Amen and hallelujah! I believe that it is time for local leades who truly believe in democracy to staqnd up and take the lead on this issue, as in many others. American cities have enormous power to transform the world for the better -- on this issue and on many others.
Our national and state leaders are mired in "imperial religion" which is patriarchical, homophobic, oppressive to women, and which encourages modern forms of slavery and oppression. Our local leaders must rise up and rebel, if that is what it takes to move us to evolve to truer democracy rather than in the opposite direction, which is de-volution into repressive and violent fundamentalisms which will destroy us in short order. Do check out Thom Hartmann's article "Gay Marriage? Blame It On Jefferson" at the link below. I suggest a slow, careful, thoughtful reading of the paragraphs below. All of our City electede officials -- not to mention county, state, and federal -- ought to spend sopme time with these words, and then act accordingly. -- still pedaling for peace and justice from Kingfield -- Gary Hoover http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0220-11.htm This is all startlingly new - an eye blink in the history of what we call civilization. Democracy and civil rights are not "traditional values." The Bible, the Koran, and the Vedas sanction slavery. Women have been the property of men for nearly all of our history. And the idea that one of the most important functions of government is to protect the rights of often-unpopular minorities so shocked Colonial conservatives that many took up arms against the revolutionaries, fled to Canada, or returned to England. George Washington was speaking directly to the issue of civil rights when, in 1790, he said, "As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality." The history of America and the history of modern democracies is one of expanding civil rights. First we freed white males from the kings and queens. Then we freed those of us whose skin varied in color. Then we freed women. While none of us are yet completely free, the ancient kings are returning in the guise of multinational corporations, and the battles for civil rights continue against conservative forces, it's essential that we recognized that "We, the People" means all of us. It's no coincidence that when the Vermont and Massachusetts Supreme Courts recently looked at constitutions written in the 1700s, inspired by the writings of Jefferson, Madison, and Franklin, they discovered therein the rights of gays and lesbians to civil unions and marriage. Gay marriage is a civil rights issue, plain and simple, and entirely in keeping with the egalitarian vision of this nation's Founders. It's time for us to honestly and frankly face and accept that fact, and act appropriately. REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
