Sunday Politics
I'm placing these items behind cuts to spare your flists--this post got rather long!
I posted Friday about a new book by Bob Woodward examining the Bush Administration during the past two years of war. Woodward will be on 60 Minutes tonight to talk about this book.
Fellow Californians, I had a door-to-door supporter of Proposition 8 appear at my door yesterday morning. Apparently, the cave I live in doesn't get local news (I blame this on not being stuck in traffic anymore, listening to KNX 1070; I should add LA Times to my normal news diet) as this was the first I'd heard of this proposition. Considering the last proposition was overturned earlier this year, is a state constitutional amendment a smart idea? Should the state government define who can and cannot form a legal contract to honor a commitment to the person one loves? The little flyer thing the Yes proponent left (must be informed!) says this prop "will not take away any rights from gay and lesbian domestic partners", ie the legal rights and benefits of marriage. If so, why do we *need* to amend the constitution?
As a teacher, another flyer blurb really caught my attention. It says the prop "will prevent teachers, under the state Education Code (Section 51890), from having to instruct children as young as kindergarteners that there is no difference between gay and traditional marriage. This is an issue for parents to discuss according to their own values and beliefs." So, let's say a student does ask a teacher (which does happen), how does the teacher respond? If his/her hands are tied, does s/he say, sorry, I can't answer that? only to be followed by the inevitable, 'why?' If s/he tries to respond carefully and thoughtfully, does the teacher get in trouble? If they reply with their own biased perspective, how does that impact the child, who may already be confused and is, thus, asking? This last is a problem I can see happening regardless if the proposition is passed or not. I recently had a conversation with a conservative elementary school teacher who said she doesn't want to teach kids that both types of marriage are the same and normal. She'd rather teach kids that one is normal and the other is not. I find this incredibly irresponsible. Regardless what one's personal feelings are on the question, should we be teaching children that same-sex marriage is abnormal and not expect this to perpetuate prejudice and hatred? What if the student asking questions is part of a same-sex family? I am a big proponent of parents talking to their kids about such important matters, but I also know that sometimes kids feel more comfortable talking to their teachers. Should the state tie a teacher's hands?
Anyway, this is meant to be a PSA, so I'll stop now and give some links:
Advocacy Sites
No on Prop 8, opposes Prop 8
Protect Marriage.com, sponsors Prop 8
ACLU of Northern California
Equality California
News/Op-Ed Articles
Why Prop. 8 is a losing proposition, LA Times, July 12, 2008
Majority of Californians oppose Proposition 8: poll, Washington Blade, September 5, 2008
Extra help for California's Prop 8, LA Times, September 6, 2008
I walked into Baskin Robbins and what did I see?
But what really made me laugh was how people were responding to these party flavors.
*ded*
I posted Friday about a new book by Bob Woodward examining the Bush Administration during the past two years of war. Woodward will be on 60 Minutes tonight to talk about this book.
Fellow Californians, I had a door-to-door supporter of Proposition 8 appear at my door yesterday morning. Apparently, the cave I live in doesn't get local news (I blame this on not being stuck in traffic anymore, listening to KNX 1070; I should add LA Times to my normal news diet) as this was the first I'd heard of this proposition. Considering the last proposition was overturned earlier this year, is a state constitutional amendment a smart idea? Should the state government define who can and cannot form a legal contract to honor a commitment to the person one loves? The little flyer thing the Yes proponent left (must be informed!) says this prop "will not take away any rights from gay and lesbian domestic partners", ie the legal rights and benefits of marriage. If so, why do we *need* to amend the constitution?
As a teacher, another flyer blurb really caught my attention. It says the prop "will prevent teachers, under the state Education Code (Section 51890), from having to instruct children as young as kindergarteners that there is no difference between gay and traditional marriage. This is an issue for parents to discuss according to their own values and beliefs." So, let's say a student does ask a teacher (which does happen), how does the teacher respond? If his/her hands are tied, does s/he say, sorry, I can't answer that? only to be followed by the inevitable, 'why?' If s/he tries to respond carefully and thoughtfully, does the teacher get in trouble? If they reply with their own biased perspective, how does that impact the child, who may already be confused and is, thus, asking? This last is a problem I can see happening regardless if the proposition is passed or not. I recently had a conversation with a conservative elementary school teacher who said she doesn't want to teach kids that both types of marriage are the same and normal. She'd rather teach kids that one is normal and the other is not. I find this incredibly irresponsible. Regardless what one's personal feelings are on the question, should we be teaching children that same-sex marriage is abnormal and not expect this to perpetuate prejudice and hatred? What if the student asking questions is part of a same-sex family? I am a big proponent of parents talking to their kids about such important matters, but I also know that sometimes kids feel more comfortable talking to their teachers. Should the state tie a teacher's hands?
Anyway, this is meant to be a PSA, so I'll stop now and give some links:
Advocacy Sites
No on Prop 8, opposes Prop 8
Protect Marriage.com, sponsors Prop 8
ACLU of Northern California
Equality California
News/Op-Ed Articles
Why Prop. 8 is a losing proposition, LA Times, July 12, 2008
Majority of Californians oppose Proposition 8: poll, Washington Blade, September 5, 2008
Extra help for California's Prop 8, LA Times, September 6, 2008
I walked into Baskin Robbins and what did I see?
But what really made me laugh was how people were responding to these party flavors.
*ded*