Like all of America I awoke to a new nation this morning. One that was finally able to overcome another racial barrier by electing it’s first inter-racial president. As a nation we should still be ashamed that it took this long and we wasted so much talent!

       As the events of the historic evening were unfolding the McCain headquarters took on a naturally somber tone. They had to know all along it was a race their party didn’t have a chance of winning from the start thanks to eight years of Bush and Republican failures. Throwing ten billion away a month for “Dubya’s” revenge war didn’t help, nor did the financial crisis. Since the Republican party had a thin pool to draw from for candidates, they had to settle on Sen. John McCain who helped nail the coffin shut with his running mate choice. There are plenty saying Gov. Palin will try for the big seat in 2012 after making her splash being named to the ticket. First she needs to bone-up on some of the issues concerning the country so she won’t sound like an air-head speaking to the media. While taking a crash course in NATIONAL issues she needs to take better control of her family so her daughter won’t have 2-3 more out-of-wedlock children before the next election. Like most, I also have a huge problem with her letting aides and other family members care for a down-syndrome child while she gets financing for hockey rinks and Alaska builds bridges to no-where. Since she’s headed back home I wonder if she’ll be planning a hunting trip for her and Dick Cheney after he and his lame-duck boss are out once and for all.

       Plenty more nails were supplied by the under-thirty generation that turned out in record numbers. I believe the reason they did is the war and their generations unwillingness to serve their country. This generation seems to think the rest of us has to do for them so they won’t have to take responsibility. Let’s hope they don’t go mute now that the election is over! Another huge problem Sen. McCain had is not having a brother that could offset the under-thirty numbers like “Dubya” had in Jeb last election.

       Though it took far to long the nation took a large step in electing it’s first inter-racial president. Many in the country that faced the abuse and discrimination do to the color of their skin never thought this day would come. Through the years, especially here in New York, there have been plenty of naysayer’s saying the country would never elect someone of color to the highest office in the land. I wonder what the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton along with Rep, Charles Rangel will do now? Since Oprah Winfrey helped the new president’s campaign so much I think she can feel safe having the author of President-elect Obama’s upcoming biography on her show. At least this one won’t blow-up in her face!

       By having an inter-racial president does that mean that HUGE changes are coming around the White House? Will we hear a “remix” of Hail to the Chief by the Marine band ft. T-Pain at the inauguration? Will we see B.B.Q.’s at Camp David featuring coolers filled with 40’s? Instead of ashtrays will the White House gift shop feature Presidential Seal “Do-Rags”?

       No, by having a young, inter-racial president we’ll have someone in touch with BOTH cultures. We’ll have someone in touch with BOTH generations with fresh ideas, not some old-timer set in their ways afraid of change. We’ll have a person that knows the back-bone of this country rests on the lower and middle-class, willing to give them the help they need not their rich friends. We’ll have a commander-in-chief that knows the military’s job is protecting our borders first and not playing world police. We’ll also have a leader that tries to improve the nations reputation, not destroy it at every opportunity. THIS TIME the country got it right and we have a leader FOR ALL!!

       Sometimes I just don’t understand this country. It seems as much as we move forward correcting our wrongs, we inevitably wind up taking the same amount of steps backward holding on to other ridiculous beliefs. Such is the case as to what’s going on in the country with the results of the last election and the debate over same-sex marriage. After shattering through another wall by electing our first inter-racial leader, construction continues in earnest on the wall regarding these unions. Why do religious leaders and their followers continue to divide what the majority want to bring together?

       California recently passed legislation allowing same-sex marriage to the delight of many. On one historic day the country was taking bold steps to right wrongs far to long delayed. It’s hoped by electing our first inter-racial leader it will help close the racial division that’s still prevalent in the country, though carefully hidden most times. By allowing same-sex marriages we could have begun steps to heal the equality division this country refuses to break down. This country has a hard time holding true to the “liberty and justice FOR ALL” creed our forefathers {many of whom where gay} instilled on us. As soon as the legislation was passed the lines formed early and long as couples waited patiently through the protestors to get the license they thought would never be available to them. Much like the African-American community, they had a dream to see equality spread through the land. While President-Elect Obama doesn’t forgive thousands of years of injustice, it does show that anything is possible if you want it and they want the same outcome.

       Once the law was passed the lines for opposition formed just as quickly and were longer primarily due to the religious right who are dead-set against same-sex marriages. A friend of mine who has his own site, www.LakerHaterSportzCard.com, is one of those against the measure and his reasoning and views were the inspiration for this piece. I have known the man for a long time, before and after his “awakening” and hope to say that after this piece. I know before he “found God” he had many of the same beliefs I hold but since his “transformation” he, like many others, have changed his stance.

       According to my friend the recent fires in California destroying lives and homes are a sign from God the end is coming. His stance is, by California taking this bold step it will start spreading like the plaque across the land with state after state following their lead. This is exactly what should happen by the way! He believes it will “infest” all households turning us all to their way of life. Of course he can, and has, quoted scripture after scripture to back up his claims and constantly says I’m ignorant for my views, all while saying he prays for my soul. It’s amazing to me that religious leaders and followers who are supposed to “love one another” and tell us to be “tolerant” of others views, preach the most hate and show nothing but intolerance for those not sharing their beliefs.

       I will not profess to be a learned or religious person. When I was younger an uncle gave me a copy of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution” which opened my eyes some as did experimenting with different religions. I have read The Bible though have many questions as many others do and am able to decide for myself what I believe. Since they all claim theirs is the “All Knowing” being, and basically just want my warm body in their congregation so they can get more money, I have decided to forego organized religion. I chose to live by the creed we are here for a short time and it’s not for me to tell anyone how to live their life while here, nor is it there’s to tell me how to live mine. So long as you don’t hurt me or my family live as you please, as I hope others will let me. It’s not like all the “leaders” are exactly up-standing men of the cloth! How many “Holy” men have been caught abusing children or ripping off the church? Did they get a “sign” this was the thing to do? Don’t cast stones if your house isn’t stable! How many wars have been started because of religious beliefs?

       My friend does not believe the fires started as a freak of nature, choosing to believe it’s the Wrath of God. Was the flood in Louisiana from the same Wrath. How about the hurricanes that hit Florida, same Wrath? The fires could have started from something so simple as a spark from lightning in the mountains or as complex as some religious nut lighting a match to protest same-sex unions. The reason they spread so bad could also be from the stupidity of government officials who know the danger is there and refuse to do EVERYTHING to protect the residents! While no one wants it near their million-dollar homes, there’s plenty of room in the deserts to build water plants. Then use all resources possible, inmates, boy-scout troops, environmentalists, etc., to wet down as much land and brush as possible during dry spells. It would create needed jobs and provide needed protection against property and lives lost.

       If California does keep the law on the books, I hope it does spread across the country because it’s the right thing to do. They want the same rights and benefits heterosexuals do and nothing more. The community is not new to us, just more public because of growing numbers. Will they “infest” all households like my friend thinks? Have they yet? No, they just want the same rights . Who are we to say their wrong or should be damned? It’s not like the heterosexuals have a great track record on marriage last I heard. If we have a right to marry to help us be happy {if possible} then so do they. We all need to worry more about running our own lives before we can tell others how to run theirs. Wrath of God - I think not!