make mine barack.
Whether you've already decided that Barack Obama is definitely your candidate, or maybe you're still undecided - here's a way to contribute to the campaign & receive a piece of art that (beautifully) gets your point across to others.
For us, this election is about our right as American citizens to choice. We want to live in a country that accepts its people... ALL of them. A country that believes in the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence as they pertain to the freedom of all who reside here, and that does not discriminate against its citizens on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious creed, social status, or station.
We do not believe this is a matter of Democrat vs. Republican. When Abraham Lincoln became our first Republican president, he redefined the way our nation saw itself, and reshaped what it meant to be "an American". If one lawyer, Illinois statesman, and member of Congress can do as much for the country as he did, we'd like to see what a second one can do.
Both candidates will tell you that in November, you have a choice to make. Only one of them would allow you to make choices after the election is over. That's why you should tell them to "Make Mine Barack".
- Sidedown for Obama
visit www.makeminebarack.com for more...
images c/o Sidedown for Obama.
Great design! I love it :O)
I think that the tone of the original post wasn't objective, and that your original response to Alana was indeed inflammatory. Is there a requirement for you to be objective? Absolutely not. But it certainly doesn't welcome readers with differing viewpoints.
No matter where you stand, it's exciting to see that young people are invested in this election. And that's something to be thankful for!
Is there no escape from the political?! Of course, it's your blog and you are entitled to post whatever you want to...it's just that I like a break from the noise and visit fun blogs. Pleast don't make this permanent.
I like the font, though.
Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful cards! I've been enjoying your blog and now I'll be enjoying it even more.
I'll be making mine Barack as well!
thank you to everyone who has commented on this post (esp. Alana, sincerely) - it's actually gotten me thinking quite a lot about my own political views.
Brian & Cassandra - thank you specifically for your very focused and concise comments. They're much better worded than what I tend to write, so I appreciate reading similar views to mine written out more clearly - helps me to think about my own views in a more concrete way.
and Jen - these prints actually aren't made by OrangeBeautiful - they're made by my boyfriend's company, Sidedown... I guess great designers live in the same apartment, in this case ;)
thanks, everyone... in retrospect, I do know better than to post these "controversial" items here - since I know that most of what we post about is quite the opposite and is usually a nice escape from the "real" things going on in our lives. But I also know that I, personally, feel more strongly about how terrible people are to each other in this country than I ever have. The idea that a politician can come into the picture and make people smile and feel hopeful and maybe not be so awful to one another is why there's nothing in this entire world that could keep me from voting for Obama on November 4th. Nothing.
And honestly, if we lose some readers to this blog that we put so much thought and care into, all because I'm...
alana :: I completely stand by my response to you as all of what you're suggesting I do next time -
"Next time, when someone says something you don't like, it would go over better if you calmly let them know that they misunderstood you, correct them and thanked them for taking the time to read your blog and respond. Just a suggestion."
Everyone, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure I did all of those things and then some.
and what a perfect example of how divided people are in this country: Alana, I would love for you to continue reading this blog. You are welcome here, always, despite our clearly differing beliefs & feelings. However, you are perfectly willing to say that you "won't be following this blog anymore" as if the normal content of this blog isn't something that you do enjoy and do "agree" with. I feel deeply hurt (as I usually do in these scenarios) where, apparently, the only way to speak on your convictions and to discuss differing opinions is to pad your feelings and make everything sugary sweet and nice and not actually be expressing your point. Because otherwise, the opposition is done talking and walks away.
If I'm supposed to "calmly let you know why you misunderstood me", why are you not supposed to do the same? Why is it okay for you to ask me why I didn't just say that I "HATED" something, when that's not at all how I feel? Why is it okay...
the fact that this simple (and well done, in my opinion) post has sparked such lengthy comments just goes to show how much is invested in this election. i think we are at a huge turning point for our country... and frankly i'm scared out of my mind at the idea of having more of the same in the next eight years. i would like to think that if mccain were elected, somehow there would still be a promise of things being different. will it? i don't know. that's the problem with politics... it's a lot of talk. here's what i do know: i myself have been skeptical of the amount of experience obama has, and the vagueness of his 'plans' for america. but i have also NEVER been so inspired by a man running for office. i honestly believe that he can change the future of this country, and will surround himself with people of amazing caliber and education and experience to help make better decisions than anyone in the oval office has for the last eight years.
OBAMARAMA! i'm on the bandwagon, and i'm not afraid to admit it. emily, thanks for making this brave post :)
Emily, I wasn't angry at all. I was disappointed. And I still am.
I also didn't make anything up. How could I and why would I? It's right there for everyone to see. It IS a glasshouse. I quoted you on the points I addressed and if you felt I misjudged your intention then all you had to do was say so. Insulting me with "wake up" and then say that I "made up" things - that I LIED - is just over the top.
I'm very sorry you responded in the way that you did. I won't be following this blog any more and I did really enjoy it but I refuse to stay where opinions are responded to with insults. And Brian, when people make you feel like your opinion isn't welcome even if there's no legislation around it, they ARE oppressing you.
Next time, when someone says something you don't like, it would go over better if you calmly let them know that they misunderstood you, correct them and thanked them for taking the time to read your blog and respond. Just a suggestion. I'm sorry you felt I was angry or that I attacked you but I did feel a distinction needed to be made. I stand by what I said.
I LOVE the design of your Barack cards- I am not going to comment politically, but I do wish you would create something for the other side of the coin as well- I think you could do really well selling both for the beliefs of all. I always think your designs and talents are SUPERB. I respect the views of others and I love the fact you are designing something in accordance with your feelings and views- it makes for a lovely designed product. Respectfully yours Jen
Last week, when I decided to make this print, I spent a lot of time researching politics, the candidates, and where our nation has been headed for the past 50 years. I read up on the various types of liberalism and conservatism that we use to classify ourselves, and came to a not-so-startling realization:
I don't fit into any of these categories. While I bet 90% of individuals in this country would feel the same, the voices we hear, the people that our candidates play to, are the vocal, zealous 10%. The hard-liners on the left and right are the ones that make the news, that get talk shows, etc.
I consider myself to be a conservative person. I'm not interested in my freedom to do drugs, I don't plan on taking advantage of welfare, I think we're too easy on violent criminals. I grew up in the military, I have a strong commitment to service and to our country.
HOWEVER... I would never ever try to make my personal agenda the law of the land. My beliefs are my own... and I control myself. I have no problem expressing these beliefs, but I also am reasonable enough to see the other side, whether I agree with it or not.
On the subject of choice, I unapologetically maintain my stance that under a McCain/Palin presidency, we will see more revocation of our personal rights and freedoms. I personally would rather have higher taxes that support health care, schools, and the poor (which would probably make me a bit poorer...
Alana, voicing an opinion is not oppressive. Using your opinion to force others into actions they would not choose for themselves has the potential to be.
While "anti" is by definition negative (which sort of invalidates your complaint), I don't think that opinions that differ regarding Obama have to be negative, which I think IS your point. Reading over the makemineobama.com statement, Sidedown isn't making accusations so much as reminding people about a simple and imperative element of this election: choice. While we are all able to choose who we vote for (our right as a citizen). One side of the equation, the Republican side, has overtly stated that their desire is to eliminate choices from peoples' lives... what they can do with their body, who they can be married to, etc. Restricting rights and choices based on race, gender, and sexual preference IS very, very negative.
It has little to do with Bush... his time is over, he's done almost all the damage he's going to do. The change we need is not just a 180 from the Bush/Cheney presidency. It's a look back at where our country started, how far we've come, and where we can go from here. THAT is the change that Obama represents, and THAT is while I'll be making mine Barack as well.
here we go...
you should probably re-read your comment & then re-read both my post and the statements from Sidedown for Obama. After that, you need to wake up and realize that Bush (as an individual) as well as both McCain & Palin (as individuals) believe in the oppression of people. Their platforms are built on the ideas that people who make choices that go against the "sanctity" of their beliefs should be stopped; that there should be laws to prevent people from acting on those certain beliefs.
Also, you shouldn't put words in people mouths. I don't "despise" anyone's beliefs. I would actually like to live in a country where my beliefs aren't despised.
My note was simply asking that people not leave comments that lack substance (because, there are plenty of people out there who like to make "I know you are but what am I"-type statements, which, I'm sorry, is a waste of everyone's time) - and you, yourself, got pretty angry, didn't you? To the point where you threw in a few excessive points about what was contained in this post - several of which you made up; you embellished.
Careful about throwing stones in glass houses.
I am appreciative of the fact that you left a constructive & thought-provoking comment. That was all I was asking for with my note at the bottom of these comments.
Where to start... Firstly, you yourself just stated, "Do you think the oppression of those who think differently than you is wholly un-American? Do you hate excuses & hypocrisy?". And yet the point of this post is that anyone with a "negative" comment is "anti-Obama", doesn't believe in "change". Do you not realize that even with this simple post you are oppressing people who think differently than you? That you are being hypocritical? I'm not for McCain. I'm for truth and justice. And though I tend to lean conservative I do not disbelieve in the Constitution and I find it highly offense for you to insinuate that Bush or any other person who thinks differently than you doesn't believe in the rights of people of different genders, race, etc. If this really isn't about Dem vs Rep then why make blanket statements? Why not just say that you hated Bush and his policies and you'd like things to change and you think Obama can bring that change? That to elect McCain would not bring about the change that YOU would like to see...because it would bring change - he's not Bush. Do you see what I mean? If you want to be inclusive then you have to include even the people whose opinions you despise. "Otherwise, what's the point?"
note :: those with negative (i.e. anti-Obama) comments, please feel free to post those - however, do your best to make them intelligent & constructive. Otherwise, what's the point?