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lls_mutantDear Texas (and the other 18 states),
What are you thinking? Honestly. Was this anything other than an act of hate?
I'm an American. I love this country in many ways. But what I love most of all is the basic principle that this country was founded on- the "old" meaning of conservative. That every man (please amend to every person) had the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The Constitution was created to protect our rights as American citizens. State's constitutions were created to do the same thing, on a smaller scale. How is amending such a document to take away rights remotely Constitutional? How is it American?
I am not asking you to believe that homosexuals should marry. That's taking away your rights to believe what you want to believe, and as a Christian, I can not deny that the Old Testament (and Paul, but Paul had his own issues) is quite explicit about homosexuality. But your beliefs should not dictate what someone else can do, particularly if those actions harm no one.
Yes, there would be some beaucracy involved. Red tape and all that. But that's not harm, that's merely change. Where is the harm in allowing two people to formalize their commitment.
Would the divorce rate increase? Perhaps. Perhaps not. But a 50% divorce rate does not mean a 50% chance an individual couple would fail. There are heterosexual couples that I would be convinced will not last, and there are heterosexual couples that will make it until death do us part. Would there people married that you think should not be married? Yes. But how is that different from what we see around us now? Would it shock some people? Yes. But so did Britney Spears 55 hour marriage and some of the mockeries of marriage we see around us already.
You say that allowing two men or two women to marry destroys the sanctity of marriage. Well, two things. The "sanctity" of marriage is a religious concept- religion has no place in State. But more than that, we destroy the sanctity of marriage on our own. Look at the marriages Hollywood puts forth. Look at the people around you. I'm not saying divorce is inherently bad. There are people that I am very glad they are divorced, and not because I wish that pain on them, but because their lives are truly better off.
I am ensconsed in a heterosexual marriage, and I can safely say this: only two people have anything to do with my marriage- myself and my husband. And yes, that is true. What about the woman interested in my husband or the man interested in me? Doesn't matter, unless one of us choses to act on it, or not trust the other not to act on it. The in-laws? In-laws can drive you crazy, but it's how you handle it as a couple. Kids? See the previous statement. A marriage is only as strong as the two people in it. How does the idea of two men across the street or two women in California getting married affect my marriage? It doesn't. It makes no impact whatsoever, just like when the man and the woman across the street get married.
As for kids.... okay, first of all? That's a seperate issue. This may come as a shock to you, but not everyone who marries wants children. Given the population crunch in the world, I don't see this as a bad thing. So denying a gay couple their rights to marry because you're worried about any offspring... um....
First. Biology lessons. Two men or two woman cannot reproduce. You need a man and a woman (or at least some sperm and a woman) for reproduction to occur. You don't need a Ph.D to know THAT.
Second. I realize that there are children of former marriages to be considered. People who were married, had kids, got divorced, and now want to marry their same sex partner. These children HAVE a mother and a father. The divorce process does not eliminate parental responsibility. (Or at least it's not meant to. We all know that's not always true.) But the child having a mother and a father in the picture is not an issue of the same sex marriage in this case; it is an issue of the divorce.
Finally. Other situations, like adoption, artificial insemination, etc. Why do children require both a mother and a father? There are many children in single-parent families that grow up just fine. There are many children in families with both a mother and a father that grow up quite warped. I'm not 100% sure what I think about gay adoption (frankly, I think it depends on the couple, just like heterosexual adoption), but the simple fact is that marriage does not automatically mean that children are involved.
To be homosexual or bisexual requires one thing and one thing only: to be attracted to a member of your own gender. It does not necessarily indicate anything else. It does not indicate how good a partner someone will be, or how strong their marriage will be. It doesn't mean the person in question will like cargo pants or sports or interior decorating or style. It does not mean the person is good overall, it does not mean they are evil. It does not mean they will or will not donate to charity, have a high paying job, contract AIDS, like Nerds candy, push a granny in front of a taxi cab, be artistic, protest, be religious, or anything else. It simply means that they will (or may) find their romantic and sexual fullfillment with a person of the same gender... or, like many heterosexuals, not at all.
So grow up, Texas. Grow up, the rest of you who are convinced that gay marriage is THE evil in our society. What these people are asking for are their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It does not impinge on yours.
-A Very Frustrated and Annoyed Republican who has her Ph.D and still isn't convinced by your arguments.
And just to avoid spamming later...
Two names you go by:
1. Lissa
2. Melissa
Two parts of your heritage:
1. Irish
2. Scottish
Two things that scare you:
1. Needles
2. Horror movies
Two of your everyday essentials:
1. water
2. baths
Two things you are wearing right now:
1. my bathrobe
2. the sash on my bathrobe
Two of your favorite bands/singers (at the moment):
1. Tim McGraw
2. Toby Keith
Two of your favorite songs at the moment:
1. "I See Me"-Travis Tritt
2. "Pressure"-Queen
Two things you want in a relationship (besides real love):
1. honesty
2. support
Two truths:
1. Life is what you make of it
2. Global warming
Two physical things that appeal to me:
1. brown eyes
2. a great smile
Two of your favorite hobbies:
1. writing
2. reading
Two things you want really badly:
1. to finish my writing
2. a healthy baby
Two places you want to go on vacation:
1. Italy
2. Greece
Two things you want to do before you die:
1. see the pyramids in Egypt
2. speak to my brother again
Two ways that you are stereotypically a chick/guy:
1. I cry at sappy movies
2. Perfume!
Two things you wouldn't normally admit:
1. my weight
2. my past sex life
Two things you are thinking about right now:
1. a shower
2. biodiesel
Two stores you shop at:
1. JC Pennys
2. Borders
Two people I would like to see do this meme:
1. you
2. me
What are you thinking? Honestly. Was this anything other than an act of hate?
I'm an American. I love this country in many ways. But what I love most of all is the basic principle that this country was founded on- the "old" meaning of conservative. That every man (please amend to every person) had the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The Constitution was created to protect our rights as American citizens. State's constitutions were created to do the same thing, on a smaller scale. How is amending such a document to take away rights remotely Constitutional? How is it American?
I am not asking you to believe that homosexuals should marry. That's taking away your rights to believe what you want to believe, and as a Christian, I can not deny that the Old Testament (and Paul, but Paul had his own issues) is quite explicit about homosexuality. But your beliefs should not dictate what someone else can do, particularly if those actions harm no one.
Yes, there would be some beaucracy involved. Red tape and all that. But that's not harm, that's merely change. Where is the harm in allowing two people to formalize their commitment.
Would the divorce rate increase? Perhaps. Perhaps not. But a 50% divorce rate does not mean a 50% chance an individual couple would fail. There are heterosexual couples that I would be convinced will not last, and there are heterosexual couples that will make it until death do us part. Would there people married that you think should not be married? Yes. But how is that different from what we see around us now? Would it shock some people? Yes. But so did Britney Spears 55 hour marriage and some of the mockeries of marriage we see around us already.
You say that allowing two men or two women to marry destroys the sanctity of marriage. Well, two things. The "sanctity" of marriage is a religious concept- religion has no place in State. But more than that, we destroy the sanctity of marriage on our own. Look at the marriages Hollywood puts forth. Look at the people around you. I'm not saying divorce is inherently bad. There are people that I am very glad they are divorced, and not because I wish that pain on them, but because their lives are truly better off.
I am ensconsed in a heterosexual marriage, and I can safely say this: only two people have anything to do with my marriage- myself and my husband. And yes, that is true. What about the woman interested in my husband or the man interested in me? Doesn't matter, unless one of us choses to act on it, or not trust the other not to act on it. The in-laws? In-laws can drive you crazy, but it's how you handle it as a couple. Kids? See the previous statement. A marriage is only as strong as the two people in it. How does the idea of two men across the street or two women in California getting married affect my marriage? It doesn't. It makes no impact whatsoever, just like when the man and the woman across the street get married.
As for kids.... okay, first of all? That's a seperate issue. This may come as a shock to you, but not everyone who marries wants children. Given the population crunch in the world, I don't see this as a bad thing. So denying a gay couple their rights to marry because you're worried about any offspring... um....
First. Biology lessons. Two men or two woman cannot reproduce. You need a man and a woman (or at least some sperm and a woman) for reproduction to occur. You don't need a Ph.D to know THAT.
Second. I realize that there are children of former marriages to be considered. People who were married, had kids, got divorced, and now want to marry their same sex partner. These children HAVE a mother and a father. The divorce process does not eliminate parental responsibility. (Or at least it's not meant to. We all know that's not always true.) But the child having a mother and a father in the picture is not an issue of the same sex marriage in this case; it is an issue of the divorce.
Finally. Other situations, like adoption, artificial insemination, etc. Why do children require both a mother and a father? There are many children in single-parent families that grow up just fine. There are many children in families with both a mother and a father that grow up quite warped. I'm not 100% sure what I think about gay adoption (frankly, I think it depends on the couple, just like heterosexual adoption), but the simple fact is that marriage does not automatically mean that children are involved.
To be homosexual or bisexual requires one thing and one thing only: to be attracted to a member of your own gender. It does not necessarily indicate anything else. It does not indicate how good a partner someone will be, or how strong their marriage will be. It doesn't mean the person in question will like cargo pants or sports or interior decorating or style. It does not mean the person is good overall, it does not mean they are evil. It does not mean they will or will not donate to charity, have a high paying job, contract AIDS, like Nerds candy, push a granny in front of a taxi cab, be artistic, protest, be religious, or anything else. It simply means that they will (or may) find their romantic and sexual fullfillment with a person of the same gender... or, like many heterosexuals, not at all.
So grow up, Texas. Grow up, the rest of you who are convinced that gay marriage is THE evil in our society. What these people are asking for are their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It does not impinge on yours.
-A Very Frustrated and Annoyed Republican who has her Ph.D and still isn't convinced by your arguments.
And just to avoid spamming later...
Two names you go by:
1. Lissa
2. Melissa
Two parts of your heritage:
1. Irish
2. Scottish
Two things that scare you:
1. Needles
2. Horror movies
Two of your everyday essentials:
1. water
2. baths
Two things you are wearing right now:
1. my bathrobe
2. the sash on my bathrobe
Two of your favorite bands/singers (at the moment):
1. Tim McGraw
2. Toby Keith
Two of your favorite songs at the moment:
1. "I See Me"-Travis Tritt
2. "Pressure"-Queen
Two things you want in a relationship (besides real love):
1. honesty
2. support
Two truths:
1. Life is what you make of it
2. Global warming
Two physical things that appeal to me:
1. brown eyes
2. a great smile
Two of your favorite hobbies:
1. writing
2. reading
Two things you want really badly:
1. to finish my writing
2. a healthy baby
Two places you want to go on vacation:
1. Italy
2. Greece
Two things you want to do before you die:
1. see the pyramids in Egypt
2. speak to my brother again
Two ways that you are stereotypically a chick/guy:
1. I cry at sappy movies
2. Perfume!
Two things you wouldn't normally admit:
1. my weight
2. my past sex life
Two things you are thinking about right now:
1. a shower
2. biodiesel
Two stores you shop at:
1. JC Pennys
2. Borders
Two people I would like to see do this meme:
1. you
2. me
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no subject
Date: 2005-11-09 05:00 pm (UTC)But, enough of that.
no subject
Date: 2005-11-10 03:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-09 05:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-10 03:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-09 06:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-10 03:58 am (UTC)I can't understand this
Date: 2005-11-09 07:26 pm (UTC)I'm not surprised but I'm extremely disappointed on many levels - and i'm not even american.
no subject
Date: 2005-11-09 07:59 pm (UTC)Oh, and happy birthday! I hope it's lovely. Also, I did THIS with you in mind. I think I have it set so only you can see it for now. Maybe. If you can't access it, let me know. :)
no subject
Date: 2005-11-09 08:23 pm (UTC)Oh, and by the way...
Happy birthday to you!
It's your birthday, woo hoo!
Your present's coming real soon...
's called LupinsLittleNephew.
Why has no one asked me to be poet laureate yet? *giggles*
I swear to got that present for LLN is coming. I just lost my
yarn needlesomething.no subject
Date: 2005-11-09 09:25 pm (UTC)1. Sheryl
2. Goosey
Two parts of your heritage:
1. Welsh
2. French
Two things that scare you:
1. Cockroaches
2. Railroad trestles
Two of your everyday essentials:
1. glasses
2. palm pilot
Two things you are wearing right now:
1. wool socks
2. black pants
Two of your favorite bands/singers (at the moment):
1. R.E.M.
2. Bo Deans
Two of your favorite songs at the moment:
1. "Chocolate" - Snow Patrol
2. "I've Been High" - R.E.M.
Two things you want in a relationship (besides real love):
1. freedom
2. sharing
Two truths:
1. Big oil is ruining this country
2. Serenity is one damn fine movie
Two physical things that appeal to me:
1. strength
2. soft, warm skin
Two of your favorite hobbies:
1. crocheting
2. reading
Two things you want really badly:
1. my partner's happiness
2. sleep
Two places you want to go on vacation:
1. Scotland
2. Russia
Two things you want to do before you die:
1. see the pyramids in Egypt
2. get a job that truly utilizes my skills
Two ways that you are stereotypically a chick/guy:
1. I like to shop
2. I have too many shoes
Two things you wouldn't normally admit:
1. my weight
2. my medical history
Two things you are thinking about right now:
1. bed
2. my dogs
Two stores you shop at:
1. Sentry Foods
2. Walgreens
Two people I would like to see do this meme:
1. you
2. me
no subject
Date: 2005-11-24 11:51 pm (UTC)I like how you supported this issue--I want to print it out and give it to the pastor at my church (I'm a Christian). He actually had the audacity to put copies of the bills to vote for/against in every pew at the church and reminded all of us to vote to keep marriage between a man and a woman. He did this 2 Sundays in a row! And instead of preaching, he lectured us on the evils of homosexuality and how it's up to us to make sure gay people will never legally marry. I was appalled; I never liked him to begin with, but this was too much. He was bringing politics into church (such a big no-no!), and I was almost going to stand in front of everyone and debate it (but I was scared he'd try to exorcise me right then and there or something--ha ha).
But anyway, you made good points here. Well done.