You Win Some You Lose Some

Last night was an amazing victory for hope and for this nation. While I do have reservations about Obama's lack of experience I believe that he has the wisdom, the heart and the determination to change the face of this country. And to that effect, we had someone in office for the past 8 years who had a great deal of experience and look where that got us! To say that this election is a moment in history is an understatement. The election is a long time coming tide of change and of hope. My Obama buzz was squelched this afternoon when I heard the news that the local tally's have been counted and Prop 8 passed.

I have driven past the Yes on Prop 8'ers every morning for the past few weeks. Their chanting, their determination of telling others that they are going to hell if they support gay marriage, their intolerance--all of it is stomach turning. "Preserve Traditional Marriage" is their belief. My question is, "What is traditional marriage?" America's divorce rate is more than 50% and last I checked that rate climbs each year. By that statistic traditional marriage is where two people get married, have children and then get divorced. Maybe I am out of line here but traditional marriage doesn't sound like it is working! Why would we want to preserve something that is so flawed anyway. Shouldn't we be focusing on passing something more effective like, "Institute a waiting period and compatibility test for all marriages?" Wouldn't it be better time spent if we focused on what was broken in our society and why most of our marriages are failing in the first place?

To make matters even worse, in Arkansas, a proposition was passed which forbids any unmarried couple the chance to adopt a child. I don't understand the mentality that gay people are incapable of raising a healthy, happy child. The sexual relationship of parents - as long as it is healthy - is of no consequence to the child's well-being. Let's face it no child wants to hear, see or think about their parent's having sex - regardless of whether or not their parents are gay. If I were a child allowed to pick my own parents, I would surely pick a household of acceptance and love over choosing a household solely because it came with a "traditional family". Taking away anyone's ability to adopt a child and provide a them with a loving and safe home is a tragedy.

It is clear that we are on the brink of much needed change in this nation. We have elected a black (half black) president and I can only hope that we continue that tide of change in the years to come. If we continue on this horizon who knows, maybe one day we will live to see the day when we have two first ladies. One can always hope.