Pre-Modern Multiculturalism, OR I Was Cool Before You Were Born

Back in the 1970s we had multiculturalism and feminism and we promoted peace and love, and today those of us who grew up in that atmosphere who lovingly reminisce about Room 222, The Mod Squad, Good Times, the end of a horrific war, and standing with our brothers and sisters who shouted "black power," those of us who were steeped in that label-free culture, who choose to back a conservative political viewpoint where an individual is free to excel, well, we are called "racist" because we don't agree with a liberal political viewpoint. The plain truth is, Mr. or Ms. Modern Liberal, I was a multiculturalist before you were born. Boom.

One Nation, Indivisible

Reading the President's Inaugural Address this morning, I am saddened that the Left/Liberals/Democrats have demonized us Right/Conservatives/Republican/Libertarians as the front line in their their political rallying cry so greatly that they cannot see that we stand for the same principles of fairness, justice, racial harmony, economic opportunity and love of country as so evident in the speech.  There is so much hatred and name calling from both sides, that we fail to see we are ALL Americans, and want pretty much the same thing: life, liberty and the pursuit (but not promise) of happiness.  When we take a group of people (Right or Left) and stereotype them, speak filth about them, tell lies about them, name call and laugh at them, we show how petty and small we really are...this nation is better than that.  I don't know how all this acrimony can be abated, but my prayer is that it will, and maybe we can find common ground.  I hope for a day when a Democrat and a Republican walk into a bar together and it's not the beginning of some sick joke, but the beginning of a friendship.  

You Can't Legislate Your Fears Away

People are fearful. They are afraid and they want to protect themselves, and since no one can protect themselves from crazy, they want to legislate safety so they can feel better. I understand this, it's horrible to feel afraid. So, the calls ring out to legislate the fear away. We see it all the time in tighter federal restrictions. For instance, take the FDA. This past fall, 39 people died and 370 were sickened from meningitis due to negligent practices at a compounding pharmacy in Mass. 

My hubby and some of you work in the pharmaceutical industry and he and you understand how extremely tough the FDA regulations are. Yet this pharmacy was rogue. There was visible mold in the medicine from the pharmacy. Even with ALL the FDA restrictions, 39 lives were lost. We can't protect ourselves from idiocy by implementing stricter government regulations, especially when those regulations aren't followed. But, I understand why people want to. We want to be safe. We want to keep our loved ones safe. But, trust me, we can't. We can put bike helmets on our kids and ban texting while driving, but we can't stop an idiot on their phone while driving from hitting our biking kids. We can put drunk driving laws into effect, but we can't stop an idiot from getting hammered and getting behind the wheel. Government regulations can only go so far and they never protect from crazy or idiocy. 

Our world is not safe, because we are mortal. That is the plain fact. I am not safe. You are not safe. We are not safe. But we can be comforted and comfort others by resting our fears in God. He can offer us peace in a warlike world. He can be our rock and our salvation. He can give us eternal hope. I myself have suffered years from panic attacks, and God helps me. He gives me quiet and security so that I can face each day without fear. In my Bible (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)..."For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" Hebrews 13:5-6