Sunday, June 28, 2015

A Most Interesting Day

So, SCOTUS did it. Hmmm. So this is what it feels like to be equal. Kind of a nice feeling.


Now I can legally marry the woman I love. We will have the same protections under the law as everyone else in this country who is married. For those who've had the protection all along, I'm hugely glad you've never had to wonder "what if". What if they don't let me see her. What if they don't acknowledge the power of attorney (some states will tell you it is just a piece of paper and you aren't family). There are a million ifs. It's a relief that we won't have to face those ifs any longer.


What really pisses me off in the last few days is how certain "Christians" are reacting. These so called Christians are giving the real Christians a bad name. SCOTUS did not vote the way THEY wanted and now a few "Christians" are calling for SCOTUS  to be "voted out". Umm, excuse me *raising my hand*. I know I'm not the brightest bulb in the batch, but you can't vote them out and good luck trying to impeach them. Some of these "Christians" can't sing the SCOTUS praises loud or fast enough when the vote goes their way.


And honestly if I hear one more "Allen West 'says this or that'" I'm probably going to throw something. Those of you who just love him should realize that this man while an officer in the Army allegedly allowed and watched his men mistreat (read beat the shit out of) an alleged "insurgent". The "insurgent" was turned in by a confidential informant. When West and his men did not get the answer(s) they wanted from said "insurgent" West pointed his sidearm at the "insurgent" and fired. Apparently it was a "mock" execution. Now, as far as insurgents go, I'm not too concerned about how they get treated as long as there is actually something close to evidence that points to the individual actually BEING an insurgent. In this case, after the "insurgent" reported the incident it turned out that the CI was an area neighbor who had a beef with the "insurgent". Apparently no one thought it was a good idea to vet the CI, hell, no one thought it might be a good idea to put eyeballs on the "insurgent". West was allowed to retire in lieu of prosecution. Yeah, I'm thinking he has zero talking room to judge others. He tends not to say much about that little incident. Find another hero.


I can recall a time in my life that while not being crazy about Republican politicians, at least I could respect them. Sadly, I haven't had cause to respect too many of them lately. Which makes me feel for my conservative and Republican friends. Seriously, take back your party y'all. Don't get me started on Cruz (you know, not in possession of a birth certificate that says born in the USA).


Moving onward to the "persecution of Christians in the United States". Please show me where you are persecuted. You still have your churches and tax exempt status despite seriously blurring the "separation of Church and State" lines. You still get to exercise your freedom of speech even when calling for those different from you to burn in hell, to be stoned to death and to be killed as a matter of course. Being sued for discrimination is not persecution. If you live in a state that includes gay people in anti discrimination laws and you refuse them service because of who they are (your "religion" is not an excuse) you are discriminating and breaking the law. Don't like the law? Contact your local politician. How do you think anti discrimination laws came into effect anyway? Someone got fed up with the bs and contacted a politician and lawyers.


And by the way if you don't want my money, that's fine, I'll find someone else who does want my money. Also, don't whine about it when I publicly tell people. Again it's not persecution. If you get crappy service someplace I bet you tell.


To my Christian friends, please take back your faith from politicians and "religious leaders" who claim to speak for you. I have a lot of Christian friends who might not agree with what a majority of SCOTUS voted for, but they have not been hateful, and for that I am hugely grateful. I can respect and love my friends even when we disagree. I've had to defriend some folks when the "kill the gays" statements come up, but otherwise...


As I've said before, I don't want to destroy the sanctity of marriage. I just want to be able to marry (legally) the woman I love. And being preached to by men who are working on their third marriage after having cheated on wife number 1 with the woman who became number 2, then cheated on 2 with the woman who became wife number 3 kind of makes me wonder at their version of the word sanctity. And really kills any credibility.


In 1967 SCOTUS ruled in Loving vs Virginia for Loving. If you don't know what it said, basically it ruled that persons black and white could legally marry each other. Think about that. And please don't try to tell me "oh that's different". In both cases people who love each other were not allowed to legally marry each other. Certain politicians and "religious" leaders nearly had kittens then as well.


So, lesbians and gay men got married. The world didn't end, God didn't smite man or earth, and that Texas pastor didn't light himself on fire. Oh and for those of you who said if SCOTUS voted in favor of legalizing "gay" marriage you would move to Canada...about that. Canada legalized "gay" marriage years ago. Ireland is in the process of the same. You might want to look up the list and adjust your moving plans accordingly.