True, and while I care most about 8 and 4 in California, just looking at the ballot measures across the country is really depressing. I'm not even sure what hurts more, knowing that some of these passed (Define marriage in Florida, Arizona; Adoptive Parents in Arkansas) or that some of these wound up on the ballot at all (Ban Affirmative Action, Nebraska; Make English Official Language, Missouri)
There are times I just find this place heartbreaking and the thought of how much work there is to do overwhelming. I think because the criminal code is federal back home, we don't wind up with the same patchwork as here.
But yeah, I'll be watching the ongoing results and hoping/wishing/praying.
I'm pretty down, myself, but there's hope, at least in California, and probably, longer term, throughout the U.S.
If you read the decision handed down by the California Supreme Court that paved the way for same-sex marriage in the state, the justices make it pretty clear that they were choosing between two possibilities -- either making marriage available to all or no longer having "marriage" sanctioned by the state and going to domestic partnerships for all. So that's one possible result if 8 passes.
There are also a number of opportunities for legal challenges to the initiative, including the fact that the constitutional change it imposes isn't really an amendment.
And, finally, I have to think that with Barack as president, we will see the U.S. Supreme Court shift back to the center or even center-left, and that will open the door to challenging some of this crap at the federal level. Ultimately, that's the big win with Barack -- had McCain won, I honestly feel that we would have been shutting the door on everything this country ever did or could stand for based on what the Founders believed and wrote. With Barack, we have the chance to take the country back from the forces of hate and intolerance.
But, yeah, it's still depressing that there are so many selfish people willing to impose their crippled worldviews on everyone else. With any luck these crappy laws will encourage more people to move out of those states and come help the blue states be more like America is meant to be, and suffer the consequences of losing all those brilliant young people as they've been doing over the last forty or so years.
I keep getting teary, thinking "If Leif's gay I want him to be able to get married and bring me grandchildren", and getting so furious at people who want to prevent their own kids from having that right. And being so angry at people who would rather keep children in the foster system than in loving adoptive families - gay couples who really want kids. And then remember that I'm going home to Canada, where those aren't barriers, or even political issues anymore (I'm not going to mention my conservative grandparents - the social change does happen a lot more slowly. I understand that it's hard for them, and I'm patient). But it rings hollow, and I can't feel smug or superior when so many people have just been denied these basic rights, and even more children will be directly hurt because of that denial. I'm sad. But hoping that saner heads will prevail with Obama in charge. I hope, I hope...
I wonder how Obama's gonna handle this one? Is he gonna do the right thing and do his best to repeal the bans but therefore go against the will of the public,, or is he gonna accept what people voted for? tough one... As if he didn't already have so many challenges ahead eh? http://www.spinwhip.com/obama
Honestly, I don't think he's going to touch this one. I think it would be political suicide for him. He's on record saying he's for civil unions, and not gay marriage, which is of course not what I believe, but maybe the best that can be hoped for at this point in US politics. At some point, this will go to the Supreme Court (which will have a democratic majority).
I also think that it's more the job of the California Supreme Court to look at this amendment - you can't amend a constitutional right! At least, I don't think you can. To paraphrase ex-Prime Minister Paul Martin, the rights of minority groups should never be subject to the whim of the majority. The majority should always uphold and support minority rights. For more great stuff that can fuel future arguments for marriage equality, google for "Paul Martin" and "opening speech gay marriage bill". A *very* good read.
no subject
Date: 2008-11-05 06:24 am (UTC)m
no subject
Date: 2008-11-05 06:39 am (UTC)There are times I just find this place heartbreaking and the thought of how much work there is to do overwhelming. I think because the criminal code is federal back home, we don't wind up with the same patchwork as here.
But yeah, I'll be watching the ongoing results and hoping/wishing/praying.
yay republocrats!
Date: 2008-11-05 06:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-05 06:49 am (UTC)in peace,
Michael
no subject
Date: 2008-11-05 07:23 am (UTC)If you read the decision handed down by the California Supreme Court that paved the way for same-sex marriage in the state, the justices make it pretty clear that they were choosing between two possibilities -- either making marriage available to all or no longer having "marriage" sanctioned by the state and going to domestic partnerships for all. So that's one possible result if 8 passes.
There are also a number of opportunities for legal challenges to the initiative, including the fact that the constitutional change it imposes isn't really an amendment.
And, finally, I have to think that with Barack as president, we will see the U.S. Supreme Court shift back to the center or even center-left, and that will open the door to challenging some of this crap at the federal level. Ultimately, that's the big win with Barack -- had McCain won, I honestly feel that we would have been shutting the door on everything this country ever did or could stand for based on what the Founders believed and wrote. With Barack, we have the chance to take the country back from the forces of hate and intolerance.
But, yeah, it's still depressing that there are so many selfish people willing to impose their crippled worldviews on everyone else. With any luck these crappy laws will encourage more people to move out of those states and come help the blue states be more like America is meant to be, and suffer the consequences of losing all those brilliant young people as they've been doing over the last forty or so years.
no subject
Date: 2008-11-05 07:23 am (UTC)how is Obama gonna handle this one?
Date: 2008-11-09 12:26 pm (UTC)As if he didn't already have so many challenges ahead eh?
http://www.spinwhip.com/obama
Re: how is Obama gonna handle this one?
Date: 2008-11-09 11:44 pm (UTC)I also think that it's more the job of the California Supreme Court to look at this amendment - you can't amend a constitutional right! At least, I don't think you can. To paraphrase ex-Prime Minister Paul Martin, the rights of minority groups should never be subject to the whim of the majority. The majority should always uphold and support minority rights. For more great stuff that can fuel future arguments for marriage equality, google for "Paul Martin" and "opening speech gay marriage bill". A *very* good read.
no subject
Date: 2008-11-12 10:02 pm (UTC)-------------
siva
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