Last night, a guest on NBC news proclaimed that America is in a culture of conservatism. Meaning the majority of Americans support bans on gay marriages, no stem cell research, oppose abortion, support Mr. President's efforts in war and so on.

That got me thinking, this perspective doesn't coincide whatsoever with the environment I was brought up in. I don't think lil 'ol Milpitas prepared us for the real world's views. Frequently I now find myself the lone supporter of so-called liberal views in large social circles. While in Mr. Hanley's Western Philosphy class of 30 students, I'd be one of 16 athiests, here its more like one of two.

A city governed by Pacific Islander mayors, Mexican, Japanese, and black principals and police chiefs is not typical. Nor is having a good handful of gay and lesbian teachers throughout middle and high school "normal". Neither is teaching, though not preaching, athiesm and diesm along with other belief systems ordinary. Nor is having students of Buddhist, Sihk, Catholic, Athiest, Jewish, Hindu, and Muslim beliefs sitting in the same classroom representative of this state, nation, or world. The view of physical, OUTSPOKEN protest, versus blind acceptance, as another form of patriotism is seen as a joke in most of parts of the U.S., including this very "liberal" college campus.

It's time to wake up. Over 90% of Americans are thiests and frequent church goers. 11 states are on the verge of (if they haven't already) enforcing gay marriage bans. 22 states are in the process of limiting or denying women's freedom of choice. The California state government is paying 12 times the budget on stem cell research than the entire Federal government. And our newly re-elected President doesn't even believe in evolution. Let's face it: We are living in a conservative nation and we have ALWAYS been living in one.

Folks are scared of changes, and fighting for change puts me and some of you on the outskirts of society. I guess we better get used to being the minority, cuz this is the way its gonna be for awhile.