Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite- sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.I'm especially happy that Judge Walker addressed the irrationality of Prop 8. California that, from what I hear, used to be a hotbed of activism, dissent and progressive thinking, at a certain point went in a completely different direction. The state became an international laughing stock when it elected the dense Arnold Schwarzenegger as its governor. Since then, California's economy has been destroyed, its world-famous education system is in ruins and its government is boggled down in the kind of bureaucracy that only a Republican governor is ever able to create. The result of this kind of a mess is, as we all know, popular resentment and a consequent search for a group that can be marginalized, persecuted and made to suffer. In the midst of their economic misery and bureaucratic martyrdom, Californians leashed out against same-sex couples.
At least now we know that there is one jurist in California who is still willing to uphold reason and act in a rational way: Judge Walker. I congratulate Californians on this great judicial decision that moved California back to the list of civilized places.
6 comments:
This is truly a momentous event! Now it's time for the rest of the country to catch up!
California, though, was never the Shangri-La that you think it might have been (hello Prop 13?). Like the rest of the country, it's evenly divided politically. Not all of the state's problems can be attributed to Arnie--I lived there when his predecessor Davis was governor, and it was in trouble then.
Though I enjoyed hanging out on the Sunset Strip and seeing bands play at the Whiskey, I also got sick of the earthquakes, traffic, and high cost of living, and that's why I'm not there now. No place will ever be as hip as L.A., but to reference another Devo song, I'm "through being cool."
Any real conservative would argue that Proposition 8 was a clear infringement on personal liberties and that the state and federal governments had no business or right to tell anyone who they can or cannot marry. So-called ‘social conservatives’ who will fight to the death for the right to carry a gun into a bar, but will fight just as hard to get the government to ban same-sex marriage and abortions (both very personal decisions) don’t understand anything about real conservatism or personal liberty.
There some who were not happy with the ruling, and protested. But they couldn't match the wit and irony of the counter-protesters!
Richard: that's the thing, there are no actual conservatives around. I've been searching for somebody who woule be able to explain their conservative views to me in a reasonable and logical way, but no luck so far.
eric: the pictures of the counterprotesters are fantastic!!! Make sure to check them out, everybody. These guys are great at organizing a counterprotest.
Clarissa,
To my knowledge no one has set down and actually formulated a clear and coherent description of modern conservatism as a philosophy. As a result porch climbing politicians, bigots of every stripe, and the mean spirited in general claim the mantel of conservative as a means of dignifying some really idiotic ideas. I maintain that conservatism is a philosophical, not a political concept. As such conservatism has nothing to do with political parties or right wing advocacy. It is really a way to interpret what is currently happening by measuring it against philosophical standards based on historical precedence and, it is hoped, a belief in personal liberty.
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