Coingate

In keeping with Lanigan and Malone's Monday Moaning, I am starting a new series just to complain about things that really piss me off.... So, again, you have been warned. Proceed at your own risk. : )

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*Originally written April 22, 2006*

The only radio station that I listen to *ever* is WMJI - the oldies station. Every once in awhile, Lanigan and Malone (the morning show) have Betty Montgomery on the show. She's the Republican Auditor of the state of Ohio. This, by itself, is fine. I really enjoyed when she was on because she has always seemed to be a pretty liberal conservative.... Until now. At least twice a day, I hear her campaign commercials on the radio. Or, I guess I should say commercial because she has just one. And, it really pisses me off. She talks about the "motto of the great state of Ohio: with God all things are possible." She continues by mentioning how the ACLU fought against the motto, saying that it was a First Amendment violation.

"When seen in context (Matthew 19:23-26), the state motto, which was adopted in 1959, is a clear violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The motto not only supports religion over non-religion, which has been ruled unconstitutional, it supports a particular religion and a particular doctrine (divine intervention versus the disinterested God who helps those who help themselves) over all others. The motto is an expression of fundamental religious commitment and it is the imposition of a particular religion on a democracy which has articulated the value of separation of church and state for over 200 years." (Referenced from: http://cadfile.dougberger.net/humanism/motto/mottohtm.html)

Now, personally, I don't give a shit what the Ohio state motto is. I don't care that the pledge of allegiance says "one nation under God." And, I really could care less that our currency says "In God we trust." Why? Because I realize that others have the right to believe in their religion, no matter how stupid or blind I think they are. That's the beauty of America. I can say whatever I want (unless I'm threatening someone), and no one can say shit about it.

However, Ms. Montgomery has overstepped her political boundaries, in my opinion. First, the invoking of religion to win an election is just sad. Using the ignorant blind faith of the sheeple (rhymes with people) of this state proves that she really has no other issues that work in her favor. May I remind you of the "Coingate" scandal?

In addition, her blatant disgust for the ACLU and others that do not share her opinion simply shows her own ignorance. Just because you disagree with someone's opinion does NOT mean that you are better than them, that they are wrong, or that you are right. A hell of a lot of people thought the world was flat, Ms. Montgomery. I just find it funny (OK, not exactly *funny*) that most of the civil rights crushing in this country is directly related to a book that was compiled from hundreds of sources over thousands of years. It contains two stories of creation that completely contradict each other and no less than FOUR accounts of Jesus's birth. (Yes, I've read the Bible several times. I'm not just spitting out random shit.) Accurate? If you think so, then great. You have the right to think that, and no one should ever be able to silence you because of your beliefs. That is your right.

The whole reason that this country was founded was RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. That is what the Pilgrims and others were seeking when they left Europe. Can you even imagine how bad it must have been for whole families to risk their lives crossing the Atlantic just to be able to practice the religion that they want? And now, Americans are doing the same things that our ancestors tried to escape so many centuries ago. People who do not believe in the religion of the majority (that's Protestant Christianity for those who may not be sure) are still persecuted and discriminated against.

I have the right to be the person I want to be, just the same as everyone else. I have the right to do what I please - AS LONG AS I DON'T INFRINGE ON THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS - THE SAME RIGHTS THAT I AM GUARANTEED. If I want to swear in a restaurant while conversing with the others at my table, I can. If I choose to not have children, but end up pregnant, I have to right to free my body of the parasite which inhabits it. If I were to choose to marry a woman, I should be able to.

NO ONE IN THIS WORLD HAS THE RIGHT TO NOT BE OFFENDED. NO WHERE IN THE CONSTITUTION, BILL OF RIGHTS, OR ANYWHERE ELSE (BIBLE INCLUDED) DOES IT SAY THAT ANYONE HAS THE "GOD-GIVEN" RIGHT TO STIFLE MY BELIEFS AND RIGHTS UNLESS I HAVE CAUSED PHYSICAL HARM TO ANOTHER PERSON.