I have never said much in the way of politics since its usually such a delicate subject and I don’t like confrontation.  However, as I get older (and my geriatric hip pain is the real evidence) I am much less worried about a potential disagreement.  Living part time in Georgia, I knew there would be an adjustment.  It’s the south, people are different than folks in the Northeast.  I am clearly from the Northeast.  I even have a slight residual Long Island accent to prove it.  (Joelle caught a glimpse of it when I visited and giggled).  One of the main differences between Georgia and New York is that here, people assume.  In New York, you never assume anything about someone because you might put your foot in your mouth if you do. You don’t assume their religious beliefs, you don’t assume their heritage, their relationship preferences, sexual preferences, economic status, and you certainly don’t assume their political views.  In Georgia, most people assume you are just like them.  At a local establishment the other day I started chatting with the sales girl and while we waited she did just that.  Assumed.  She assumed I was a Christian Republican and started gushing about how great it was that McCain selected Sarah Palin and “how great is she???”.

I swallowed hard and plainly told her I didn’t care for Palin and her political or religious views but that it was nice to see women playing a bigger role in higher political positions.  I also got an earful about her views on abortion and how if you choose an abortion you will be “judged later” in that “you know what I mean” tone.  She simply “could not vote for someone who is FOR abortion”.  Right, because supporting a woman’s right to choose means you support abortion.  *insert huge eye roll* But it’s ok to shoot innocent animals from a helicopter, apparently. 

I didn’t get into it with her that I firmly believe in a woman’s right over her own life and body.  That it makes me sick to think that some Christian politician can decide what I can and cannot do.  That doesn’t mean I support abortion, it means I support human rights.  I am voting for Obama this election and I am most certainly not a Christian.  I may need to send a memo to Georgia about that.

Wow, totally didn’t intend on posting a political diatribe this morning.