[Winona Online Democracy] Since Paul is trying to heat things up on a cold day, I'll try to melt some snow too.
:-> I apologize in advance to those who consider this a national issue. I could not disagree more. Not only do we have kind and wonderful people right here in Winona who this prejudice and discrimination affects on a daily basis, we have a Governor and political party who will use this issue as a red herring (like Vicki Englich has already said) or a straw man to beat up and make the fundamentalists in their party happy. America is another country with some religous fundamentalists and fanatics in positions of power. Back to Paul's original message. He spoke of where do we draw lines. I think the issue of polygamy and gay marriage are two very seperate issues. The attempt to draw a line and connect the two issues is an attempt to smear gay marriage. Here are some lines civilization has suffered under and eventually overcame in the past. ----- 1. People were not allowed to marry unless there were arranged marriages by their parents. Conservatives of the time opposed that kind of freedom. 2. In Rome and most other "highly advanced cultures," it was either out right illegal or considered immoral by tradition for patricians (nobles) to marry plebians (commoners). Conservatives of the time opposed that kind of mixing of the classes. 3. People were not allowed to marry across racial lines. Conservatives of the time opposed that kind of mixing of the blood. Heck, it even got many politicians elected on that one "hot button" issue alone. ----- One of the most beautiful and wonderful things about America is that the concept of freedom and basic rights has expanded over time. The "we" circle has gotten bigger. It's not just about a small number of white, land owning males anymore. (Or is it? Remember that no democracy has ever survived in history...) I believe that gay and lesbian basic human rights is one of the most important civil rights issues of our time. Today's conservatives are carrying on an historical battle of prejudice, discrimination, and hate against others who are different. Not all conservatives feel this way. I hope that those who know better among them, stand up and take a stand on this red herring of an issue. Gay marriage is a legal contract between two individiuals. If the couple is loving and committed to each other, they strengthen the institution of marriage and help raise a loving family. I'm all for helping strengthen the foundations of family and marriage. Considering today's divorce rates, we hetrosexuals are not the ones to talk though. ;-> What can we do locally? 1. Discuss the issue respectfully and with an open mind at work, home, and at church. 2. Ask your church or club to take a stand on the issue. 3. Ask your legislators to take a stand on today's civil right's issue. Yes, it will make some people uncomfortable but so have the issues of slavery, women's right, and other civil rights in the past. It's unavoidable, freedom and justice lie on the other side of a whole bunch of awkward and uncomfortable discussions. Maybe we should try to hold some kind of community forum on the issue. We know how most of the media, especially the Fox News stations and radio DJ's of the world will handle the issue. :-< We hold these truths to self evident... Dwayne Voegeli February 8, 2004 =========== >[Winona Online Democracy] > > >Since Massachusetts same sex marriage approval every aspect of the legal >and fundamental rights of people and the obligation of business and >government on healthcare will be stretched and discussed this year and >beyond. The question becomes why stop the discussion with such a >limited perspective as same sex when the next expansion of marriage or >defense of it and related issues such as healthcare dependent coverage >could be the move and approval of polygamy or Polygyny. > > > >Will the courts accept polygamy but outlaw Polygyny? Will insurance >forms need to be revised to read spouse(s)? Will the first in line be >entitled to inherit the entire estate? Who gets to make critical health >care decisions? Can they be made with a simple majority or will it take >2/3's approval? > >Will the Canadian's accept our wives or husbands or do we care? > > > >Is this a local issue or national on a cold winter day? > > > >Paul Double > ------------ ------------ Dwayne Voegeli Winona County Commissioner, District #2 (507) 453-9012 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 359 Pleasant Hill Dr. Winona, MN 55987 ------------ _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
