News o' the day

Busy day in the political world, and of course, I couldn't just let that go...

First off, in California, the state Supreme Court upheld the passing of Prop. 8, making gay marriage illegal.
And while it's a sad and frustrating turn of events, I can't say I'm too surprised. Nor can I say was it the absolute wrong decision by the judges.
To turn over the "will of the people" — even if it was only 52 percent of the people — would have just opened up more criticism and more reasons for those "good Christians" to continue discriminating unjustly against a minority.
They may have won this battle, but they certainly have not won the war.
More conservative states are starting to come around. And as they come around, it may become easier for politicians in Washington (or aspiring for Washington) to stop hiding in closets, hoping that the issue will go away. Because if any of them took up the issue at this point, it would amount to committing career political suicide. There are still too many closed-minded people in this country — the ones who get creeped out at the idea of gay people just living together, let alone married — for anyone in their right (or left) mind to get elected to national office using a platform that includes the rights for gays to marry.
Even President Barack Obama backs away from the issue. President Bill Clinton didn't win any fans, either, with the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy for the military.
This can't happen overnight. And it's been a long time coming. But the war needs to be won at the ballot box. It can't be won in court, because the argument of "will of the people" will always be the trump card.
And it can be. It's just going to take some serious campaigning. Everyone thought that there was no way that Prop. 8 could pass, but the family-first-types went out and campaigned their closed-minded values off. Millions of bumper stickers and signs and commercials. You get enough of those going, and you're going to win votes (especially, as I said Monday, in the redder parts of the state).
So, next chance possible, get a measure on the ballot to repeal Prop. 8. And campaign. And if it fails, you try again. And again. And again.
Nothing worth having isn't worth fighting for. And equality and freedom, those are worth fighting for.

Meanwhile, in Washington, President Obama nominated a Latina for the Supreme Court. And just like Rush Limbaugh, he opened his mouth.
“Here you have a racist — you might want to soften that, and you might want to say a reverse racist."
Really? A reverse racist? What the hell is a reverse racist? The opposite of a racist is someone who isn't a racist you big dunderhead.
Oh my gawd Rush, just because a big bad Latina is coming to the High Court doesn't mean you're going to have to fire your cleaning lady. Or your gardening crew. Or your pool cleaners. Here's a news flash for ya: All of those people willing to do that work for you, they really don't like you because you're a big, fat, lazy American who was hopped up on pain pills. But your money is good, so they won't say it to your face.
Besides, since when is being proud of your heritage, and a life experience that was much different than yours, equated to being a racist?
And for the Republicans out there who are worried about her ruling by "feeling" and taking a common man's approach ... what's wrong with that? Most of the people you serve are the "common man." Just because your donors can afford high-priced lawyers doesn't mean that the rest of us can.
We need more centrist ideals in this country. We need to be thinking of everyone, not just those who can afford a $1,000 fundraising dinner. Those who's opinions on life and politics are not red or blue, but purple. And people who are tired of hot air being blasted up our behinds by people who aren't open-minded enough to accept that they're not perfect.