Skinscript (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
skinscript) wrote2008-11-05 10:07 am
skinscript) wrote2008-11-05 10:07 am
A post, NOT about Obama.
Though I am pleased he won.
I try and stay out of American politics for all sorts of reasons. This particular election, I was watching. Not only because there was *nothing else on*, but also because I happened to catch a news story yesterday that discussed the ballot amendments. Despite the good of the result of the presidential election, the results of the ballots are ... disappointing? Frustrating?
How about, heartbreaking.
Most of the ballots even I didn't care about, at least not with any fervour. But let's look at the ones I do:
Arizona
Ban on Gay Marriage --> Yes (56%)
Another opportunity for progress derailed.
Arkansas
Ban on Gay Couples Adopting Children --> Yes (57%)
This one? Translates into people being unable to help their families, or each other in times of crisis, as well as the straightforward implication that people's ability to parent is linked to their genitals.
Florida
Ban on Gay Marriage --> Yes (62%)
I don't even know what to say anymore.
Colorado
Human Life from Moment of Conception --> [CORRECTION - NO] (73%!!)
Oh, this is brilliant. This ballot has writes into law that as of the instant of fertilization, human life qualifies as a 'person'. This has the obvious effect of banning abortion, but also implies: use of the morning after pill is attempted murder; early miscarriage through carelessness or ignorance could be manslaughter or murder, and so on. Even in cases where termination of pregnancy would previously have been all right even in abortion banned states, such as an ectopic, intervention would now be considered murder. Oh, well done Colorado!
[CORRECTION -- this one was a NO! Thank all the little daisies there is some sense out there.]
California
Ban on Gay Marriage --> Yes (52%)
I think this is the one that hurts the most. California ... I expect you to be progressive. Now, the votes here haven't been all counted yet, and there are still enough outstanding to provide the possibility that Amendment 8 will be rejected. I still have hope.
What does it take for the general populace to understand that this isn't about 'gay' rights, or 'women's rights. It's about HUMAN RIGHTS, and I find it unfathomable that there is still argument about whether all people qualify.
I have never been so happy to be Canadian as I am today.
I try and stay out of American politics for all sorts of reasons. This particular election, I was watching. Not only because there was *nothing else on*, but also because I happened to catch a news story yesterday that discussed the ballot amendments. Despite the good of the result of the presidential election, the results of the ballots are ... disappointing? Frustrating?
How about, heartbreaking.
Most of the ballots even I didn't care about, at least not with any fervour. But let's look at the ones I do:
Arizona
Ban on Gay Marriage --> Yes (56%)
Another opportunity for progress derailed.
Arkansas
Ban on Gay Couples Adopting Children --> Yes (57%)
This one? Translates into people being unable to help their families, or each other in times of crisis, as well as the straightforward implication that people's ability to parent is linked to their genitals.
Florida
Ban on Gay Marriage --> Yes (62%)
I don't even know what to say anymore.
Colorado
Human Life from Moment of Conception --> [CORRECTION - NO] (73%!!)
Oh, this is brilliant. This ballot has writes into law that as of the instant of fertilization, human life qualifies as a 'person'. This has the obvious effect of banning abortion, but also implies: use of the morning after pill is attempted murder; early miscarriage through carelessness or ignorance could be manslaughter or murder, and so on. Even in cases where termination of pregnancy would previously have been all right even in abortion banned states, such as an ectopic, intervention would now be considered murder. Oh, well done Colorado!
[CORRECTION -- this one was a NO! Thank all the little daisies there is some sense out there.]
California
Ban on Gay Marriage --> Yes (52%)
I think this is the one that hurts the most. California ... I expect you to be progressive. Now, the votes here haven't been all counted yet, and there are still enough outstanding to provide the possibility that Amendment 8 will be rejected. I still have hope.
What does it take for the general populace to understand that this isn't about 'gay' rights, or 'women's rights. It's about HUMAN RIGHTS, and I find it unfathomable that there is still argument about whether all people qualify.
I have never been so happy to be Canadian as I am today.
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Maybe it's naive, but half of this flat out surprises me (and not in a good way).
Ha! Matches the rest of the day for me.
*Hugs* (...because naturally, that fixes everything for everyone! *rolls eyes at self*)
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**** not so happy ramblings below, for those who care to ignore them ****
I saw those series of ads run in America a few years ago where they said that it was still legal to fire people for being gay in 37 states. I was hoping when they allowed gay marriages over there it would... stick. What harm could two consenting adults in love possibly do to all those people who voted against them? I've seen straight people who shouldn't be allowed to breed, much less vote on other people.
Perhaps it is a cultural thing. America as a whole doesn't seem to have much awareness of the world outside its borders. Perhaps if they saw, first hand, the amount of suffering and cruelty out there, they might rethink wanting a 13-year-old girl to give birth to an HIV+ rapist's child or condemning gay marriages or gay parents when the straight ones beat their own children to death over some bizarre slight just because they happen to be the fruit of their loins and all that. I don't know. It's wierd. Personally, I'd rather go after pedophiles, rapists, and people that are cruel to animals than gay people and mothers.
Sorry for the ramblings. I get very annoyed when laws are made to infringe the rights of people. Laws are meant to prevent harm. That is all.
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To me, this is a fundamental breach of human rights and a clearcut case of prejudice.
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You're on the receiving end of all my rants, so I know you know how I feel about it already. But it is just SO WRONG.
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