Nov 11 2008
To Mr. Bill Finger.
Interesting points.
Ironically, I do think this is a center-right nation. I don’t think 5 out of the last 7 Presidents being Republican is an accident, and not merely attributable to Democrats and their “Operation: Blow It Again” over the last few Presidential campaigns.
When Americans get scared, they seem to revert back to conservatism. Conservatism is easy. It doesn’t challenge the mind in a lot of ways. “Don’t change anything. Keep the status quo. And for christsake, don’t let queers marry.” (depending on your historical context, change that to don’t let blacks and whites marry).
It seems to take a mammoth effort to get a Democrat elected, and not so much of one for a Republican. This election is a perfect example. We had a vastly superior candidate, all the money in the world, and the best campaign in history. Yet we didn’t win by a 49 state landslide the way Republicans, at least used to be, capable of (1972).
Prop 8. Wow. If gay marriage can’t find a home in CA, it really can’t find a home anywhere.
I’m a HUGE believer in marriage. Gay, straight, or anything. Opponents of gay marriage love to trot out the “slippery slope” argument, that if we let gays get married, what’s next? Men marrying animals?
First of all, if a man really wants to marry an animal, why the hell should we discriminate against Texas?
But really, I don’t care who you marry, what you had for breakfast, or any other aspect of your personal life. If someone else excercises, I don’t get stronger. And if someone marries a fish, that doesn’t have any impact on my marriage.
Conservatives are right. We do need to support family values. And in this day in age, I don’t think we have any right denying marriage or parenthood to people in love, whatever they are. Show me the evidence that says gays can’t make great parents. In fact, show me the evidence that says gays don’t make BETTER parents than straight ones.
Look at every gay person you’ve EVER seen. I don’t know about you, but every gay dude I’ve ever met has been pretty well educated, with a stable career, and making a hell of a lot more money than I do.
Now contrast that to the guy in Appalachia wearing a “Who Farted?” hat, married to some toothless lagoon creature out on bail for a drug charge. ‘Cause I’ve met that guy. I work with him. And guess how many kids he has.
If you guessed FIVE, you’re right. Those kids are the future NASCAR fans of America, and we’re really comfortable denying the “sanctity” of marriage to gay people?
It looks pretty damn unsanctimonious to me already. Let everyone in who’s willing to do what it takes to make it work. Let everyone in who can provide a stable home and future for their children. And for christsake, let ‘em adopt so pregnant teens can go back to being irresponsible.
It’s a question of wrong versus right. And as California has yet again managed to prove, we’re on the wrong side of it.
3 Responses to “To Mr. Bill Finger.”
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“First of all, if a man really wants to marry an animal, why the hell should we discriminate against Texas?”
Loud, sustained applause.
If it is possible to be heard over the deafening applause, may I please say: As a native Texan, although recently relocated to VA, I resent the stereotype that intelligence, rational thought, and intellectual vigor is predicated on some geographical point of origin.
“When Americans get scared, they seem to revert back to conservatism. Conservatism is easy. It doesn’t challenge the mind in a lot of ways.” Conservatism is not easy if you are a thinking person. It forces the mind to stand still, reverse course, and reject all knowledge acquired in order to maintain an un-natural position, a constant resistance toward forward motion. When people allow their fear to dictate their actions they become “fear based”. The fear informs the horizon of their life. From where I sit, that is tragedy. That is disgusting; yet, I know with all my being that is choice. Choice to be left behind. Choice to be passed by. And ultimately, the choice to “be scared”. Fear does nothing but weaken the spirit and prepare the soul for domination. Not this Texan… ~k
Hey! That’s me! But I don’t remember having an indirect conversation with you. . .