Divorce or Marriage...

Depending on where you search the internet, the divorce rate in this country can be anywhere from 43% to just over 50% of all marriages ending in divorce. Though it is almost impossible to find a straight answer or statistic on the matter... even the National Center for Health Statistics, despite all of their surveys, charts and graphs offer only a projected percentage.
Nevertheless, I think it's safe to say, that divorce is a very common solution to married life.
When I was growing up, I remember thinking how lucky I was that my parents were still together, as the majority of my friends' parents were divorced...
Then that day happened to me and my family... I was a junior in high school when my parents decided to separate. I never thought that day would happen, and though I know my parents tried very hard to work through their problems, the inevitable D-day still came. I hold no judgments on my parents. I love them both very much, and I believe that they are both very happy in their lives now.
That being said, I have four wonderful role models when it comes to marriage... My Grandma & Grandpa Shaffer have been married 52 years, and my Grandma & Grandpa Smith 51 years. Their love, dedication and hard work give me such hope!
That's why I'm so shocked that there are people in this country who fight so hard against allowing equal rights to everyone in regard to sharing a loving bond and commitment to one another until death do them part.
What exactly is "Traditional Marriage?"
How many people live without sin? I'm no authority on religion, but my general belief was that we are all sinners... So why then are some above the rest? Why is it okay to preach hate and fear? Didn't Jesus Christ preach love and forgiveness? Why with so many marriages ending in divorce, abuse, adultery... Should anyone stand as the authority on who can and cannot marry.
Yes. The Bible. Everyone always quotes the Bible.
Ironically, the same people who defend the term "Traditional Marriage" as one man and one woman- have a wonderful way of overlooking the Word of the Bible that no longer suits their needs:
i.e. you shall not commit adultery, love thy neighbor, let he who is without sin cast the first stone... The list goes on and on, and of course like almost everything in the Bible- either side can find a justification or exception.
So here is my thought, since we are ALL sinners and the "Traditional Marriage" divorce rate is at nearly 50%... Why not encourage the bond between two people. Encourage love, honor and monogamy for all people, and maybe future generations will be able to get the divorce rate down...

Hope.

I will never forget the night of November 4, 2008. I was fortunate enough to gather with a group of friends as we watched this country come together and unite in equality. That once again hope, faith and humanity have joined with the promise of change. A commitment to come together on equal ground as the United States of America. I'm so grateful to live in America- where every voice can be heard, every person has the right to freedom and with hard work and faith, dreams can become reality.

Democracy... I think...

I don't know about you... But these days times are tough! With a failing economy, lack of jobs and very few people seeing eye to eye on the "issues" or even talking about real change... I'm frustrated and overwhelmed!

I shot the photograph above in Denver during the DNC... It just caught my eye for so many reasons, the most obvious... It's laying on the pavement!
According to Wikipedia:
Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system.
Doesn't it feel more like the supreme power is held in large corporations and elected officials that are ruled by said corporations?
What's worse, there is no escaping the reminder that Americans want and need change.

It's impossible to turn on the television without seeing attack ads FULL of half truths, twisted words and out of context quotes.
Even the news (no matter which channel you subscribe to) can you uncover what's really being said.

I have good friends, who have stopped talking to other friends because they disagree about the future of our country.
Then we have people running for office who, though they don't come right out and say it... believe that anyone who has a different opinion or passionate view on the future of OUR country might be Un-American!
Does it really matter what part of the country you come from? I believe that regardless of size, location and socioeconomic composite we are ALL grateful to live in a country where we have the right to speak freely and freely disagree with injustice.

I am grateful every single day, from morning until my head hits the pillow, that I live in a country that we are ALL equal...
...Even if it hasn't always been true or proves to be complicated from time to time...
Moreover, I feel blessed for every single woman and man who has ever served this country... For me, and my freedoms. In the name of Democracy.
So please, please, Sarah Palin (and other like minded thinkers) remember that we live in The United States of America the next time you divide a chunk of this great land "Pro-American"... I'd like to enlighten you, that though I have completely different ideas, hopes and dreams for what this country is and can be- I stand behind this UNITED country for ALL of its people...
Even the ones who think like you!
On a lighter note... I really hope that this economy turns around soon. There's got to be money out there, somewhere? Where did it all go? I hope we find it soon, or else I may end up living here:

Just because you're a Republican... Doesn't mean we can't be friends!

This is an Open Letter in response to a dear friend of mine who shares different views than I... She was recently attacked by someone she calls a close friend of hers for having a different outlook;

Dear Friend,
First let me begin by saying that, though I don't subscribe to many of your beliefs, I love you!
I hope that you will forward this reply to your friend as well.
I think that it is unfair for any one who calls himself (or herself) a friend, and uses words like Love to describe a bond that they share, should ever find a reason to attack the other party.
I believe that this idea is exactly what is wrong with politics in this country to begin with.
Let me be clear in saying that I find it sad when either side of the aisle uses hate tactics to 'win' or “scare” over their own party.
I am a Democrat for very obvious reasons, however my Dad, whom I love more than anyone on this planet, is a strong conservative Christian Republican... Does it make family gatherings tough? Sometimes. More often though, we have wonderful talks, debates and in the end, I've looked at an issue in a different way and so too has he.
Isn't it important to know all sides of an issue. Isn't that why we surround ourselves with smart, funny, outgoing people? To grow, and take a look at a different view once in a while?

Not to say that I believe I will ever share many of the views my father has. But to know that, at least we can have strong feelings, and love one another enough to find a fair and common ground.

Don't you think it would be wonderful if everyone who called themselves someone who cares about our country, would take the time to listen to the other half of the country? Maybe we would gain insight if we could actually listen, instead of resorting to hate and judgment of the other party and their hopes, dreams and Faith for the world they envision?

I pride myself on my strong opinions, and the opportunity to call myself a Democrat!

Nevertheless, I love you and your strong opinions. I value the perspective you bring to the table!

Wasn't there a leader who wanted ALL of their people to think the same? How did that end up in history again? Oh right I remember...

Finally, let's be clear about one thing: For every extremist Christian Hate group on your side... I'm sure you could find many radical extremists on mine... And though they may have very different platforms, the misguided hate is the same!

I think you should re-evaluate this person you call a friend... A true friend stands up for you, even when it is inconvenient for them.
And come November 5, after Obama has won... I'd love to have you over for dinner, wine and loving friendship!

Love,

Mattie

A photograph I shot while in Denver for the DNC

P. S. Vote No on 8! Churches will not lose any tax-exempt status... nor will they teach 2nd graders to want to be in same sex relationships... They’ll experiment with that in college, like everyone else has!

Pissed Off!!!

Right now, I'm so pissed off... About a lot of things really. But mainly, I'm up at 3:26 in the morning (because I can't sleep EVER!) and I noticed a typo in my previous blog, 'Crazy or Idealist?'
Anyway, I went to edit the improper grammar, and the f*&king blog editor erased my entire entry!!
Of course, I print out a back up, because God knows, as fun as technology can be, s@*t like this happens.
Long story short, the editor will not recognize separations in sentences or paragraphs! So there you have it!
Once a well written essay on how I never smile anymore, and now one crappy run on sentence!
Don't even get me started on Washington Mutual...
I love that the new CEO Alan Fishman, only on the job for three weeks, will walk away from the now seized financial institute with a severance package of $11 million dollars, not to mention his signing bonus of $7.5 million!!!

Meanwhile, if I were ONE day late with my credit card payment, they would call me, send me letters and raise my interest rate from 8% to 30%!!!!

...It's people like Alan Fishman, and other rich, old, white men (for the most part) who only care that they walk away with more money than God once they've left the company they are supposed to be in charge of in complete chaos! Who cares about ALL of the employees and their families, who are left without a job, without severance and without their retirement!I think Alan and people like him, should be less concerned with covering their ass when the company they take over fails, and more concerned about making changes so the company doesn't fail!
Isn't that their job? Why can they get away with not doing their job, screwing over everyone in their path, and still walking away a multi-millionaire?
Thank God our government stepped in... Oh wait, that's right... Our economy is worse than ever thanks to our superior leaders in Washington D. C.



Look familiar? Remind you of anyone else?
Well this is Alan Fishman, I just wanted you to have an image of the man who stands to walk away with over $18 million dollars after only 3 weeks of his job of 'saving' Washington Mutual.