Love is War

Re-blog from my other blog, "Speaking 4 Life." Here's a thought on marriage and relationships.

I was at Oktoberfest at my church earlier this month and a small, insignificant disagreement arose between my wife and I. Immediately one of our friends asked, "Is there anything you two don't argue about?" Firstly, I'd like to point out that a disagreement between two people doesn't automatically mean that they are arguing. Secondly, the word "argument" is not rightly understood because in no definition of the word is there any hint of malice or anger, just a debate, difference of opinion, or rationale.

But here's something that most people don't seem to understand: all marriages will come with arguments (as in disagreements, not the angry kind). That's because we are all individuals with opinions, likes, dislikes, and whatnot. It's when those disagreements become angry and hate-filled that we have a problem (and yes, every marriage will have experienced a slamming door at one point). The real question is how do you handle those situations and how do you move past them?

Do you hold on to grudges or do you forgive each other? Do you want to mold your spouse into your vision of him/her or do you accept him/her for who she is? Do you work at the marriage or do you just give up? Sometimes there is no hope because the other person doesn't want to listen or change, but do you have no patience and move on too quickly?

I wanted to share this song with an interesting theme: love is war, but it's worth fighting for. 

Moderates Only Want Compromise if It's Their Way

I admit it. I would be considered ultra conservative in my political beliefs. I believe in the US Constitution, the rule of law, smaller governnment, states' rights, individual liberty but life lived in community, and I am a social conservative.

I lean right on almost every issue. Recently, I had an interesting conversation with some colleagues who are more moderate. Their position is that the Republicans need to rally behind one person in the next presidential election or they will lose again. Of course, their idea was that a moderate candidate is the one who will lead the way.

I believe that the Republicans need someone who will stand for something and not compromise his/her morals just to get elected, even if he/she is seen to be more rightist than centralist. Let's get something straight, in the last two presidential elections, I believe the Republicans did settle for moderate/centrist candidates. I went the party line and voted for them...and they lost. Maybe it's time for someone who is not a centrist to be the Republican candidate for president...maybe Sen. Ted Cruz, Dr. Ben Carson, or Rep. Michele Bachmann (may favorite three currently although I'd vote for Sarah Palin or Alan Keyes in a heartbeat).

The problem is, my colleagues kept espousing the need to get behind one candidate as long as the candidate was a moderate/centrist. They both balked at the idea of voting for a conservative/rightist. So even though I've compromised and voted centrist in order to try to get a Republican president elected, they wouldn't vote for a rightist to achieve the same goal.

In fact, one person said she would vote for Hilary Clinton if Clinton were to be the Democratic candidate for president versus a rightist Republican like Cruz. I guess the moderate Republicans will only compromise if it's their candidate.

What You're Used To

I grew up in New York City and have walked around Manhattan at some strange hours of the night but I've never felt out of place or worried. Last night (Sunday), I was walking around a part of Washington, D.C., that was mostly office buildings and it felt a little creepy. It wasn't that late at night, only 7:00 p.m., but the sun had set and the were few cars around. There were people walking and running, but it didn't feel quite right.

I guess it's just what you're used to that makes the difference.