Let's inspire each other!

[dwheatl]

After reading about TuckandStuiesmom's stinkfest, I was inspired to write to my local diocesan newspaper regarding Proposition 8, the anti-same sex marriage initiative. My letter is currently floating through cyberspace as we speak (read/write?), heading to the office of the Valley Catholic. Here it is (I was limited to 1000 characters, so I had to keep it brief):

It is disheartening, though not surprising, to see CA bishops support Prop 8. Although the Catholic Church has very strict standards on what constitutes a valid marriage, those rules do not necessarily apply to the general public. We don’t demand that all of society follow or accept those rules. Civil laws need to be based on fairness, and with science finding it clearer that homosexuality is in-born rather than chosen, denying homosexuals the right to marry is as unfair and unkind as denying inter-racial couples that same right. If you really want to protect marriage, live out your own vows faithfully, generously, and with Christ-like devotion. Then, let others answer God’s call to do likewise, with the person God has called them to love.

DH and I lead marriage preparation retreats for our Diocese. Hope we don't get into "hot water" over this, but it just had to be said.

 

[OrlandoMike]

What a great letter!


You know it still kills me that straight couples can fly to Vegas, get married by Elvis, then have a disagreement, go Reno to get divorced all in one weekend!

Yet those of us who have been in committed relationships for decades, are denied the right to equal protection under the law, just because we love someone of the same sex!

Unbelievable!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I had this discussion yesterday outside my post office with someone who is running for State Rep. In my case, I live in MA so we are all set, but yet I was shocked to have him try and tell me that he felt that gays could not have what he and his wife have.

I said, what do you mean by that? If they are in a committed relationship, and who am I to decide that because Dear God we know that sometimes all straight relationships are not committed, but for the sense of argument I used those words, why can't they get married. He said he believed in civil unions, and at that point, I knew I was banging my head against the wall. I just said to him... I do not see why I should pass judgment on anyone, if they choose to marry, then I feel they should have that option. Then, I said, I am not threatened by their being allowed to marry, they should have the same rights as any married couple, if they so choose. He backed down when I mentioned I was not threatened and said really this is a non discussion as we allow gay marriage in MA and he said he would not work to repeal that. I said, I would hope not, especially if you want my vote.

I have one of my friends visiting now, he was in a committed relationship for 26 years.. house together, etc., this all prior to allowing gays to marry in MA. I remember when his life partner was gravely ill and dying in the hospital, and permission had to be granted for my friend to stay with his loved one from his family.......I am so glad that I live in a state where we allow gay marriage.

 

[dwheatl]

One of the things that pushed me to write my letter was a dear friend's loss of his partner. They had been together for over 30 years, and Bob's partner passed away just months short of the CA Supreme court decision affirming the right to same-sex marriages. I felt heartsick that they had missed out on the opportunity to have the state recognize their love and commitment to each other.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Guess what!!!! You inspired me right back!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
I really felt that I needed to follow up my shenanigans of Sunday night with a letter to the editor of our local paper and I was totally floundering. Your thoughts about Love at Home's lyrics were PERFECT. (To me, it's just a beautiful old-timey hymn and I didn't really think about the words' meaning.) I totally worked Stanza 4 into my letter and I know that will have an impact on readers here. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! If and when my letter gets published, I'll post a link.

p.s. -- Loved your letter!

 

[PghLybrt]

That is great! I love how the circle goes, we all inspire each other around here!!

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Dang it! The White Mountain Independent didn't publish my letter! When I called the editor's office today they said that "something" must have happened when I posted it at their website & they "lost" it. (I guess I should just be grateful that they didn't try to tell me the dog ate it.) Anyway I took a hard-copy into their office and physically handed it to them. We'll see if it makes it into print on Tuesday.

p.s. -- Would it be possible to change the title of this thread please? About the only thing that I actually inspire in most folks is a fervent commitment to improving their personal grooming and to NOT let themselves go...

Guess what!!!! You inspired me right back!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
I really felt that I needed to follow up my shenanigans of Sunday night with a letter to the editor of our local paper and I was totally floundering. Your thoughts about Love at Home's lyrics were PERFECT. (To me, it's just a beautiful old-timey hymn and I didn't really think about the words' meaning.) I totally worked Stanza 4 into my letter and I know that will have an impact on readers here. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! If and when my letter gets published, I'll post a link.

p.s. -- Loved your letter!

 

[dwheatl]

Dang it! The White Mountain Independent didn't publish my letter! When I called the editor's office today they said that "something" must have happened when I posted it at their website & they "lost" it. (I guess I should just be grateful that they didn't try to tell me the dog ate it.) Anyway I took a hard-copy into their office and physically handed it to them. We'll see if it makes it into print on Tuesday.

p.s. -- Would it be possible to change the title of this thread please? About the only thing that I actually inspire in most folks is a fervent commitment to improving their personal grooming and to NOT let themselves go...

Hope they get your letter in soon. Sorry I don't know how to change the title. That must be up to the powers that be. However, you DID inspire me.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Hi Danielle!
I know whatcha mean... I've titled a few and then didn't have the foggiest about editing anything except the content too. I think it can be done though... Mr. "Plain Ole H(ummmmm...) I mean TOTALLY AWESOME Fearless Leader Moderator" might be able to help us out. Mike? MIKE? Are you there, Mike?

Have you had any feedback from your letter yet? Please keep us posted. I am already working on my follow-up. (This, of course, assumes that my second attempt to get my first letter published doesn't misfire )

When I've been talking to folks one-on-one in my town, it's been so heartwarming to see that so many of them ARE open to seeing this issue in another light. They are just a little bit afraid to speak out though because the wingnuts have done their dangest to stake out the higher moral ground.

Yesterday, I made some extremely (LOL!) homemade bumper-stickers that have a rainbow on them and say SAY NO TO INTOLERANCE -- VOTE NO ON PROP 102. I'm already out and have to make more of them today. Mr. TuckandStuiesMom and our two boys who still live in the local community are big BIG men. All three are sporting my creation on their trucks and are kinda looking forward to maybe havin' a different kinda one-on-one with anybody who makes any negative comments. (OH LORD! I DO BELIEVE AHM HAVIN' A PROUD RED-NECK MOTHER MOMENT!)

Hope they get your letter in soon. Sorry I don't know how to change the title. That must be up to the powers that be.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

LOVE THE NEW TITLE!!!!!!
Thank you SO MUCH, TOTALLY AWESOME Fearless Leader Moderator!!!! ​

 

[dwheatl]

No feedback yet. Love the idea of your bumper sticker. We visited the PFLAG booth at a local festival and got "no on 8" flyers to stick in the back window of our cars. Our next door neighbors have a good-sized sign in front of their house, but I swear it moved closer to the property line since we put the flyers in our cars. That's great, because I asked for one at the booth, and they were out.

 

[Kuzco]

Being Catholic and all too familiar with the Church's stance on this issue, I think that letter is excellently done. I couldn't agree with your position more.

 

[dwheatl]

Thank you Kuzco.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

No feedback yet. Love the idea of your bumper sticker. We visited the PFLAG booth at a local festival and got "no on 8" flyers to stick in the back window of our cars. Our next door neighbors have a good-sized sign in front of their house, but I swear it moved closer to the property line since we put the flyers in our cars. That's great, because I asked for one at the booth, and they were out.

Hi Danielle!
You go, girl!!! Is the text for the No on 8 flyers posted anywhere? I'd love to make some flyers to hand out.

The bumper-stickers are not the least bit hard to make. Any Office Supply Store has blank 8X10 adhesive labels. The weatherproof kind are polyester (I think) -- they are pricier than paper but they will hold up better. I made a master on my inkjet and then took my supplies to our homegrown version of Kinkos and made copies on the label stock with the laser colour copier.

 

[OrlandoMike]

The one thing we have going for us here in Florida (I am right on this right Conck?) is that Amendment 2 will need a "Super Majority" to pass, or 66%!

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Being Catholic and all too familiar with the Church's stance on this issue, I think that letter is excellently done. I couldn't agree with your position more.

You are absolutely right -- dwheatl is speaking out with clarity and courage of her convictions (Besides that, she TOTALLY rocks )

If you are familiar with the Church's position, maybe you can explain why they've become so involved in this. I think all of us here would be really interested in your perspective.

I kinda think my former church's motivation stems from two factors:
1.) Our history of polygamy and its recent re-emergence in the public eye. It is my belief that they/we have an overwhelming group norm of wanting to "fit in" and this is one way to put the American white oligarchy's doubts about them/us to bed once and for all. I don't think it'll work but that's beside the point...
2.) The desire to demonstrate its ability to motivate and control a large block of the voting public to the Republican power structure. The Romney defeat in the primary was a real blow to many in my former faith. (Upon further reflection, this might actually be a sub-item under the first point -- I'm not sure.)

Sadly, none of this speaks of God's love for his children in any way that I can see.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I too loved the letter, it touched my heart.. absolutely eloquent, let us know if they publish it... or not. grrrrrrr

 

[ConcKahuna]

The one thing we have going for us here in Florida (I am right on this right Conck?) is that Amendment 2 will need a "Super Majority" to pass, or 66%!

and support has (lucky for us) been falling.

 

[dwheatl]

The flyer I have up says "No on 8! Equality for all!" I see another that says, "Don't undo, 'I Do.' Join the fight to keep same-sex marriage legal."
This is the home page. http://noonprop8.com/home

 

[dwheatl]

I think the Catholic Church is getting into this because they are big supporters of "traditional" marriage. The Church has many requirements for what is considered a valid marriage. For instance, when my mother was growing up and going to Catholic school, she had to memorize what constituted an "impediment" to a valid marriage. Examples: You can't be under the influence when you take your vows, you have to be open to the possibility of having children, and if you have children, the Catholic party has to try to the best of their ability to raise the children Catholic. Then, there's the really specific stuff, like if you always use a barrier method of birth control (condom or diaphragm), the marriage has not been "consummated", and is therefore invalid.
I know the Church has good intentions, in that they see marriage as valuable and a sign of God's love, and they really think they are protecting marriage, but all the technicalities, in my opinion, go against Jesus' two commandment philosophy - love God and love your neighbor. Having a huge laundry list of requirements just seems so much like the Pharisees to me. I also have a problem with imposing the strictures of one's faith on everyone, whether they subscribe to that faith or not.

OK, there's your Sunday homily from Mother Dwheatl. Go back to your crossword puzzle, mocha latte, snuggling, or whatever it is you like to do on Sunday mornings (they all sound good to me).