i have something to say...

i had a wonderful privilege today: i exercised my right to vote today for the first time in my life. i want the world to know that i voted against george w. bush. i want the world to know that i DO NOT support his actions, decisions, or war-mongering as president and commander-in-chief of the once-great nation that is the united states of america. i want the world to know that i and most of the world believe whole-heartedly that mr. bush has greatly abused his power and it has ended and ruined thousands of lives - for what reason, one may ask - that i cannot answer, as i am not mr. bush and i refuse to try to put myself inside his head or conscience [if he even has one...] to try to speculate...

i want the world to know that as someone who has seen terrorism first-hand, the u.s.' so-called 'war on terrorism' won't ever end. hatred only breeds hatred. period. bombing, shooting, and terrorizing innocent people for the 'greater good' and abusing military power accomplish nothing but chaos. no - they accomplish nothing at all. this campaign - this 'mission' has no end. this 'war' is a modern-day red scare, a souped-up salem witch-hunt with the judges carrying pens and dictating their decrees to those who are required to follow the chain of command.

i am a patriotic person. with that said, i DO NOT support our current government. i do realize that i am privileged to be an american, but that does not mean that i can simply shut my eyes to what is happening outside of america. people are suffering - people are dying - if you watch anything other than fox news or read a good newspaper, you know this. if you can simply force yourself into a state of willing suspension of disbelief or self-induced ignorance, shame on you. if you are an american citizen and you don't vote [i don't care for whom...], shame on you... you have rights and until you don't have them anymore, you should exercise them with pride. people go through hell to try to earn those rights for themselves and their children and if you simply take them for granted... i don't even know what i could say to you, i just hope that you wake up one day.

i'm sorry if i come off as 'preacher-esque', but i read the newspaper [the international herald tribune] today [and actually almost every day since i've been in italy] and i've had conversations with several people here who didn't register for an absentee ballot because 'it was too much work.' i've lived in a place where people - women especially - don't have the choice to vote or not, don't have the right to live 'freely'... and trust me, being an american citizen is a privilege - one that should be appreciated.

so - to end my political rampage - please please please go vote. educate yourself. be proud when the time calls for it and humble when pride isn't needed. exercise your rights responsibly and with pleasure - voting is not a chore and should not be treated as one...

live your wonderful life to its absolute fullest because no matter how bad it really gets, your life is really, truly quite wonderful when it gets right down to it. enjoy every minute, every second of your 'freedom' because you really never know when someone could just take it away from you.