The Christmas decorations everywhere might indicate that it's too late for an article about Halloween, but I'm sorry, I just can't stop dwelling. Let me explain why.
Once upon a time, what seems simultaneously like yesterday and like one hundred years ago, October 31 was a special and exciting day. For weeks, children would plan their Halloween costumes, taking care to consider every detail and accessory. We'd discuss it amongst our friends, talk it over with our parents, and the anticipation was almost too much.
The school costume parade was so much fun! It was always after lunch, so our entire lunch hour was spent putting on make-up or masks, or, if we were lucky, that colored hair spray that cost way too much before the days of dollar stores. We'd all line up in the gym, and prizes were awarded to the most creative costumes.
Once we arrived home, it was all our parents could do to keep us in the house for long enough to have supper, since we were so anxious to go trick-or-treating. This part of the night was also well planned; our routes had been mapped for days, and we were intent on achieving maximum candy acquisition with minimal transit time. Because, at the end of the day, it was all about the treats.
We lived in a rural community, which meant after we had done most of our immediate area on foot, one of our parents had to drive us around, while the other stayed behind to pass out treats. We we knew the spots where all the "rich people" (those who passed out full-size chocolate bars or cans of pop) lived, who gave you fudge, and who would keep you inside talking for 10 minutes. Everybody was home, and every house passed out treats.
I don't think we ever arrived home with less than a full garbage bag of loot, and while some things disappeared quickly, there were always bags of chips and those gross molasses candies remaining weeks after.
What you just read is a true story, kids. It happened to me, every year.
My awesome Halloween memories have translated from excitement about going out, to excitement about being a person who passes out treats. This year, in addition to the severed heads, ghosts, and bats hanging about my yard, I created a small cemetery. It took me a long time to cut tombstones out of styrofoam, carve words and designs onto them, paint them, mount them, and set them up. I put fake blood dripping down some, rats and spiders sitting on others, and even a zombie crawling out of the ground. With all the decorations and lights, I thought my house was just the kind of house we'd have flocked to as kids.
And in preparation for that, since I live in a neighborhood with lots of children, I went out and bought enough treats for 120 kids. I had chips, bars, candies, suckers, everything you can imagine stuffed into treat bags and waiting to be given out. I lit up the Halloween village on the table by my entrance, saw my little Buzz Lightyear and Scream Ghost off with their dad, and waited for the crowds to arrive.
In 3 hours I saw 12 kids. Of those 12, only about half were wearing costumes. One was a 6'4" tall ninja with a deeper voice than my husband, who arrived with a goblin-masked friend smoking a cigarette, and a pirate who drove the car they pulled up in.
Kids, you have to realize when you go to houses on Halloween night, people give you free candy! Just for showing up! Has that fact become unknown in recent years? Because if I was shorter and more selfish, I'd be throwing on some She-Ra garb and making a killing.
It's very sad for me to see such a special tradition from my past become so unceremonious to this generation of kids. With the mass retail bombardment that's common for every "holiday", I would have expected Halloween to be bigger and better than ever. But it seems that kids aren't all that interested anymore, and what a shame that is.
When did 11-year-olds start finding more enjoyment in smashing pumpkins than going door to door for treats? When did a school sweatshirt, jeans, a baseball hat and a face with a few black make-up streaks become a costume? And, most importantly, where have all the kids gone? Are they home playing X-box? Did they not get the memo about free candy?
I don't care. I'll still decorate my house like the crazy Halloween lady every year in hopes that someday things will get back to the way they used to be.
Until then, I'm stuck with 100 bags of Cheetos and a Christmas tree to put up.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Invitation - To Celebrate Paula Gallant
All are welcome to this celebration.
"You are invited……
On Friday December 5th, 2008, at the BLT Elementary school in Timberlea, Paula Gallant’s family will extend thanks to the community of Beechville-Lakeside-Timberlea for their ongoing support, prayers and love since Paula’s tragic murder on December 27th, 2005. Please join us for a special commemoration to the BLT Rails to Trails Association in Paula’s memory. As an outdoor enthusiast and avid user of the trail, Paula would be very pleased with this gesture of gratitude being extended to such a worthwhile association in her community. Many kilometers of stories and laughter were shared between Paula and her friends on the trail and both her daughter Anna and her dog Coady could be found enjoying a walk with their mom on many occasions!
As we come to thank the community and remember Paula on what would have been her “39” birthday, we will also distribute purple ribbons marking December 6th which recognizes the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada.
The event, which starts at 6pm, will feature two time ECMA winner Audra Raulyns. We are thrilled to have Ms. Raulyns share her beautiful voice with us on this special remembrance.
MLA Bill Estabrooks, members of the RCMP, Halifax Major Crime Unit, and representatives from the BLT Rails to Trails board will also be in attendance along with Cape Breton piper Karen MacLean.
Our night will conclude with a birthday cake to celebrate Paula’s life and a short walk on the BLT trail for a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the area for the dedication.
This is an open event and all are welcome. We hope to see you there.
Thank you,
Friends of Paula
I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
Edward Everett Hale"
"You are invited……
On Friday December 5th, 2008, at the BLT Elementary school in Timberlea, Paula Gallant’s family will extend thanks to the community of Beechville-Lakeside-Timberlea for their ongoing support, prayers and love since Paula’s tragic murder on December 27th, 2005. Please join us for a special commemoration to the BLT Rails to Trails Association in Paula’s memory. As an outdoor enthusiast and avid user of the trail, Paula would be very pleased with this gesture of gratitude being extended to such a worthwhile association in her community. Many kilometers of stories and laughter were shared between Paula and her friends on the trail and both her daughter Anna and her dog Coady could be found enjoying a walk with their mom on many occasions!
As we come to thank the community and remember Paula on what would have been her “39” birthday, we will also distribute purple ribbons marking December 6th which recognizes the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada.
The event, which starts at 6pm, will feature two time ECMA winner Audra Raulyns. We are thrilled to have Ms. Raulyns share her beautiful voice with us on this special remembrance.
MLA Bill Estabrooks, members of the RCMP, Halifax Major Crime Unit, and representatives from the BLT Rails to Trails board will also be in attendance along with Cape Breton piper Karen MacLean.
Our night will conclude with a birthday cake to celebrate Paula’s life and a short walk on the BLT trail for a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the area for the dedication.
This is an open event and all are welcome. We hope to see you there.
Thank you,
Friends of Paula
I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
Edward Everett Hale"
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Murphygate
This article ran in the paper weeks ago...but better late than never, says the slacker who hasn't been keeping up with her blog...
************************************************************************
What a mess. A seemingly simple question turns into a national election scandal, how very American of us Canadians.
Here is a short play-by-play. Steve Murphy began a taped interview with Liberal leader Stephane Dion with a bit of preamble and then asked Dion a question. Dion began to answer, but then asked if he could start over because he didn't understand the question. Take two, and apparently Dion still did not understand the re-explained question, so an aide proceeded to explain it to him. Appearing a bit flustered, it took another two takes to get it right.
I was watching the CTV news on the night the interview aired. Murphy's opening statement about how the Dion campaign had asked the station not to air the false starts, was ever so delicious; anyone bored with the prospect of another political interview was likely piqued with interest after an opening line like that.
The interview was embarrassing to watch, and my husband and I found ourselves cringing throughout. One muck-up would have been bad enough, two even worse, but three false starts? Not good.
After the interview was over, almost as if he knew what a brew-ha-ha he had just stirred up, Steve again stated the justification and intent of the network for airing the entire exchange without edit.
It wasn't a confusing question. Steve was referencing comments Dion himself had made to suggest the current Prime Minister has done nothing to ease the minds of Canadians during these recent economic problems. The question went, and I quote, "If you were Prime Minister now, what would you have done that Mr. Harper has not done?" . He wasn't asking the answer to the quadratic equation, he was giving Dion an opportunity to cite where Harper had failed as a leader.
Had I asked that same question to someone walking through the mall, I'm quite sure I would have heard an acceptable response without having to clarify anything.
Now that the Conservatives are back in power and the Liberals faltered in many areas, they seem to be using the airing of this botched interview as a scapegoat for their failure.
Two weeks later, I've heard every excuse in the book to explain the false starts: that the question was poorly worded; that the use of more than one tense was impossible to understand; that Mr. Dion had trouble because his first language is French; even that he has a hearing impairment.
What ever happened to accountability?
English may not be Mr. Dion's first language, but an excellent working knowledge of the language spoken primarily by more than three-quarters of the residents of the country he is trying to represent, should be a prerequisite, shouldn't it? That is not a reflection of any kind of prejudice on my part toward people of French decent; I am French myself. It is, however, a relevant point regarding his effectiveness as a national and world leader. English is "the global language", used most often by governments worldwide in communications with each other, and especially by the majority of the countries with which Canada has it's closest relationships.
If it was only a language barrier issue, that might be less serious than if Mr. Dion just plain didn't understand the question, which certainly seemed (at least to me) to be the case. Of the many questions and problems a national leader must respond to, the degree of difficulty of Murphy's question doesn't even register in comparison. If Mr. Dion had that much trouble answering what seemed to me to be a question elementary in nature, I'd be scared to see his response to a difficult query.
Since losing so many seats in the election, this topic was bound to be brought up as a possible contributor, and it may very well have been. But isn't that Dion's fault? The editing process would clearly be a network decision, but some have even gone as far as to call for Steve Murphy's resignation as news anchor for airing the embarrassing footage. Why should he have to take the fall?
It was a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation for CTV. Some suggest the network is Conservative leaning, which is why they chose to air the interview in its entirety. Yet, had they not aired it and word of the mishap got out, they would have been accused of Liberal bias for covering Dion's tracks. (I myself tend to think CTV sucks up to every party, politician, and guest that appears on the network, equally and without shame. Steve Murphy especially.)
Regardless, I think I had a right to see that entire interview, and I'm glad I did. Did it change my vote? No, not really. But that was my decision, and that's the whole point.
************************************************************************
What a mess. A seemingly simple question turns into a national election scandal, how very American of us Canadians.
Here is a short play-by-play. Steve Murphy began a taped interview with Liberal leader Stephane Dion with a bit of preamble and then asked Dion a question. Dion began to answer, but then asked if he could start over because he didn't understand the question. Take two, and apparently Dion still did not understand the re-explained question, so an aide proceeded to explain it to him. Appearing a bit flustered, it took another two takes to get it right.
I was watching the CTV news on the night the interview aired. Murphy's opening statement about how the Dion campaign had asked the station not to air the false starts, was ever so delicious; anyone bored with the prospect of another political interview was likely piqued with interest after an opening line like that.
The interview was embarrassing to watch, and my husband and I found ourselves cringing throughout. One muck-up would have been bad enough, two even worse, but three false starts? Not good.
After the interview was over, almost as if he knew what a brew-ha-ha he had just stirred up, Steve again stated the justification and intent of the network for airing the entire exchange without edit.
It wasn't a confusing question. Steve was referencing comments Dion himself had made to suggest the current Prime Minister has done nothing to ease the minds of Canadians during these recent economic problems. The question went, and I quote, "If you were Prime Minister now, what would you have done that Mr. Harper has not done?" . He wasn't asking the answer to the quadratic equation, he was giving Dion an opportunity to cite where Harper had failed as a leader.
Had I asked that same question to someone walking through the mall, I'm quite sure I would have heard an acceptable response without having to clarify anything.
Now that the Conservatives are back in power and the Liberals faltered in many areas, they seem to be using the airing of this botched interview as a scapegoat for their failure.
Two weeks later, I've heard every excuse in the book to explain the false starts: that the question was poorly worded; that the use of more than one tense was impossible to understand; that Mr. Dion had trouble because his first language is French; even that he has a hearing impairment.
What ever happened to accountability?
English may not be Mr. Dion's first language, but an excellent working knowledge of the language spoken primarily by more than three-quarters of the residents of the country he is trying to represent, should be a prerequisite, shouldn't it? That is not a reflection of any kind of prejudice on my part toward people of French decent; I am French myself. It is, however, a relevant point regarding his effectiveness as a national and world leader. English is "the global language", used most often by governments worldwide in communications with each other, and especially by the majority of the countries with which Canada has it's closest relationships.
If it was only a language barrier issue, that might be less serious than if Mr. Dion just plain didn't understand the question, which certainly seemed (at least to me) to be the case. Of the many questions and problems a national leader must respond to, the degree of difficulty of Murphy's question doesn't even register in comparison. If Mr. Dion had that much trouble answering what seemed to me to be a question elementary in nature, I'd be scared to see his response to a difficult query.
Since losing so many seats in the election, this topic was bound to be brought up as a possible contributor, and it may very well have been. But isn't that Dion's fault? The editing process would clearly be a network decision, but some have even gone as far as to call for Steve Murphy's resignation as news anchor for airing the embarrassing footage. Why should he have to take the fall?
It was a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation for CTV. Some suggest the network is Conservative leaning, which is why they chose to air the interview in its entirety. Yet, had they not aired it and word of the mishap got out, they would have been accused of Liberal bias for covering Dion's tracks. (I myself tend to think CTV sucks up to every party, politician, and guest that appears on the network, equally and without shame. Steve Murphy especially.)
Regardless, I think I had a right to see that entire interview, and I'm glad I did. Did it change my vote? No, not really. But that was my decision, and that's the whole point.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Dear Mrs. Claus
Dear Mrs. Claus,
In case you're wondering why I addressed this letter to you instead of Santa, I'm assuming the North Pole works much the same as the rest of the world, and that the wife gets the final say in the decision-making process.
I have tried my hardest to be a good wife and mother this year. I have wiped 142 runny noses, attended 73 baseball/soccer/football games, done 451 loads of laundry, prepared over 1000 meals/snacks/lunches, watched Disney movies in steady rotation, and cleaned the toilet more times than I care to count, among other things.
I would not be deserving of anything were I not to first ask for health, happiness, and prosperity for all my family and friends. I want everyone I love to have a great holiday and get everything on their list.
I've already spent a ridiculous amount of money on presents for my kids, so I don't have to worry about them on Christmas morning; besides, I'm sure your husband will be getting their long and detailed letters any day now. I've decided instead to make a few requests for myself.
To save us both a lot of time, you could simply leave a money tree, a fleet of nannies, and a magic, self-replenishing bottle of patience under the tree. However, I realize that's a bit unrealistic, so I'll give you a few more suggestions.
First, I'd like a pre-planned, delicious, nutritionally-balanced meal plan for all 365 days of the year. Breakfast and lunch menus are optional, but instructions for supper are in great demand. Please keep in mind that easy and fast is always preferred, and you're more than welcome to bring me any groceries required to prepare the recipes. Also, the fewer ingredients the better. I should also mention, this meal plan should cover all four members of my household: myself, the one who doesn't like chicken, the one with the seafood allergy, and the one who currently won't eat anything but Spongebob noodles and Lucky Charms. Good luck.
Secondly, even if only for 24 hours, since this is my last Christmas as a woman in my 20s, I'd like the body of a Brazillian super model, a one-week vacation to the tropics, a professional photographer, and about eight dozen rolls of film.
I'd also like the patent for a fabric that is soft and practical (like cotton), yet wipe-able (like vinyl). It also must be completely resistant to the following types of stains: grass, mustard, blood, greasy fingerprints, every type of paint, and Spongebob noodles.
Next, I'd like a mobile, ergonomically designed, multi-purpose capsule, for the purposes of completing tasks in the presence of my children which are, at the present time, pretty much impossible. This capsule would, ideally, be soundproof, to allow me to finally have a phone conversation without the constant plea, "MOM!" ringing in my ear. It might also include a "bathing feature", since my only times to shower in peace are the six or so minutes at the beginning of "Toy Story 2" and the moments immediately preceding my passing out from exhaustion at bedtime.
Speaking of bathrooms, not only could I use a giant bulls-eye painted at the bottom of the toilet bowl, but I'd also like a fingerprint-activated, password-protected shampoo dispenser, so my more-expensive-than-is-necessary-for-boys shampoo might last more than a week, and not be used as "look Mommy, bubbles".
Onto the kitchen; please, Mrs. Claus, if you have any mercy, you'll bring me a dishwasher. STAT. While you're at it, you might as well get me the Swiffer family again. It's not as if they won't need replacing soon, anyway.
If possible, I'd like you to rid the world of a few cartoon television programs, namely Caillou, The Mole Sisters, and Pokoyo. And, while I'm not suggesting anything violent, the world would be no worse off without those weird and annoying spandex people from Four Squared. Especially the one with the braces. I'm just saying.
As long as I'm pushing my luck, I also ask that you wave a wand of some sort to ensure I don't burn my Christmas turkey or drop a pie or something. Things like that tend to happen in this house.
Should you find my list to be a little too unreasonable, I'll settle for Colin Farrell in a big, red bow under the tree. I'm flexible like that.
Well, Mrs. Claus, I guess that's it for this year. I promise to leave some milk and cookies for Santa and a few carrots for the reindeer. There will be a package on the table addressed to you; it may be breakable and feel a lot like a case of wine, but you can assure Santa that it's just a harmless token of my appreciation for your help.
Merry Christmas
In case you're wondering why I addressed this letter to you instead of Santa, I'm assuming the North Pole works much the same as the rest of the world, and that the wife gets the final say in the decision-making process.
I have tried my hardest to be a good wife and mother this year. I have wiped 142 runny noses, attended 73 baseball/soccer/football games, done 451 loads of laundry, prepared over 1000 meals/snacks/lunches, watched Disney movies in steady rotation, and cleaned the toilet more times than I care to count, among other things.
I would not be deserving of anything were I not to first ask for health, happiness, and prosperity for all my family and friends. I want everyone I love to have a great holiday and get everything on their list.
I've already spent a ridiculous amount of money on presents for my kids, so I don't have to worry about them on Christmas morning; besides, I'm sure your husband will be getting their long and detailed letters any day now. I've decided instead to make a few requests for myself.
To save us both a lot of time, you could simply leave a money tree, a fleet of nannies, and a magic, self-replenishing bottle of patience under the tree. However, I realize that's a bit unrealistic, so I'll give you a few more suggestions.
First, I'd like a pre-planned, delicious, nutritionally-balanced meal plan for all 365 days of the year. Breakfast and lunch menus are optional, but instructions for supper are in great demand. Please keep in mind that easy and fast is always preferred, and you're more than welcome to bring me any groceries required to prepare the recipes. Also, the fewer ingredients the better. I should also mention, this meal plan should cover all four members of my household: myself, the one who doesn't like chicken, the one with the seafood allergy, and the one who currently won't eat anything but Spongebob noodles and Lucky Charms. Good luck.
Secondly, even if only for 24 hours, since this is my last Christmas as a woman in my 20s, I'd like the body of a Brazillian super model, a one-week vacation to the tropics, a professional photographer, and about eight dozen rolls of film.
I'd also like the patent for a fabric that is soft and practical (like cotton), yet wipe-able (like vinyl). It also must be completely resistant to the following types of stains: grass, mustard, blood, greasy fingerprints, every type of paint, and Spongebob noodles.
Next, I'd like a mobile, ergonomically designed, multi-purpose capsule, for the purposes of completing tasks in the presence of my children which are, at the present time, pretty much impossible. This capsule would, ideally, be soundproof, to allow me to finally have a phone conversation without the constant plea, "MOM!" ringing in my ear. It might also include a "bathing feature", since my only times to shower in peace are the six or so minutes at the beginning of "Toy Story 2" and the moments immediately preceding my passing out from exhaustion at bedtime.
Speaking of bathrooms, not only could I use a giant bulls-eye painted at the bottom of the toilet bowl, but I'd also like a fingerprint-activated, password-protected shampoo dispenser, so my more-expensive-than-is-necessary-for-boys shampoo might last more than a week, and not be used as "look Mommy, bubbles".
Onto the kitchen; please, Mrs. Claus, if you have any mercy, you'll bring me a dishwasher. STAT. While you're at it, you might as well get me the Swiffer family again. It's not as if they won't need replacing soon, anyway.
If possible, I'd like you to rid the world of a few cartoon television programs, namely Caillou, The Mole Sisters, and Pokoyo. And, while I'm not suggesting anything violent, the world would be no worse off without those weird and annoying spandex people from Four Squared. Especially the one with the braces. I'm just saying.
As long as I'm pushing my luck, I also ask that you wave a wand of some sort to ensure I don't burn my Christmas turkey or drop a pie or something. Things like that tend to happen in this house.
Should you find my list to be a little too unreasonable, I'll settle for Colin Farrell in a big, red bow under the tree. I'm flexible like that.
Well, Mrs. Claus, I guess that's it for this year. I promise to leave some milk and cookies for Santa and a few carrots for the reindeer. There will be a package on the table addressed to you; it may be breakable and feel a lot like a case of wine, but you can assure Santa that it's just a harmless token of my appreciation for your help.
Merry Christmas
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Prop 8
While Americans are basking in the joy of an exciting and historical election and anticipating a new Presidential administration, other election-night results aren't quite so hopeful.
Residents of California were asked on their Tuesday ballots to vote on Proposition 8, a Constitutional amendment governing the legality of gay marriage. Each side of the issue campaigned vigorously over the pastfew weeks. As I'm writing this, two days after the election, it looks as though Prop 8 has passed in California, making same-sex marriage illegal. (I should note, Arizona and Florida, in their own Propositions, voted the same way.)
Even though Nova Scotia is far ahead of it's time in matters of same-sex marriage and benefit equality, homosexuality is an uncomfortable topic for many people, especially in small, rural areas. You may disagree with homosexuality; you may think it's immoral or wrong or against your religion. You may not have ever been exposed to gay culture and just don't understand it. Regardless of why you don't look positively at homosexuality, in today's society it doesn't really matter. There are gay people in St. Peter's, Port Hawkesbury, Cregnish, Mabou, Little Anse, Guysborough, Canso, Chapel Island, and everywhere in between, and no individual's or group's moral self- righteousness is going to change that. I'm not here to debate morality. Gay people are here, they're not going away, and everyone has to either accept that or move to the moon, where, to my knowledge, there aren't any gay people. Yet.
The problem with Prop 8 is the civil rights violation associated with its passing.
Gay people are people, in the same way as white people are people, ugly people are people, racist people are people, and people who eat their own boogers are people. Is every person the kind of person we want to be? No. Some aren't even the type of people we'd want to be in the same room with. But there's no denying that they are indeed people, all with the same rights as human beings as I have.
Just because someone is Asian, should they not be entitled to a fair trial in a court of law? Just because someone is disabled, should they not be able to bear children if they so choose? Just because someone is gay, should they not be able to get married? Some say "apples and oranges". I say making same-sex marriage illegal is no different than squashing a woman's right to vote.
Proponents of Prop 8 will argue, "our Constitution says that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, and that's the way it should stay." Really? The same Constitution written 158 years ago? The one that's had to be amended over 500 times? The one that, up until a few decades ago, still recognized women as inferior citizens by "modern moral standards"?
Change is necessary as civilization evolves, and this Proposition is a perfect example of small-minded people being resistant to change.
There is no reason that a definition of marriage can't be between one consenting adult citizen and another consenting adult citizen. No reason, that is, except arbitrary notions of morality and religion which are debatable from a theological standpoint and irrelevant from a legislative one.
What makes this issue even more discriminatory is that, as of June 17 of this year, the California Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is perfectly legal, and almost 20,000 same-sex couples have married since. The passing of Prop 8 calls into question whether these marriages will be retroactively annulled by the constitutional change. Imagine finally marrying the person you love and then having the government tell you it was all a farce, because other people don't agree with your choice. Talk about inequality.
I take the institution of marriage very seriously. It is very important to me that I am a wife, that the man I live with is my husband, and that we're recognized that way in both a legal and societal context. But it seems to me that people are ignoring the integral fundamentals of the concept of marriage and misguidedly concentrating on the language used to define it. Anyone in a marriage can tell you that two people's physical ability to produce children has little to do with their ability to sustain a productive and loving union. Marriage is about love, commitment and partnership, not anatomy. There are heterosexual couples the world over who cheat on each other and otherwise destroy the sanctity of marriage, while there are same-sex couples who are model examples of what a good relationship should be.
Who are we to dictate the extent of someone else's happiness, especially when that happiness harms nothing more than the status quo?
With Prop 8's passage, people in California might have lost the same-sex equality battle, but I have a feeling they will, rightly, win the war.
Residents of California were asked on their Tuesday ballots to vote on Proposition 8, a Constitutional amendment governing the legality of gay marriage. Each side of the issue campaigned vigorously over the pastfew weeks. As I'm writing this, two days after the election, it looks as though Prop 8 has passed in California, making same-sex marriage illegal. (I should note, Arizona and Florida, in their own Propositions, voted the same way.)
Even though Nova Scotia is far ahead of it's time in matters of same-sex marriage and benefit equality, homosexuality is an uncomfortable topic for many people, especially in small, rural areas. You may disagree with homosexuality; you may think it's immoral or wrong or against your religion. You may not have ever been exposed to gay culture and just don't understand it. Regardless of why you don't look positively at homosexuality, in today's society it doesn't really matter. There are gay people in St. Peter's, Port Hawkesbury, Cregnish, Mabou, Little Anse, Guysborough, Canso, Chapel Island, and everywhere in between, and no individual's or group's moral self- righteousness is going to change that. I'm not here to debate morality. Gay people are here, they're not going away, and everyone has to either accept that or move to the moon, where, to my knowledge, there aren't any gay people. Yet.
The problem with Prop 8 is the civil rights violation associated with its passing.
Gay people are people, in the same way as white people are people, ugly people are people, racist people are people, and people who eat their own boogers are people. Is every person the kind of person we want to be? No. Some aren't even the type of people we'd want to be in the same room with. But there's no denying that they are indeed people, all with the same rights as human beings as I have.
Just because someone is Asian, should they not be entitled to a fair trial in a court of law? Just because someone is disabled, should they not be able to bear children if they so choose? Just because someone is gay, should they not be able to get married? Some say "apples and oranges". I say making same-sex marriage illegal is no different than squashing a woman's right to vote.
Proponents of Prop 8 will argue, "our Constitution says that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, and that's the way it should stay." Really? The same Constitution written 158 years ago? The one that's had to be amended over 500 times? The one that, up until a few decades ago, still recognized women as inferior citizens by "modern moral standards"?
Change is necessary as civilization evolves, and this Proposition is a perfect example of small-minded people being resistant to change.
There is no reason that a definition of marriage can't be between one consenting adult citizen and another consenting adult citizen. No reason, that is, except arbitrary notions of morality and religion which are debatable from a theological standpoint and irrelevant from a legislative one.
What makes this issue even more discriminatory is that, as of June 17 of this year, the California Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is perfectly legal, and almost 20,000 same-sex couples have married since. The passing of Prop 8 calls into question whether these marriages will be retroactively annulled by the constitutional change. Imagine finally marrying the person you love and then having the government tell you it was all a farce, because other people don't agree with your choice. Talk about inequality.
I take the institution of marriage very seriously. It is very important to me that I am a wife, that the man I live with is my husband, and that we're recognized that way in both a legal and societal context. But it seems to me that people are ignoring the integral fundamentals of the concept of marriage and misguidedly concentrating on the language used to define it. Anyone in a marriage can tell you that two people's physical ability to produce children has little to do with their ability to sustain a productive and loving union. Marriage is about love, commitment and partnership, not anatomy. There are heterosexual couples the world over who cheat on each other and otherwise destroy the sanctity of marriage, while there are same-sex couples who are model examples of what a good relationship should be.
Who are we to dictate the extent of someone else's happiness, especially when that happiness harms nothing more than the status quo?
With Prop 8's passage, people in California might have lost the same-sex equality battle, but I have a feeling they will, rightly, win the war.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Late Night Obama-ing
A few thoughts...
After 18 months of close observation and many late nights spent with Anderson Cooper, I just watched a black man become President of the United States. Pretty important stuff.
Not only did he win, he won by a greater margin than any President since Lyndon Johnson.
That's a big step for Americans.
And while the black commentator from CNN was so emotional and over-dramatic that I was almost peeing my pants, that is not the reason I'm up at 1am.
As far as the world has come tonight and as much as it's going to change, I'm up to watch Obama's acceptance speech to be sure he's not assassinated. Scary, but sadly not out of the question.
I am quite confident in a few things:
1) Hillbillies, rednecks and racists from West Virginia to Tennesee, are probably running around in circles, pulling their hair out and shooting each other for lack of a better outlet for their rage.
2) Old people are probably upping their meds, likely incredulous that "one of those negroes" is the leader of their country.
3) Religous types are probably planning a mass suicide because the next President is "muslim".
4) Elisabeth Hasselbeck is teetering on the edge of the George Washington bridge.
Slight exaggerations, but I'm overtired and not entirely off the mark.
We need to let Barack Obama be a President and not just a black President. He's a smart and inspirational visionary with loads of potential, and it is my hope that he gets the fair and full opportunity to show that to the world. Let the small minded people be left to stew while the rest of us prosper.
I'm going to bed now, and Obama better be alive and well when I wake up in the morning. If he isn't, the skeptical faith I have had restored by the American people will disappear.
After 18 months of close observation and many late nights spent with Anderson Cooper, I just watched a black man become President of the United States. Pretty important stuff.
Not only did he win, he won by a greater margin than any President since Lyndon Johnson.
That's a big step for Americans.
And while the black commentator from CNN was so emotional and over-dramatic that I was almost peeing my pants, that is not the reason I'm up at 1am.
As far as the world has come tonight and as much as it's going to change, I'm up to watch Obama's acceptance speech to be sure he's not assassinated. Scary, but sadly not out of the question.
I am quite confident in a few things:
1) Hillbillies, rednecks and racists from West Virginia to Tennesee, are probably running around in circles, pulling their hair out and shooting each other for lack of a better outlet for their rage.
2) Old people are probably upping their meds, likely incredulous that "one of those negroes" is the leader of their country.
3) Religous types are probably planning a mass suicide because the next President is "muslim".
4) Elisabeth Hasselbeck is teetering on the edge of the George Washington bridge.
Slight exaggerations, but I'm overtired and not entirely off the mark.
We need to let Barack Obama be a President and not just a black President. He's a smart and inspirational visionary with loads of potential, and it is my hope that he gets the fair and full opportunity to show that to the world. Let the small minded people be left to stew while the rest of us prosper.
I'm going to bed now, and Obama better be alive and well when I wake up in the morning. If he isn't, the skeptical faith I have had restored by the American people will disappear.
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