History

I witnessed history yesterday. Barrack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President, and more historically, the first African American President. I often was astonished by all the events my parents and grandparents have bare witnessed to in their lifetimes. I do not overlook any event that has occurred in the 27 years I was born. My first memory being the Space shuttle Challenger explosion. But yesterday, yesterday was different. A moment that will spark, or hope to spark, change throughout our great nation, politically and culturally. A positive change. I hope for a new dawn. It seemed perfect timing. I have to wonder if the failures, the vastness unmeasurable, of President Bush help stir the need for such a desire for change throughout this land. It is this desire that helped Barrack Obama come to be elected.

I have never once doubted I would see in my lifetime the first black president, just like I know one day I will see the first female president. (I am still a solid supporter of Hillary Clinton!) I know I am of a different generation. A generation that was raised on the belief of equality. Such a belief that previous generations fought so hard to achieve. What they did not realize, is their goal was already achieved. What they fought so hard for, was a truth in my generation's mind. It is only now, that I have realized this.Still, the inauguration of the first African American president is a great achievement and step in the fight for equality.

What is sad is I question whether I will see in my lifetime the first openly gay president. I believe I will but it is still with hesitation I hold that belief. The challenges the gay community face still are overwhelming. A belief that the LGBT community does not deserve the same rights as Heterosexuals is held strong in teh minds of many citizens. Our struggles are not only against individuals, but churches. Organized Religion remains the biggest supporter of anti-homosexual agenda. Not to say, there are churches and religious communities who support homosexuals, but they are most certainly out-weighed.

I would love to be the first openly Gay President. I guess I would have to get into politics first. My friends laugh at such a prospect. I do feel I was intended for greater good. I know I may not be ready for such steps. However, I also know I have not made any efforts to change. Maybe it is time. Maybe 2009 will provide me the opportunities to change. Maybe with the election of Obama, the election of change and hope, will keep it's spark alive in me.

A segment from my facebook..

Matthew joined the group 1,000,000 Strong to Strip the Mormon Church of its Tax Exempt Status. 7:12am - Comment - Show Comments (8)Hide Comments (8)

Jilly Harrigan at 8:35am January 21
May I ask why?

Matthew Kalinowsky at 2:21pm January 21
for funding support for Prop 8 in california

Sean Stidham at 2:38pm January 21
Matt when people ask why, let them know they fueled an out of state campaign to take away the rights we already had to marry. Even knowing that the campaign grossly lied, mislead the public and exploited children, they still asked their members to go above and beyond to stop gay marriage and poured millions of dollars into the campaign. They more than crossed the line legally and morally.

Jilly Harrigan at 2:52pm January 21
Matt's answer was good enough for me

Meghan Hunt at 3:03pm January 21
Well, by Sean's reasoning, then we should really start rallying to strip the Catholic Church of its tax exempt status, don't you think? And any other church who has tax exempt status under the 503(c)(3) standard.

Religious zealots will pay money to further their cause...I don't agree with it, but don't single out the Mormon church when there are hundreds of others out there who do the same thing. Be fair - strip them all.

Matthew Kalinowsky at 3:32pm January 21
oh meg i agree.. i think they all SHOULD have their tax exempt status taking away. (What better time for politicians to make the move than a failing economy!) But because of recent highly coordinated and directed efforts on the Mormon church towards the LGBT community, we feel it rightfully so to start with them. Any church or organization that wants to financially support the efforts that deny rights to any human being should not be allowed to than turn around and qualify to be tax exemption. Churches have gone to far and if the LGBT community has to be the one to finally step up to the plates, mostly because of being targeted by the religious community, than we must take up this challenge.

Basically... if you didn't want to read all that... the Mormon church will be the scapegoats. We got to start somewhere!

Meghan Hunt at 3:37pm January 21
I completely agree. :) And I find it beautifully ironic that a church will be used as a scapegoat - any church, really, because yes, I am that much of an agnostic. :D

Did you see today that Obama is freezing and cutting the salaries of key lobbyists and aides in the White House and he's making them to go ethics training? How great is that?! DC is so clogged it needs a political enema just to breathe again - hopefully the Obama administration will be the saline solution it needs (and yes, that was a poor analogy, but I made it just for you, Mr. Nurse man - because I love you).

Matthew Kalinowsky at 4:02pm January 21
More and more I have falling in love with Obama, especially today with his executive orders. I was still a little unsure whether he would truly foster the needed change, but I am a true believer! (I am particularly thrilled with his renewable energy policies, for the environment is a golden cause of mine )

I must admit ... a good poop reference, including enemas, is always welcomed !!! May I suggest though a milk & honey enema (yes i have seen, luckily not on my patient, such an order in the hospital), i feel it is all natural way to flush out the impurities in Washington.