Thursday, July 21, 2005

Living what I believe: Rally at the Capitol

signing SB1000 messages for the Oregon house
SB1000 rally

I’m glad I went to the rally for SB1000, even if the bill was gutted and stuffed the following day, by members of our House that rely on sneaky lunchtime hearings. Surrounded by believers, supporters, and hearing our governor, and Roey Thorpe speak, energized me, no matter what’s to come.

During any struggle there are dissenting voices, but I know that if I get involved in what I believe, I can live with myself, my beliefs, and who I am. For me, politics are personal, because currently, the political climate is attacking my personal life.

Midway through the rally I realized I had been standing behind this gentleman:
Democracy is not a spectator sport

And his shirt says it all. Democracy is not a spectator sport. If you believe in things, stand up for them. If you hear people speaking against your beliefs, challenge them, or, at least share your beliefs. And for gods sake, if you, as a community, like the GLBTQ community, are being attacked and put down and cornered and condemned, standup. This is not a spectator sport.

7 comments:

Kathryn said...

Thanks for going Lelo, some of my other friends went as well to fight the good fight.

I always love a good rally; I just didn't want to take the wrath that would be had when my XH found out I took my kids... he's a little sensitive you know!

Junniper, MPA said...

Amen.

Anonymous said...

WTF? Perhaps I should stay here in Vermont.
Here's a better idea, why doesn't everyone move here to the Green Mountain State.

Janet said...

LeLo- I had that as a bumper sticker and someone actually ripped it off my car! I need to get another one....

crossblade said...

I put on something in my blog about the visit of Inian PM to the US..dont know if u are intersted in such suff..anyways do drop and lemme know wht u feel bout it
thomas :)

Rozanne said...

Looks like there was a great turnout for the rally. Minnis' sleazy move is what is distressing. And unfortunately, despotic behavior such as hers is becoming rampant (her role model must be George W. Bush). I don't know what to do about that--except to keep being persistant and vocal. The tide has got to eventually turn.

Jim said...

love dis post
and dat T-shirt

taking both home wid me to Mumbai, India