As I told a friend earlier today, I don’t agree with Obama’s politics, but I am aware of and happy for the historic nature of his election. He’s also my president and I want him to be successful. His success comes, however, first at understanding that just under half of the nation did not support or believe in his politics and he needs to bridge that divide. That includes understanding by his supporters that this isn’t a referendum or mandate. This is a presidency over a fairly divided nation. Hate and ignorance comes in many forms. It’s more than racially or culturally motivated.

I’ve seen a good deal of name calling and statements like “taking back my country” and “finally proud of being an American, again”.  I’ve read people I respect calling Joe “the plumber” a douche-bag because he voiced his (when asked by the media) about Obama on Israel.  I’m ashamed of the hatred and class warfare. Try to remember the media machines and campaigns jumped on this guy. Obama came to his neighborhood. He didn’t go searching out Obama. Calling someone a “douche-bag” because he asked questions he felt were important to him of someone running to be HIS president… Oh, I guess if it’s meant humorously, it’s ok to attack someone.

But here’s the deal, Obama is questionable on his support of Israel.  You need to apply the same “question our leader” tactics people applied to Bush on Obama on topics he has not clearly voiced his opinion. Calling someone a douche for doing that is “unAmerican”. That’s not only his right, but our job as citizens.

I mean, that’s the point of America… being able to freely question our leaders and government. That’s how we became America. We didn’t want to be ruled or taxed by a government which did not have our best interests at heart. We felt it was our right to be able to question our government and demand that they represent what we care about. And we didn’t start out caring about everyone.  Poor, women and people of color were nothing more than property.  People fought those ideas and changed them over long, hard years (and still continues).  

Calling this guy names because you don’t agree with him is just wrong. Argue with him. Argue your point, but going after him personally is just sad.

People have said:

Calling somebody a douche is one of the most American things one can do.

It’s also especially American to have zero idea as to what you’re talking about and to insist that you’re right because “Jesus says so.” <name removed>’s a pretty shitty American in that regard.

I have no doubt about how “American” I feel my acquaintance is.  He came to this nation, worked his ass off to receive his citizenship and is vocal about his beliefs.  But, we should debate ideas and not attack people. It’s what we mostly criticize our politicians for doing and we should lead by example. Calling someone a douche isn’t American. It’s a waste of energy, weak and takes away from the disagreement of the ideas. It allows no progress to be made in proving a point, changing opinions or closing a divide. 

Criticizing someone because of their faith, race or political party is pretty much of the same level and something Americans have lost their life to stop. And I’m not talking about Iraq. I’m talking about the Revolutionary War, Civil War, the Suffrage Movement and the Civil Rights movement. Attack, the idea, not the person. That’s how change happens. Haven’t you been listening for the last year?

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It’s going to be a close one.  I could be wrong, but I believe the nation is more evenly divided than supporters of Obama think.  I hope McCain wins, but I’ll support whatever the outcome.

Here’s what scares me… all these extreme liberal hollywood-types, bloggers and twitterers who are loudly claiming that if Obama loses, they’re moving out of the country.  Or they are claiming blood will flow in a second civil war.  They are out there and they are saying it.  They said it in 2004, but shockingly, never moved.  I’ll tell them the same thing I told my son when, a few weeks back, he came up to me crying because he was terrified that Obama might become president.  It seems some kid at school told him that if Obama became president, everyone would lose their homes.

Calm down.

Breath.

Being an American is voicing your opinion, speaking out for your rights, debating issues, but supporting your President no matter who holds the office.  Both candidates are up for election because they are smart and care about their nation.  You may not agree with how they want to help people, but you have to accept that they do.  It’s your responsibility to inform them of your opinion through your local, state and federal representatives.  Protesting is your right, but respect the office and understand that even in a close election, millions of Americans agree with that individual. With the exception of three states and the District of Columbus, Bush received over 40% of the popular vote in the states that gave their electoral votes to Kerry in 2004.  

Do not dismiss points of view that you do not agree with.  Do not dismiss them out of hand as racist, uneducated, uninformed or selfish without discussing them with others.  Do not generalize.  Generalization leads to stereotyping which leads to prejudice.  Do not find hate where no hate is intended.

Talk to people.  Not just to people who believe what you believe, but to those who you don’t agree with.  At the end of the day, we all want the same basic things out of life.  Respect them for their differences and understand that it’s ok to disagree.

At the end of the day, one person in the Presidential office has little ability to disrupt directly my life.  The government can tax me more, but eliminating any of my rights has to come through Congress and my representatives.  Granted, if the Democrats receive a filibuster majority, passing laws that do not represent my interests my become easier. But put several hundred people together, several looking out only for their own interests, the chances of any socially impacting, economically impacting legislation is low.  It’s possible.  We’ve seen it before, but I’m not losing sleep.

I take responsibility for my financial outlook.  I manage my debt and work to earn a future for my family.  I will voice my approval or disapproval and in 2 to 4 years, the process will begin again.

I love my country.  I know these people I disagree with passionately about the direction or leadership love this country, too.

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I’m assuming you’ve found this post sometime in the distant future… maybe using Google’s new quantum search engine that searches the past in real time. Perhaps you’re on the eve of taking your 8 year old son or daughter to their first game. I hope so. I hope I’m there to go with you.

Mom and I wanted to wait thought we should wait to take you until you were old enough to appreciate the experience and not be overwhelmed. As you now know, an OSU football game in the Shoe can be exciting, roaring loud and an event to remember.

I was able to get tickets from a friend at work. They belonged to a member of the faculty she knew (one of the soccer coaches). It was OSU vs Ohio University (OU) and we sat in section 25A just above the southern end zone. I told you the Thursday before the game by giving you a red OSU hat (matching my own new one) and had you read the tickets. The smile spread quickly across your face and you punched the air with excitement. You were doubly excited because your best friend Zach was also going (his first game, too). It was a coincidence (all the best experiences start that way) and we actually ended up carpooling with him and his dad Steve.

The weather was perfect. It rained the day before so the temperature was in the high 70’s and it was partly cloudy. We got an early start to the day so we could go to a tailgate party a friend’s of Steve’s invited us all to. I don’t think you noticed as you and Zach were watching SpongeBob in the back of the van, but I was hit with a bit of stress. Steve asked me what our tickets looked like when it hit me that I forgot them. I mean I completely forgot them. Usually, I am so anal about these things that I would have put them in my wallet the night before, but they never entered my mind. Your mom was so great when I called. She gladly got your brother out of bed, jumped in the van with him and Maggie (Lauren spent the night at Grandma’s) and, battling game day traffic, dropped them off to us at the tailgate party.

After you and Zach devoured frosted cookies and a couple cans of Coke, we headed to the skull session for The Best Damn Band In The Land (TBDBITL - The OSU Marching Band) in St. John Arena. I think you were impressed and a bit in awe of all the people and the skill and coordination of the band. Besides TBDBITL, the OU band, a high school band from Springfield, OH and one from the Ohio State School for the Blind played. They were all really good.

As we walked across the street to the Shoe, you spotted the cheerleaders performing to a small crowd and laughed out loud at a small boy with a scarlet and gray wig. Before the main entrance, I bought you a program and each of us buckeye seat cushions (your’s red, mine white). When we got into the stadium, we sat down against a wall and ate some Donatos pizza (cheese for you, pep for me). Steve and Zach went up to their seats, we grabbed some skittles and headed to ours.

Your first comment to me was “I thought the field would be bigger”. I think the stadium dwarfed it for you. There was a good crowd around us in the sea of scarlet and gray… 6 or so guys from OU, a young couple from OSU, a couple of older season pass holders, etc. The OU guys started getting a little profane, but when they saw you, they actually commented that they needed to tone down the language. It gave me a new respect for this next generation coming along.

Throughout the game, you went back and forth between watching the game in front of you and live/replays on the big score board overhead. As the crowds stood, you’d jump onto your seat. The young couple on your right gave you high-5’s on every good play. You’d smile shyly but as the game progressed you became more and more confident. Every time the crowd started a cheer, you’d throw your arms up in the O H I O as required, with passion. During the half-time game, TBDBITL did a tribute to the movie Top Gun and when they marched into the formation of a jet fighter with actual smoke shooting out of the back, you exclaimed “SWEET!”

The game itself wasn’t a great one for OSU. We won 26-14, but trailed the first half while expected to really beat OU with little challenge. The last quarter was a great comeback.

We met up with Zach and Steve outside the stadium and as you walked next to Zach, seat cushion tight in your arm, hat down on your brow, chattering about the perfection of “our” team, I knew a Buckeye was born.

I don’t know if you will remember this day, but it is one of those I will hold tightly to. This was a day for a son and father and I am so grateful to have spent it with you.

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