I blame John Kerry

March 23, 2007 |

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It’s really all his fault. He’s the reason I became a Democrat. And got involved in the political blogging community. And found a great group of people who’ve become my friends. They live all over the world but also in my computer.

Yeah, I was already trending left before 2004. I’ll save that story for another time. But the more I researched this guy my dad scornfully said was “as liberal as they come” the more I found to admire and respect. A leader with integrity and good ideas, someone smart and dignified, who still knows how to laugh and enjoy life.

Being from a very conservative community, I didn’t know a lot of “liberals” but I decided if that’s what they were like, that’s what I wanted to be part of. My quiet, personal revolution happened at my computer, reading a few blogs and sipping a cup of chai. But it was a deep and thorough about-face because for the first time in my life, I’d found an honest and sincere politician. You can’t just ignore a find like that.

So you see, it really is all his fault.

I’ve been wanting my own blog to write about my thoughts on politics and parenting and women’s issues for awhile. But I’ve met a lot of political bloggers who are brilliant, articulate, and very knowledgeable. It is rather intimidating company. What do I have to offer?

But I’m in a unique position. I live in a very “red” part of the country, grew up here actually. I am an evangelical Christian. I was raised in a strongly Republican family and had little exposure to an alternative view. Through a series of experiences in my late 20’s and early 30’s, I’ve done a lot of soul searching–resulting in a political 180 that must have my family doubting my sanity.

At this point, I’m happy to say I’m a liberal. A progressive. Both are fine terms with a history to be proud of. But I don’t totally fit the stereotype. I still consider myself an evangelical Christian (it’s a theological term, NOT a political one!). I home school my children (for non-religious reasons). I love my conservative family and community (even though they drive me nuts).

Because of all this, I have a unique perspective. And that’s why I decided to have my own blog, even though I’m not the most politically savvy or a brilliant activist. I’m a mom. A novelist. A freelance fiction editor. And I’d like to be a peacemaker, a thinker, someone that has good ideas and tries to serve others.

Like John Kerry. (You knew I was going to bring it back around, didn’t you?)

See, it’s really all his fault. But I think it’s an okay thing to be guilty of–being an inspiration and role model to others. It’s better than being guilty of…I don’t know, starting wars or lying to America.

So while this blog isn’t about John Kerry, per se, it is in many ways a tribute to him and his wife Teresa. Don’t worry–I promise I won’t gush…too much.

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