Engaging the "Other side"

I have recently chimed in to a conservative blog regarding "homosexuality and judicial activism." No doubt my posts meet an audiance who live on the opposite pole of the political spectrum as I. Words and sarcasm have been thrown left and right. Insults, intellectual jabs and factual sparring galour. It's fun. A distraction and perhaps a form of meaningless procrastination.

Or, maybe not.

If one person on this conservative blog who formerly feared/loathed the idea of a "homosexual judge/judicial activist" comes even a step closer to better understanding that the LGBT community is not out to ruin their traditional religious faith and practices, but rather that we can and hopefully will live as one big diverse disagreeing happy family--then my time has not been wasted, not entirely.Political battles are like clicks on steroids. We other the other more and more and end up on opposite ends of the world with regard to perspective, language, and how the issues are shaped for debate. Perhaps if we walk and talk in similar circles more often our language and values won't be so foreign, perhaps at some point more comprehensible and with time reconcilable.

see for your self: http://katysconservativecorner.typepad.com/katy/2008/02/conservative-hu.html

a lost cause? maybe. maybe not.

Saying Goodbye

I miss my father.

Family weekend is coming up, as is the PILF auction. It is always a fabulous event. Everyone is going. Nevertheless, I am headed up to Philly. PILF last year was the last time I saw my father and it was 'family weekend.' I thought it would just be a bit much to be there. So, I am headed to see family up in Philly :)

On the bright side, that evening was by far one of the best evenings I have had with my father. He sponsored the Chemerinsky Dinner and we won! We high fived. It was picturesque. Just after that, he left with Karen, my stepmother and the next morning they flew back to Dallas. Two months later, almost to the day, he died. That evening was the last time I saw him.

Friends framed a picture that was taken of him and me at the auction that night. It sits on my bookshelf, where I can see it before I head to bed and when I get up in morning.

Family weekend/PILF 2007 will continue to be cherished memory.

This is the eulogy I wrote from his memorial service last May...

I happened to inherit my Dad’s handwriting, and as some of you may know its little in cognizable at times, so bear with me as I read my own…

Dad,

I want you to know how many priceless memories I have of the last 27 years and how influential you have been in my life.

Some of my fondest memories with you were when I was young.

I remember watching TV on your lap for Sunday morning football, camping in the airstream in New Mexico and hanging out in your sink while you got ready for work.

And then there are the more recent memories of our great times together…

From your Steaks w/ jalapeños to your fast cars, Porsches and Mercedes you made the holidays and the everyday all the more momentous.

But you also, from a very early on encouraged me to aim high…

So much so that you sent me a Smith College Catalogue when I was ten years old and low and behold I ended up at their rival... seven sisters college, mount Holyoke.

You supported me in my love of ridding horses and bought me my first horse Charlie who I shipped off to college with me. Who knew you could ship a horse you said and laughed.

You also encouraged us to live big and have fun … when we were young you took us to all the greatest sites a kid could appreciate, Disneyland, Disney world, six flags and SeaWorld.

And the movies, we loved to go to the movies together and we always snuck in food most likely our favorite schlozkis.

From the momentous to the everyday, I hope you know that I cherished all those times we had together.

And form work to golf to running you always somehow made it look easy.

I have always admired that about you.

And while I may never quite replicate that level of accomplishment. I will take your dedication and aspiration w/ me always.

I know one thing for sure though…the 7:30pm bedtime and 4am wake up is not in the cards for me.

And even though we didn’t always agree we had great intellectual and political debates on everything from the Duke Lacrosse case to modern psychoanalytic theory.

You supported me in infinite ways to pursue my dreams w/ diligence, passion and hard work.

You were always an example that even the most difficult task can be done if you put your mind and heart to it.

I will forever cherish you as a father, a friend, and a diligent soul.

I will forever be your Emmie, your Goobie, and your little girl.

I love you Dad.