America today needs a strong, fearless president, one with progressive ideals , one who can thumb his/her nose to the opinions of the majority and bring true equality as promised by the American Constitution.
Following the news of Rosa Parks' death, a warrior who fought for the equality and justice for all, comes the passing of a hideous constitutional ban on same sex marriage passed by a majority of Texans
Today I remember the two Kennedy brothers who had envisioned an America that would be a beacon for the world. I remember a young nation that believed that true power lay in the majority's magnamity towards its minority, I remember its youth who walked hand in hand with its black brothers singing the songs of change and their passionate demand for peace brought the heinious Vietnam war to an end.
Where are the bold leaders? Where are the idealistic youths fighting the war of freedom, love and equality within their homes, communities, churches and on the streets?
On the eve of this ban I realize that democracy can be dangerous, the rule of the majority today is the rule of an angry, religious and blind mob.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Matthew T. Sussman
It took you until the 19th state banned gay marriage for you to realize that?
2 - swingingpuss
Matthew, better late than never :)
3 - Silas Kain
Well, who'd marry a Texan anyway? Oh shoot, I would. There are some fine cowboys in Texas! Anyway, voters can pass all the gay marriage bans they want. It changes nothing. The day will come when the sex of a couple being joined will not be an issue. It has arrived in some countries already. It's thriving in Massachusetts. We've far more serious problems confronting America today. If you buy into the scare tactics of the right in blaming gays for the state of our lives, then you deserve the America you've got. Thankfully, there are those of us who see the truth for what it is and will continue the fight. As MLK Jr. said, "I have a dream..." Folks, I've been to the mountain top. What I see is that bright shining city on a hill that Ronald Reagan talked about. It's a city where equality and justice reign and hate and fear have been eradicated. It's not only a Christian dream. It's not a straight dream. It's all of mankind's dream.
4 - Dave Nalle
You make too much sense here Silas. You're going to be on the hit-lists of both extremes if you're not careful.
Dave
5 - DJRadiohead
It's a difficult question to answer in a democracy/republic: When does the majority have the right to be wrong? How does a society balance the views of a minority while still respecting that a majority sees things a different way? Fascinating stuff.
6 - RedTard
"If you buy into the scare tactics of the right in blaming gays for the state of our lives, then you deserve the America you've got."
Nobody I know is blaming gays for the state of our lives and I know lots of people who voted for the amendment. The attitude of pro-gay activists, assuming everyone else is an idiot and a bigot, is enough to make me want to vote for it.
Like it or not, marriage has been defined as being between a man and a woman for thousands of years. Marriage also has it's roots in religion and the bible teaches directly against homosexuality. Most chuchgoers don't want the government to force the church's views on people, but marriage is both a religious and government institution.
They have thousands of years of history and a major world religion on their side. You have a general feeling that you would like to be eligible for the marriage penalty and subject to alimony on yours.
7 - RedTard
"When does the majority have the right to be wrong?"
Right and wrong are human constructs which have no absolute meaning. They were probably invented to describe the actions of the spouses slightly after marriage (man/woman only) was created.
The best definition to me is that the majority is always "right" in the present. If you have the foresight to realize that future majorities will probably approve of gay marriage, then you can feel happy in the knowledge that one day you will be considered "right". But for now your wrong, at least in Texas.
8 - DJRadiohead
Interesting you can reference religion in one post and then dismiss 'right' and 'wrong' as human constructs with no absolute meaning.
I disagree. I believe in absolute truth. I believe in right and wrong. I never disclosed my beliefs on gay marriage or the Texas constitution.
9 - Aaman
Not too long, civil rights was apparently not a majority view.
If Hindu-majority countries chose, they could marginalize the rest
Marriage as a formal institution is not much older than the middle ages, and probably not much older than the English Marriage Act of 1753. The word "marry" comes from the Latin term for "a husband" (maritus), which comes from the Latin word for "a man" (mas, maris). The notion of "marriage" therefore doesn't seem to refer to "wives".
10 - RedTard
Aaman,
I could swear that marriage and the like were a big custom at least among jews prior to AD. I have been known to be wrong occasionally though. 1753 is probably the date when the government started interfering in the religious custom.
DJ,
Then please tell me who is the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong. If the majority is not "right" then who is? You?
To me right and wrong is like left and right, they are relative descriptions based on where you stand at the moment.
11 - DJRadiohead
No, I am very clearly not the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong. I believe God is the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong.
I think correct and incorrect is different from right and wrong. I believe accurate and inaccurate are different from truth.
I believe some things in this world and this life are relative. I believe some things are open to interpretation. I also believe some things are absolutely right, wrong, and true and those things do not change. That is my belief, for what it's worth.
I appreciate your view of a more relative universe and a different concept of right and wrong. I come at it from a different place.
12 - gonzo marx
bah...the majority gets to decide in our Republic UNTIL it tramples on a minority's Rights as delineated in our Constitution...
this is the Logic behind the Civil Rights laws and movement, and is the basis for our Republic when you look at it closely...
protecting the Rights of a single Individual against the tryanny of the mob is part and parcel of what our Constitution and Bill of Rights are all about
so look at it this way...is the behaviour (marriage) of the Minority( gays folks) actually harming someone?(besides busybodies sensibilities?)....not that i have been able to find anywhere...
does the Majority's actions (banning a marriage contract for this Minority) harm the Minority in any way?....yes, yes it does...it denies them some of the benefits inherent in our society to married folks. (benefits, adoption, in some cases housing etc)
it warms the cockles of my black, flabby little Heart to see that Mainers (who upheld a civil rights law concerning gays) are a bit more civilized than texans on this matter...
but i still hold out hope for texas to join the 21st century...
i can Dream, can't i?
Excelsior!
13 - Nancy
Despite the fact that there are some mighty fine folks in Texas - and some awfully nice places - Texas has, since its inception, repeatedly asserted & proved that it is a state - & state of mind - unto itself; which is probably fortunate for the rest of us who prefer a little more sanity as well as honesty in our political/cultural dealings. Even if Texas does make the world's very bestest ruby red grapefruits.
14 - Dave Nalle
"it warms the cockles of my black, flabby little Heart to see that Mainers (who upheld a civil rights law concerning gays) are a bit more civilized than texans on this matter..."
Except that Maine passed a constitutional ban on gay marriage last year.
Dave
15 - gonzo marx
ah yes, Mr Nalle..i know..and it is heading to the Courts now...
we will see...
now, here's yer leg back, it came off in my hand when i was pulling on it..
Excelsior!
16 - gonzo marx
ah yes, Mr Nalle..i know..and it is heading to the Courts now...
we will see...
now, here's yer leg back, it came off in my hand when i was pulling on it..
Excelsior!
17 - Baronius
A strong, fearless leader who thumbs his/her nose at everyone's beliefs but yours, who interprets the Constitution as you wish? Why not a strong, fearless leader who interprets the Constitution as Rick Santorum wishes, or David Duke, or Chuck Barris?
18 - Silas Kain
Santorum says that the legalization of gay marriage is a direct threat to his marriage. Gee, I wonder why? Has anyone ever considered that Senator Santorum really does protest awfully loud? Has anyone considered that amongst his Italo-American compadres, he comes off as the most effeminate? Now, that doesn't mean he's gay, Lord knows I don't want to assign stereotypes. Those on the extreme right need to conjur up as many demons as they can to keep us off track of more important issues that confront American society. Smoke screens, that's what it's all about.
19 - gonzo marx
correction incoming...
on NPR this evening here in Maine, they were interviewing the head of the organization that was fighting against adding homosexuals to the Civil Rights act...and that fine gentleman said the NEXT thing on their Agenda to try was to get an Amendment to the state constitution that "marriage was between one man and one woman"
so i am gathering that there has been no "ban" here so far...i will have ot look up last year's election that Mr Nalle spoke of...but it seems not...
Excelsior!
20 - Dave Nalle
Weird. The article I read from the Augusta paper said that one of the points about this referendum was that it would be a challenge to the anti-gay-marriage law that was on the books.
Dave
21 - stevo
sounds like I should move to Texas!
22 - Silas Kain
Yeee Hawwwwwwww.... The Texas Gay Rodeo Association celebrates 20 years! Damn, I may have to move to Texas after all. We still have a fighting chance to rope us one of those cowpokes and drag 'em to the preacher. This weekend the International Gay Rodeo Association is hosting their 19th Finals Rodeo in Dallas! Wow, what an irony. As good intentioned as the voters of Texas may be on the "gay marriage" ammendment, it's not a setback for the gay community. The crusade continues and we will prevail.
23 - Dave Nalle
From what I hear a lot of straight Texans go to the gay rodeo and enjoy the experience. By all accounts it's a serious competition and worth attending if you like rodeos.
Dave
24 - Silas Kain
Talk about gay caballeros! I am very impressed by what this group is doing in Dallas this weekend! With 4,000 participants and spectators, this event is generating a lot of goodwill, especially for Katrina victims. It's events like this that prove there can be peaceful coexistence between uber-conservatives and members of the gay world. This event, while "gay" in nature, transcends the bedroom and concentrates on rodeo sportsmanship as well as generating charitable donations. If folks can accomplish this feat in a place like Mesquite, TX it seems to me that the remainder of the Bible Belt may not be as cut off from our community as we've been led to believe.
25 - Dave Nalle
"If folks can accomplish this feat in a place like Mesquite, TX it seems to me that the remainder of the Bible Belt may not be as cut off from our community as we've been led to believe."
That's one of the great hidden truths, Silas. The bigorty in the 'bible belt' isn't nearly as pervasive as it's made out to be. The left tries to play it up as a boogeyman and the far right tries to encourage and feed on it, but in reality most people - regardless of where they are from - default to a live and let live attitude. We've all got gay friends and relatives and no one wants to be a bigot if given any kind of opportunity not to be one.
Dave