Saturday, October 18, 2008
I stole the sign
Someone went through our neighborhood last night and stole the Obama signs. It wouldn’t bother me so much if it weren’t for the fact that ours arrived yesterday evening. Phil went out in the rain to put it up around 7pm. When he went to get the paper this morning, it was gone. So is the neighbor’s down the street. I suspect the other 5 on streets near us are gone, too.
I know that the person that stole them, presumably to toss them, wasn’t thinking about what effect it would have. But it saddens me. I am not angry, I am not fired up, I am just so sad.
Phil didn’t go for my new sign: “You can steal my sign but you can’t change my vote”. So I think this afternoon we will stop by the headquarters and ask them for a handful of signs (if they have them) and go hand them out to all of the people we know that lost them. Then, we will feel better about all this as we wait for someone to steal the sign again, tonight.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
No on Prop 8
Not that I am in California, but maybe someone from there will see this? It is very clever.
Proposition 8, if passed, would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. Please, Californians, don’t let your state do what mine has done and make this a law. It is sad and goes against what the constitution stands for.
Ballot Title and Summary
Proposition 8:
ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARRY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Changes California Constitution to eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry. Provides that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.
Fiscal Impact: Over the next few years, potential revenue loss, mainly sales taxes, totaling in the several tens of millions of dollars, to state and local governments. In the long run, likely little fiscal impact to state and local governments.
On August 8, 2008 Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley ruled that the Attorney General’s Title and Summary of Proposition 8 is accurate.
Ballot Argument
OUR CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION – the law of our land – SHOULD GUARANTEE THE SAME FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS TO EVERYONE – NO ONE group SHOULD be singled out to BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY.
In fact, our nation was founded on the principle that all people should be treated equally. EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW IS THE FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN SOCIETY.
That’s what this election is about – equality, freedom and fairness, for all.
Marriage is the institution that conveys dignity and respect to the lifetime commitment of any couple. PROPOSITION 8 WOULD DENY LESBIAN AND GAY COUPLES that same DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
That’s why Proposition 8 is wrong for California.
Regardless of how you feel about this issue, the freedom to marry is fundamental to our society, just like the freedoms of religion and speech.
PROPOSITION 8 MANDATES ONE SET OF RULES FOR GAY AND LESBIAN COUPLES AND ANOTHER SET FOR EVERYONE ELSE. That’s just not fair. OUR LAWS SHOULD TREAT EVERYONE EQUALLY.
In fact, the government has no business telling people who can and cannot get married. Just like government has no business telling us what to read, watch on TV or do in our private lives. We don’t need Prop 8; WE DON’T NEED MORE GOVERNMENT IN OUR LIVES.
REGARDLESS OF HOW ANYONE FEELS ABOUT MARRIAGE FOR GAY AND LESBIAN COUPLES, PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE SINGLED OUT FOR UNFAIR TREATMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF OUR STATE. Those committed and loving couples who want to accept the responsibility that comes with marriage should be treated like everyone else.
DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS are NOT MARRIAGE.
When you’re married and your spouse is sick or hurt, there is no confusion: you get into the ambulance or hospital room with no questions asked. IN EVERYDAY LIFE AND ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS ARE SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH. Only marriage provides the certainty and the security that people know they can count on in their times of greatest need.
EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW IS A FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEE. Prop 8 separates one group of Californians from another and excludes them from enjoying the same rights as other loving couples.
Forty-six years ago I married my college sweetheart, Julia. We raised three children – two boys and one girl. The boys are married, with children of their own. Our daughter, Liz, a lesbian, can now also be married – if she so chooses.
All we have ever wanted for our daughter is that she be treated with the same dignity and respect as her brothers – with the same freedoms and responsibilities as every other Californian.
My wife and I never treated our children differently, we never loved them any differently and now the law doesn’t treat them differently, either.
Each of our children now has the same rights as the others, to choose the person to love, commit to and to marry.
Don’t take away the equality, freedom and fairness that everyone in California – straight, gay or lesbian – deserves.
Please join us in voting NO on Prop 8
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Causing me to take pause….
I saw this in Maryland. I felt the need to take a photo because it made me laugh so hard. Then I realized it wasn’t a joke.
And now, I think it is very apparent why I am a Democrat.
