God Bless America

Yes, God Bless our nation and God Bless our world as a whole.

...and yes. God Bless President Elect Obama. It’s would be hard to imagine two more moving addresses than Senator McCain’s concession speech and President Elect Obama’s victory speech.

Congratulations to President Elect Obama and congratulations to Senator McCain for all that he achieved in this campaign. To quote from President Elect Obama's victory speech, "He fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader."

No matter which way you voted, this is a great day for our nation. The election process, this FREE election process is testament to one of the things I love most about my nation. More people participated in this election than in any other in recent history. That’s a good thing.

No, that is a fantastic thing. The exact percentage of voters who cast their ballots yesterday will not be determined for days or even weeks, but there is every indication that a historic number of American citizens participated in the election process this year. I realize that many who stop by Rabbit Run Cottage are disappointed today. Some of my friends and family members join you in your disappointment. Many I know through blogging, as well as other friends and family, are thrilled with last night's results. But the campaign is now over. The people have spoken and now is the time to put aside any rancor and come together as a nation. This man, Barack Obama, in just a few weeks time, will take on one of the most difficult jobs in the world. He will also be the US military Commander in Chief. For that alone he deserves your respect. One of the things I learned in 27 years as a military wife was to hold our Commander In Chief in respectful high esteem, whether you agree with all of his policies and ideals or not. He has a difficult job ahead of him and needs our prayers and well wishes. Barack Obama, the son of a father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, was elected the nation's 44th president Tuesday, breaking the racial barrier to become the first African American to be elected to the country's highest office. This nation, stained by slavery, scarred by years of civil war and generations of racial strife, delivered a resounding victory to the 47-year-old first-term senator from Illinois. His victory was a giant leap in the march toward equality for all people regardless of race, color, sex or religion. When President Elect Obama was born, people with his skin color could not even vote in parts of America, and many were killed for trying. This alone is reason to celebrate. I well remember a nation of segregated schools and the fight for voting privileges for all Americans regardless of color. No matter which way your political leanings may be, all Americans must see this defining moment with great pride. It is truly a historic moment, one that I feel blessed to have witnessed.

We must come together as Americans, as one nation, as one people. Our country deserves that... no...our country demands that. Continued division hurts our nation and demeans us as human beings. We must find a way to work through our differences and respect one another as thoughtful, well meaning, educated people. Those who disagree with us are not ignorant, stupid, Un-American, Un-Christian sheep being led to slaughter. No one I know, no matter which way they voted, fits these assumptions. We can do better than this. We MUST do better than this. To quote from President Elect Obama's speech last night, "This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America." Yes...God Bless America. God Bless you all.

Your Privilege

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection

that your vote is never lost."

~John Quincy Adams

Your right. Your duty. Your privilege.

Please vote.

Love,

Susie Q

Politics As Usual? Oh Boy!

I have been emailed several times of late, all asking the same question. Why don't I make any mention of politics on my blog? I guess folks assume that I have talked about many things here and, as someone who DOES have opinions, should be proud to discuss who I am solidly behind in this Presidential race. I have posted about how I never intended this blog to get into the *messier* subjects....IE religion, sex, money, politics...NOT because I do not THINK...not because I do not CARE. I choose to NOT post about it because, well, life is scary enough and we all need a respite. I had hopes that this blog would, for the most part, provide a breather for the ills of the world. Besides, when it comes to this election,

aren't you already tired of "politics as usual"? We have been slammed from both sides of the aisle, over and over again. Some regale us with truths, some with half truths, some with exaggerations and yes, even downright lies. The venom that is oft spewed between people is sickening. I have seen such a rash of fact *twisting* from both parties of late that Chubby Checker should ask for royalties. Please visit Fact Check.org to look up the truth that is often difficult to find these days. This web site is non-partisan and approved by members of both the Democrat and Republican party. All four of the candidates have been taken to task here. Are there partisan politics being played in the media? Of course there are. ON BOTH sides of the aisle I might add. But there are journalists with integrity and intelligence that are doing their best to remain fair and balanced. Yes, I do have friends and acquaintances in the local and national media but I know them well enough to trust and believe what they tell me. Listen carefully, read everything you can get your hands on. The Internet can be used for good. You can receive most of the major newspapers in the world from your own comfy chair. You can visit all the radio and television news sources with the click of your mouse.

Yes, there are unmitigated lies on some Internet spots. I have enough faith in most people to know they can sort out the differences between fact and partisan flurry.

I have been asked, privately, why I, as a retired military wife, will not take a stand one way or another. (It is assumed that, as a military family, we will vote in a certain way...and that assumption has come from supporters of BOTH parties.)

Away from my computer, I have. I have volunteered for my candidates of choice, I have attended rallies for BOTH parties. If anyone watched ABC news this week, you saw Charlie Gibson broadcasting here in Dayton on the banks of the Great Miami River. Two of my dearest friends in the world were there and, even though I was unable to attend, they took MY heart with them. We folks in the Midwest have strong opinions just like folks all across the US.

I hope to be at 2 rallies this week (Isn't it fun to be living in a battleground state? *smile*). Uh huh. Rallies for BOTH parties. I talk to people. I listen to people. I listen to each word that the 4 candidates utter. I have done my research and read everything I can get my chubby, little hands on. Then I, as you do, have to look into my heart and vote my conscience. Neither party is above using tricks and smears. Neither party holds the mantle for Christian love and goodness. Neither party is without wrong doing.

Uh huh. Politics as usual.

I suppose that the implication is there that I am, somehow, a coward who will not air my views

on blog. A coward no. I have absolutely NO

problem entering a discussion with anyone. If any one reading this would like to email me about anything, I am more than willing to chat. But my blog is not the place.

I know that many are using their blogs to make their views known. I have no problem with this fact. It is THEIR blog, THEIR choice. And I respect and love them for this.

I only ask that MY choice be respected as well. It is a fact that some do not visit me as they once did. It was made clear that they did not *respect* my choice of candidate. Hmm....the last time I checked, I have never posted about MY choice. But you know? Even if I had posted my decision, and if anyone turned their back because of that, it is THEIR problem not mine.

My husband served this country with distinction for 27 years. He did so to protect the ideals of America, the rights we all share. One of those sacred rights is to pick an election year candidate and back him or her all the way. It is my prayer that we, as civilized people, can accept, with kindness and respect , those whose ideals differ from ours. One is not UN-Christian because they lean one way or another. One is not UN-educated when they choose one way or another.

One is not UN-American if they vote for one candidate over another. We all must make the most informed vote we can and do it with our hearts and minds open. We must be respectfully open to those who disagree with us. When we are not, it lessens us as human beings.

I realize that even this post will turn some away. I am sorry to see that happen but I have had this on my heart for days now. As I wander around the blog community, I read all manner of posts about this candidate or that issue. Some I agree with and some I vehemently disagree with. Some I feel quite neutral about. But I will not judge a person by this and only this. If I have come to care about a sister or brother blogger, their choice of candidates does not lessen how I feel about them as a person. Sadly, I have discovered that a few have turned away from me due to their assumptions and it is, only an assumption. I have no illusions that this post won't

anger some as well.

It is only my opinion (and we all know how much weight that carries) that this election is turning decidedly more venomous. Not only among the 2 parties involved but between citizens as well. We, as a nation, have nothing to gain from either party going more negative.

Neither of these candidates for President are without flaws. In my opinion, either one would

bring special qualities with him into the White House. But we can choose just one of them for President.

I want to hear what a candidate is going to TRY to do to for this nation in the next 4 years.

Please do not assault my intelligence with half truth stories of who said what, who did what, who knows who, who watches NBC and who watches CBS. Who loves strawberry ice cream and who loves Rainbow Sherbert. Who cares? Tell me what your plan is...tell me what YOU stand for.

I don't want to roll around in the mud with either party. It is messy and dirty and I hate doing laundry.

Neither party has a monopoly on truth, an unsullied past, a love of family, high morals, religious ideals, and love of country.

As I said several posts ago, PLEASE vote. PLEASE care. I would much rather listen to those who are passionate about their candidates and ideals than those who remain apathetic. Apathy is the true enemy here.

And that is all I will say about that....

I am Susie Q and I approved this post.

Get Out The Vote And CARE!

Here in America we will elect a new President in November. I have deliberately kept this blog

very non-political & that will not change. I am not a member of any particular political party. I have, in my many years as a voter, cast my ballot for Democrats, Republicans and Independents. I read all I can, watch each debate, watch each interview, read up on how each candidate stands on every issue and make the most informed decision I can possibly make when voting for a candidate or a bill/law. It takes time & a little work but I think I owe that to our forefathers. And our foremothers too.

I will never argue with anyone about their beliefs for one very great reason. It is your right, as an American citizen, to make a decision and to vote your heart and conscience. Only YOU know what is right for YOU. And only I know what is right for me.

That is just one of the many things I love about America. We are free to make that very personal decision on election day. It is my right. It is YOUR right. Embrace that fact. Read all you can. Ignore the rhetoric and read. Read. Read. Far too many US citizens fail to recognize that the ability to cast a vote, a free vote, is a right which is not to be squandered. So many complain about the way this country is run and then, come election day, they are far too busy watching Entertainment Tonight reruns to stop by their local polling station.

"Oops, gee, I just let it slip my mind!" I have heard some say it does not matter if they vote at all. How sad. What if we all felt that way? Far too many brave men and women have fought and even died to give each one of us the right to vote in free elections.

The numbers tell us that more folks called in votes to last years American Idol than voted in the last Presidential election. This is a terrifying scenario.

I do not care which candidates' name you choose on November 4th, 2008. But I do care that you get out there and VOTE. CARE about your decision. Make that important decision based on facts and a candidates ideas, not his or her personality or the color of their eyes. Work for your candidate. There are many ways in which to do so. Get involved! Read up on every bit of truthful information you can find. Watch the debates. Listen to the unscripted interviews. Listen to each candidate with a discerning ear. Make your choice. Vote. Let's stop voter apathy now. CARE. Please. CARE.

I am Susie Q And I Approved This Message