When I first set out to write this, I had grand plans to break it into very organized sections, make it very structured. But then I started thinking about the way I communicate ... it's rarely structured or organized. So, this is it. This is me ... free form.

Since I'm writing this in fall of '04, when the election junk is running strong, let's start there. I am pretty near apolitical. I consider myself neither Republican nor Democrat, and I very rarely discuss politics, as I admit to having almost zero interest in or knowledge/grasp of it. I know that sometimes the apathy of my generation and younger is a disgrace to many people, but there are more than enough people out there only too willing to enter into debate without knowing any facts. I'm the opposite .. I know very few facts and I'm not interested in debating them, usually. If I were forced to choose one or the other, I would probably lean more toward the Republican than the Democrat side.

I believe anyone should be able to get married, regardless of sex. I mean, they should be having it, but ... no, no. I just mean that gay, straight, I couldn't really care less. If you love one another, I think you ought to be able to be legally joined, if that's your desire. As for the people who say that same-sex marriages degrade the sanctity of their own marriage? To me that's like this: You're standing in a long line for ice cream on a 97º day in the hot sun, getting your favorite cone (for me it'd be pistachio). You get your cone and step aside, letting the next person in line pay for theirs. They look at your cone and say, "Wow, I love pistachio ice cream, too! I'd like one of those." Upon their purchasing the same cone, it has somehow made yours seem bitter, so you storm over and grab their cone and throw it down in the dirt, somehow making yourself feel better, more superior ... "special" somehow. Come to think of it, didn't Aesop have something to say about that?

I believe that the average citizen should be able to own a handgun for personal protection. I think there should be very strict screening processes, and that training should be mandatory, but I don't think that citizens should be stripped of their right to protect their home and their families. Anyone who thinks that those who mean to do harm to someone will somehow be unable to get a gun to do so is, in my opinion, not living quite firmly in reality. Will someone with criminal intent find themselves hindered by the fact that owning a gun is all of a sudden illegal? Come on, now.

I believe in going to war in order to ensure some sort of security and safety in the United States, and I am so thankful to every single person involved in and sacrificing for the war against terrorism. Whatever one can say bad about Bush, there are a few things you can't deny: 1. He got dealt a pretty tough deal when first in office. I'm not sure how any of us would handle the WTC tragedy, and being held responsible for (and under constant public scrutiny) and expected to somehow magically make it better without some form of retalliation. 2. The acts of terrorism within the U.S., as compared to other areas in the world, have been pretty darn minimal since then. We have, to a large degree, been fairly well protected since the WTC. 3. It's my belief that a President is really nothing but a face and a pawn, anyway. You're not voting for "a man" .. you're voting for "his staff."

I believe in a woman's right to have an abortion, up to 3 months into the pregnancy. I do not believe in it as a form of birth control, however.

This next one may shock those who know me well, but I do admit that I hesitatingly believe in humane (as humane as possible) animal testing for medical research. What I don't believe in is animal testing for cosmetics and such. What I'd rather see happen, however, is to see medical testing be conducted on prisoners who are in prison for life for rape or murder.

Ah, and here's a great segue. I support the death penalty, in cases of serial or first degree murder or gang/violent/serial rape or rape of children. If we can't test cancers and other deadly diseases on them, then I think we ought to be rid of them. I do not believe that rapists or murderers of these sorts can be rehabilitated. The drive is too innate and is something a person is born with. Even if, in the case of a rapist, you remove their sexual organs, I believe the drive and tendencies will manifest themselves in other violent and dangerous ways. There are studies that say that rapists and murderers rarely repeat their offenses after the age of 70. I, in turn, question their value to society after spending a lifetime in prison and then rejoining it at the age of 70 or later. As far as I'm concerned, their crimes took enough from society already, and a life in prison prolongs their "leech" status and is far more than they deserve.

I don't really believe in God. I was raised with 12 years of Cathechism, and now refer to myself as a "recovering Catholic." I think the Bible was written by a bunch of old guys on the Isle of Man, eating magic mushrooms. I also think it's a little short-sighted to think that the Bible hasn't changed in translations over the years. A few years ago I started to research different religions and belief systems and I discovered that many of my current thoughts and beliefs fell right in line with Buddhism. Not all of my beliefs, obviously, being a proponent of the death penalty. But no one's perfect, right? *smile*

I do believe that pot is a gateway drug and I don't believe in its legalization.

I believe that people who drive drunk or stoned deserve to have the book thrown at them, and if they are involved in an accident that kills another person, they should be convicted of murder .. no questions, no ifs, ands or buts. No appeals, no sob stories ... do the crime, pay the time.

I believe that children are often made to grow up way too fast these days. They're kids, for crying out loud .. don't make them into cynical little adults.

I believe that dogs are far better pets than cats (not that I'm biased or anything). ha ha.

I think that if I am as qualified as a man doing the same job as me, I should be paid the same (or maybe a little more, since I'm so damned pleasant to be around).

You know ... in my research of Buddhism, there was one very interesting thing that I don't think I'll ever forget. You're probably familiar with the old addage, "in with the good, out with the bad", referring to breathing in oxygen and out carbon dioxide. Well, in the Buddhist teachings, it's "in with the bad, out with the good." That hit me like a ton of bricks. The thinking behind it is that you can take the bad around you and make it good, just by breathing, effectively creating a better immediate environment and sending it out in the world. What an amazing thought! I think that if more people felt this way .. like they could affect the world in such a positive manner just by focusing on their breath .. well, it might just make it a better place for all of us to hang out.

I'm sure I've forgotten some things, and I'll add them in as I think of them, but this should give you a better idea of who I am (for better or worse .. ha ha). This shouldn't be considered an invitation to argue with me regarding my beliefs. If you want to debate something, fine. Take me out for coffee, buy me a nice white mocha, and we can "debate" .. but I refuse to argue with someone about these things. I will, however, almost always listen to opposing points of view. I may not always agree, but I'll usually listen, anyway. For now, that's it .. I'm done .. I'm putting aside my soapbox and heading to bed.