I woke up this morning happy, tired but happy. I stayed up to watch the final results of the election and to hear President O's acceptance speech. What a speech. This is why I fell in love with him four years ago when he spoke at the Democratic National Convention. He is so motivating and inspires such hope.
Before I went to bed, the results of Prop 8 weren't in yet. Prop 8 is a ballot measure in California that would strip away same-sex marriage, which was legalized in May 2008 by the California Supreme Court. It would do so by amending the State Constitution, which in itself is unconstitutional, but anyway...
As of 8:38 a.m. EST, the votes are still being counted, but the discriminatory measure is leading 52%-48%, a difference of just over 350,000 votes. I just cannot believe in the same night that America shows its forward-thinking progress by electing the first African-American President she is capable of writing discrimination into the Constitution, not just in California...
In Arizona voters passed a ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage by 238,000 votes. In Arkansas voters passed a measure to ban gay couples from adopting children. And Florida voters also passed a constitutional ban on gay marriage.
What the hell are people afraid of? How on earth does this threaten anyone? Shannan and I got "civil unioned" last year. As long as we live in New Jersey, we will be fine. But if we move to another state, our relationship is not recognized. I would lose all benefits I enjoy (and appreciate) through her union. She would have absolutely no rights in regards to us as a couple. We would not be considered family but "friends."
The idea that the California Supreme Court legalized gay marriage and thousands (?) of couples who got married may now have those marriages nullified is an outrage, a disgrace, and just plain disgusting.
The time has come to get over our prejudices -- prejudices against gays, blacks, Jews, Hispanics, Indians, Muslims, women, aethiests, transsexuals, fat people, ugly people, pretty people, people with earrings in their noses, people with tattoos, anybody who doesn't look like you.
Just get the "F" over it.
I have been in a mild depression since November 2000 when George Bush won the election. Last night i cried. I cried like a baby, feeling the sheer joy of hope and promise that I live in a country that could elect a black man. I was beside myself listening to this VERY INTELLIGENT man address the hundreds of thousands of supporters with dignity and grace and humility. I can hold my head up high and be proud to be an American again. That has been quite challenging over the last eight years. But there is still this nagging ache in my heart for everyone who continues to be oppressed and discriminated against. Please...just get the "F" over it.
J.Bo.
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9 comments:
It sounds like you want to have your cake and eat it too. It's OK for the American people to speak and be heard as long as it is what you want to hear. The American people spoke through the power of the vote for a new president and their choice should be respected, no matter if you agree with the outcome or not. The same holds true for the constitutional ammendments that were passed. The American people spoke through the power of the vote. You may not agree with the outcome but the decision should be respected. You don't get it both ways.
You have a choice between presidential candidates. If you choose to vote, you have to vote one way or the other. You don't have to vote to write discrimination into the constitution. That's just ignorant and fear based.
I hope this works. If you are going to have a blog claiming you can post replies it should at least work correctly...it's just good manners. Otherwise it's just you spouting off.
well, i don't own google. i fixed it as soon as you brought it to my attention. by the way, the whole point of this is so i can spout off. that's the fun of it. you should try it. it might help with the grouchiness:)
May I make the following suggestion...Next time choose a photo further away so people REALLY can't see you.
To Anonymous....If you are going to post your opinions here you should at least be stand-up enough to put your name on those comments and stand behind what you say. Like me; I tend to piss people off with some of my views but I don't hide from what I say or think. So man up next time.
I knnow the author of this blog, she and her spouse are good,kind, people whom I am prould to call friends. It is obvious they love and care for each other very much so why shouldn't they be entitled to the same benefits of marriage heterosexual couples receive. Shouldn't marriage simply be about two people who love each other....PERIOD. (until they realize what marriage REALLY is and has nothing to do with love but more to do with tolerance until death)
That said...your point has not been overlooked. The people in these states, from EVERY walk of life, were given the option and opportunity to take a position and cast a vote on this matter. In my opinion the result of the vote shows there is still work to be done but the process was democratic. It's doesn't get anymore American than that. Having the right to make your voice heard.
As for you Bonfilio, people are entitled to their opinions. Most of the time they are wrong but they are entitled to them none the less. The reality is this will never be a world where everyone shares the same views, values and opinions...where we all sit around the camp fire singing songs and holdinng hands. And that's OK....frustrating at times but OK.
Now that I have probably pissed you and Shannan off for the evening I Have to go...time for O'Reilly.
Chris the neighbor, thanks for sharing. Remind me to bring you a cookie later. I'll come during commercial so as not to interrupt O'Reilly.
to chris the neighbor...i need a moment to pick my jaw up off the floor after your kind comment. please don't let anyone else find out a heart exists in that cynical, jaded, and grumpy body of yours.
I'm full of suprises. Just when you think you got me figured out BAM!!!! I hit you with another curve ball. More importantly let's talk about that cookie. I LIKE cookies. Kate made a batch of chocolate chip cookies...they didn't last the day. No soy chip cookies, no tofu cookies, no chocolate substitute cookies. Only fattening, high calorie, high sugar, high fructose corn syrup, processed flour, preservative filled goodness please.
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