My First Blog
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| Also listed in: Clinton for '08 | code pink | Gay Democrats | Protect A Women's Right To Choose |
Okay, so my first blog. There's no question about what I want to rant about today. Today, while not paying much attention to my job, I stumbled across an online article about a bill that had been trying to make it's way through the Kentucky House & Senate. It was a bill about making it illegal for state sponsored businesses, such as a University, to offer health insurance benfits to a homosexual couple. The University of Louisville had made the decision to make this option open to their homosexual employees and ofcourse it sent our beloved bible thumping, right winged conservatives into an outrage. Therefore, earlier this month they attempted to push through a bill making this illegal. Their claim was that Kentucky residents had decided that marriage should only be open to a man and woman and therefore, anything that emulates that institution, such as shared health benefits, would be a deceitful crime to push on the citizens of this state.
So let me point out the big problems with this.
First off, this shouldn't be an issue. Under the constitution of both this country and our state, all people are guarunteed equal rights, and last time I checked, the people you sleep with or love don't make you anymore or less of a human being.
Secondly, in a state that is already known for being "backwards" and "non-progressive", it is a shame that we continue to make these mistakes that keep us from movign out of the coal and tobacco industries. Passing a law such as this would cause many educators to leave the state, and far less to come in. Without good educators, which many of these people are, we're going to continue in this slump of keeping "behind the times".
Thirdly, continuing with the idea in my second point, our Kentucky schools have to compete with other schools who do show belief and support in diversity. What progressive or liberal students are going to want to go to school in a state where they know their beliefs are not supported, or in many cases, such as The University of the Cumberlands, not even allowed. If a bill like this passes our out of state students will decrease and therefore punch another hole in our economic balloon.
Luckily,the bill doesn't seemed to have gotten anywhere, but our good 'ol bigoted right winged protectors of the sacred union between straight couples have promised not to allow the issue off the table.
Seriously, senators, if you don't care about our right as people, at least consider your state. Don't make a decision like Michigan, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, who are now eating their words because they didn't consider the ramifications this could induce.
So let me point out the big problems with this.
First off, this shouldn't be an issue. Under the constitution of both this country and our state, all people are guarunteed equal rights, and last time I checked, the people you sleep with or love don't make you anymore or less of a human being.
Secondly, in a state that is already known for being "backwards" and "non-progressive", it is a shame that we continue to make these mistakes that keep us from movign out of the coal and tobacco industries. Passing a law such as this would cause many educators to leave the state, and far less to come in. Without good educators, which many of these people are, we're going to continue in this slump of keeping "behind the times".
Thirdly, continuing with the idea in my second point, our Kentucky schools have to compete with other schools who do show belief and support in diversity. What progressive or liberal students are going to want to go to school in a state where they know their beliefs are not supported, or in many cases, such as The University of the Cumberlands, not even allowed. If a bill like this passes our out of state students will decrease and therefore punch another hole in our economic balloon.
Luckily,the bill doesn't seemed to have gotten anywhere, but our good 'ol bigoted right winged protectors of the sacred union between straight couples have promised not to allow the issue off the table.
Seriously, senators, if you don't care about our right as people, at least consider your state. Don't make a decision like Michigan, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, who are now eating their words because they didn't consider the ramifications this could induce.
The gays have become such a target for the Repugs because they represent such a small portion of the population as a whole, and you can openly persecute them without serious backlash. Most people have never known or been related to or friends with a gay person, so they don't empathise with them much.
I still don't think it is acceptable in this country to infringe upon anyone's rights, no matter how much of a minority they are.
One thing thumpers don't want to realize is that it is called the "New Testament" for a reason. All the "eye for an eye" swift and severe punishment was swept away by the Christian belief. Christ offered a new way to be forgiven and come to God, and a new justice. I am not preaching a sermon here, but these strict fundamentalists just have it wrong. They don't practice what was preached.
Great for you.
I hope you enjoy!
Homosexuality is not a choice. It is a fact of life. It is not for anyone to legislate in a way that takes away fundamental rights from any citizen of this country just because they do not conform to the heterosexual life. Good Grief, the divorce rate between these "one man, one woman" entities is 50% these days and that doesn't even come close to addressing all the adultery going on.
I say let homosexuals marry. Maybe they can get it right.
To top that off, the idiots didn't even wait for our advice, they went ahead and put in a constitutional amendment proposal to do just that.
The following is a letter I wrote to the Daily News-Miner here in Fairbanks...
People have many reasons why they don't get married (some of them just aren't religious and they shouldn't have to be). Here's an interesting fact: Alaska is the state with the most unmarried citizens living together in committed relationships as they would if they were "married". Don't let this silly "advisory" vote fool you into thinking this Constitutional Amendment would affect only unmarried same-sex couples. The folks behind this "amendment" have one thing in mind, and that's to deny anything to anyone who doesn't fit their narrow code of what is the "proper" relationship.
The Alaska Constitution should never be changed by those who would limit any citizens of Alaska. Here's the real meat of this issue...this vote cost 1.2 million dollars, and its sponsors didn't even wait to find out the outcome; they introduced a constitutional amendment anyway. So why did they bother to waste 1.2 million dollars of our money asking our advice, and then not even wait to hear it? Do they assume we are morons?
The legislature should be working on school funding, roads, public safety and oil and gas issues, not taking away Alaskans healthcare. "Activist judges", my eye. What we have here are "activist legislators" who think we are all too ignorant to be allowed to make our own decisions.
I take offense to them holding this election at an off time of year on a one-issue vote. If Coghill and Miller really cared about what any of us think, they would put this question on the regular ballot where it might stand a chance of being looked at carefully. This election is really just a back-door, shifty, underhanded way to get what they want. I want politicians that don't resort to sneaky, wasteful tricks to get their agendas furthered.
Please VOTE NO on April 3. And when these guys come up for election again, please vote NO again and tell them to hit the road. Let's elect people who have the entire state's interests at heart rather than those who want to push their own little narrow agenda.
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The big problem is the timing of this silly vote. Most people will stay home and it obviously doesn't matter to these jerks what any of us have to say anyway. Stay tuned for more BS from the far right (I mean the far north).
Just because a senator doesn't like Homosexuals doesn't mean that they deserve to be outcasts, with their rights taken away just because they are attracted to the same sex. It shouldn't matter who the person is in a relationship, as long as you have THAT connection.
The government is so full of Bias and prejudice it's sickening. There should be a law that prevents all prejudicial laws from being made.
I agree with what Stephanie has to say about how this country was founded, etc. I have recently come to the atheist conclusion myself and it feels so reasonable to me. I also agree that I am far more than a gay woman and that there are many more issues that I am concerned about than just that one.
Anyway, I am happy to be here and look forward to more involvement in the future.
Great Job.......and Great Blog.........
Hope you have a nice day