My youngest (and most outspoken) daughter let me know that some adults made comments to her yesterday while she was in a local restaurant about her mother being in the paper. My oldest daughter received text messages from friends wanting to know why I was protesting. I gave my daughters the guidance that if they were asked why I was on TV or in the newspaper they are to tell them to talk to me. My daughters have a voice! However, do not bring your adults battles on them. My inbox on facebook has been full since this issue came to light with both people who are concerned and those who disagree with me. I have made my best attempt to respond to each and every email promptly. I have tried to contact those who sent me messages disagreeing with me via phone to try and get an understanding. Because I do want to understand where the thought process is coming from.
In short, I lost yesterday. I stood up for what I believed in and the commission voted the other way. As I said when I stood up, I respect the men for the position they are in, but I disagree on this issue of denying the grant. I am for fairness! I am for what is best for all citizens of our community.
While I was at the meeting my youngest daughter heard someone call me a socialist. In her 9 year old mind, she thought, "sure my mom has a lot friends". In a phone call last evening I was referred to as a "liberal socialist". And in response, I will say this.........you can call me names if you want to, but I would rather you have a conversation with me to explain your viewpoint. Liberal and Socialist are some of the nicer names I have been called this week and I will not write up the rest of the terms used. I understand that people are passionate and emotional over this issue and I can take the name calling, but I hope we can then move forward and work together.
I am not shocked nor offended that there is another view on this issue of birth control. So if you are using this to define me as a liberal you are off base. I asked several times for people who disagreed with me to explain there view. I only had one individual willing to speak openly with me and agree to work forward to the common good. Mike Dixon and I will never agree on this issue, however Mike I am holding you to your word that you will be working hard in the community as you promised to serve our community in response to the loss of $32,000 to the health department.
I work in a field where I see young women thriving and I also see young women struggling. It is my goal to empower them all the be the best mother, wife and woman they can be. I do not give up on people, because I believe in the greater good of the human population. I will not apologize for taking a stand. I believe it was irresponsible to loose an entire grant based on a $9000 opinion.
You are an inspiration! I am proud to know you and your family.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work! Love your proud Sister, happy to stand arm in arm. "unless someone like you cares a awful lot, nothing is going to,get better it's not" The Lorax
ReplyDeleteCallie,
ReplyDeleteI am so proud to call you family. You are so amazing and such an inspiration. So many of us are conditioned and seem to just fall in line and not ask questions, or even ask all the wrong ones. It's those people who hold back change for the better and progress. You on the other hand, are one of those rare people who really don't back down and you make a genuine difference. It may not seem like progress at this point but you have made yourself heard - you have made us all heard. Thank you for what you have done and what I know you will continue to do! <3
-Stephanie Betz
Well said sister! I love you and am very proud of you!!! I back you 110%! Beth
ReplyDeleteI'm very proud to call you my friend. Love you! Sarah
ReplyDeletePowerful, Passionate, Determined, Self Assertive, Tenacious and Influential is how you are described at my house!
ReplyDeleteIn the final analysis it was not you but Miami County who lost yesterday. It is far easier to paint a person with derogatory words than do the difficult work of listening, learning, and arriving at appropriate conclusions which can be translated into public policy. A Republican war on women bolstered by Establishment Clause violating bias is not acceptable. We have to stand firm and not allow the light of reason and science be diminished by the darkness of certain religious perspectives.
ReplyDeleteI suspect a couple of County Commissioners will find out how unacceptable this is in November. Keep up the good work.
You are an amazing example to girls and women alike. My girls look up to you and I can't think of a better role model for them. I want to be just like you when I grow up. :). Eileen Inscore
ReplyDelete"So, these people attack children! What does that make these people? I am curious. What kind of sick individual does it take to pick on a child? What do these types call themselves? Callie, "if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything."--Alexander Hamilton
ReplyDeleteOur country is being ripped apart by the toxic behaviors of the politically brainwashed. Bush taught us that the terrorists are bad people, yet so many of his party members, behave like terrorists. The hate mongerers can't get over the fact that a 1/2 black man was elected president. They have been fussing like babies with messy pants, for 3 years. Bush said, "if you aren't with us, you are against us." So where is the patriotism in cussing and name calling your neighbor? Where is that in the Civics book? In the Bush Administration anti-terrorist handbook? Where may one find it in the Bible, the Koran, the Torah?
For those using "liberal" as some kind of slur, I would challenge them to define the word. Most I know, can't. For me, I am proud to be a liberal and to be recognized as one. It puts me the same category with some pretty amazing beings. Jesus, Franklin Roosevelt, and about every one of Founding Fathers, but the one I like most, Benjamin Franklin. To help the name callers with the lesson, I have provided the relevant Webster's definition of the word, "liberal:" • (in a political context) favoring maximum individual liberty in political and social reform: a liberal democratic state. Most of these characteristics are professed by people like Ron Paul, and about 3/4 of the Teapublican Party.
Now, the name "socialist" is a little more ticklish. I would challenge most that use it as a "character assassination" to spell it, and define it. Once again, Jesus would have qualified. As well Dwight Eisenhower (shied from farm subsidies, social security and unemployment reductions), Trick Dick Nixon (Title X), and The Supreme Court of 1922, as well as Republican President Harding (implementing the farm subsidies which the Court upheld). The definition of "socialism" for those incapable of looking it up: a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole. Now, this definitely makes the Republicans and their radical Tea Party wing, definitely socialists, if you listen to their rhetoric of small government.
I agree with the above comment, "you are an inspiration!"
Liberal, socialist? Where do I sign up? Stand for what you believe in, you'll sleep better at night knowing that you have inteGRITy. When you know who you are and what you believe so will others. Stand Strong!
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