions of people upon the interactions that I've had with them personally. The best way to gauge sincerity is to engage sincerely.


“In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher.” Dalai Lama

I am a person who has been accused of being a fence sitter. I've planted myself firmly into the moderate way of thinking about life, politics, and faith. I have views that could fit into any number of philosophies, and I think this confuses people. Perhaps in our incredibly polarized climate, it is a rare thing to find someone who keeps her eggs in more than one basket. Have I ever written anything provocative? Oh sure! Hellooo, does this post ring a bell???

Jesus, The Liberal

But, mostly, I try to maintain a nice equilibrium. I don't like to fight with people. I don't like it when things get nasty. My feelings are easily hurt. My late grandfather once told me that the danger that comes with having a big heart is that it is a much easier target, and more likely to be broken from time to time. I suppose that's true. But I'm not weak, and I will stand up for what I believe is right.

What's the point of all of this? I just want to make it abundantly clear that I am not afraid of a good debate when I feel that the person with whom I am engaged can handle a fair dialogue. However, you will usually find me steering clear of arguments that look like they are going no where. There are writers on Orble that I have been inspired by. Some of those same writers have infuriated me with their views. These people come from varying backgrounds and political standpoints, and I will continue to associate with all of them.



As far as my own views? Well, I will not be forced to pick a side. I will not be told that I can't be a person of faith and still be a liberal thinker. I will not be told that I can't be a liberal thinker and still embrace a bit of conservative philosophy. I will NOT be compartmentalized by anyone!

"God does not forbid you to be kind and equitable to those who have neither fought against your faith nor driven you out of your homes. In fact God loves the equitable." Chapter 60, Verse 8 from the Qur'an

If you cannot handle the fact that I am fully capable of being a person of integrity who loves people regardless of their political and social views, than I suggest you just move along, because I am not going to change the way I am for anyone. While it may not be visible to the naked eye, my glasses have a nice rosey tint to them, and I intend to wear them with pride, as I see nothing wrong with trying to put things and people in a positive light as often as possible.

This post is not aimed at anyone in particular. I just decided that it was time to address this little issue of where my loyalties lie. Answer: Myself. I will remain loyal to what I feel is right. I'm not a child, and I will not be intimidated into choosing my associations based upon childish ideals of right and wrong, because I believe that the truth is often found somewhere in the gray area of life... Just as I'll never ask anyone to accept what I say to be gospel. Deal with it, ok?

Sorry if this came across as harsh or insensitive. This type of a post is not easy for me to write, because I don't want anyone to think that I'm angry with them. I'm not angry. Just a little sad that this even had to be said.

Now just for fun, I'll show you just how much of a line straddling young lady I really am. I was equally excited to see the following two people speak up close. President Barack Obama (While campaigning) and Presidential hopeful Congressman Ron Paul. Two more opposing philosophies would be harder to find, and yet, I think they're both great. Here are a few pictures from my encounters with these great fellas.

Obama in ND


Ron Paul in ND

170
Vote
Comments (46)Comments (46) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Natalina - Category: Politics
   


Pat Robertson says gay marriage leads to polygamy, bestiality, child molestation, pedophilia

May 8th 2009 20:57
Wowie, it has been absolutely ages since I've posted here on My Life My Muse. I've been focusing so much on a few other pursuits along with some family issues, and simply have neglected this blog.

I'm back now, and with my return I bring some sad news. I just saw this clip today of Pat Robertson of the 700 Club, commenting that he believes that legalization of same sex marriage could lead to legal polygamy, bestiality, child molestation, and pedophilia.



Whatever your political or religious views about gay marriage are, I think all reasonable people can come to a consensus on this one...Robertson is WAYYY out of line. To imply that homosexuals are even remotely similar to child molesters and zoophiles is beyond comprehension. As a Christian, I will never understand this.

Pat Robertson is a politician parading as a preacher, and when he says things like this, make no mistake. It is political, and it appeals to the most ignorant and uneducated segment of his audience. Just like when he claimed that Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gays and abortionists, Robertson uses his televised pulpit to spread a hateful and fear stained message to his flock.

Pat Robertson False Prophet


This is not unlike the stance of Pat Robertson after 9/11. His guest on the 700 Club on September 13, 2001 was the late Rev. Falwell. He blamed 9/11 on pagans, feminists, abortionists, gays...hell, pretty much everyone was to blame except fundamental Christians because, "God will not be mocked." His full quote:

And, I know that I'll hear from them for this. But, throwing God out successfully with the help of the federal court system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the Pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way - all of them who have tried to secularize America - I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.' " Robertson responded: "Well, I totally concur..."

This is not the God I know. This is not the Christianity in which I was raised. What about God's love? What about forgiveness? What about God's promise after the great Flood?

"Never again will I curse the ground because of man, however evil his inclinations may be from his youth upwards. I will never again kill every living creature, as I have just done. While the earth lasts seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall never cease" (Gen.8: 21,22)

This is God's Covenant, and for supposed Christians to imply that God would send Hurricane Katrina or the terrorist attacks of 9/11 in order to punish us shows very little reverence for the Word of God and His promises. And it is little wonder that with people like this as the face of Christianity in the mainstream, non Christians believe Christianity to be hateful.

If you are a Christian, you believe that Jesus came to make the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. You believe in compassion and brotherly love. You believe in forgiveness and peace. These "pastors" who claim to have some special pipeline to God's intent are snake oil salesmen. They are pushing their product...not Christianity, but the Neoconservative far far far right bastardized version of what is really a beautiful religion.

All of these things should be kept in mind when listening to Robertson and his gang. They lack compassion. This is where they fail as Christians. This is why they can say things that compare honest citizens to child rapists. This is why people like Limbaugh can use the flooding of my hometown as an opportunity to crack "dike" jokes. Because their ambition for world domination has clouded their judgment.

Remember, as Rev. Falwell himself said, "God will not be mocked". And while I know He won't send a bolt of lightening toward Pat Robertson's head, He will have the final word on the subject.
191
Vote
Comments (111)Comments (111) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Natalina - Category: Politics
   


Rush Limbaugh Uses North Dakota Flooding To Crack "Dike" Jokes

March 28th 2009 10:31
Rush Limbaugh, never one to miss an opportunity to be utterly vile, has now used the flooding in North Dakota to crack “dike” jokes.

View the video below for audio of his offensive comments:



While Rush has his fun at our expense, the waters continue to rise. And yes, we have a system of dikes that are designed to hold the water back. This is not a slang term or a made up word. It is a technical term for the Dutch style system of flood walls and levees that have been built up around our communities to protect us from the occasional deluge.

Rush Limbaugh Uses ND Flood to crack
A-Hole


I am so utterly offended by Rush’s off collar comments, my blood is boiling. People are losing their homes. Lives are in danger. Hospitals are being evacuated.

How dare he use this very real disaster to spread his hateful and homophobic agenda!

I think we can all agree that no matter what side of the aisle you find yourself on politically, this type of behavior is disgusting, hurtful, and cruel.

Shame on you, Rush. Not that we’d expect anything less from you.

To read about my personal story with the flood, please visit the following link:

Red River Flood Right Outside My Doorstep

37
Vote
Comments (2)Comments (2) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Natalina - Category: Politics
   


Conservatives get Joe the Plumber all Hot and Bothered

March 20th 2009 20:13
First, did anyone else realize Joe the Plumber was still...a thing? I guess so. Apparently, he makes appearances at big Republican get togethers, and they just love him to bits.

Well, that is until he loved them back just a wee bit too much


[ Click here to read more ]
76
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (1)Comments (1) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Natalina - Category: Politics
   


DEA no longer to raid medical marijuana facilities

February 28th 2009 22:36
A bit of background: Thirteen states allow the cultivation, sale and use of medical marijuana. In all of these states, most prominently in California, distributors have been repeatedly raided and shut down by the DEA in a direct violation of the Constitution. Paying no mind to Constitutional limitations on federal power, the feds have been making it nearly impossible for law abiding citizens to provide a legal substance to patients with chronic pain and illness; patients bearing prescriptions from their Doctors have been denied their legal treatments due to a draconian fear of the false bogeyman of cannabis.

DEA Raids Medical Marijuana Facility

[ Click here to read more ]
65
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (2)Comments (2) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Natalina - Category: Politics
   


In Honor of Dr. King

January 20th 2009 10:37
There is really nothing that I can say about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that hasn't already been said. The man was a living prophet, a world treasure, and a light that continues to shine.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Martin Luther King Jr


[ Click here to read more ]
52
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (1)Comments (1) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Natalina - Category: Politics
   




[ My Life My Muse Home ] [ Create A New Post ]

Natalina's Blogs

10630 Vote(s)
393 Comment(s)
127 Post(s)
Moderated by Natalina
Copyright © 2006 2007 2008 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]