Thinking about politics is bad for my blood pressure.

[piasharn]

I haven't had my television hooked up since I moved to California 17 months ago. What with the election coming up, I'm rather glad that I'm not subjected to a painful amount of political ads. Watching the debates is bad enough at times.

Speaking of which, did anyone else have the urge to beat McCain senseless for repeatedly using the term "pro-abortion" in the last debate? I'm glad that Obama rightfully pointed out that no one is "pro-abortion". Of course, that didn't stop McCain from tossing out the term a few more times.

Still, politics makes me want to bang my head repeatedly against a hard surface. The spin, the slander, the mud slinging, the half-truths, and the outright lies all make me want to scream very, very loudly.

The state of California has several propositions on the ballot this November. As you may have guessed, I am highly against Prop 8, which would amend the state constitution to make marriage the union of a man and a woman only. The same-sex marriages that have occurred since the Supreme Court's ruling back in May would be nullified.

The people in favor of this have been driving me insane. I don't know if they're ignorant or liars or both, but their main arguments are a load of bullshit.

To refute some of their points:

- Civil Unions do not grant all of the rights that a marriage does.
- Churches will not be forced to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies against their will.
- Churches will not lose their tax-exempt status if they fail to marry same-sex couples or if they preach against same-sex marriage.
- Children will not be taught about same-sex marriage in school. Besides, even if they did do so, parents have always had the right to remove their children from classes if they disagree with the material being taught.

Sadly, the Yes on 8 campaign has a lot more money, although the gap has been closing. It appears that most of the funding is coming from members of the Church of Latter Day Saints (aka Mormons), which I find doubly sad since Mormons have faced legal discrimination themselves. You'd think this would mean that they would understand others what it is like and not turn around and force legal discrimination on another minority group.

When I come across people who support Prop 8, the majority of them say something like "The Bible says same-sex marriage is wrong," or "I don't think it's right," or "It's against my religion," or words to that effect.

Leaving aside the issue of what the Bible actually says (personally, I've never found anything in the Bible about same-sex marriage, good or bad) since I don't feel like getting into it, I'd like to point out that I have no problem with people thinking that homosexuality and same-sex marriage are wrong. Really. They can feel free to bitch about those evil queers and teach thei children homophobia and plaster "God Hates Fags" signs all over their house. I couldn't care less.

But I'm not Christian. I don't believe in their god or their scriptures. And I don't understand why I should be forced to live my life according to their beliefs.

I think that organized religion is wrong. I believe that it is responsible for some of the greatest evil committed in human history. However, I'm not out there trying to make it illegal for them to go to church or practice your faith, and I'd really like to know why they aren't extending the same courtesy to me.

So far, no one has given me a straight answer.

I've been told that the Supreme Court's decision is nothing more than judicial activism that overturns the will of the people. It's funny how people seem to forget the purpose of the judicial branch in cases like this. Besides, it's not like this is the first time this has happened.

And don't get me started on Prop 4, which would require parental notification for underage girls seeking abortions. Actually, there's an excellent article on the subject over at Alas, A Blog, complete with a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure style senario of what an underage girl would be subjected to if the law passes.

ETA: Colin Powell endorses Obama. Wohoo!

If that wasn't cool enough, he pointed out that even if Obama was a Muslim, it should make no difference.

THANK YOU!