On Prop 8

         In the 2008 election, the state of California voted on, and approved a ballot measure to ban homosexual marriages. With almost all precincts reporting, election returns showed the measure winning with 52% of the vote. An estimated 2 million to 3 million provisional and absentee ballots remained to be tallied, but based on trends and the locations of the votes still outstanding, the margin of support in favor of the initiative was secure. Proponents of the ban were ecstatic.

        "People believe in the institution of marriage," Frank Schubert, co-manager of the Yes on 8 campaign, said after declaring victory early Wednesday. "It's one institution that crosses ethnic divides, that crosses partisan divides. ... People have stood up because they care about marriage and they care a great deal."

        I myself don’t have a dog in this metaphorical race, as I am not homosexual. I am however, also not one to stand behind drawn drapes and covertly monitor the every movement and word of my neighbors. I have enough trouble managing my own affairs to involve myself in the affairs of others. That being said, with the election over, I found myself with some free time and an idle mind. Not wanting to provide a workshop for you know who … I have given this matter some serious thought and come up with the following conclusions.

        I have heard many justifications offered by people for this ban. They tell me that they are compelled by the need to protect the sanctity of marriage. I find this particular line of “reasoning” to be interesting. California stopped reporting their divorce statistics in or about in 1980 out of abject shame over the fact that they were far and away the runaway national leaders in that area. It occurs to me that if the residents of the state of California were genuinely interested in protecting the sanctity of the institution whose signature motto is “Till death us do part”, they might concentrate on finding some way to stop the heterosexuals from getting divorced at a breakneck pace instead of working so hard to stop people who love one another from getting married. Perhaps then, they could reduce the number of divorces in their state to some number that they would not be ashamed to report.

        What exactly is it about homosexuals is it that scares the “good people” of California? Are you afraid that your children will “turn gay”? I myself view the homosexual lifestyle much as I do a headcheese and Limburger sandwich on pumpernickel; not something I’d be interested in, but hey, if it appeals to you then have at it! There are people out there who would order that delicacy every day of the week and twice on Sunday. So who am I to try to outlaw such a sandwich?

        It all boils down to the words of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy who said:

        But we can perhaps remember, if only for a time, that those who live with us are our brothers, that they share with us the same short moment of life; that they seek, as do we, nothing but the chance to live out their lives in purpose and in happiness, winning what satisfaction and fulfillment they can.

        Surely, this bond of common faith, this bond of common goal, can begin to teach us something. Surely, we can learn, at least, to look at those around us as fellow men, and surely we can begin to work a little harder to bind up the wounds among us and to become in our own hearts brothers and countrymen once again.

         In all the years that the divorce rate climbed to it's current shameful levels and worse, I have never heard of any groups like Mr. Schubert's mobilizing to stop divorce with this much enthusiasm and purpose. I've never seen or heard of a ballot initiative to ban "drive thru" no-fault divorces. Apparently they only choose to defend marriage against gays and not against the droves of heterosexuals who make a mockery of marriage. Mr. Shubert, You and your 52 % of the population of California are frauds! You care nothing about the institution of marriage. How many of your minions have been divorced Mr. Shubert? How many of that 52% have torn the families of their own children asunder for the benefit of their own selfish gratification? I suggest that you take your millions of dollars and your swarms of minions and go back to your homes and work on keeping your own marriages and those of your friends, neighbors and holier than thou churches intact. Perhaps if you demonstrate to your children that heterosexuals can be true to one another and keep their vows, you will not have to worry about them “turning gay”.