CLARIFYING WHO I AM...
It is interesting, sometimes hilarious, the conclusions people draw about me from my blog. Remember, this blog is but one tiny piece of who I am. And I have tried in the past to post information about myself, but people come in and out of reading here, and they have no idea who I am. So...
I suppose it is fair to label me a liberal. I'm certainly not a right-winger. But the word liberal has been so prostituted from uneducated and unread people from the right, that it has lost its meaning. I am an egalitarian, I suppose. Yes, I believe in a democracy like the U.S., if there are some benefits offered to some people, then they should be available for all. We are individuals in the U.S., but we are also a collective society of equal partner citizens. Therefore I share my benefits and my hardships with everyone. I am proud to feel this way because I see it as the true responsibility of a citizen and a human.
I was baptized and confirmed in a predecessor denomination of what is now the United Methodist Church. I am not a Methodist. I was educated in a Lutheran college and served in two administrative capacities in the Lutheran church, but I am not a Lutheran. I got a graduate degree from a Jesuit university and served as vice president of a Benedictine college, but I am not a Roman Catholic. I am not an atheist. In fact, I try my best not to codify my life anymore than is absolutely necessary. So, please stop putting labels on me that do not stick. While I have spent some time in the field of education, I have a far more diversified background. I've held positions in education, health care and medicine, music, etc., and I have worked in a factory, on a farm, and in the recreation field. Don't categorize me, please.
I was born in the Midwest, worked in the Plains states, worked in Washington [DC], and lived in many Midwestern states. I have traveled extensively in North America and Europe. In some ways, I have picked up enlightening aspects of all those geographic areas and a variety of cultures and religions. I am proud to be considered universal in my thinking, and a representative of the human race. All the rest is lots of wasted effort to defend or foster a specific, selfish, usually prejudicial belief system. I do not have that need or desire.
I have given speeches throughout North America and Europe, and I've been interviewed in the media locally, regionally, nationwide, and internationally. My ideas and opinions have not been limited to this small outlet of blogs. But I am pleased to be here. I do not edit out anything you write to me, and do not even know how to erase comments. I wish the comments posted were a little more civil on both sides.
I have three wonderful children, and five adorable grandchildren.
My hand is extended in friendship. I hate bigotry. I can learn from everybody. I'm somewhat filled with compassion, empathy, tolerance, and try to be a good human being. When I see intolerance or selfish advantage, I point it out. I do not much care for materialism and certainly detest greed.
Read me here, judge me if you must, but please don't misrepresent who I am or what I support or criticize. Whether you like it or not, we are in this thing together.
I am not, nor have I ever been a member of a political party.
