Why can't Johnny vote?

As I was driving home yesterday I heard a story on NPR radio concerning voting rights in the state of Ohio. Apparently a judge has struck down a portion of a voting rights law that was passed in 2005. (Okay, I'm going on memory here so don't feel the need to point our every minor detail. That isn't the point of this). The Attorney General and Secretary of State must now not enforce a provision of is package of laws that states that one can not register to vote and vote on the same day.

The reason behind this ruling is that it discriminates against minorities (African-Americans were specifically mentioned) and low income groups. This judge ruled it unconstitutional and also that it violates the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Now, since I am not a lawyer I will not argue the constitutionality of his ruling. What I will argue however is that this practice is not discriminatory. If I were an African-American I think I would be insulted by this statement.

Well, why would it be discriminatory? Don't people of all races know an election is coming up? Don't people of all races have a television set that has the ability to turn on a news channel? Don't the vast majority of people in the United States have access to the internet? Sure they do. All of these resources are present for everyone, White, Black, Latino et al. It's what you choose to do with these resources and how to make use of them that sets any one individual or group apart. There are plenty of African-Americans that understand the voting laws and, guess what? Go down and register to vote so they can vote on election day. Hell, it's more than just one day now. You can vote ahead of time.

I believe this is only discriminatory against those people who are either too lazy to get off their butts or are simply too stupid to be aware of the society around them. If you are more interested in watching the Kardashians than the nightly news, that's a 'your problem' issue. Once again we have someone or a group of someones pointing the finger at someone else blaming them for their own lack of knowledge and inaction. You're a victim only because you want to be and you're only way out and to feel better about yourself is to blame others.

A step away from forever

Our venture into a world away from home.

I see the shoreline, the water’s edge as it laps against the white sands once held only in my dreams. Long has it been since I have gazed upon the edge of the world in its vastness. The salt spray tickles my nose, its scent of ocean caressing shore is pungent as it lingers above that which locks me firmly within its grasp.

I step gingerly upon the oceans residue and feel its warmth upon my skin. I bury my toes deep and feel the grainy texture, soft as a mother’s touch. I stride more confidently out to the water’s edge. Nature’s touch again brings its caress as the lapping sea spills its white foam surrounding me for the briefest of moments before retreating again to the depths of a turquoise shelf.

We begin our sojourn, my Beloved and I along the banks of the world. We stride hand in hand as the cradle of the world’s life ebbs and flows around us. A tidal pool, lost from the ocean’s embrace as low tide abandons its child, simmers in the early morning sunlight. The waves push and pull across our feet beckoning us outward as though they were driven by God’s own breath.

The minuscule shells, remnants of a world unseen tumble their way up the shelf and ride back down again toward the bottom below. Their number uncountable, they splinter and crumble as they continue their never-ending journey upon the beach they will one day become. My tender skin protected from winter’s wrath by the tools of my trade, thick-soled boots and socks that bandage my skin have left me vulnerable to each step I take barefoot upon the world. I cringe with each step as their edges rake beneath my alabaster feet, the morning sun warm upon my shoulders ... and it is magnificent.