Writing a completely impartial blog is not only virtually impossible, it is impractical. At least it is for me. I write the blog with a certain perspective and Point of View (POV), usually written in a way to challenge the reader (I hope!). If it had one, this would be TalkFrank’s Mission Statement. Therefore, when people challenge me, claiming that some entries lack impartiality, they are missing the point; I am NOT impartial, especially when it comes to matters of conscience. People who commit acts of wanton discrimination, regardless of their political affiliation, will be called out for their lack of compassion or reasoning. I have jokingly called the blog “an equal opportunity basher”!
Still, even with a conscious effort to “spread the wealth”, I continually find myself in opposition to Republican policies more than for any other group. The so-called Gay Marriage legislation pending in the New York State Senate is the latest example. As I write this entry, a bill to legalize gay marriage is still being held in committee, preventing it from a vote on the Senate floor. The measure which easily passed in the overwhelmingly Democratic State Assembly, would make New York the sixth State (and the largest) in the Country (along with Washington, D.C.) to allow same-sex marriage. It is significant to note here that although the Assembly in New York is overwhelmingly Democratic, the Senate is controlled by the Republicans, hence the disparity in the approval of the legislation.
Andrew Cuomo, New York’s Democratic governor, who campaigned on a “legalize gay marriage” platform, has made impassioned pleas to members of both parties to pass this legislation. Weeks of passionate debate, fueled by millions of dollars spent by lobbying groups both in favor of and against the legislation, have raged all over the State of New York. Most of the “anti” lobbying has been done by religious groups like the Catholic Church, conservative Rabbis and other conservative groups.
Although some Republicans have softened their stance in recent weeks in response to Governor Cuomo’s urging and poll numbers that say the majority of Americans are now in favor of same-sex marriage, many have delayed their approval pending amendments to the legislation that would protect religious groups from impending law suits that might be filed against them by gay advocacy groups. Why? Because this would allow these conservative religious organizations to continue to practice systematic discrimination against gays. WTF?! Why would we condone discrimination of any kind in ANY place – including so-called houses of worship?!
Despite compromising the language of the bill to accommodate these groups, the vote on the legislation is STILL BEING DELAYED. It’s as if the longer the Republicans wait the greater the chance that the issue will just fade away. Well, it won’t! This is an issue of Civil and Human rights and needs to be dealt with now!!
It has been said that this is complicated issue with civil, moral, ethical, and religious implications. To me, it is not complicated at all. In fact, when viewed from my perspective, it is remarkably simple. This is about FREEDOM, the freedom to choose to live the life that EVERY HUMAN BEING deserves without interference from the government. This is a PERSONAL CHOICE and should not only be allowed by the government but actually supported by it! And this is one of the things that KILLS me about Republican policy: they constantly claim that they are for a smaller, less intrusive government but would then inject more rules and regulations that intrude on the private lives of American citizens. This mind-set reflects their stance on abortion as well. They would have the Government control what a woman chooses for her body.
These are PERSONAL and MORAL issues to whit the government has no business meddling in. Again, it’s a simple equation: if you don’t believe in these things, don’t partake in them! If you don’t believe in abortion, don’t have one. If you don’t believe in same-sex marriage, don’t marry someone of the same sex! Clear. Pure. Fair. FREEDOM ACROSS THE BOARD.
Religious leaders claim that homosexuality and, subsequently, same-sex marriage is an “abomination” that decays the moral fiber of society. Simply put: what a crock of shit! Homosexuality is part of the human experience. It has been with us since the beginning of human existence and will continue until the end of that existence. And, despite, the warnings of conservative religious groups, the human race continues to thrive. In fact, we are SO successful that we are actually in danger of overwhelming the earth and its ability to support our burgeoning population. Well, so much for their theory that homosexuals are taking over the world, signifying the end of the human race!
I have a few friends that “support” gays but do not accept same-sex marriage, arguing that, by definition, the word marriage is reserved for the union of ONE man and ONE woman. By whose definition? Conservatives claim that “the bible tells us so”. Well, what if, like me, you don’t believe in the bible? Would you have the government, who so many of us distrust in matters of personal choice, define marriage for us? I don’t think so!
Besides, with all of the other pressing issues afflicting our society today (too numerous to discuss here and now), why would you give a shit what anyone else is doing in the privacy of their own homes? Why would you prevent two loving people from sharing their lives in the way they choose to, with all the protection our government was designed to give to ALL OF ITS CITIZENS? Comedians who support same-sex marriage often use the line that “gay couples deserve all the misery that marriage brings to heterosexual couples”. There’s a lot to be said in such simple logic! It’s really very profound: every human being has the UNALIABLE RIGHT to choose their own path. It’s our Government’s DUTY to support that choice.
Well, New York State Republicans, it’s your turn to choose. What will it be; freedom or tyranny? The choice should be simple.
Still, even with a conscious effort to “spread the wealth”, I continually find myself in opposition to Republican policies more than for any other group. The so-called Gay Marriage legislation pending in the New York State Senate is the latest example. As I write this entry, a bill to legalize gay marriage is still being held in committee, preventing it from a vote on the Senate floor. The measure which easily passed in the overwhelmingly Democratic State Assembly, would make New York the sixth State (and the largest) in the Country (along with Washington, D.C.) to allow same-sex marriage. It is significant to note here that although the Assembly in New York is overwhelmingly Democratic, the Senate is controlled by the Republicans, hence the disparity in the approval of the legislation.
Andrew Cuomo, New York’s Democratic governor, who campaigned on a “legalize gay marriage” platform, has made impassioned pleas to members of both parties to pass this legislation. Weeks of passionate debate, fueled by millions of dollars spent by lobbying groups both in favor of and against the legislation, have raged all over the State of New York. Most of the “anti” lobbying has been done by religious groups like the Catholic Church, conservative Rabbis and other conservative groups.
Although some Republicans have softened their stance in recent weeks in response to Governor Cuomo’s urging and poll numbers that say the majority of Americans are now in favor of same-sex marriage, many have delayed their approval pending amendments to the legislation that would protect religious groups from impending law suits that might be filed against them by gay advocacy groups. Why? Because this would allow these conservative religious organizations to continue to practice systematic discrimination against gays. WTF?! Why would we condone discrimination of any kind in ANY place – including so-called houses of worship?!
Despite compromising the language of the bill to accommodate these groups, the vote on the legislation is STILL BEING DELAYED. It’s as if the longer the Republicans wait the greater the chance that the issue will just fade away. Well, it won’t! This is an issue of Civil and Human rights and needs to be dealt with now!!
It has been said that this is complicated issue with civil, moral, ethical, and religious implications. To me, it is not complicated at all. In fact, when viewed from my perspective, it is remarkably simple. This is about FREEDOM, the freedom to choose to live the life that EVERY HUMAN BEING deserves without interference from the government. This is a PERSONAL CHOICE and should not only be allowed by the government but actually supported by it! And this is one of the things that KILLS me about Republican policy: they constantly claim that they are for a smaller, less intrusive government but would then inject more rules and regulations that intrude on the private lives of American citizens. This mind-set reflects their stance on abortion as well. They would have the Government control what a woman chooses for her body.
These are PERSONAL and MORAL issues to whit the government has no business meddling in. Again, it’s a simple equation: if you don’t believe in these things, don’t partake in them! If you don’t believe in abortion, don’t have one. If you don’t believe in same-sex marriage, don’t marry someone of the same sex! Clear. Pure. Fair. FREEDOM ACROSS THE BOARD.
Religious leaders claim that homosexuality and, subsequently, same-sex marriage is an “abomination” that decays the moral fiber of society. Simply put: what a crock of shit! Homosexuality is part of the human experience. It has been with us since the beginning of human existence and will continue until the end of that existence. And, despite, the warnings of conservative religious groups, the human race continues to thrive. In fact, we are SO successful that we are actually in danger of overwhelming the earth and its ability to support our burgeoning population. Well, so much for their theory that homosexuals are taking over the world, signifying the end of the human race!
I have a few friends that “support” gays but do not accept same-sex marriage, arguing that, by definition, the word marriage is reserved for the union of ONE man and ONE woman. By whose definition? Conservatives claim that “the bible tells us so”. Well, what if, like me, you don’t believe in the bible? Would you have the government, who so many of us distrust in matters of personal choice, define marriage for us? I don’t think so!
Besides, with all of the other pressing issues afflicting our society today (too numerous to discuss here and now), why would you give a shit what anyone else is doing in the privacy of their own homes? Why would you prevent two loving people from sharing their lives in the way they choose to, with all the protection our government was designed to give to ALL OF ITS CITIZENS? Comedians who support same-sex marriage often use the line that “gay couples deserve all the misery that marriage brings to heterosexual couples”. There’s a lot to be said in such simple logic! It’s really very profound: every human being has the UNALIABLE RIGHT to choose their own path. It’s our Government’s DUTY to support that choice.
Well, New York State Republicans, it’s your turn to choose. What will it be; freedom or tyranny? The choice should be simple.
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