In my opinion, a "Blog Your Blessing" should never be a rant... but I'm going to have to make an exception here... because what I will be getting to is a genuine blessing... but I must go through the curse first...

I was not raised in a particular faith... I was taught to examine all faiths, and if one appealed to me, I would be supported in my beliefs or studies by my family. (For the record, I am an agnostic.)

I was raised in a "mixed" neighbourhood until grade seven... in fact, on several occasions, the "white" kids in my classroom were in the minority. I learned that colour of one's skin or ethnicity has about as much to do with their internal character as how they lace their shoes.

I was brought-up in an environment of facts and logic... that things happened for reasons... and those reasons needed a basis in hard fact. That all claims require evidence... and that when examining that evidence, you must be neutral and not skew it to your own beliefs.

It was never kept from me that things in life are occasionally "unfair" and "not pretty"... and this was not a reason to deny certain things, but again, to examine them.

My parents and peers taught me to only hate three things... Intolerance, Incompetency, and Ignorance. The latter can be rectified by learning... the middle one with experience and a willingness to learn... but the former is "forever" as a rule.

Politically, I was raised that government was there to serve and help the people... and that no "one stripe" had the perfect answers.

I was taught that no one is perfect... and that all people are flawed in some fashion...

I was taught that I should be wary of people in power that were flawed... especially when they didn't own-up to those flaws or wish to recognise them. People in power wish to stay in power... and will sell any snake-oil that might keep them there if threatened.

In some people's views, I'm VERY Conservative. In other people's views, I'm VERY Liberal...

In actuality, I'm just Matthew.

I don't follow anyone... I don't really have a political stripe... I don't "drink" anyone's "Kool-Aid" without some facts... and I demand support of those facts...

Lately, I've noticed that fear and political leanings are giving people (what they believe is,) carte blanche to espouse racists views and support ignorance of scientific facts... and the most ardent spewers of this nonsense are those who claim "fear" is what sent them to this extreme...

I am reminded of the quote below...

We cannot have free government without elections; and if the rebellion could force us to forego, or postpone a national election, it might fairly claim to have already conquered and ruined us. - Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln realised that the people MUST question their government... must make them accountable... and there should never be a reason for government to not stand up to it's harshest critics... even in times of national crisis.

To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. - Theodore Roosevelt

Some people have also forgotten this part too... that, indeed, all people, regardless, must be held to scrutiny.

My Blessing Today is that I was Raised-In and Continue To Live a Life of Logic, Understanding, and Respect for Deeds, Facts, and Cultures Without Taint or Skewing because of "Fear"...

I am vigilant, I am aware... but I will not sell-out my own belief systems for any man, party, group, or stripe... especially out of fear.

...and I consider it the height of cowardice to make a claim that "fear" or "respect for an office" or "person" is your justification for spewing hate or ignorance.

At last check, every major democracy holds high the individual's right to be an individual... yet, so many will put blinders on and a bag over their head because they THINK something is correct because their "stripe" says it is.

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