One Big Obama step forward, Two smaller steps backwards

Well we've done it. We broke the race barrier and have a new leader that I think can get us going again. But the victory is bitter sweet for me, because while we have a true leader taking over the White House, I find myself feeling like a stranger in my own "house" of California. We have voted to write discrimination into our constitution and not only does this affect me personally right now, but the opportunity it opens to now deny rights to others is what the real sadness is. A shortsighted majority of homophobic voters has opened a door to all kinds of exclusions of rights now. I truly hope the courts can step in and fix it.

Then in addition to our own state drama, a friend has informed me that her state of Arkansas has taken away the right to adopt or be a foster parent unless you are a "married couple" which not only discriminates against non-traditional couples it also affects single people that would otherwise make wonderful supporting families in favor of a fairytale that all too often doesn't exist.

So, America has shown that while we can rise above racial prejudice for the sake of our country we still have a lot of work to do. There is still a lot of bias and injustice to be fixed. There is still a lot of prejudice and wrong thinking out there. There is still a lot of fear of those different, and a feeling of ones security or norm being threatened by "outsiders". I have to say, and I've heard it said before, there are a lot of people hiding behind a cloak of Christianity that don't ever seem to look deeper into the teaching of Christ... so here it is again, from more sources than I can list here:

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2002.

Let him who is without sin cast the first stone

According to the Gospel of John, the Pharisees, in an attempt to discredit Jesus, brought a woman charged with adultery before him. Then they reminded Jesus that adultery was punishable by stoning under Mosaic law and challenged him to judge the woman so that they might then accuse him of disobeying the law. Jesus thought for a moment and then replied,
“He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.”
The people crowded around him were so touched by their own consciences that they departed. When Jesus found himself alone with the woman, he asked her who were her accusers.
She replied, “No man, lord.”
Jesus then said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.”

I think this older post from 2006 also makes an important point:

The proper order of things...

Puppy Love short comedy

This is too accurate - at least when it comes to some of the best kept secrets among Boston Terrier owners. There are things they don't tell you until you "join the club" so to speak.

And just to answer the characters question, if she were a lesbian the dog would be a prerequisite not a hinderance. Go ahead, you know you want to watch it now!

Gone but not forgotten

I have been SOOOOO busy I have not been back here in a while. But then when I went to chck on it, it was still here. So I figured I should revisit this and start adding some tidbits every now and again. Nothing right this minute mind you, but soon.

Positive Press for Pit Bulls

I was sent this link to a video on youtube.com of a news report on pits. It is the first positive report I have seen the media do. We need more unbiased reports on pit bull/dog related news items. This one is a very good start. There are other videos related to pits on the page and they are much more emotional. I liked them too, but be aware that they are much more heart felt and heart breaking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGairk18L8g

Pro sports and government

Well, I got on my soap box today and sent the following email letter to my state politicians. I figured I'd just post it here as well. If I get a worthwhile response I'll let you know...

To Whom It May Concern-

I have heard news reports in the last few days that Either Senator Feinstein or State Senator Migden would be proposing legislation regarding the SF 49ers potential move from SF to another Bay Area location, and imposing restrictions, etc. on such dealings. I am writing to convey my total disgust over the amount of effort being expended by state government regarding this issue. I am not a huge sports fan but I do understand the impact a move would have on local economies. Still, the team is a private business with as much right to seek a better deal as any other business. Unless and until the City and County of SF wants to buy the team outright, the best they can do is try to negotiate the better deal. The fact that I live in Santa Clara county is also not a factor, as I would be equally upset with the State involvement if they were speaking with L.A., CA or N.Y., NY. Evidently that would not be an issue though. The only issue is a local move - which would at least keep the revenue semi-local and keep the team near it's original fan base. Kind of splitting hairs even more on the issue that shouldn't be a government issue to begin with, isn't it.

It is not, in my opinion, the place of our state elected officials to try to legislate where private business can relocate. I am very disappointed that with serious state and federal issues out there I am hearing about this so much. I think your close ties to the bay area, and your sense of responsibility to SF, is clouding your view of the bigger picture. As a lifelong California resident, I am ashamed of the shift in priorities that seem to have taken place in the minds and actions of our elected officials. I come from a time when California was the top in education, transportation, and standard of living. I grew up passionate about and proud of our state. Now, as I drive along pot holed roads, looking at vacant buildings and seeing youth struggling for a quality and competitive education I am reading about legislation to block a neighboring county from making a competing bid for a sports team. Shame on you. As I hear about members of our National Guard deployed in Iraq not getting their paychecks, their families trying to make ends meet, their credit getting trashed. Shame on you. As I myself pay higher energy bills, higher fuel prices, higher taxes, more for higher education fees, see state parks closed for budget reasons, county services at a bare minimum - such as animal control, city parks closed for contamination with no proposed reopening. Shame on you. As I see the ultra conservative right still dictating what we can and can't do with our bodies and minds. Steam rolling over the rights of the majority of moderates (on both sides of the isle) as gay bashing again increases, Roe v. Wade is precariously perched, normal citizens are profiled and labeled based on where they sit on the plane or how they pay for a ticket, illegal immigrants (not those here legally) are in the mean time trying to get the right to VOTE - in our elections on issues that affect the CITIZENS of these cities and counties of the state of California. And this is, by the way, a slap in the face for all those that went through the hard work of gaining their citizenship legally - of which my friends number many. Shame on you.

I urge you to get back to the business of bringing back what California once was, and stop wasting tax payers money on private business issues. Once the city, county or state owns a team, then they can waste our tax dollars fighting about where they can cannot locate. In the mean time, please focus you attention and our resources on what needs to be fixed within the state of California.