Comments on: Fear and Ignorance Should Not Be Cornerstones

By: Elisa

Elisa — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:06:34 +0000

Susan – I think you hit the nail right on the head. We have become afraid. We are letting fear take ahold of our minds and thus letting things happen even when we KNOW they are wrong.

I am also a firm believer that all fear is rooted in ignorance, not the unknown. There is little truly unknown in this information overloaded society. Instead there is more ignorance about issues and thus a fear built around misconceptions/untruths/misrememberings.

And therein lies the issue and truth of how we are allowing fear and ignorance to become the cornerstones of our society.

By: Elisa

Elisa — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:50:13 +0000

Cheila, thanks SO much for the “vote” of confidence in the State of Maine. I’ve written on a few other blogs how proud I was to be a resident and voting citizen of Maine and how ignorant it is to berate the State for it’s “decision.”

Instead of focusing on the near loss of real change why not focus instead on HOW CLOSE we came to making change a reality! And then work towards monopolizing on what was almost a majority vote! And then seeing the change happen!

Thanks for the positive and reaffirming spin on what was a very sad day for many of us here in Maine.
.-= Elisa´s last blog ..BlogCrush – Sean Ogle =-.

By: Beth

Beth — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:15:03 +0000

Is it totally lame that I cried when reading this post?
Either way, I really loved it. I think that the hardest part these days is the pessimism that many feel about the ability of positive thinking and positive revolution has to change the world. Ultimately, I think you are right – we have to really dig deep to make good things happen, but also to believe in those that are doing good.

Really powerful post, I absolutely love your writing style.

~Beth

By: Tom Bulger

Tom Bulger — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:14:33 +0000

Loved it. As usual. Do you think you should send it to the herald? I’m sure it speaks for many.

By: Elisa Doucette

Elisa Doucette — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:06:20 +0000

I once uploaded a Facebook Bumper Sticker…one of the most poignant I’ve ever seen:

Hate is Easy, Love takes Courage.

By: Elisa Doucette

Elisa Doucette — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:41:39 +0000

This may be my favorite comment of your on here.

It is very important to remember the 47% and be proud of them. It’s far too easy to write about the bad parts, we so often forget the good ones. And we do it so much that when we are finally faced with the tough decisions and situations, we defer to the bad. It’s what we’re familiar with. And familiar is safe.

There are so many things in life that are about doing the right thing, which are definitely not always easy.

By: Elisa Doucette

Elisa Doucette — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:17:26 +0000

It is much stronger than we sometimes realize. And it is one of the first things we lose our belief in when we are shaken. Fortunately it is most definitely stronger than us, we just have to learn to lean into it.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:04:01 +0000

Well written and well said. You know I agree with all you have said and supported the cause myself by making phone calls at the beginning of the campaign. I think it is too bad that people were voting more out of the fear that was raised by the Yes on 1 than on the issue of equality. 97% of their commercials were that our children were going to be taught about gay marriage in the schools. Unless schools have changed a lot, they are not taught that much about marriage until at high school. Hopefully by then, they will be adult enough and have been in the world enough to know that gays as well as straight people do make committments to each other (hopefully for life). Before that the thought of anything that speaks of sex taught in schools brings a huge outcry. I know sex ed is taught in like 6th grade and that contraceptives are handed out in some middle schools, but remember the outcry when that happened. I do hope and pray that when the issue comes before the voters again (and it will) that the equality group does speak to those who fear that their children will be taught stuff they don’t them to hear about. As you know I could go on and on about this but will end it with the love 2 people have for each other should be celebrated whether it is 2 straight people or 2 gay people. I feel that God only sees that they love each other.

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:15:52 +0000

Elisa:

Great post. GREAT post. This kind of event is tragic and horrific and, truth be told, I’m sickened when I hear such stories. Whatever happened to empathy? Whatever happened to compassion? Whatever happened to community? We have become so passive in our culture, so afraid to speak up, speak out, so afraid of whatever repercussions when the acts themselves seem far, far worse. This society has become one where we’re for ourselves. No longer do we look out for each other’s well-being, but, rather, only our own, only when it affects us. Are we forgetting that it all affects us? Each and every one of us?

It’s heartbreaking; it’s maddening. I’m glad that there are those who are standing up and speaking out because it cannot go on. We’re ruining ourselves; we’re ruining our future. I wish I could articulate how angry this makes me, but I really think you spoke so well for many. Thanks, Elisa.
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Taking A Stand: We Are Their Voice =-.

By: Tweets that mention Fear and Ignorance Should Not Be Cornerstones | Ophelias Webb -- Topsy.com

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:28:18 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Matt Cheuvront and Elisa Doucette, Cheila Esquilin. Cheila Esquilin said: A must read! RT @opheliaswebb Fear and Ignorance Should Not Be Cornerstones http://bit.ly/PzGZV [...]