Don't Get Me Wrong, But . . .

Last week, I happened across Ann Coulter's collumn in our local newspaper. Now, I'm not an avid Ann Coulter fan. I have read her article a couple of times before and usually I agree with what she has to say. I find her to be intelligent and usually she presents a good argument, but I don't rush to find out what she has to say on things. I just occasionally run across her and find her interesting.

However, I did not agree with her line of thinking this time at all. Her topic for this particular article was the nomination of John Roberts to the supreme court. I already knew that she was not happy over the President's choice, so I read the article to find out why. Essentially, what Coulter said was that Roberts is not a bold enough choice. Evidently, she wanted someone more controversial, more extreme, and she feels that the President is playing it safe. I'm kind of disappointed to have to say it, but I think Coulter wanted the Democrats to fight and to lose big. It's kind of sad because essentially, that kind of thinking is just hatred. But what really, rubbed me wrong was in the first paragraph of her article.

She says: "After pretending to consider various women and minorities for the Supreme Court these past few weeks, President Bush decided to disappoint all the groups he had just ginned up and nominate a white male."

Now, wait a minute. Just because he chose a white male, doesn't mean he "pretended" to consider anybody. I'm sure that there were a lot of names on the list, but Roberts is the one picked. Are we supposed to be mad that he isn't a minority? or at least female? I'm sorry but I'm so tired of this way of thinking.

I am a white, conservative, Christian. By virtue of these facts, I am a member of the majority of citizens of the United States. I think that my government should represent me. I do not think that my race or beliefs should simply be background to those of other races or beliefs. I am not out to stop anyone from enjoying the freedoms we have as Americans, no matter what race or creed. I have nothing against anyone of another race. I have nothing against anyone of another faith. I can tolerate those I don't agree with. However, democracy means that the majority rules and like it or not, the majority is white and Christian. Furthermore, it should not offend anyone that I am a white, conservative, Christian. No one should hate me for it, in the same way that I am not supposed to hate someone else for their race or creed. No one should prevent me from accomplishing my potential simply because of these facts. Essentially, racism works both ways.

If the President considered Roberts as a candidate, found him to be qualified, and did not nominate him just because he is white, how would that be fair? If the President feels that John Roberts is our man, then whether he's a white male, or a Peruvian hermaphrodite doesn't make one lick of difference. Can he do the job and do it (pardon the pun) justice? From all appearances, it seems so. I think Roberts is fairly solid nominee. There's been a lot of talk about his beliefs on abortion (another post, another day), but otherwise, nothing really to complain about with this one. How nice is that? We were all gearing up for a big fight and really there's nothing to fight over.

And as far as Roberts not being extreme enough, maybe being a judge shouldn't be about being extreme. It should be about being objective. The job should require someone who is able to disconnect personal feelings and interpret the law from an objective point of view. If we insist that this nominee be extremely right-wing, aren't we also insisting that they legislate from the bench and push their own agenda?

If we really want the Supreme Court to work the way it was designed to, what side of the fence a judge is on doesn't make a difference. If a judge bows to one interest group or one particular creed in their judgments, they are not being fair judges. I, for one, don't want to go before a judge who is going to rule against me just because I am conservative. By the same token, liberals should not have to fear a conservative judge. At the end of the day, the law is the law--it leans neither to the left or the right.

Always a Train . . .

I have two words for you -- wisdom tooth. This all started last Thursday night after I brushed my teeth. The gums surrounding my bottom right wisdom tooth were a little sore. Since then it has progress from soreness to an annoying dull ache in my jaw and now, swelling. So, I'm off to the dentist this afternoon to get an antibiotic and a referral to an oral surgeon.

I'm not worried at all about having the tooth taken out. It's the extraction from my checking account that I hate. It seems that just when Lewis and I get ready to dig ourselves out of the financial hole we're in something else comes up.

For us, the light at the end of the tunnel is always a train.

I Wax Poetic . . .

This is a poem I wrote for my friend Meredith, for her baby shower. Enjoy.

For Meredith . . .

It’s never the same again.
Going out will never be as easy as it is right now.
You will look forward to doing the grocery shopping alone.
You will wonder how your house ever got dirty before.
You will wonder how you ever got tired before.
You will pray more than you have ever prayed before,
And sleep less.
It’s never the same after this.
Your wonderful husband, who always showered you with attention
Will often be otherwise occupied
And when he’s not, he’ll be asleep.
It’s never the same after this.
Even when Grandma babysits so you can go out with your husband
You will see children everywhere you go.
You will fight hard to keep from talking about them the whole time.
You will think of them every second while you are away,
And even be disappointed to find them asleep when you go to pick them up.
It’s never the same after this.
You will always remember how your arm felt just right
Aching with the weight of that tiny head,
Even after they are too big to hold that way anymore.
Your heart will not just be warmed, it will continually glow
Every time you hold a tiny hand, or kiss a tiny toe
Or blow raspberries on that little tummy.
No, it’s never the same after this.
You will tickle them just to hear them laugh.
Hold them while they sleep, just to be near them.
You will laugh more, and cry more than ever before.
Because having a baby is not anything like what you think it is.
It’s a heart condition.
You’ll never be the same after this.
Late at night, when you are so tired you ache
You will stumble through the house, trying not to step on any toys
You will reach down into the crib and lay your hand
On the chest of this sleeping miracle.
And you will not remember your life before.
You will not be able to imagine a life without.
No, it’s never the same after this.