My extended family includes people from across many political and religious spectrums. We include liberals, libertarians, and conservatives, Christians of various types, pagans, and non-believers. Many of us are activists working on opposite sides of causes about which we care deeply.

Once the leader of the National Organization for Women came to Fairbanks, and while my stepmother excitedly stood in line to hear her speak, my sister-in-law, a volunteer at the crisis pregnancy center, handed out anti-abortion leaflets to those in line.

The thing about my family is that we generally share love and respect for each other, in spite of our differences. We get together to eat and laugh and play games and share the stories of our lives. It’s true that I am about as liberal as they come and my feminism is almost as intense as my stepmother’s. It is also true that my sister-in-law is one of my favorite people in the whole entire world. She is a strong and loving communicator, and has courageously guided or nudged our family through some sticky situations.

I would like Homer to take a hint from my family, and treat each other with caring and respect even when we disagree on issues that are close to our hearts. The recall vote targets our community volunteers, our council members, who listened carefully to concerns about a controversial resolution and voted it down.

The recall is disrespectful toward three individuals who serve this community in good faith.