Yep, I promised I’d stop talking about the election once it was over. But — doggonit — the good people of Outer Blogness had posted a whole lot of follow-up commentary this past week, and I’m here to round it up for you.
First, some favorite quotes: On Obama getting elected: “it’s like every not so popular group in high school turning on the football players and cheerleaders, led by a debate team nerd.” On people claiming that Bush got an unfair shake: “And yes, most people don’t have to deal with these things, but most people =/= heads of nations.” On the grand irony of Mormons pushing for proposition 8: “Pot calls Kettle black…and Pot wins. This time.” Then there’s this statement that, frankly, the church should be ashamed of. It’s summed up pretty well here:
Shockingly, the church finds the protest “disturbing” and objects to being “singled out” for exercising its right to free speech. Well, here’s a news flash. When you, a large tax-exempt religious institution, claim that your leaders speak for God and then mobilize your membership by telling them that they need to vote in a certain way on a particular political proposition regarding the civil issue of same-sex marriage… you’re going to get singled out.
You can’t have it both ways. On the one hand, you call this issue your “Gettysburg”, read letters about Prop 8 from the pulpit, call for donations and volunteers, organize call chains, and generally make it felt that every member of your religious organization in the state of California is expected to sacrifice for the cause of taking away others’ right to marry. On the other hand, you act surprised and hurt when those whose rights have been stripped become angry, members of your own church actively voice their disapproval, and thousands of protesters show up at your doorstep to protest your coordination of this exercise in codifying discrimination into law. Pardon my candor, but what the hell did you expect?
Other reactions are found here, here, and here. My personal theory is that they decided to make a statement that is so over-the-top childish and hypocritical in hopes that the civil rights folks would respond in a frenzy of outrage so that the church can do some more pretending to be the victim while acting as the aggressor.
Anyway, on to more free speech and democracy in action: the demonstration at Temple Square! Craig posted a whole series of photos, and even got interviewed for the news! BCC offers images in words from the demonstration. For pictures and words style coverage, see the story here.
As for reactions to the election itself, Equality sums up the prop. 8 folks’ induction into the hall of shame. A lot of people are rethinking their relationship with the church: here, here, here, here, and here. Others are trying to figure out what to do next: here, here, and here.
And let’s close with a few poetic words of thanks and comfort for those that were hurt by this loss of full citizenship and rights.
Wow, that’s a lot of links to read.
Yeah, getting interviewed for the channel 4 evening news was really exciting. I felt really happy that I was able to do just a little more to show others how unjust and harmful it is to force your religious beliefs on someone else through legislation.
Yeah, that was great that you got a chance to appear on the news to explain your position!