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Recently California voters decided to amend their constitution so that, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”  Proposition 8 was passed 52.2% for to 47.8% against. [1]  Those in support of same-sex marriage believe that allowing heterosexual couples to marry while preventing homosexual couples from marrying is discriminatory against those who are not allowed to marry.

This issue is often compared by some to the civil rights movement in which certain members of our society were denied their constitutional rights.  I believe that denying someone full rights as a citizen because of their skin color is clear civil rights violation.  One group (those with lighter skin) told another group (those with darker skin), based on a superficial characteristic (skin color), that they were not full United States Citizens, or in it’s most heinous form, not fully human.  It is absurd to characterize groups based on skin color and superficial characteristics, which unfortunately still takes place.

In order for same-sex marriage to be a civil rights issue, one group would, in this case those who believe marriage is between one man and one woman, need to deny those same rights to another group for an arbitrary reason.  Individuals opposed to same sex marriage are not saying that they can marry someone of the same sex, but that a certain other group cannot.  Those opposed to same-sex marriage believe that same-sex couples are asking for special rights beyond what other people have.

On the other hand, those in favor of same-sex marriage believe that two consenting adults is the only qualification for marriage.  Those two adults could be of the same-sex or the opposite sex.  Proponents of same-sex marriage believe that being attracted to someone of the same sex is just as natural as being attracted to someone of the opposite sex.  In denying two people the ability to get married, because they are of the same sex, is as arbitrary as denying two people the option to marry because they are not of the same “race.”

There are heterosexuals who hate homosexuals.  There are probably also homosexuals that hate heterosexuals.  However, to state that someone who votes against proposition 8 (or for same-sex marriage) is disgusting or unnatural, is to disrespect someone.  To state that someone who votes for proposition 8 (against same-sex marriage) is hateful, ignorant, intolerant, or a bigot, is to direspect someone.  Labeling someone homophobic, unnatural, or stupid, is to deny that someone could have an informed opinion that is different from yours.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, even unpopular or minority opinions, which is part of what makes the United States a great country; the right to, within reason, voice your opinion.[2]  I think it is important to understand where other people are coming from, and if they have legitimate and substantiated reasons for their beliefs, even if you don’t agree with them, to be able to respect them as a person.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_8_(2008) [↩]
2. You don’t have a right to yell fire in a crowded theatre when there isn’t a fire, and other such examples [↩]

Telthorst.net honors all those who have served the United States.  We thank our armed service personel as well as their families, for the sacrifices they have made so that we can continue to live free.  We remember in particular those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  Our prayers are with you and your families.  God Bless all those who fight and serve to protect our freedom.

President-elect Barack Obama has secured his place in the White House, but now faces the task of uniting an electorate bitterly divided over his central message. Some believe that hope must come first in order to enact change. Others feel that only once change has taken place will there be reason to hope. “I didn’t just hope for change, the though of change brought hope to me,” said Joe Erneski, a college student and ardent supporter of Barack Obama. He denies that the act of hoping for change will work and that only change can bring hope.

Others, such as Susan Kelley, believe that only when hope exists will there be a possibility of change.  “I had hope that change was coming, if I didn’t I probably never would have believed Senator Obama would bring change.”  She added that she is already hoping that Barack Obama’s status as President does not change in the 2012 election.  “I hope that the change Barack brings remains with us and doesn’t change.”

Geoff Pinter a tenured Professor of Sociology at Major University believes that such a distinction between hope and change is really a fundamental misunderanding of how change and hope effect us as a society.  “You can’t have hope without the possiblity of change, while at the same time change inspires our hope.”  He elaborated on this point stating that, “Unless we look at what everyone else is doing, we can’t understand what we should do.” In response to the ongoing controversy an Obama spokesperson has this to say:

“Regardless of whether one believes change is more important than hope, or hope is more important than change, we can all agree that George W. Bush is a failure.  We can all hope that the days leading up to inauguration will pass quickly and the change from Bush to Obama will not come too soon.  Now that Republicans have losts many seats in the House and Senate, as well as control of the white house, we can begin to rebuild America and form a bipartisan coalition with the Democrats.  That is the kind of Hope and Change we can all believe in.”

In the coming days Barack Obama will need to bring together a bipartisan coalition in order to reconcile his competing and zealous supporters with each other.  If not, his Presidency could be marked by change moving away from hope.

The G.O.P. doesn’t look so grand these days. They’ve squandered control of the legislative and executive branches of our government–and voters are right to fire them. The previously Republican controlled congress and white house have led to a bigger, more bloated, more bureaucratic government, with more spending, and under George W. Bush, have led us into a questionable war in Iraq with no clear exit strategy.

The United States has turned control of our country over to the Democrat Party. In the U.S. Senate Democrats outnumber Republicans 57-40 with 3 seats undecided. In the U.S. House of Representatives Democrats outnumber Republicans 254-173 with 8 seats undecided. The Democrat Party has the opportunity to enact reform and change. With majorities in the legislature and Barack Obama in the White House, Nancy Pelosi will no longer be able to blame George W. Bush for everything. The Democrats should be able bring about the positive change they promise; the only people that stand in their way are themselves.

Alaska Senator Ted Stevens has refused to step down despite a recent whirlwind of scandal. According to guardian.co.uk:

Stevens, 84, was convicted last week in federal court on seven felony counts of failing to report gifts and services, including renovations that doubled the size of his Alaska home. Since his conviction, Stevens has continued to campaign for re-election, even as he maintains his innocence and says he “has not been convicted of anything”.

Both President-Elect Barack Obama and Senator McCain have called for Stevens to step down. It seems as though the Alaskan Senator is in denial. According to CNN, Stevens has all but officially won his senate race despite the convictions. However, a convicted felon cannot serve in the United States Senate.

Senator Barack Obama ran a fantastic race. He rallied the people and defeated Senator McCain. I have a lot of respect for Senator McCain, for his service and his sense of honor, but he was soundly beaten. The American people have spoken. Barack Obama will be the 44th president of the United States.

I disagree with many of Senator Obama’s views and plans, however, he will be my president. I’ve predicted that many of President-Elect Obama’s policies will lead to undesirable consequences. However, I hope that America will be better off in four years.

I’m very proud to live in a country where the color of individuals skin does not limit their ability to earn the highest position in our land. We have come so far since the hideously ugly days of Jim Crow and Slavery. This was a historic race, Barack Obama is a historic candidate. Congratulations to President-Elect Obama, his family, and supporters.

Jesse Jackson, like many others, overcome by the historic nature of the event, wept at the President-Elect’s acceptance Speech.

I can understand the gravity of this moment from a civil rights standpoint. Certainly it is a proud moment for the United States. Jackson has worked most of his life to advance his civil rights causes. What could be a more culminating moment for such a person than to have an individual of African descent ascend to the highest office in the United States? But it does seem a bit weird in light of the fact that not long ago Jackson wanted to castrate Barack Obama.