I wish noble individuals, like Anita Hill, were elected and/or appointed to offices,...

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

,...that pretty much determine the direction and course of our country and our lives.

Instead, what I find is mostly really scummy and dishonest individuals land in those offices. I used to believe we were moving away from the "good ole' boy" system of politics in this nation. I must acknowledge that baby steps have been taken towards a more just and equal representation. However, nowadays, I feel astonished how far we have to go and how little ground has actually been covered towards a healthier democracy.

Moreover, I am amazed at how HARD we must fight for a healthier democracy because to HAVE TO FIGHT is so damn inconsistent with our supposed national identity. I have been a witness to that fight and, as a result, I feel no 'national identity', anymore. The 'powerful',who hold themselves out as demi-gods and superior at accomplishing all good things, are willing to destroy any one and an entire nation, their own nation, to maintain their power and perpetuate their irrational view of themselves.

I've mourned our national loss of innocence, believing in all those human ideals we could/can/will accomplish. I've felt burning fury at those 'powerful' who intentionally manipulate those ideals in order to maintain power and verily thwart the possibility of accomplishing those ideals.

Now, I find myself engaged in a sort of solemn acknowledgement of 'what is' and a peaceful resolution to object without sadness or anger. If only I could sit in that peace no matter what happens next.

Hope you don't mind sharing these thoughts. I edited to clarify some of them as all thoughts tend to be right off the top of one's head and not always clear. *LOL*

[BOSSHOG]

1. Joe Wilson - Attorney General, Valerie Plame - Director of CIA

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

2. Former. They certainly represented the 'baby steps' towards a healthier democratic nation.

They are STILL HERE, too!!!

Kudos to both!!! They demonstrated great courage and integrity!!! I thank them for that! :patriot:

[dropkickpa]

3. Not her

I don't want an evengelical christian who thought it was a hunky-dory thing to teach at Oral Roberts University to be in a position to make decisions on a national level.

I admire and support her for her courage and for standing up for what is right, but that doesn't make her a suitable candidate to "determine the direction and course of our country and our lives".


http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/02/opinion/02hill.htm

In a particularly nasty blow, Justice Thomas attacked my religious conviction, telling “60 Minutes” this weekend, “She was not the demure, religious, conservative person that they portrayed.” Perhaps he conveniently forgot that he wrote a letter of recommendation for me to work at the law school at Oral Roberts University, in Tulsa. I remained at that evangelical Christian university for three years, until the law school was sold to Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Va., another Christian college. Along with other faculty members, I was asked to consider a position there, but I decided to remain near my family in Oklahoma.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

4. I doubt you could argue she would have made a helluva better SCJ than Thomas.

I've grown pretty tired of the "EW! Evangelical" mantra. There are, in fact, evangelicals who would sacrifice and have sacrificed on behalf of you and me. Anita Hill was one of them. If her own selfish interests, both then and now, were the objective, she would NEVER take a stand for the truth.

ACTIONS by principled people should NEVER be defined merely by their religious orientation any more than YOU should be judged by any of your orientations, whatever they may be.

Right?

We are ALL, ideally, judged by OUR ACTIONS,...not by our 'affiliations'?

Or, do you have another take on that? Please, extrapolate.

[dropkickpa]

7. Okay

I have no problem with people being of any faith, but, as the current administration shows us, putting evangelicals and/or fundamentalists in a position of power isn't working out so hot for the minority people of this country (women, racial minorities, the disabled, non-straights).

I have a hard time believing that, if she had a seat on SCOTUS, that Anita Hill would fight to protect a woman's right to choose, that she would be able to divorce her religious beliefs from an abortion debate (we've seen that many of the current Justices are not able to do that). Would she be able to distance herself from her beliefs long enough to grant equal marriage rights, equitable adoption rights, etc to gays and lesbians should the question come up?

Would Anita Hill be worse/equal to/better than Thomas? I don't know. But recent experience has shown us that people with widely professed conservative and/or religious beliefs let those beliefs sway their decision making outside of their church and home, to denying equal rights to american citizens. I am just not able to believe that such fiercely held beliefs won't influence decision making in a position that SHOULD be impartial and separate from such beliefs, because not one of then has yet been able to do that.

Anita Hill was sexually harassed at work. I have no doubt of that. She is a brave woman to stand up for herself and bring this out into the open, pointing out that a nominee for a very powerful position in the US is not suitable in any way for that position. She has stood her ground with great conviction against unbelieveable pressure and disdain. That doesn't mean she will stand at all for abortion rights or gays, that she will fight as strongly for the right of others who aren't on the evangelical christian "acceptable" list.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

5. Please respond. Moreover, remember, Thomas attacked her as a political "tool" while HE WAS/IS,....

,...and, apparently, will remain a political tool for his own damned, I repeat "DAMNED" self interests.

She had the integrity to tell the truth. Clearly, this man NEVER WILL exercise that kind of integrity in spite of his supposed moral and religious commitment. Yah, right. Thomas has any moral or religious commitment. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[dropkickpa]

8. response2

I have nothing but disdain for Thomas, he's a lying sack of shit who has done great harm to the US constitution and people.

The Thomas/Hill issues is completely separate from her suitabilty for a seat on the bench of SCOTUS.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

6. I hope I didn't offend you. Can we have a discussion? nt