What?!

I have had it with some people calling into Radio Stations and saying stupid things I'm going to paraphrase a quote someone sent me from a radio show they are listening to, 'Comparing SD to New Orleans is like comparing apples and Porsches, all the lily white people live in SD.' EXCUSE ME!?!?!? Someone needs to remind this person that the Myth of California is just that. Just because they're showing pretty homes on television, doesn't mean that is what everyone's house looks like, they just get the most coverage, because they are expensive luxury homes and fairly unique among the tract homes that dot the city. I think the reason the listener who made the comment was upset, is because San Diego really did step up and take a lesson and evacuate as they were asked to do. The people in New Orleans had several days of warnings and by the time Katrina struck, they were unprepared, because they thought it was another false warning. If I live in Hurricane territory and I have time to leave, you bet my butt is out of there. I don't care if I have to camp somewhere on higher ground, it's better than sitting on my roof waiting for someone to come get me, or in this case, for a fire to send me to God in a poof of smoke and ash.

Admittedly, I am biased. I grew up in San Diego (College area, then Rancho San Diego/Spring Valley) and if there is one thing I know about my city, it has a tendency to be a friendly place to go. I'm not saying everyone there is nice, because I don't think there is anywhere in the world where there isn't at least five cranky people, but there are good people and hard working people and smart people there and those who evacuated were smart. The mayor pretty much shut the city down so emergency crews and evacuees could make their ways to their destinations safely. He didn't say "STAY OFF THE ROADS!" he said he thought it would be a good idea to keep the road ways clear for very important things…obviously if you have to go to work, you have to go work. San Diego is ranked high in tourist destinations, but the people's safety visiting and local, was priority.

What I love the most are those who answered the call of the city officials and are volunteering to help. I wish I could be a part of it, but I can't get down there because of the freeways, so I watch from afar as the city I love so much, burns. Granted, I have lived in Orange County for eleven years, but SD will always be my number one. It's where my family is, where many wonderful memories are. Its home, and those of you who want to make a nasty comment about it, think before you open your mouth. California is a wonderful place to live, North or South and it has its low income areas, it has its high income areas and it has its middle income areas. What it doesn't seem to have, at least not at the moment, is a great amount of ignorance.

I have news for whoever made the comment, San Diego is extremely diverse and it's not just the "lily white people" who drive Porches, if anyone works hard, they can afford to drive whatever they want even a Porsche.

First Amendment....

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Please make note of the 'Congress Shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.' If this is the case, then why is the ACLU always screaming about how people who are constantly "violating" the First Amendment. According to the above, it is my Constitutional right to or not to be Religious, but that seems to be the question, right?

There is a fine line one walks when it comes to the Separation of Church and State*, but why is it, a group like the ACLU can cross it, but those of us who do pray to God or, whichever Deity reigns over ones religion, can not. I have a placed a link below that explains the Separation of Church and State and how somehow it went from meaning one thing, to something completely different.

I think it is time we make a stand. I was telling someone not to long ago, that the reason religious people are not heard, is because no one speaks up. Why is it the ACLU can say something, but not us. Why is it someone can be taken to court for bowing his head at school. Since when does that become unconstitutional? Just because I can’t pray out loud, DOES NOT mean I can not pray to myself.

Now, let’s see if we can dissect that Amendment…Since the ACLU can interpret it, so can I. Let’s take the first sentence about congress not making a law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting free exercise thereof…To me that means a lot of things…you can interpret it in the manner of atheism, or in the manner of religion. Point is, the way I read it, it protects both parties, not just the one that does not believe in God. I am also allowed Free Speech. If that is the case, then why stifle me (helloooo Archie Bunker!) when I want to pray out loud wherever I choose? If I want to say the Pledge of Allegiance to myself, why stop me? Or Sing God Bless America? Why Stop me? The First Amendment also allows me to write this Blog…it’s my freedom of press. Heck, for that matter, people can peacefully assemble anywhere they would like and say a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance out loud, because it is MY RIGHT as a United States Citizen!

I saw a show not too long ago about a man who pulled his daughter from school, because he believes his daughter’s rights were violated, because there was prayer in school. Mind you, it was only ONE student. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t have any rights, because she most certainly does. That also DID NOT give the other children the right to pick on her(another extreme in the issue of religion), but the man is working on taking prayer out of the school. So why is it that one person means more than a couple of hundred? Doesn’t that amendment cover all of us? There should be a compromise, the first 5 minutes of Home room could be dedicated to praying students gathering and saying their prayer and pledge of allegiance and the other students who do not want to participate can do homework. No one is being forced and everyone SHOULD be happy. Sadly though, if the word God even creeps out in a school facility, all hell (pun intended) will break loose.

Let’s take a stand. If you need to pray no matter where you are, then bow your head and do it. Don’t wait until you’re in a bathroom stall, or your car, or some other place hidden from the public….if people can walk around not believing in God, then we can walk around believing in God.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state