OK, I know this is ranting but I needed to get this off my chest, it continues to upset me.

Maggie Gallagher is co-author of �The Case for Marriage: Why Married People are Happier, Healthier, and Better Off Financially.�

I just read an opinion piece by the woman above defending California�s vote to rescind the rights of some of her citizens to enjoy the benefits she personally espoused as co-author of the book referenced above. Based on her bigotry, she feels comfortable denying a protected group of individuals the right to �Happier, Healthier and Better Financial� lives because she doesn�t like the idea of homosexuality. Make no mistake; her decision is in no way a support for or protection of the �institution� of marriage. If she were truly interested in supporting or protecting the institution she would be encouraging all couples, regardless of their sex, to move from an �unsanctified� partnership to a �legitimate union�. She would be encouraging anyone and everyone to embrace marriage. Instead she is using a platform of hate and bigotry to deny a minority rights. Her personal opinion is being used to justify and encourage denying these rights.

Democracy does not extend the right of the many to dictate the rights of the few. There are protections built into the constitution to protect minorities. The mob does not rule. No matter how many people you may find to stand up and say that black people should not marry white people (and surprisingly these people would most likely be both black and white) that law could not stand. It is a restriction of the basic rights of a group of people based solely on their race.

I am appalled that there are people who believe that they have the right to dictate the lives of others based on their own personal belief system. You may feel free to toddle off to your churches and sway back in forth in religious furor or sing in your choirs about the wonders of your god to your hearts content; I will not seek to restrict you. It is of no concern to me how you choose to waste your time. But when you take your craziness (my personal view) and try and apply it to MY life or the lives of others who DO NOT share your ungrounded belief system then you have gone too far. I am well versed in the Christian fundamental faith and have examined the Mormon, Jewish and Buddhist teachings as well and one thing seems apparent, your faith is just that yours, you may share your faith, you may preach your faith but if you are not received then to quote the alleged �words of Jesus�, Shake the dust from your sandals. Worry your life with living your life and not with the lives of others. If their actions do not interfere with you living your life then leave them alone.

I do not have a religious belief system. I am a scientist and a philosopher. I gain my world view based on science and my intellectual understanding of what is reasonable and right for the benefit of the many and the few. If your final answer to the question of �why not?� is simply �God said so�, than you may not legislate the idea upon others. You may feel free to apply the rule to your own life and you may reject people from your club, er. Church, but you may not tell people who do not share your belief what they may or may not do. Our government restricts actions that cause harm to others. They protect both the many from the few and the few from the many. My only hope is that the system works and the checks placed in the system to prevent tyranny lead to the abolishment of the bigoted amendment to the CA state constitution and eventually lead to civil freedom for the people who have so long suffered at the hands of mob rule.

You may agree, disagree, whatever, it is you personal choice but as long as we are not harming anyone then don�t try and force me or anyone else to live by your rules.

I wish you Peace

~alison~

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