Public Speaking = Vomit Inducing

So today was my big debate meet-- actually I'm exaggerating there were only ten schools, but it was my first so it was big to me.

I ran through a large range of emotions that I didn't know I could feel today. All of which were brought up through public speaking. I had to do an Extemporaneous speech, and for those of you who don't know what that is, you basically draw a topic, and have 30 minutes to write a speech about the said topic, then you have up to 7 minutes to talk about it.

Now, if you're used to public speaking then I guess it's ok, but if you're like me, and are easily intimidated by older more educated speech/debate judges then you're screwed like I was.

It's not even funny how bad I bombed. The people who organized the event PUT ME AGAINST THE PERSON WHO GOT 8TH IN STATE LAST YEAR.

And it was my very first meet. So of course they wiped the floor with me and I drowned in my own metaphorical blood and vomit. In all of the ten hours I spent at the meet I think I wanted to laugh, cry, crawl in the fetal position, laugh some more, shave my head and have a Brittany moment, and cry.

Ah, well it's just another learning experience right? The only way you can get better is if you fall on your face, because then you have to pick yourself back up and re-apply some make up so no one sees the big bruise you got from the asphalt.

The Soul, and Life Debate

So the ever eventful TAB meeting was today and I had to go home before the debate was finished but the subject was very serious, and something that really fires me up.

Unfortunately I left before I could fully explain my debate, and of course I was interrupted by Mary many times before I could make a valid point, so now I turn to my ever convenient blog to voice my young, but informed and raw opinion. Let me warn you. What I might say will probably come off as offensive, so if you're looking to pick a fight go ahead and click on the 'X' on the screen. However, I would like your opinion at the end of the post, so do whatever.

All formalities aside-- I state now, and for as long as I live that I am pro legalized abortions and pro choice. I have been recently told that there is a difference, and I now see that. I have many reasons for both, but for the sake of my hands I'll only type up the few important ones.

1. Pro Choice does not mean Pro Death. Please people, for the sake of all that is just and moral, understand that Pro Choice means that women get to CHOOSE what will happen to their body. As an American Citizen, we all have the choice to tattoo our body, drink, smoke, have sex, dye our hair-- Why not have the choice of keeping our babies or terminating our pregnancies? I would be mighty pissed if the government told me what to do with my body. In fact, I don't think any human being has the right to look down upon another because of their personal choices. IT'S A FREE FRIGGIN COUNTRY we should have the CHOICE to do whatever we want. If you don't like abortions, THEN DON'T GET ONE. We as human beings must be able to accept the fact that not everything will go our way, so when someone makes a decision that has nothing to do with you, butt out. By all means, you can be supportive but when opinions get the best of you and you decide to pass a law that takes away a woman's choice to do what she wants with her body--- that's where I draw the line.


2. I don't believe that life starts until we are born. Yes, while in the womb you are nothing but a blob, a growing blob that will one day develop arms, eyes, ears, etc. Now tell me, does that mass of growth in a woman's stomach have a soul? Many argue that life starts at conception, but I think life starts when you are born, when you first have a thought, when you look up at someone and smile. As a baby in the womb you do nothing but feed off of your mother. You have no thoughts, you are basically just there and growing. I remember when I was three and my parents lived in a tiny apartment and I played on the stairs. I remember all my dolls, and my mother working at sonic, and having the occasional accident on the carpet while potty training. Sometimes I wonder if we are all just empty shells until we remember things. However, as pointed out last night, many people have memory problems-- does that mean they don't have souls? No, they have souls, they can talk, make decisions, move, cry, smile, they think. Is someone who is a vegetable on life support have a soul? No, I think that their soul has left their body. What I'm saying is, The moment we make a decision, whether it be if we like the rattle our parents put in our hands, or if we want jello for breakfast-- the moment we think and speak, cry or make a noise, kick our legs and flail our arms in frustration-- that is when we are human, that is when we have souls.


3. Religion, please show some valid truth. Please, pray tell in the bible where it says that abortion is wrong, and please if you may use text out of the new testament. The old testament in this case isn't really all that valid, seeing as most of the laws apply to Jews, and not Gentiles. Although I am a fourth Jewish, it means nothing. I still eat crab, and meat that is not kosher, I go to the movies on the Sabbath. Please smite me with lightning if you object. However, many religious people say IF MARY GOT AN ABORTION THERE WOULD BE NO JESUS. Now, repeat that to yourself three times very slowly in order to see what a dumb@ss you are. One, Mary and Joseph both had a vision from an Angel telling them that they were going to parent the son of God, so it's kinda common sense that they wouldn't try and kill off the baby lest they face the wrath of the ever almight God. Yeah, I just went there. Also, say that to a pro life Athiest and see all the crap that'll hit the fan. Contrary to belief, there are Athiests and Agnostics and Wiccas that are pro life, and they each have their own beliefs based off of morals, and personal choices, all of which have nothing to do with God.


4. Believe what you want, just please disagree with respect. The only thing that pisses me off more than race discrimination is when people don't respect my opinions. If you believe that life starts in the womb, I respect that. If you believe abortion is murder, I respect your opinion. However, if you attack me, saying that I am WRONG and a total ignorant fool for my beliefs, that is where I draw the line. If I can respect your opinions, and thoughts, can you not do the same without alienating me? Can we not agree to disagree? Can we not voice our opinions without getting bashed in the head? I'm friends with someone who has opposite beliefs than mine, but we're still friends. We respect each other, and understand that each has their own personal standards. She's a great friend, and an awesome person who no matter what, respects people. Is that too much to ask of a person?

Lastly, I know this will probably blow up in my face, but I'm up for it: What are your Views? When does the Soul start, and what is considered murder? You can do a response blog and send me the link, or just simply leave a comment. I plan on keeping this post up for a few days, so please don't be afraid to voice what you believe, and be my guest to correct me if I'm factually wrong on any points.