Wendy Davis Is Running For Governor Of Texas

...and I am glad.

I am a Republican and she is a Democrat, so there are things we probably don't agree on, but I think she's pretty cool.  And she seems like a very good woman, a very strong woman, a very intelligent woman.

Wendy Davis is one month and six days younger than I am, so that makes me automatically a bit sympathetic to her.  We grew from girlhood to womanhood during the same times, seeing the same things happen in our country -- although, from very different places.  I've always lived in California, after all.  And I've come to see that being a Republican in California is a very different thing than being a Republican in Texas.  Actually, if I were raised in Texas, I don't think I'd be a Republican.  For example, the other day, I was reading about the "theology" of Ted Cruz's father.  Not to be disrespectful, but that's some pretty scary shit.  And learning about the peculiarities of Texas politics makes me quite a bit more sympathetic to Wendy and her allies, even if I am not perfectly in line with each and every one of their positions.

Why do I admire Wendy as person?  She's had to overcome quite a bit of adversity to get to where she is today.  She married very young and had a baby.  After divorcing -- also at a very young age -- she both took care of her child and worked extremely hard to put herself through school, earning solid grades through Harvard Law.  And she's had a very distinguished and successful career.  If I had tried to do all of the things Wendy has done, I would have collapsed from exhaustion. In fact, I am quite sure that if I married and had a child as a teenager, I would never have graduated from any type of law school, especially Harvard.  I would have been fortunate to earn my paralegal certification (which Wendy did before earning her undergraduate degree).  And if I had managed to become a paralegal, most likely that is what I would have remained for the rest of my working life.  There is no way I would have even dared to dream of becoming a lawyer.  So, being that Wendy and I are the same age, I can easily put myself in her young shoes, and imagine what I would have done had I been in them.  I would also like to point out -- although, it will matter naught to some -- that Wendy had her first baby as a teenager in a day and age when "choice" was a legal option.  And you can see what choice she made and what she did with that choice.  I wish I could say for certain that I would have made the same choice as she did.  But, looking honestly at my 18-year-old self and my 18-year-old relationship with my parents, I'm not sure I can say that.  So, I admire the strength that it took for Wendy to make the choice that she made.  She also seems to have a lovely relationship with her daughters.  This relationship has the potential to be a very good example for other women in Texas -- women of all ages -- as they look to Wendy for leadership.  Because what will encourage women to make positive and responsible choices, more than anything else?  I believe it is having a positive woman to emulate -- a woman who is not preachy or judgmental, a woman who respects the personal autonomy of others, a woman who has most clearly taken responsibility for her own life.  As I look, therefore, at the strength and courage Wendy has shown in living her life, I am inspired to have some confidence in her as she runs for governor of Texas.

I also believe that Wendy truly believes in lifting up those who have been dealt a poorer hand in life.  I think that, if she were governor, she would work to establish a stronger social safety net in Texas.  And that's a good thing, in my book.  

There is a group called Battleground Texas which is backing Wendy Davis in her run for governor.  Yes, they are the "Obama" people, which makes them the "bad guys" to many.  I like them, though.  I see their pictures on their website and it's hard not to like their young, open, happy, hopeful faces.  It's hard to imagine them leading some sort of "evil conspiracy to undermine our government" -- something of which some might accuse them.  And one thing I like about them is how they are driving all around Texas registering people to vote -- including many minority voters and many who have never voted before.  (Yes.  This is all part of the "evil conspiracy" according to some media pundits.)  I don't think it is evil, though.  I think it is awesome.  I think it will be a wonderful thing when Texas has a voter turnout that is more representative of its population.  And, after all, the Battleground Texas people don't know for sure how all these new voters will be voting.  But, to me, they're doing what should be done in a political system like ours. They are trying to build a government that is truly by, of, and for the people.

I was listening to somebody the other day who kind of objects to Battleground Texas and all of its aggressive voter registration drives.  This individual was saying, basically, "Why should we try so hard to register people to vote, if they don't take the initiative to do so themselves?"  This individual is also -- at least a little bit -- of the mindset that it is better if the more "well-educated" people do at least most of the voting.  Now, this person's opinion isn't born of prejudice, mind you, but out of the idea that the more "well-educated" people are more well-informed, making them more qualified to vote.  I, on the other hand, think it's a great thing when everybody who is qualified to vote, does vote.  (I guess this makes me a Radical Progressive, deceptively disguised as a Catholic Republican lady.)  I also think that it is possible to enable most, if not all, of these potential voters to become informed voters.  So, dear fellow Republicans, I have this to say to you.  Instead of whining about Battleground Texas and its ways, start informing all these new voters.  Let them know why they should vote for you.  Be fair, now.  Run clean campaigns.  Run honorable campaigns.  Because, if you truly believe your ways are the best for the people, take your arguments and reasoning to the voters -- ALL of them.  You should have nothing to fear.

Governor Wendy Davis?

As you may or may not know, even though I am a Republican, I am a fan of the grassroots Democratic group known as Battleground Texas.  I love their spirit, their energy, their idealism, their compassion, their positive attitude.  They uplift my sometimes cynical, stick-in-the-mud conservative heart.  I don't agree with every single one of their positions entirely, being that I'm a Republican and all.  But, I do believe they are striving to make the grand state of Texas, and our country, better places to be.

This morning I learned that Battleground Texas is encouraging Wendy Davis (remember the filibustering lady in the pink shoes?) to run for governor.  And if she does run for governor, and if she does win, I don't want to hear any whining from my fellow Republicans.  Because it will pretty much be all their own fault.

And I think Ms. Davis has a pretty good chance of winning, if she does decide to run for governor.  I had a little chat with my husband recently, and I told him this.  He disagreed.  He said that it would be too much of a long shot.  He also thinks that it's extremely unlikely that Battleground Texas will manage to turn Texas blue.  I disagreed.  I have learned a little bit about this group, and they are nothing if not determined, intelligent, and organized.  They know what they are up against, and they are preparing themselves to fight it out over the long haul.  And if they back Ms. Davis, with all of their determined, intelligent organization, I think she has a pretty good shot at winning the Texas governorship.  Especially because she is pretty determined, intelligent, and organized, herself.  I mean, have you read this woman's bio?  She is quite formidable.

Now, as I have mentioned before, my hubby also didn't believe me when I told him that Obama was going to win the presidency in 2008.  Or 2012.  So, I think if Wendy wins the governorship, he should bring me out for a nice dinner.  (And if she doesn't win, I'll bring him out to dinner.  It's a win-win for me, baby.)  And if Battleground Texas does manage to turn Texas blue, I think he should bring me to Hawaii or on a nice cruise.  (Are you feeling sorry for him yet?  You probably should.)

To get back on topic, I believe "Governor Wendy Davis of Texas" might be a pretty cool thing to see.  Sort of like Ann Richards, but the opposite political party.  You might scoff at this.  You might not have liked Ann Richards.  If you don't know who Ann Richards is, she was the Republican governor of Texas when I was younger.  I have to admit that I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to her politics, but I did think she was pretty awesome with her Texas accent and her tough Texan attitude and her power wardrobe.  She was something to see.  And if Wendy Davis wins the race for this public office, she will be something to see, too.

CORRECTION:  Ann Richards was a Democrat.  NOT a Republican.  Mea Culpa.  I have also been told, by a very intelligent reader of this blog, that she was not a very good governor. 

Why we should stand with women...

...whether or not we live in Texas.

This isn't going to be a pro-abortion rights post.  Or an anti-abortion rights post.  Lots of people speak and write passionately about those things.  And, frankly, I kind of get tired of hearing it all.  I'm 50 years old, and I've pretty much heard it all.  So, what I'm going to do here is reflect on women.  I probably will piss some people off.  I'm probably going to generalize a little bit.  Please realize that I know I'm generalizing; I know that everything I say won't apply to every single woman.  Women are varied and individual -- like snowflakes.  But, like snowflakes, maybe there are some commonalities.  So, what do I hope to accomplish?  I just hope to give people something to reflect on.  Feel free to accept or reject what I say according to your own life experiences.  I am no end-all, be-all expert.

Years ago, a friend of mine said something that gave me pause.  She was not a Christian.  She was Asian and had been raised as a Buddhist.  She was relatively quiet, very thoughtful, and wise.  She had a daughter who was about the same age as my daughters -- they were all pre-schoolers at the time.  One day, we were talking about the raising of girls -- specifically teenage girls and sex.  She said something that I have since thought about on quite a few occasions.  She stated, "Once you're faced -- as a teenage girl -- with an unplanned pregnancy, there really is no 'good' solution.  All of the options -- whether abortion, or adoption, or being a single mom -- involve many difficulties, emotionally and otherwise.  No matter what 'choice' you make, it's going to be a hard one.  It's going to be painful."  You may disagree, but I think she had a really good point.

And I think her point applies not only to teenagers, but to women of any age.  So, whether you are "pro-choice" or "pro-life" or whatever label you want to apply to yourself, I think we all need to reflect on this and what it truly means to "stand with women."  Because women, sexually, are much more vulnerable than men.  And it is the women who must face the consequences of sex -- especially pregnancy -- in a much more direct manner than any man ever will.

I have read many things which advocate the idea of sexual freedom for women, which tell us that women have the basic right to a healthy and satisfying sex life.  I agree with this.  I think, in the past, women's sexual needs and desires were often overlooked.  Women who had higher sex drives and more sexual imagination were often made to feel like "sluts" or "whores."  Whereas men who were engaging in the same types of behaviors -- or trysts of the imagination -- were described as "healthy" and given the "wink-wink."  

One thing, though, that sometimes is forgotten is that the body of a woman is made to get pregnant.  Even when you're using reliable birth control in a responsible fashion, it doesn't always work out the way you think it will.  In fact, I even read a statistic that one out of three women will have an abortion by the time she is middle-aged.  That's a lot of women.  Add on top of that the number of women faced with unplanned pregnancies who do not have abortions and you see that women get pregnant a lot.  Even -- sometimes -- while using contraception (or even NFP) properly.

And -- bottom line -- who really has to deal with an unplanned pregnancy?  The WOMAN.  If she chooses an abortion, she is the one who has to have the procedure done on her.  If she chooses adoption, she has to go through the pregnancy and the birth -- feats which should not be diminished or dismissed as simple things.  They are not simple things.  They are exhausting -- physically and emotionally.  And a woman who chooses adoption has to go through being pregnant and giving birth -- and then has to face placing her child into someone else's arms.  I have three children.  This cannot be an easy thing to do.  Not at all.  And the woman who chooses to keep her baby -- especially if she is young and single -- may face very difficult circumstances.  For example, have you checked out the price of good child care lately?  A single mother most probably must work, trying to bring in enough money to cover not only her basic living expenses, but child care, as well.  I recently read that the Head Start program is facing a lot of cuts because of the sequester, leaving many single moms in the lurch.  Most of the women who depend on Head Start don't make enough money to afford good private day care.  

Some of you, at this point, may be thinking that I am a commie pinko feminist bleeding heart liberal.  Actually, I am a Republican.  I think personal responsibility is important.  I have tried to teach my children to be take responsibility for their actions.  But, let's face it, we all get in over our heads sometimes, even when we are trying to be responsible.  Also, we all fuck up occasionally.  Some of us escape -- by the luck of the draw or Providence -- the consequences of our fuck-ups.  But, some of us don't.  So, yeah, I can relate to those women who find themselves facing a pregnancy that is just not good news.

And this is why we must "Stand With Women" -- whatever our particular bent is regarding the abortion issue.  Because women are vulnerable in ways that men just aren't.  So, in our actions, we should attempt to be truly sensitive to the needs of women.  We should try to truly support them.  How?  Here are some ideas.  Maybe we should respect their intelligence and desire to be independent and self-directed.  Maybe we should examine the ways in which we can create a society where fewer pregnancies are "crises."  And, perhaps, we need to LISTEN to the women.  I know there are women who regret their abortions.  The pro-life side has them talk at their functions.  I know there are women who do not regret their abortions.  The pro-choice side has them talk at their functions.  I also know that there are many women who will never talk about their abortions -- whether they regret them or not -- out of fear of rejection or ridicule.  I really have a lot of sympathy for these "silent" women.  I wonder how they feel when they see all the fighting and arguing and contention? 

I know I am kind of rambling here.  I also know that I am not addressing the issue of unplanned pregnancy in a comprehensive way.  For example, I have not spoken of married women faced with unintended pregnancies.  And that does happen.  Often.   I know I am not offering concrete solutions.  But, I am just trying (probably poorly) to point out that if we can quiet ourselves -- at least as individuals interacting with other individuals -- and we can really listen to and be there for women who are facing unplanned pregnancies, maybe our society can actually move forward and experience some healing.  And when I say listen, I mean listen.  Without passing judgement.  Because, sometimes, I think the first thing a woman in crisis needs is someone to talk to, someone who will listen with true compassion, respecting her intelligence and her autonomy and her capability.  Because, let's face it, most people make better decisions when they feel understood and respected, when they are not backed into a corner, when they are given a little breathing room.  That's part of what "human dignity" is all about.

The Pope And The Atheists

I read with great interest that Pope Francis spoke recently about the relationship of Christianity with atheists, stating (in a nutshell) that atheists could certainly be saved.  How?  By their good works.

Did this surprise me?  No.  It is what I have always been taught.

Did it surprise a lot of people?  Yes.

If you think about it Biblically, though, it is logical.  Read the story of the Good Samaritan, if you don't believe me.  Jesus was basically giving a smack-down to all the self-righteous "religious" people.

A lot of atheists, though, appeared to be offended by the Pope's remarks.  Perhaps it felt to them as though the Catholic Church was commenting on their beliefs and lives in a manner that was both uninvited and unwanted.  I can understand this.  It's probably sort of like when I heard that Mormons baptize people without said people being present and without the consent of those people.  I wouldn't want that.  And maybe the atheists resent us Catholics trying to "save" them.  Maybe they view it as an insult to their own intelligence, free-will, and world-view.

There may be another thing going on here, though.  And it is something that should cause us Catholics and other types of Christians to do some reflecting.  Are we behaving in such a way so as to cause atheists to say, "Why in the name of God, who I don't believe in anyway, would I want to spend an eternity in a place locked up with you prideful, judgmental, mean-spirited, unaccepting people?"  They are probably imagining themselves stuck at a banquet table, eternally flanked by the likes of Jerry Falwell and Rick Perry.  Not something that is especially appealing to me, either.  Maybe we should ask ourselves if we are building bridges to God, and not obstacles (another thing Pope Francis spoke about recently).  Are we really practicing the attitudes of meekness, gentleness, and loving-kindness that should be expected of Christians of all stripes?  Or are we being like the proverbial clanging gongs and clashing cymbals?

There is a wonderful older priest at our parish who told the following story:

     He said that, many years ago, he was approached by a young man.  This young man was a Communist and an atheist.  The priest said that he asked to see the Communist Party card that the young man was carrying, as he had never seen one before and it interested him.  He spoke to the young man a bit and found out that he had been raised in a very "fire and brimstone" preaching household.  The young man was raised with the idea of a God who is very harsh, very cold, very unaccepting -- ready, waiting, and almost eager to cast people into hell.  The priest listened to the young man's story and then replied, "If that is what I thought God was supposed to be like, I wouldn't believe in Him, either."

A story worth reflecting on, eh?

Now, did the young man in this story get all converted and everything?  No.  And that is not even what that priest was after.  All he was trying to do was convey to this young person the merciful face of God, as we Christians are supposed to see Him.  After all, the women loved Jesus.  THEY LOVED HIM.  And that tells you something about the guy.  Think about that, Governor Perry.