My name is Alyce Townsend. I have lived in Spencer, Iowa for the last 6 and half years. I'm originally a small town girl from Primghar but moved to Spencer because of the big city shopping with small town appeal. Okay, maybe that's not the whole truth. I hate driving in snow. Living in Spencer allows me to never have to leave town in the winter! I'm a 26 year old mother of three children ages 6, 5, and 4. Yes, that's how old they are. Yes, I know. Please stop laughing. I am currently enrolled in Iowa Lakes Community College for my Business Degree with hopes for someday having my own online clothing store. When I'm not doing homework, chasing kids, or cleaning house I love to write. Writing is my release and I currently have been working on screenplays I hope will someday become Oscar worthy motion pictures. I must warn you that I do at times have a twisted sense of humor, so I hope that when reading my blogs of whatever topic I may joke about, you leave with a smile and a whole new perspective!

President Obama's New Position 2012

Posted Thursday, May 10, 2012, at 8:41 AM

President Obama is about to release an interesting statement tonight on ABC news in an interview. As most of you have heard it's a statement regarding his new approval or position on same sex marriage. While most around the country will be in cheerful appraisal of Mr. Obama's position, I know this will cause an uproar among those more on the conservative side; like I dunno let's say Iowa. We are the state, if I remember right that kicked 3 judges out of office because of gay marriage approval. We Midwesterners have the divine right to dictate and approve what constitutes marriage. In other words, it's okay if your gay but we refuse to acknowledge your plight for happiness. Such happiness is only entitled to those who follow the holy instructions of the Bible, and as good Christian Midwesterners we will fight those who live in sin. God has therefore called us to overrule and judge on his behalf because that is the real law of the land. Christians rise up everywhere and vote for the opponent because President Obama has insulted us yet again with his "crazy" ideas of human equality.

Are ya serious?

Let's define marriage shall we? Most would agree that marriage is a holy covenant. It's a choice between two people whom decide that they would like to be legally and spiritually joined to one another for the rest of their life. It's an agreement or a contract if you will, that openly declares and celebrates a couple's joint decision to love one another. Now, with the word defined, is there anywhere in that above paragraph that gives the indication that marriage is a union only if everyone else approves or agrees? While we're banning things that God doesn't approve of, what about strip bars? Or living together before marriage? Isn't that adultery? God speaks strongly against that in the Bible, why are there no laws against such clear sin? Or how about cheating, can I put a cheating boyfriend in jail? He's obviously sinning and needs to be punished right? We should punish them, that's what Christians are supposed to do, uphold the law of God, right?

Judgment is reserved for one and one alone, that's God. Not you, not me, not your neighbor. We need to stop judging, speaking against, oppressing, and hating one another. We need to walk in love, acceptance, and understand each other. When the day comes when I meet my maker, the only person I will answer for is myself. Whose life are you accountable for anyways? Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating for President Obama based off his sudden change of heart. We all know that change of heart has been influenced by an election. What I'm trying to say here is that Midwesterners need to make a new reputation for ourselves. One that involves acceptance and love not judgement and hate. It's time for a change Iowa. We recently witnessed what hate can do. I think a round of applause is in order for Mr. Obama for opening his eyes and lending his voice to an issue that everyone needs reconsider.

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Why are you making a blanket statement about midwesterners? That is just as bad as making blanket statements about anything or anyone. If us Midwesterners are so behind the times and against gay marriage, why is it that MASS is the only other state to recognize gay marriage? It is obviously not just a midwestern ideal.

I also have a problem with you saying we have hate because someone might be against gay marriage. That is another blanket statement. I know plenty of people who are against it but have no problems with the actual gay person. You can be against someones lifestyle and still not hate them.

After my statements, you probably think I would be a person agsint gay marriage, but you would be wrong. I am all for it, they deserve the same rights we do although I do beleive the church has a right to marry them or not. No church should be forced to marry anyone, no matter if they are straight or gay. I just take acception to your statement about midwesterners, because you are judgeing everyone who lives here and you are the very person who stated we should not judge.

-- Posted by CubbieBlue on Mon, May 14, 2012, at 9:42 AM
That's the problem with being politically correct. You can never say what your truly feel because it always offends someone. I meant no disrespect or generalization but instead want to voice an observation I have made. I'm glad you feel that this observation is not the case from where you stand. Perhaps that means that we are taking a step in the "right" direction! I think as a whole we should focus more on the solution instead of arguing different approaches to the problem.

-- Posted by leeceyplus3 on Mon, May 14, 2012, at 10:44 AM
I am with iowafan on this. My question also is this, if they allow gay marriage, then since we are the land of the free, why don't we recognize the other cultures that allow older men to marry non teenagers to teenagers? If we are going to allow one thing, lets allow all practices here. Why should we allow the goverment tell us or even Christians tell us what they think is right or wrong. We should be willing to accept all cultural religion practices. Like eating dogs. If that is to out there, well than where do you draw the line? If we have to allow gay ppl their rights in marriage than we should just allow everyone their rights!! Right?

-- Posted by acerdj on Tue, May 15, 2012, at 6:58 AM
http://tech.mit.edu/V124/N5/kolasinski.5c.html

Found this posted on Facebook and thought it was interesting. I also believe that Obama was forced into voicing maybe his true but not before stated opinion on gay marriage by his VP's impulsive words. I don't really see it as that much of game changer in light of the fact that we already know that he's a liberal democrat and his viewpoint in support of gay marriage shouldn't surprise anyone.

-- Posted by Leah Cauthron on Tue, May 15, 2012, at 6:04 PM
iowafan11 you are wrong. 5 states plus DC recognize same sex marriage. And acerdj our government does not recognize minors as having the ability to make those decisions to marry but the minute they hit 18 they are allow to marry whomever they choose. And not very many countries allow child brides anymore. I commend Alyce on writing this blog.

-- Posted by joev on Wed, May 16, 2012, at 12:37 PM
Sorry, I guess I was wrong by 3 states and 1 city. So thats 2 of 6 which is 33% if we were going by grades. And since we need everything to be fair in our society now, how about we average your 100% and my 33%, so we both actually get 66% of them right. Sorry I brought you down but it's only fair that I get the same grade as you. (gotta love socialism)

-- Posted by CubbieBlue on Thu, May 17, 2012, at 12:51 PM
Yes, let's get rid of socialism. Let's make parents pay for their own kids education. Why should I pay to educate my neighbor's kids. Let's turn police and fire protection over to private companies. If you want the protection buy the insurance. If you want a stop sign on a busy street put it up yourself. Let's do away with Social Security and Medicare. Seniors can keep working to pay for their own healthcare. Let's get rid of congress. Instead of doing nothing they would have nothing to do. (gotta love capitalism)

-- Posted by Henry Blake on Tue, May 22, 2012, at 8:05 AM
Henry Blake- I'm assuming that was sarcasim, but hard telling from reading on a computer screen. Pretty hard to get rid of socialism if we don't currently use it. I think most people don't really have a problem with paying taxes for public schooling through 12th grade, fire, police and state/city road workers who put up stop signs and stop lights, plow roads etc... I do have a problem with being forced to pay for my neighbors hospital bills or my neighbor kids college education.

I barely make enough money to be considered middle class and I'm not expecting or asking the rich to kick in more to make it "fair". My example of a socialistic grading system is a perfect example of how the people who do well get the shaft.

If you look at the history of the world, name one country that has thrived on socialism. Countries survive on socailism but don't thrive. They have much more poverty that what we do.

-- Posted by CubbieBlue on Wed, May 23, 2012, at 10:32 AM
iowafan11 - Of course it was sarcasm. I guess I don't see the difference between paying taxes so every kid can get an education and paying a tax so everybody can get healthcare. Until you get rid of the insurance companies that make it impossible for some people to get insurance you will be paying for their care. If you are self employed check out what it would cost you for health insurance if you have a pre-existing condition. They can not now refuse you but they can make it too expensive to buy. As for people that do well getting the shaft I guess the CEO of Conoco-Phillips making 154 million last year got the shaft while we paid $3.50 to $4.00 for a gallon of gas. When did we become so greedy that we can't help our neighbor?

-- Posted by Henry Blake on Wed, May 23, 2012, at 11:35 AM
Wow... interesting conversation going on here. I just wanted to say to Alyce - your post was very interesting and very well written. When you aren't busy chasing children, cleaning house, and doing homework -- keep writing, you've got a gift and I look forward to following your blog! =)

-- Posted by Don't-take-it-too-serious on Fri, May 25, 2012, at 3:38 PM

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