Turkey Day

Photo credit: WGN News

Happy Thanksgiving! I spent today with my parents, brother, and boyfriend in Michigan. We had the typical American Thanksgiving - eating, watching football, playing board games, and just hanging out. As with most holidays, I received a few texts from friends wishing me a happy Thanksgiving, or as a co-worker so eloquently sent "happy t day".  I don't understand why people send mass "happy holiday" texts in the first place, let alone when they include dead giveaways like "happy holidays everyone" or "happy holidays to you guys". Why bother sending a message so impersonal? Is it to remind people that you still exist? Eh, maybe they're just trying to be nice after all, and I should give 'em a break.

This morning I watched about an hour of WGN's coverage on McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I was pretty impressed with all the acts they showed. The Gentleman's Rule was first. This group performed a beautiful cover. I also saw a dance troupe - DancExcel, Chicago Swingkids, The Other Cinderella, "With Bells On" performed by the Gay Men's Chorus, formed in 1983, a group of four guys who sang about Christmas in different parts around the world including Ireland, Mexico, and a Jewish Hanukkah. Sashe Taylor dance group began their act with the main dancer hopping out of a cab. She wore a strapless black leather top and skirt and bright red high heels. When she started bopping around I couldn't believe that she was performing in those shoes! About five other women were also able to dance in heels.

I'm lucky that I am able to come back home and see my family, especially during holidays. A lot of people can't travel home for various reasons. The trip is simply too far and too costly. Some have to work and can't spend the holiday relaxing in their own home, let alone visit their family. Many people don't even have families to visit. It's so important to remember that as bad as you think your life situation is, there is someone out there struggling in much worse circumstances. This holiday is all about remembering and being thankful for all the good in our lives. I feel very blessed with the family and friends I have, my job, my health, and my apartment. I am fortunate to have grown up with all the things I need and want. This year I want to constantly remind myself that my life is pretty darn awesome. I hope that you too have things in your life that you are happy about, proud of, and are thankful for.

Sex, politics and religion

"Do I have any liberal friends? Don't be shy." Tim McDonald asked this question on Facebook today. I immediately decided to respond with "‎I'm a bleeding heart lib! 1. I support a women's right to choose. It's her body. "Keep your laws off my body"; 2. I am for stricter gun laws, and actually would love to see them banned (but that darn 2nd amendment gets in the way); 3. I'm against the war; 4. I'm a bit of a tree hugger and would love for everyone to care just a bit more about our planet and banning plastic bags; 5. I'm pro same sex marriage; 6. I think it's sick that so many Americans don't have health insurance (including myself!) and that we should all have it." For some reason out of all the messages posted today filling up my News Feed this one was the one I saw. I am so glad I did. The passion that I have for my own political beliefs is strong and I became inspired.

I'll never forget the questionnaire I took in high school sociology class. It was a list of questions meant to determine a student's political views and help realize the political party with which they most identify. I scored completely on the liberal side. Every single answer I gave was aligned with the typical Democratic point of view. It was in high school that I first became interested in politics. I was a member of the Young Democrats Club that met once per week after school. We had tremendous fun learning about current news, attending political events, campaigning for various political candidates in Grand Rapids and Rockford, and meeting those involved in local governments.

I was fortunate enough to attend a week-long seminar called Close Up in Washington, D.C. I couldn't have been more excited. We toured the US Capital, Capital Hill, Senate and House of Representatives, the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall, and the enormous Library of Congress. We met Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin. It was one of the best trips I'd ever taken. I was one of about ten students that attended from my school. The lectures were full of kids from all around the country and I made a lot of friends during the week. If you have an opportunity to go, I'd highly recommend it.

There are two major issues that I am very passionate about: a woman's right to choose and gun control. First off it is inconceivable to me that some think they should be able to decide the future of pregnant women. If a woman accidentally gets pregnant, and cannot become a parent for any number of reasons, why should she have the child? To leave at a police station or fire house? To give to another family, when there is no shortage of children who need families and homes? To become a slave, a punching bag, a depressed young life that no one cares for? How is going through an unwanted pregnancy a good thing? How on earth can someone think they can decide the fate of another woman? What one does with their body is their own business. 

The sayings "Keep your laws off my body." and "If you don't like abortion, don't have one." perfectly sum up my feelings on the subject. I believe the court case of Roe vs Wade was one of the most important decisions ever made in American history. If America is the home of the brave and land of the free then shouldn't the decision to choose be decided upon by the woman whom is most affected by her decision?

Make your argument. I dare you.