THE DEFENSE RESTS.

I am usually a very patient person. I have recently grown tired of defending myself. It's a terrible habit from a totally unbalanced childhood, but still find myself having to explain why I feel, how I react or when I speak of certain issues. In the past ten years, I've tried hard to keep the defense mechanism in check, but at times, some people just keep pushing for a reaction from me.

First, being a conservative Christian is not an affliction. It's my choice. I don't plan on changing my views, so it's no use explaining to me how wrong I am on my conservatism or Chrisianity issues. My ideals have been burned into me, not as a scar, but as a chosen way of life, which I depend on to make good and moral decisions in my journey through life. I take these values into the business world, as well as incorporating them into my personal life. I have walked away from particular people in my life, but not because they didn't agree with me. My circle is tightly closed because I tend to steer away from drama, anger and evil.

Second, just because I am a conservative does not mean I do not have compassion for the homeless, the environment or the economy. It does not automatically make me an unfeeling and cold hearted person of the world around me. I belong and live on this planet too, and have bore children, who will bear children, and would like my family to carry on in a beautiful world after I am gone. Hand in hand with my Christian faith, I have promised a tithe percentage to go to charity and help others here where I live and across the world. I also promise to hear of others' plights and be compassionate with my fellow humans and their strides. I help when I can, or when I'm allowed, and pray for them constantly.

Though I care of the endangered species list, whales being unnecessarily hunted, the oil crisis and the rain forests diminishing, we must find a way to balance everything. There are also people starving and dying from treatable diseases. If I support one or two causes, why am I wrong because I don't support the cause being pushed in my face?

Third, because I had to grow up with very little help in a tough situation explains my next point. I've had to figure most things out on my own, while others had loving homes with exceptional opportunities at hand. Because something doesn't go right, because you may have to work a little harder to achieve your accomplishments, a fact of life. It's not an exception to the rule for me. You always have to work hard to reach goals. Your not extraordinary, just normal. I am not luckier than others, but simply work a little harder and, therefore, things work out more often.

Next, please do not tell me how intelligent or gifted you are, at the same time telling me I'm stupid. On the contrary, some need to state it because they don't yet believe in themselves. Also, by telling me I'm not so smart only makes the distance greater between us.

Finally, if you want to know me, ask. Conversation about my ideals comes only from me; not others. Those people can only truly tell you about themselves; not about me. I've heard second hand gossip about myself or my family that just isn't true. If you're going to believe it, why should I take the time to straighten you out with the truth?

The defense rests.