Political Ramblings

Usually, I wouldn't pick so public a forum to voice my political opinions, but since there are probably like 3 people who ready this blog on a regular basis, I figured I'd chance it. However, if I suddenly stop posting and am not heard from in a while, you can assume that someone in a position of power read this, and I've been black-bagged by the CIA, NSA or FBI and thrown in Guantanamo Bay!

There is something on the ballot in California this year that is causing an uproar, dividing households, and pitting neighbor against neighbor.

Proposition 8.

Last year, California passed a historic law making it legal for gay couples to get married and enjoy the same perks that married straight couples enjoy. Prop 8 would basically overturn that law, making it illegal for gay couple to marry. Also it would change the California constitution, making the definition of marriage of a union specifically between a man and a woman.

However you feel about homosexuality in general, I'm not sure why people would vote for a proposition that would take away ANYONES civil rights. If gay couples want to get married, let them get married. They pay their taxes like you and me, abide by the law like you and me, they are American citizens like you and me, but we are trying to tell them that they cannot have the same rights as the guy behind them in the line to vote simply because they were born with an attraction towards the same sex? If that is not the definition of un-American, I don't know what is. The pilgrims came here from Europe because they were seeking political and religious freedom. That is waht this country was founded on. The freedom to be who you are and do what you like, as long as it is not interfering with another citizen's rights.

A lot of people quote bible verses and what not in their arguments in favor of prop 8. The God the I know, is tolerant of all ways of life and sexual orientations. The God I know is infallable; he doesn't make mistakes. And if he saw fit to hard-wire certain people's brains to be attracted to the same sex, then I'm sure he did so with the intent that they be loved and respected by their fellow man. The God and the bible should NEVER be used as the basis for discriminating against people. Again, just my personal opinion.

1Corinthians 6:9-10

'Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.'

Yes, that's right! That is a quote directly from the bible. What you have to understand is that the bible was not written by God. He did not come down from heaven, grab a soda and some chips, sit down with a quail feather pen and spend a couple hours putting his story down on paper. The bible was written by MEN. Men who were, like all humans, fallable. Men who, like all humans, have their own agenda. Like most other people, most other honest people, I treat the bible like a buffet: I study it in depth, take the parts that I feel apply to me, make sense and I agree with, and I leave the rest.

Now, from a totally different angle, it also baffles me that black people seem to be in such a rush to vote 'yes' on prop 8. Let's say that, hypothetically speaking, you stood in line for 5 hours to vote. To cast your ballot and let your voice be heard. To participate in the democratic process. Then when you got to the front of the line, you were told that you couldn't vote because you are black! Surely, there must be a mistake! This isn't the 1920's! 'Niggers can't vote!', calls a voice from the other side of the room. You pay your taxes, you have commited no crime and yet you can't vote becuase you are different in some way from the elected officials who make the laws. Well, that's how things were not too long ago. That's basically what we are trying to do to gay people. 'Faggots and dykes cant get married!'. Black people, if you think it's okay to say that and cast your vote in favor of that message, then I'd suggest that you stop listening to all the analysts and commentators, the opponents and supporters, and sit down in a quiet place and ask yourself:

IS THIS RIGHT?

Moving right along...

I'd like to talk about the Obama-mania going on right now. First of all, congratulations to Barack Obama. Win or lose, he's done some shit that I didn't think was possible during this day and age. IF he does win, he has a hard road to travel and a tough job ahead of him. Black people, let's make Obama accountable for the things that he does and says and the initiatives and acts that he puts into play. Please don't give him a pass just because he is a black man, when we ripped Bush's head off for every slip and tumble that the countrty took. If he does a stand up job and the country is in better shape in four years than it is now, then pat him on the back. But if, he fucks up and doesn't hold up his end of the bargain, I wanna see all you Obama maniacs as passionate about demanding some answers from him.

And conversely, let's not credit Obama for everything good that happens in our everyday life.

-Damn, I finally got a raise at work after 4 years. Obama did it!

-My Phillies finally won the World Series. Obama must've been watching the game and rooting for them.

-This week, I got money for gas AND food. Obama is making all my dreams come true.

IF he wins, he will be the president...not fuckin' all-powerful Zues! Be realistic in your expectations. Expect him to make mistakes. Don't expect him to be the 'Black People's President'.

That is all.

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:
I'm the voice of Mike Vick/sayin 'Suck my dick!'/you treat me like an animal/but love them pitts