So, I’m a little more than heartbroken that next May my state will be voting on a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. As many people who know me know, I am a proud and fierce ally of the LGBT community. I have a gay brother and I love him dearly. Luckily, he lives in New York, where he can now legally marry (though he swears he’ll die alone). I have made many friends in the LGBT community here in Charlotte, as well. I even wrote to my state senators, begging them not to let this bill pass. I wanted it to end in the Senate. I didn’t want a state referendum. My Senator, (Daniel Clodfelter, a democrat), responded to my e-mail giving me the names of two republicans who were “on the fence” about the vote (to be fair, his aide did, but that’s something). So I sent the same e-mail to those two republican senators. One responded, saying:

Thank you for your email regarding the Marriage Amendment which was recently considered by the General Assembly. Hearing from my constituents is an integral part of the legislative process and I heard from more of you on this issue than on any other in my nine years as a Senator.  After listening to a great number of people on both sides of this issue, hearing the debate among my fellow legislators and recognizing that this is an issue that people have a strong opinion about, I decided that you—the citizens of North Carolina—needed the opportunity to vote on this amendment.

I encourage all of you to go to the polls to vote on the Marriage Amendment.

Sincerely,
Senator Richard Y. Stevens

Kind of cowardly, right? The subtext says to me, “I didn’t want to take a stand, so I’m letting you guys duke it out.” So, will our state decide to make discrimination a part of its constitution? Will it stand on the wrong side of history? Will it forget that constitutions work best when they enumerate freedoms, not when they restrict them?

Who knows.

There was an article in today’s Observer about how the religious community is split on the issue. As posh and liberal as Charlotte may seem at times, this is still the home of Billy Graham and many people still take their cues from religious leaders.

Equality NC and many other groups are out lobbying against the proposed ban. According to an article from that group, there is more at stake than just banning same-sex marriages. The wording could also impact heterosexual unmarried couples. The bill states that, “Marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized by this State.”

There are a few Facebook events where people plan to vote against the amendment. The one I have RSVP’d to has more that 44,000 other people in attendance. I know that isn’t a reliable prediction and I know other polls will be more accurate. But it gives me some hope. Perhaps the people of North Carolina will rise to meet the challenges of recognizing humanity, instead of falling prey to fear and prejudice.

In a state that not so long ago was scarred by the memory of Jim Crow, we cannot allow discrimination to become a part of the law of the land again.

I think it was realistic. It’s easy to get pie in the sky when you’re accepting a peace prize, but sadly, he does not have that luxury. I enjoyed his take on a just war. Commentators on BBC radio were pointing out how a lot of his speech was directed at the European community, who are often hesitant to use force, even when others insist it is necessary. Which, I sometimes applaud and I sometimes disagree with (as in the case of Rwanda). However, I also like that he didn’t back down from his love of diplomacy. He even referenced Reagan and Nixon, which given how much the GOP hates him, I think is an act of diplomacy in itself : ). Do I wish we could withdraw all of our troops from Iraq and Afghanistan tomorrow? Yes. And I think everyone else does, too (including our president). However, I also acknowledge that he didn’t start this war, but it would be irresponsible of him not to finish it.

Your thoughts?

…it finally happened.

America is now the closest it will likely ever come to having President Jed Bartlett in the Oval Office. 

Also the first African-American president was sworn into office. But everyone’s hammering on that fact and ignoring the Bartlett-esque oratory skills our new president possesses. 

Observe:

We did not expect nor did we invite a confrontation with evil. Yet the true measure of a people’s strength is how they rise to master that moment when it does arrive. Forty-four people were killed a couple of hours ago at Kennison State University. Three swimmers from the men’s team were killed and two others are in critical condition, when, after having heard the explosion from their practice facility, they ran into the fire to help get people out. Ran into the fire. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight. They’re our students and our teachers and our parents and our friends. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels, but every time we think we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we’re reminded that that capacity may well be limitless. This is a time for American heroes. We will do what is hard. We will achieve what is great. This is a time for American heroes and we reach for the stars. God bless their memory, God bless you and God bless the United States of America.    -Bartlett, 20 Hours in America, Part II

and…

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate. Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.This is the price and the promise of citizenship. -Barack Obama, Inauguration Address

Pretty good, eh?

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace. To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist. -Barack Obama, Inauguration Address

and…

We’re for freedom of speech everywhere. We’re for freedom to worship everywhere. We’re for freedom to learn… for everybody. And because in our time, you can build a bomb in your country and bring it to my country, what goes on in your country is very much my business. And so we are for freedom from tyranny, everywhere, whether in the guise of political oppression, or economic slavery, or religious fanaticism. That most fundamental idea cannot be met with merely our support. It has to be met with our strength. Diplomatically, economically, materially.” -Jed Bartlett, “Inauguration, over there.”

I rest my case. These are exciting times.

In less than a week, Obama has done more for the rights of women than the previous administration did in eight years. In less than a week, he has done more for human rights than the previous administration did in eight years by moving to close Gitmo. 

But it’s been six days. That’s it. He wasn’t kidding about hitting the ground running. However, people need to stop acting like he’s hit the hundred day mark. You remember that, it’s the mark by which we normally judge presidents. 

To say people have high expectations would be a gross understatement. People have astronomical expectations. Can he meet them? I don’t think anyone can. But he’s trying. And contrary to wash Mr. Limbaugh would tell you, he deserves our support.

I’m excited for the next four years. And I’m hopeful. 

…and I’ve had this ridiculous urge to watch The West Wing, ever since last week.