Prop 2
So Prop 2 is going to pass, probably with about 3/4 of the Texas's votes. I guess it isn't pretty, but hey that's democracy right? I followed the campaign a good deal, and of course voted. Here are a few things I noted, and some problems I have with the whole thing and its passing. First, the argument of the people who supported the amendment is dumbfounding. Hiding clear homophobia under the guise of religion is pathetic, and it is sad because it seems to work on so many people. I read quotes in the paper of supporters of the proposition who "love gay people, and that is why they want to save them from going to hell." I seem to remember slavery being justified (as with this amendment, this was only a rationalization, not a real reason) as being good so that blacks would know true western religion, so really, we were doing them a favor by sailing them over here and giving them a cross. Total bullshit. Also, there is a lot of research out there saying that genetics plays a HUGE roll on sexual orientation (ie separated identical twins have a higher correlation of sexual orientation then other groups). Somehow "well meaning" ideologues never can get there hands on any recent research. This isn't going to turn anyone straight. OK, dropping the gay thing, this is just a bad law. Gay marriage is already illegal in the state of Texas. All that this law does it makes it so that in the future ELECTED officials at the local or even state level won't be able to change this law, that is without passing another amendment nullifying this one. We tend to eventually overturn bad amendments and laws, at least at the national level (see, prohibition, slavery) that curtail freedom rather then granting it. But in a state like Texas which is so caught up in the culture war, I bet it won't be for a long time. Another thing, the law is poorly written, the law, as passed could also invalidate other forms of matrimony such as common law marriages, or anything passed on a local level. Pretty embarrassing. Let me take a step back and say that in all honesty, this bill won't really effect my life at all. I just hate to see such a big deal made about things like gay marriage or stem cells, which serve only to separate americans and create the illusion that there is a "culture war" going on in the US. The idea of a culture war is simply a red herring politicians use to differentiate themselves from opponents who are just as lackluster at tackling real problems like our foreign policy crisis, poverty, or trade deficit as they are. fin