So I was reading this article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080616/ap_on_re_us/gay_marriage
and I got all teary and I was thinking how lucky I am to live in this historic time in American history and how sad that we have to have a time like this. So I missed the hippy era, probably just as well. So I missed the emancipation proclomation and I missed Martin Luthor King Jr. and I missed suffrage and all those steps toward equality and true freedom in America. But here I am living in a time when a woman and a black man are serious contenders for the job of President of the United States and gay couples can finally (in some places) publically exchange vows and proclaim themselves life mates.

Not in my state though. In Michigan gay marriage has been banned. It's sucky, but I believe it's better to stay and fight than run away. I am not gay but that's just luck. I am a lucky woman who has the love of a fabulous man who couldn't please me more and we're getting married. Because we can. Because he happened to be born a man and I happened to be born a woman and we happened to be perfect for each other. If he was a woman, I would love him no less, but I wouldn't be able to marry him and that makes me sad.

I am not sure people are born gay or straight or somewhere in between. I think people are born babies and I think all babies like boobs and have no interest in penises, except perhaps their own. I don't think they spend much time thinking about the gender of the person they're going to want to spend their life with. When I fill out those forms that ask me if I'm gay or straight, I've not been sure what to answer in the past. Oh I have loved women, but I never found a woman that I thought I could live with for any length of time. Women are more trouble then men, in my experience. They are often better lovers, but not as often very good partners. At least for me. Obviously other peoples experience in this area is different, since so many women have partners and some of them are quite happy to be their partners. I think I could have as easily been a lesbian as a straight woman. I've never been as attracted to looks as personality, so what's this difference if they have boobs or facial hair? (or both?) Now I say I'm straight, but only by way of luck. I used to say, "I don't discriminate on the basis of gender." And that was true. I didn't discriminate on the basis of race either. I did, however, discriminate on the basis of religion on occasion. That is to say, the minute somebody started trying to convert me one way or another, it was over.

I still remember one guy saying "It makes me sad to know that a sweet girl like you is going to hell." There were so many things wrong with that sentence, I had to dump him.

I remember conversations I had with people about gay marriage and homosexuality in general. And I remember somebody, I can't remember who exactly, was absolutely sure that gay people were, by nature, promiscuous. That gay marriage was pointless because they all ran around humping each other anywya. That's why they all had aids. I remember thinking this person must think gay people are like hamsters. You just put two in the same cage and they'll start humping. Really. People are people. Gay, straight, asexual, they still love. Yes. Asexual people can love too. Because guess what. Love and sex aren't the same thing. I hope that wasn't the news flash of the day.

I've heard alot of rumblings in the news lately about Barack Obama's religious affiliation. First people are screaming because of some things his Christian pastor said, and now they're screaming that he's Muslim because, well, he's got a Muslim name. Well Duh? His father is from Kenya, isn't he? Here's an article about his half brother who can't imagine Barrack would have been raised anything but Muslim. But can we remember that this man is from Kenya and a product of his own culture? Muslims (and many others) firmly believe that the religion of the father must be the religion of the son and it couldn't be any other way. I once had a long conversation with a young Hindu man who was completely baffled by the fact that I am Pagan and my family in Christian. He couldn't get his brain around it no matter how much I tried to explain it. He was Hindu because his parents were and that's how it is. Same with Muslims. You can't look at these interviews with people from other cultures from an American perspective. You have to understand where they are coming from. It's cultural relativity. And that's something way too many of our political candidates are lacking and one of the things I hope Barrack Obama has, given his background, which makes me want to vote for him.

I frankly don't care what Obama's religion is. You know why? Because this is America. This isn't Isreal, this isn't Saudi Arabia. This is frigging America where religion doesn't matter. Theoretically. Why should his Muslim background be discussed at all? Why should his Christian background be discussed at all?

At issue is the fact that Barack Obama speaks perfect Arabic and can read Arabic.
http://www.pr-inside.com/andy-martin-says-barack-obama-is-r644482.htm
Um. Aren't we repeatedly running into problems with Arab speaking countries? And don't we do alot of trade with Arab speaking countries? Won't it be to our advantage to have a representative dealing with foreign affairs issues who can speak Arabic without an interpreter? Personally, I consider it a bonus that he speaks Arabic. Not a detriment at all.

I am a bit disturbed by the adamance with which the Obama campaign is denying his Muslim heritage. Oh yes, I believe the rumors. He was born of a man from a country that is largely Muslim, I'm quite sure there's some Muslim heritage going on. Never mind that it wasn't one of the Muslim countries that we are having problems with. Yes, he began his education in a Muslim country and maybe he went to a Muslim private school. The funny thing about that is that I know alot of Pagans who send their kids to Christian private schools so they can have the best education possible. Doesn't make them Christian. I imagine in a Muslim country the Muslim school gave its students the best education possible. Of course, he also went to Catholic school...

He may even have been Muslim as a child... yes even those who are using this Muslim thing as an attack are, for the most part, limiting it to his childhood. But guess what, I was a Christian as a child. A devout Christian until I was 12 because I was not aware that there was anything else to be. Children know only what they experience. He may have been a Muslim until he was in his 20s and then converted which makes him not a Muslim now, which is all that really matters.

But it doesn't, because I reiterate. This is America. It doesn't matter what you're religion is.

But in a country where we have problems with evil Muslims blowing up our buildings, wouldn't it be an advantage to have a commander in chief who knew about Islam?

The fact is, Barrack Obama spoke of his Christian faith long before there was any hint he was going to run for president. If he was Muslim, and he was pretending to be Christian... I think that's a sin. Not sure, but I think it might be. Does he take communion? Probably a Muslim sin. Certainly worshipping Jesus and claiming Jesus as the Son of God is a nono in a Muslim's eyes. If Barrack Obama is a Muslim, or has been for the last 20 years, he is a very very bad Muslim.

Anyway, here's the Snopes listing refuting the "Barrack Obama is Muslim" rumors. They do more research than me but research aside, it is still my opion that:
1. It doesn't matter what religion a political candidate is, and furthermore, pulling out the religion card in the political arena is distasteful
and
2. A candidate with a firm grasp of Arabic and Islam can only be a benefit in a country that has so many disagreements - and trade agreements - with Arab and Islamic countries.

But still... I think Mr. Obama doth protest too much.
Remember sir, this is America. It doesn't matter what your religion is!

Having been born in South Carolina, I always take a particular interest in their fundamentalist foibles. Now they've got not one but three bills on their way to becoming law that is going to upset the constitutionalists among us. Perhaps myself included. Perhaps not. It all depends on how it's handled. You can read all about it in this Associated Press story.

First, let's take a moment to examine our US Constitution, or at least the Amendment that will be called into question, that is the first. It states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Having read that, let us look at the laws that the South Caroline legislature is considering. The first would create a liscence plate with a cross on it and the word "I believe". The money from sales of this plate would go into the general fund. I personally have no problem with this. Provided any old religion can buy tags too. For example, Jews should be able to design their own plate, maybe with a Star of David on it, and Wiccans should be able to get a plate with a pentacle that says "Harm none" and I should be able to get a plate with a Caudecus that says "Hermes Rocks". But it doesn't look like that's going to happen because when asked about Wicca in particular,

"Well, that's not what I consider to be a religion," McGill said. And Buddhism? "I'd have to look at the individual situation. But I'm telling you, I firmly believe in this tag."

Well then, fuck you. No tags allowed for bigots! Didn't they get the message a couple years ago when the "Choose Life" plates weren't allowed because they didn't have "Preserve Choice" plates to go along with them? This is the same kind of deal. When there's more than one side, they all have to be represented. Otherwise you're interfering with other peoples' right of expression. End of story.

Next on the ballot is a provision to make absolutely clear that prayers may be offered before council meetings and I'm cool with that too. Provided, of course, anyone who wants to pray out loud may do so. At our groups we let people call out to their own Gods and Goddesses, I'm sure the councils can do this too. No big deal. In fact, I'd like to offer a prayer of my own.

"Blessed Hermes, luck-bringing messenger of the Gods, be with us now as we deliberate these things. Watch over us and guide us that our words may be understood and that our decisions may be just."

Short and sweet. And if I can't say it, you're interfering with the free exercise of my religion.

The finally law religion-centered law up for debate in the South Carolina legislature (not that any of these are really being debated by anyone inside the legislature) is an effort to set up a public display of key legal documents called "Foundations of American Law and Government" which will include the Ten Commandments. You know, I have no problem with this either and I don't think it violates the first amendment. It doesn't interfere with free exercise of religion and it does attempt to establish a religion. The display will also include the Declaration of Independance, the Bill of Rights, the Emancipation Proclamation and Martin Luther King Jr's "I have a dream" speech. The question here would be whether or not the Ten Commandments really are a Foundation of American Law and Government. Are they? Maybe. It's possible. But it's also debateable. I think I'd like to see some documentation that they are. I'm not sure Martin Luther King Jr's "I have a dream" speech is either though. And I really like Martin Luther King Jr.