A departure from my Conservative roots

Alrighty, like the title says, I have something to say that most conservatives won't agree with.

Here goes.

Here in California there is Prop 8 out to set marriage as between a man and woman. I'm not going to do a blog about moral issues or any of that. No, I have a much simpler reason for not supporting Prop 8 and it is because of civil rights.

The proponents of Prop 8, and of the defense of marriage issues in general, say that not allowing same sex marriage is not a civil rights issue, but I disagree. It is paramount to not allowing a black man and a white woman to marry. I use to support the idea that gay marriage was not an appropriate thing for our nation to allow; then I became heavily involved with a forum website that takes on these kinds of issues (politics, religion, 9-11, etc). I started the thread against gay marriage and I will admit that it changed my mind. And here's why.

In our society, marriage is the legal way for a couple to announce their intentions to petition the government for certain legal rights. To disallow certain legal age citizens to petition for these right based on something like gender is a civil rights issue. From a legal standing, not allowing two people to petition for legal status, and yet allows others the same right, is not freedom. I have many issues with the serious lack of freedom in this country (income tax, ever heard of it?), and I take serious issue with the idea that "freedom" should be the reasoning for allowing all manner of things to take place; however, in this situation it is a serious infringement upon my freedoms to not be able to gain legal rights because of something as minor as gender.

Yes, I said minor. I understand where the defense of marriage folks are coming from. They look around and see drive through divorce shops, families shattered, morals declining, and a general muckery of the institution of marriage and family. Totally with ya. But this isn't the way to go about saving the family. It just isn't, and it doesn't give you the right to say that person A and B are fit for marriage and person C and D are unfit. I've met persons A and B, and trust me that they shouldn't be married. C and D? Great together. Totally. Does it matter their gender? Really? Why? Cause they will teach gay marriage in school? Sorry, doesn't fly with me.

As schools are already teaching abhorrent sexual issues (right to choose, my ass), and sex ed is being taught as early as 2nd grade, I don't think that gay marriage is our biggest concern with the educational system. That modern teachers have almost unlimited rights to teach any (left-leaning) propaganda that they choose (remember, I'm in Cali, and educated here), and that parents have little to no say in a child's education is a much, much scarier issue for me. As long as they aren't teaching what happens on the honeymoon, why is talking about gay marriage so terrifying?

So, no, I don't support ending my right to marry whomever I wish. Because, even though I'm happily married to an opposite sex partner, I'm American enough to be pissy that someone thinks they have the right to tell me whom I can marry and who I can't.

*Edit to add: I understand that many Christian see this as a moral issue, but I strongly feel that if that is what you believe, then you should preach it not legislate it. What I'm talking about here is the legal standing of two people. Legal. Not moral.

Throwdown!

Well, this little blog has gotten a little more exciting recently as Dad and Dug have been having a spirited bit of debabte! In the process, Dad threw out the challenge that he who's candidate isn't elected will post a picture of themselves in the other candidates shirt! Now, Dug is undeterred, but then Dug has a decidedly fun wardrobe and I personally hope McCain wins even if it's just to see Dug in a Palin shirt, plaid shorts, and (if I'm lucky) a bike with a basket on the front. (Really, go read his blog, and while you are at it, go visit Elden. They are great and it's kinda backstory:)

So, there it is, Challenge throwndown, Challenge accepted! Alright then.... This should be fun:) We'll have to get all the rules ironed down, but stay tuned, only 3 weeks to go!


On a personal note from me:
This has been an interesting experience for me as I have a distinct tendency to shy away from confrontation.... But, really, Dad and Dug have been having a friendly discussion about this election and that has been sorely missing the last few years I think. The election has become a yelling match that has had a very mean streak in it. This nation has always been divided when it comes to politics, this election is no different. It's just nice to see people with such different views that can still be friendly. Okay. All done:)

Dad's Response

The following is a response by Dad:

Polls are essentially meaningless. Reagan was down 8 points in 1980. W was down twice. How'd that work out? Polls are dependent on just who's being polled and the questions being asked.

Sarah Palin knows enough. It's about Leadership and she's got it in spades. All the rest is subject matter and we can hire experts for that.

Sarah Palin is in fact "Joe Sixpack" (or Jane actually) and that gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. If you think the common man isn't qualified to be President you're badly mistaken. It's time and past time we kicked the professional politicians out of office and returned this country to the common man. Or woman. Heh heh.

I think liberals do in fact hate Palin. She's been excoriated in the media. She's bright, intelligent, well spoken (yes, I did indeed say well spoken), possessed of her fair share of common sense and decisive. In short she's supremely well qualified to be Vice president or President. I wish she was at the top of the ticket to tell the truth. She's a leader.

My argument against Obama has nothing to do with his qualifications (though if his connections with such as Ayers and ACORN don't give you pause I have to wonder what will). It's that he's the most liberal candidate to ever make a serious run for President and that's exactly the wrong person to lead this country.

I might be wrong but I don't think so. Tell you what, in the interest of continuing a friendly disagreement how about making it interesting? If I'm wrong I'll buy and publicly wear an Obama shirt. I'm sure Jen would be happy to publish a pic of it here. Against that? A pic of you publicly wearing a Sarah Palin shirt of course. Any takers? How about it Dug? I read your blog (excellent and very funny by the way. If you haven't read it please do and be sure to support cancer research) and I think you'd look just precious wearing a nice pink Palin t-shirt. Either way, one side is going to be badly disappointed, might as well have some fun.
Eric

Ironic....

I got a comment from a reader likening the political process to football; the reader used the 49ers to illustrate the point. I call this ironic cause look what I got to do last weekend:

It was a fun game, and rather interesting. Hubby is a big time Pats fan (and I will admit that I love watching them play) but my team has been, and continues to be despite horrible seasons, the 49ers. So, yeah, fun was had:) Even though we lost (sigh) I was ecstatic to actually be sitting there watching the game live.

It was amazing to be in the stands. The crowd roaring, screaming on their heroes. Thousands of people surging to their feet at the same moment, screaming their joy, pumping their arms, as a single body of fans. Utterly amazing. It's an experience I'll not soon forget.

Which is another irony.... The only reason we went is cause it was a Pats game! Hubby has seriously wanted to go to a game and Foxboro is just a wee bit far away! (Boy I really am British, I wanted to spell it Foxborough.) When he saw they were gonna be here he snatched up two tickets. Though, not to make it seem too selfish, he was thoughtful of me. The Pats will be here in Oakland, San Diego and up in SF. That he chose the SF game was (mostly:) because he loves me. It was a wonderful weekend!

Oh, and did I mention that they retired Steve Young's jersey? Hell yeah! Envy me:)

A response

Dad got a few comments from Liberals who didn't agree with his opinion about Gov. Palin. I have to admit to being surprised that people actually have the opinions they do.

First of all, if Gov. Palin isn't qualified for the job how in the WORLD do you think this Junior Senator has anywhere near the qualifications to run America? If Gov. Palin, after running a state, balancing budgets and dealing with the national guard, isn't qualified, how is voting "Present" 129 times in the Illinois state senate made Senator Obama qualified?? He has had a lackluster career at Congress and has no real leadership roles on his resume.

What I do know of him is that he isn't near as smart as he thinks he is. At least Palin isn't trying to be something she isn't.