Re: Olberman Nails Prop 8

brooksgarrett — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:12:35 -0000

Wow. I feel like he started falling into emotional rambling towards the end, but the beginning was stellar.

When we as society act to constrain individuals within the society, we must collectively weigh the needs of the society as a whole against the rights of the individual. This is not a socialist thought at all though, it is a basic principle under our Constitution.

Before we may infringe on any person for any reason, the government and through our votes we as society must demonstrate a need for the constraint in order to protect and preserve the rights of the many.

This is proven in so very few cases, but one is gun control. The fact that fully automatic weapons can do exponential amounts of harm, they must be regulated. While I don't agree with current regulation, that is another discussion.

Here, the reporter hits the issue squarely. What is the great need in banning marriage? How does it hinder my exercise of my rights when a homosexual couple gets married? Think hard, and "My religion says..." is not a valid reply here. Your religion may not dictate another's life and how they live it (See exhibit 1: U.S. Constitution, Amendment One).

The real question that should be asked by our citizenry Prop 8 is
"Why is the government in the business of issuing Marriage Licenses?"

Amendment One clearly exhibits the founders desire to separate the functions of the church and the functions of the state (while agreeing freedom OF religion is not freedom FROM religion).

Th real answer is our government should be issuing civil unions to all those who wish to apply. This unifies two people in the eyes of the government for tax and insurance reasons. If those two people wish to be "married" they may approach whatever religious leader they respect and request such a ceremony.

Such a logical solution transcends the emotional arguments of both sides and in my eyes satisfies all parties. Homosexual couples may join together as partners in society on equal footing with their heterosexual counterparts.

Meanwhile the religious term "Marriage", however it is defined by each respective religion, is left to be guarded and granted as the religion sees fit.

Re: Olberman Nails Prop 8

Marisol — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:25:21 -0000

I posted this on my Facebook page last night. I was so touched by his words and I became a little choked up.

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Re: Olberman Nails Prop 8

Re: Olberman Nails Prop 8