Prop. 8: STOP THE MADNESS!
November 15, 2008
PLEASE, protesters of Proposition 8, STOP the craziness.
I am a proud advocate of gay rights and I’ve marched in the streets peacefully alongside my friends and coworkers, but in NO WAY do I pardon the violence and disrespect that is marring our cause.
Of course I believe in the struggle and of course I fight for gay marriage, but only through marches, letters, blogs, and continuous support for the gay community.
TRUST ME. I know why people are angry and their anger is COMPLETELY justified, but threats and aggression is NOT THE ANSWER.
We need to rally around logic and reason; continued hostility will only make our opponents defensive and this is the time to open their minds and hearts to our motivations and intentions.
For those of you who want to learn more about our arguments against Prop. 8, look under politics for more posts on the714club’s reasoning.
Prop. 8: It’s Disgusting and Then Some
November 13, 2008
We here at the714club are sick and tired of Prop. 8 supporters trying to diminish the gay community, homosexual activists, and Prop. 8 protesters by labeling them as violent or disrespectful.
the714club DOES NOT condone violence and are saddened that some protesters are acting recklessly, but let’s remind everyone that there are extremists and crazies on BOTH sides of the fence, and that the majority of the protests are peaceful and law-abiding. But think about this: if a basic right of your own had been forced away, and by the vote of your fellow Americans, how would you feel? If you had to pay taxes to a government that refused to recognize your status as married, how would you react? These protesters are angry, and justly so, because they are being denied the right to be equal and just for being different and holding a minority belief.
We also want to take this time to address some of the allegations and arguments that Prop. 8 advocates have made. (We have other posts regarding Prop. 8 and you can look for them under Politics.)
Tony Perkins, a well-known conservative who is the president of the Family Research Council, has said that the “historic definition of marriage” is between a man and a woman only and that it is the duty of the American people to defend that institution. But if we played everything by its historical definition, blacks would still be slaved, women would not be empowered, and there would be no such thing as progress.
He also maintains that only heterosexual marriage is what’s best for children and that we cannot change public policy for only a few. Mr. Perkins, if you really wanted to do the right thing by our young people, you would allow those who have gay parents to have the benefit of a legal family. And what is this nonsense about not being able to change public policy for a few? We understand that although America makes decisions based on majority vote for majority benefit, those concern issues regarding rights that ALL people have, and not everyone has yet the right to get married. Also, please note that the American legal system is formulated to PROTECT the minority; we think someone needs to brush up on Government 101.
Another supporter of Proposition 8, this time one of our fellow bloggers, calls for love and acceptance. WHAT?! Love? For our government who has just refused the gay community equal rights? Acceptance? Just like Prop. 8 promoters accept that marriage should be legalized and available for all?
No. We cannot and will not love those who have stripped gay’s rights to marriage. No. We cannot and will not accept the intolerance and prejudice that forces gays to be lesser to heterosexuals. And until this Voldemort-like evil (whoo-hoo! A HP reference to boot! Take that Tony Perkins!) is abolished, we will continue to embrace our gay friends and family and strangers and we will further resist against intolerance and prejudice.
There is also confusion involving religious concerns. STOP throwing the Bible at us. Prop. 8 has NOTHING to do with religion or ethics or morals or beliefs. Proposition 8 is about politics and public policy and it shouldn’t matter what a person’s preferences are, government should NOT hold double standards. Prop. 8 is about giving everyone their due claim and without discrimination of any nature.
Many are also saying that gays can have civil unions, just not marriage. YOU KNOW WHAT? If EVERYONE can have civil union and NO ONE can have marriage, that’s FINE WITH US, because all we ask for is justice and impartiality.
If anyone has anything to add or disagree with anything we have said, PLEASE SPEAK UP! We welcome all intelligent counters and will continue to keep posting more arguments opposing Prop. 8 on this blog.
Political Cartoons
November 13, 2008
Topical cartoons I found amusing…well, almost.
Patrick Corrigan, The Toronto Star
Patrick O’Connor, The Los Angeles Daily News
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune
Mike Lane, Cargle Cartoons
Prop. 8: Passed
November 5, 2008
It is a saddening and even terrifying thought that the spirit of America, the flagship of democracy and equality and freedom, is still unable to overcome a major prejudice and discrimination.
Proposition 8, a ban of same-sex marriages in California, was passed, overruling the state Supreme Court’s decision of legalizing gay marriage, and is one of the biggest setbacks for tolerance in our time.
The struggles of racial inequity and the battle for women’s rights have long ago been addressed and the 2008 elections are proof and a confirmation of their upheld standing. There are, of course, still difficulties and thresholds to cross, but at least those issues have been given the respect and due treatment they deserve from the American public.
But think of gay rights.
We, the people, have taken a step backwards in what is supposed to be a progressive country, have barely confronted the problems of injustice concerning gay liberties, and have voted to withhold the benefits and opportunities we ourselves enjoy for granted because it is the “moral” thing to do and because, in the eyes of those who voted for Prop. 8, marriage is a select benefit, used exclusively to define and establish the union of a man and woman.
In 1865, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery. In 1920, women were given the right to vote.
So when, America, will the time be right for our gay coworkers, neighbors, and friends to finally receive their badge of victory? When will the campaign for complete and sincere equality be given its full support from us?
It’s not about ethics. It’s about justice.
Political Cartoons
November 3, 2008
Jeff Parker, Florida Today
John Trever, Albuquerque Journal
Leave me some of your thoughts on these!
Phone Banks
November 1, 2008
If you’re an Obama supporter looking to get involved, it’s still not too late.
All you need is a voice, a cell phone, and a charger.
Check out the dozens of phone bank events that are being held across America and join the fun. If you live in the Los Angeles area, click here to find a place near you.
ROCK THE VOTE AMERICA.
Prop. 8: Approach With Caution
October 30, 2008
When you go to vote on November 4th, PLEASE read the ballot carefully because the wording on Prop. 8 is a little tricky and you don’t want your voice to be heard incorrectly.
Proposition 8 is called the California Marriage Protection Act and appears on the ballot titled as “Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry.”
Basically, if you vote for Prop. 8, you’re allowing California to amend its state constitution so that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized.”
I support gay marriage and rights 100% and will vote against Prop. 8. Whatever you decide is personal and your own business, but PLEASE make sure you understand exactly what the consequences will be for your vote.
For more information about Prop. 8 click here.
Remember California, Prop. 8 and whether it passes or fails will influence the rest of America’s hope for the protection of same-sex marriage.
Obama for America
October 24, 2008
Love Apple? Support Obama? Then download the free iPhone and iPod touch app, Obama for America, on iTunes.
It’s got neat features that keep you up-to-date, enable you to get involved, and it includes other awesome details that are easy to use and simple to work.
If you’ve tried this app before but found it crashes or isn’t as convenient as advertised, don’t worry because the bugs have been corrected and now it works neatly and without fuss.
Plus it’s free and who can resist free stuff? Try it out and if you hate it, it’s all good; you can delete it in about eleven days.
ROCK THE VOTE AMERICA.
