Boy Scouts: We’re keeping policy banning gays
As a mother of a 3 year old boy, who I'd hoped would follow in a long line of footsteps and join the Boy Scouts, I am saddened by the antiquated school of thought that is making it so that Mom, who happens to by gay can't participate in her son's troop.
Nevermind that she is obviously a GREAT mom for devoting time and energy to the betterment of her son's extracurricular life and social and personal development. Nevermind that it's not the boy's fault he doesn't have a "Dad"...he has two Moms, and probably still has better parents than many kids who have a Male and Female parent. I know many men and women who should be a leader to one child, let alone 15...yet, they'd be ushered in since they aren't gay/lesbian.
What are we trying to teach our young boys? To exclude others if we find they are different from us?
What message are we trying to send?? I certainly don't want MY son to feel:
A) he's different/unwanted/not good enough if he's gay
B) that somone else is unworthy of being a friend and/or leader if they are gay
THIS IS BULLYING. Why don't people GET this, STILL??? This is 2012--it should be a plain-as-day no-brainer that we should be teaching these boys acceptance and tolerance, not bullying and exclusion and judgement.
I hate to say it, but Aden may not be doing BSA if this policy holds...and that would be a big disappointment to his Dada and to Aden, who are both looking forward to Pinewood Derby someday. :(
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Serious Post--Gotta Finally Say It.
OK, People of the emailing world.
I have to say it, because I have been thinking it for years. I have sat by idly for too long, reading email after email of political and religious bashing. Everything from bashing our Commander-in-Chief, to bashing things they don't understand, like reliigion, but will gladly forward onto the next soft-minded, impressionable person.
If this is harsh, I am sorry. I have NO personal hard feelings for people who email this stuff, but hard feelings about the emails themselves and the fact that I didn't ASK to have this stuff pushed under my nose each day--worse than the television media does. I have talked w ith my husband about this, and he's told me to just delete the emails, or ask that they take me off their email list. He's right, but only partially. I felt that was the passive way to avoid this, or fight it. It's easy to just say "I don't want to see this anymore"...out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, I'd rather take an active stance. My mom always said I had spunk and that it made her proud, so I am gonna stick with that. I speak my mind and if it offends, well, that probably means you are one of the people sending these emails.
The first bit of anger I have is for the emails about our President of the United States.
I don't care WHO you vote for, WHAT you believe in, WHERE you are from--our President is our President. If you believe in Democracy, you can't say "he's not MY president, I didn't vote for him"...guess what? Your country did, and that's how Democracy works...he IS indeed your president. People poked fun at, and picked apart George Bush...Sr. and Jr. The did the same for Bill Clinton, and for Reagan, for Kennedy and for Lincoln, and Washington. They will always do it. But it's WRONG. You may not agree with things they do, with things they stand for, but do you spread emails around about your neighbor who put a hideous garden gnome in their yard, or put an opposing political sign out? Do you forward an email to everyone you know when your friend comes out and stands up for gay rights? Or has a same-sex wedding ceremony?? NO. They are your loved ones and we all recognize we have differing views, but that it isn't what defines who they are to us. We love them FOR their uniqueness. So why would you bash your president?
Don't we have troops overseas to PROTECT our country and our name, our reputation and what we stand for? So why are we doing their work for them by spreading hate and distaste for the man who rules our people?? Why wouldn't we be more respectful of the man who represents our people? Show some respect! For the record, I am Republican...there are MANY things I don't agree with when it comes to our current President's policies. However, there is one key word in that last sentence that demands that I still show respect to him and his family. President.
The second bit of anger I have is for the emails about Islam.
This one touches home for me, as I have family who are Islamic. All I have to say is this: DON'T GENERALIZE WHEN IT COMES TO RELIGION. Not every Muslim kills their wife. Not every Muslim bombs someone and says it's for religious reasons...ONLY THE RADICALS who most Muslims DON'T agree with!! Have you forgotten that there are "Christians" who protest fallen soldiers' funerals? Have you forgotten that there are "Christians" who burn the Quran? Have you forgotten there are "Christians" who persecute gays, lesbians, soldiers, other religions, etc??? All in the name of being true to the bible...have they actually read it by the way? Most people forget that there are many people of other religions that hurt people worldwide in the name of their beliefs...it's not just some radical Muslims. Don't generalize. It's hurts people--hurts families who are honest, loving, pious people who love their God and love their family and friends and others of other religions too. Think about who might be hurt by emails and JOKES and pictures that you think are funny and "make you think" and are the "essence of what America is about"...not all Americans feel that way, and many are angered by the mean, sad emails that hurt so many people's feelings.
Why are we spreading hate and meanness?? why are we promoting bullying through what you may think are harmless, funny emails?? On behalf of the Muslims I know and love, and on behalf of our President...if I may be so bold to speak for them...STOP SPREADING TOXIC THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS.
Love people, smile, be accepting, be tolerant, and be patient. What would Jesus do? NOT what you are doing. He'd hug the first Muslim he came across and say "I love you, brother". And then he'd break bread and pour a glass of wine and celebrate that we are all brothers, and all come from the same God and all have our own thoughts and beliefs and feelings.
Go back to playing minesweeper and solitaire on your computer and leave people the hell alone. Unless it's to spread something GOOD.
Love, and Peace to ALL,
Ericka Machuca
I have to say it, because I have been thinking it for years. I have sat by idly for too long, reading email after email of political and religious bashing. Everything from bashing our Commander-in-Chief, to bashing things they don't understand, like reliigion, but will gladly forward onto the next soft-minded, impressionable person.
If this is harsh, I am sorry. I have NO personal hard feelings for people who email this stuff, but hard feelings about the emails themselves and the fact that I didn't ASK to have this stuff pushed under my nose each day--worse than the television media does. I have talked w ith my husband about this, and he's told me to just delete the emails, or ask that they take me off their email list. He's right, but only partially. I felt that was the passive way to avoid this, or fight it. It's easy to just say "I don't want to see this anymore"...out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, I'd rather take an active stance. My mom always said I had spunk and that it made her proud, so I am gonna stick with that. I speak my mind and if it offends, well, that probably means you are one of the people sending these emails.
The first bit of anger I have is for the emails about our President of the United States.
I don't care WHO you vote for, WHAT you believe in, WHERE you are from--our President is our President. If you believe in Democracy, you can't say "he's not MY president, I didn't vote for him"...guess what? Your country did, and that's how Democracy works...he IS indeed your president. People poked fun at, and picked apart George Bush...Sr. and Jr. The did the same for Bill Clinton, and for Reagan, for Kennedy and for Lincoln, and Washington. They will always do it. But it's WRONG. You may not agree with things they do, with things they stand for, but do you spread emails around about your neighbor who put a hideous garden gnome in their yard, or put an opposing political sign out? Do you forward an email to everyone you know when your friend comes out and stands up for gay rights? Or has a same-sex wedding ceremony?? NO. They are your loved ones and we all recognize we have differing views, but that it isn't what defines who they are to us. We love them FOR their uniqueness. So why would you bash your president?
Don't we have troops overseas to PROTECT our country and our name, our reputation and what we stand for? So why are we doing their work for them by spreading hate and distaste for the man who rules our people?? Why wouldn't we be more respectful of the man who represents our people? Show some respect! For the record, I am Republican...there are MANY things I don't agree with when it comes to our current President's policies. However, there is one key word in that last sentence that demands that I still show respect to him and his family. President.
The second bit of anger I have is for the emails about Islam.
This one touches home for me, as I have family who are Islamic. All I have to say is this: DON'T GENERALIZE WHEN IT COMES TO RELIGION. Not every Muslim kills their wife. Not every Muslim bombs someone and says it's for religious reasons...ONLY THE RADICALS who most Muslims DON'T agree with!! Have you forgotten that there are "Christians" who protest fallen soldiers' funerals? Have you forgotten that there are "Christians" who burn the Quran? Have you forgotten there are "Christians" who persecute gays, lesbians, soldiers, other religions, etc??? All in the name of being true to the bible...have they actually read it by the way? Most people forget that there are many people of other religions that hurt people worldwide in the name of their beliefs...it's not just some radical Muslims. Don't generalize. It's hurts people--hurts families who are honest, loving, pious people who love their God and love their family and friends and others of other religions too. Think about who might be hurt by emails and JOKES and pictures that you think are funny and "make you think" and are the "essence of what America is about"...not all Americans feel that way, and many are angered by the mean, sad emails that hurt so many people's feelings.
Why are we spreading hate and meanness?? why are we promoting bullying through what you may think are harmless, funny emails?? On behalf of the Muslims I know and love, and on behalf of our President...if I may be so bold to speak for them...STOP SPREADING TOXIC THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS.
Love people, smile, be accepting, be tolerant, and be patient. What would Jesus do? NOT what you are doing. He'd hug the first Muslim he came across and say "I love you, brother". And then he'd break bread and pour a glass of wine and celebrate that we are all brothers, and all come from the same God and all have our own thoughts and beliefs and feelings.
Go back to playing minesweeper and solitaire on your computer and leave people the hell alone. Unless it's to spread something GOOD.
Love, and Peace to ALL,
Ericka Machuca
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Sigh...I'm bored and impatient. Color me NOT surprised.
So, I'm sitting here in bed, watching Signs...love that movie...anyway--thinkin about massage school and my career choices ahead of me. I am totally impatient for school to hurry up and go! I want to be fully certified and to be able to rent out a cute space and see some clients--NOW. However, I have to be patient--that doesn't come easy to me. I also know that by the time I am graduated and licensed, we'll only have another 6 or so months left before we move to a new base. :( That should be a sad face, but also a happy face...or a mixed face. I can't wait to get to where I'll be, both in my career and my future home. Ok, so this post is pretty pointless, except for me to vent.
Sufficiently vented, thank you. Anyone want a free massage? I need to practice!
Sufficiently vented, thank you. Anyone want a free massage? I need to practice!
After 3 years, I am back...with a minivan :)
Hello! After 3 years, I am resurrecting this blog. :) As I predicted, I became very busy after Aden was born...then I became WAY busier after Avery, our daughter arrived! Now they are 3 and 16 months and they are the light of my life. I am still a stay-at-home mom and also now, a student of medical massage. :) I am so happy! It's like I was always supposed to be there, and I thoroughly enjoy each class--even my Anatomy & Physiology classes!
Our newest addition, now, is one that I never expected...I hated them forever, and swore we'd never do it. Swore I wouldn't stoop so low. I hate minivans. We got a minivan.
However, it's a big, sexy, blue minivan that only the COOLEST mom in the world could rock...well, I'm not her. But I think I do a pretty damn good job of pulling it off! It's really great and is super convenient! It's the Swiss Army knife of vehicles, and that's what makes it so appealing...it does everything but wipe my kids' bums.
Here is a pic of the Blue Beauty herself...my new 2012 Chrysler Town & Country.
Well, friends, that's it for now...keep your eyes peeled for a blue streak on the roads and honk to say hi! ;)
Our newest addition, now, is one that I never expected...I hated them forever, and swore we'd never do it. Swore I wouldn't stoop so low. I hate minivans. We got a minivan.
However, it's a big, sexy, blue minivan that only the COOLEST mom in the world could rock...well, I'm not her. But I think I do a pretty damn good job of pulling it off! It's really great and is super convenient! It's the Swiss Army knife of vehicles, and that's what makes it so appealing...it does everything but wipe my kids' bums.
Here is a pic of the Blue Beauty herself...my new 2012 Chrysler Town & Country.
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