Thursday, May 10, 2012

It's About Damned Time!

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/09/politics/obama-same-sex-marriage/index.html?iref=obinsite

Obama said in an interview with ABC News, "At a certain point I've just concluded that for me, personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married."


Obama once opposed such marriages. He later indicated his views were "evolving."

"I had hesitated on gay marriage, in part, because I thought civil unions would be sufficient," the president said. "I was sensitive to the fact that -- for a lot of people -- that the word marriage is something that provokes very powerful traditions and religious beliefs."

Hi Friends;
  You know there are going to be some who see this as a clarion call for the end of the world.  I'm sure they are the same who thought a black man as president would spell the end of the world, so take whatever grains of salt are required.  But, for me, it is a moment of hope that this country can change, grow, evolve, survive. 
 
hugs;
randy

8 comments:

Sammy B said...

Hello Randy
It's gratifying to hear Obama saying what he's said, albeit that's it's only his personal opinion, and doesn't change anything in itself. Maybe Cameron will now find the balls to return to his earlier support for marriage equality over here, after some thoroughly craven backtracking in the face of our own home-grown god-botherers.
Just as an aside, Obama must be pretty confident of his prospects for a second term to say what he's said now, rather than waiting until after the election - or is that just me being a cynic?

Love & best wishes
Sammy B

Anonymous said...

Hi Sammy
The whole thing is a mess. I have hope for change now. I'm on vac...I will respond better when I get home.
Hugs
randy

Anonymous said...

hi Randy;

bullied kids can't wait.
Adults can surely wait.
So, where have the priorities to be set?
loving hugs
<3 miles

Evan said...

I'm always going to be somewhat skeptical because the US is so politically pitched that any statement by a politician has to be taken with a certain degree of cynicism. I still have a feeling he is really only doing this now because he thinks it will work to his political advantage. Still, it's a lot better than most other politicians are saying and he has lived up to at least some of his progressive rhetoric. Maybe there is hope after all.

One thing that stood out to me about Obama's announcement was that he was influenced in part by his daughters, who were friends with children of same-sex couples who were no different from anyone else. Children can be saviours of common decency, as long as they are not taught to hate.

Hugs,
Evan

randy said...

Saviours of common decency. I love the phrases you turn!
But, perhaps such a small word; hope. And yet, how strong.

be well;
randy

Scottie said...

Hello Randy. I am happy to see the highest elected office supporting, even warmly , something that is so important to me personally. You see I don't want a civil union for Ron and I. I don't want to say I have some rights of a relationship and my civil union is 22 years long...while my crazy sister has had three marriages, all sanctified and ratified by church and government and none has been anywhere as lasting as mine.

Ron and I have a relationship that even our co-workers ( including doctors who we work with ) say is the closest, most loving relationship they have ever seen. They give us respect for the way we treat each other, the time we are together, and why should my government not! A certain celebrity had a 55 hour marriage, but it granted her and her pretend husband benefits that in 22 years have not yet been granted to Ron and I.

So to congress, the president and to every church leader...I will trade my limited and limited benefit grating civil union for your marriage licence and government recognition...and lets see if your happy to settle with it.

Oh and if my life long love with Ron in some ways causes your marriage to fail...don't look at us...look at what you are screwing up yourself.
Hugs

randy said...

Hi Miles;
Your comment got put into "spam" and I didn't see it. Sorry.
You are absolutely right in that the bullies need to be stopped. I guess I can hope that acceptance in one brings acceptance in the other age group issues.
Great to hear from you!

hugs;
randy

randy said...

Hi Scottie;
Sorry to be so late in getting to your commnet. I'll explain in a blog post.
I can find no reason, no rational reason, for these groups opposition to marriage equality other than prejudice.
Some time ago I wrote a satire about a man who worked with a heterosexual man. It didn't go over very well - and perhaps it was because it was full of intolerance for the hetero's lifestyle. But, I guess I just wonder if these folks think about the arguments or if they realize somewhere deep down, and perhaps that has a deal to do with their odd virulence on the issue, that they are being unchristian and unfair in the extreme?
I've known many who have a marriage in name only. It is interesting that you have everything they do not - the marriage without the name.

hugs to you both!
randy