A voice from the majority.

I will not claim to (nor do I wish to) represent everyone who voted the same way as me on Tuesday. That would be silly. I don't think every Democrat is like Ted Kennedy. I don't think every Republican is like Bill O'Reilly. Like most of you I had no doubt that Prop 2 would pass in our state. I too was surprised at the actual numbers. I was initially surprised the margin wasn't bigger. I shouldn't have been. Before and after the actual vote, I heard and read opinions from more than a few people. It seemed most of the people wanting to discuss the issue were opposed to Prop 2 for various reasons. And yet the actual vote was somewhere close to 3 to 1 in favor. What gives? I think there are many reasons for this. Media coverage (of all topics) springs to mind. Some have been vocal in their support of Prop 2. Everyone knows where the "Religious Right" stands on the issue. I'm not sure who those people are exactly. I never hear someone proclaim themselves a member of that group. I usually hear it from talking heads or politicians as a way to marginalize an opposing view. A tactic used from both sides of the aisle I recognize. I'm getting off my intended topic.

I voted for Prop 2. I take voting seriously. I did not vote on every proposed amendment on the ballot because I simply did not know much about some of them. But I had spent sufficient time in thought and prayer to confidently support Prop 2. It was not a slam dunk decision. I considered many of the issues I have read and heard expressed from others. Should this be added to the Constitution in addition to the existing statutes? Is this a role our government should fill? Is this discriminatory to someone who would be affected?

I'm not sure if this is a role for our government to play. This point gave me greatest pause before my decision, and I'm not sure I have it fully resolved. I decided I had no problem with what some call a redundant addition. As some have pointed out, this makes it harder for someone in the future to circumvent the existing laws. I have no doubt that someone eventually would, so the redundancy is fine with me. I do not think it is discriminatory. There are other legal avenues to gain the rights of a married man and woman if that is what someone wants.

So I based the decision on my personal and religious beliefs. (Is there a difference? Is that an entirely new topic?) I am not able to separate my faith from my political views. I try, but fail, to make every decision in my life based on my faith. I have had varied levels of success in that. But past failures to not relieve me from the responsibility to make correct choices now and in the future. I believe that leading a homosexual lifestyle is a sin. I believe that is clear in the Bible. Our society is moving farther and farther away from the values and beliefs taught by Christ. I don't see how anyone can argue that. I decided that this vote was an opportunity to slow that progression. It may not last. It may not even last long. But I felt it was important to say that I agree.

I agree that marriage is a sacred union. The Bible uses marriage as an example of a close, loving, special, holy relationship. The Bible describes marriage as consisting of one man and one woman each forsaking all others. I know, I know. People get divorced all the time it seems. People do not view marriage in that way anymore. They should. We should. I don't buy the arguments of high divorce rates and promiscuity as reasons to oppose Prop 2. Yes, those actions are not what God want for marriage. That does not mean other violations are OK, or that we shouldn't oppose them. We should stand up against all actions that oppose our Lord and his commands. I think it should be harder to get married and divorced in our country. It seems such a flippant decision for so many. That would mean revisiting the government's role which I still don't have a firm handle on.

I agree that some times the minority of America needs to prevail over the majority. Voting rights for women, voting rights for racial minorities, and several other civil/equal rights issues are prime examples. I don't think this applies to Prop 2 however. I would vote for those other issues to pass because they align with my faith. Those changes made our society better.

I agree that defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman protects the sanctity of marriage (yeah I used the phrase) and our society. As I stated earlier I realize the sanctity level of the institution of marriage is low in our culture. I don't think that means it's ok to further tarnish it. Forget the legal and governmental aspect of it for now and consider the cultural traditional role marriage plays in our society. Ideally a man and a woman commit to each other(and only each other) for the rest of their lives. The union is respected. The couple raise their family together. They are examples to their children. I guess that's just the perfect goal in our imperfect world. Doesn't mean we can't and shouldn't strive for that goal though.

I agree we should hate the sin and love the sinner. I do not agree that condoning or being indifferent to a sinful lifestyle is truly loving the sinner though. It doesn't seem like that is what's best for the sinner. If someone I cared for was living their life in a way that was a detriment to their salvation, it would be my responsibility to call them on it. Sure it would be an uncomfortable confrontation and discussion. Sure they could ask me what right I have to tell them that when I sin daily. Sure it would be easier for me to decide to ignore their choice (yes choice like any other sin) of lifestyle and hope and pray that they find Christ and repent. That seems unlikely to me though. I'm not saying it is impossible to find Christ when you are daily living in sin with no thought of repentance, but it is much easier to make Christ your savior and leader when you aren't.

I agree I don't know all the answers. I agree my outlook might be different if someone close to me was homosexual. I'd like to think it wouldn't be though. I heard something a week or so ago that has stuck with me: We aren't sinners because we sin, we sin because we are are sinners. So I'll pray for all of us, and ask you to do the same.

Important voting opportunity

There is a vitally important campaign under way. The outcome of this movement will shape not only our future, but the future of our children, and our children's children. In this culture of apathy and indifference, I feel it is my responsibility to inform as many people as possible about this issue which will determine the very fabric of our society. I speak of course about................

the McRib.




It is my contention that the McRib is the greatest fast food sandwich ever invented by humankind. It is in a word: scrumtrulescent. Since it's creation in 1982, it's lack of full time status on McDonald's menu serves to infuriate me, and yet I understand. We simple humans do not deserve access to the McRib year round. It is to be reserved for the holiday season. It is to be anticipated and missed. But for some reason, the powers that be at McD's are considering the retirement of this Hall of Fame delicacy on December 31st of this very year. I urge all of you to go here and add your voice to mine and others in protest of this potential catastrophe. We must band together. All of us. Men and women. Young and old. Republicans and Democrats. The north and the south. Even Canadians. People who eat meat and even vegans since I don't really know what makes up the rib in the McRib. And I don't care! Let your voice be heard! (unless you are not a fan of McRib then shut up!) I have to go McDonald's now. I'll see you all there.

I miss my friend Gus

I had a friend named Gus who recently died. It was sudden and unexpected. I cried. And cried. Part of me felt embarrassed about being so distraught over this loss. Part of me thought it was silly or weak to be so sad over this loss because...Gus was a cat. Yes, I cried because a cat died. Part of me (it grows smaller and smaller) still feels a little reluctant to admit that. It's not very macho is it? I don't care.

Gus was not a cat. Gus was my cat. Gus was our cat. Kara and I found him in the storm sewer while riding our bikes in her parents neighborhood several years ago. He was just a kitten then, crying in the street. If I had been alone at the time I may have ridden on by. Kara could not do that, and that's one of the reasons I am madly in love with her. She had recently rescued another cat that was now living at her parent's house. It was decided that this new cat could not live with the much bigger Louie, and could not live at Kara's apartment (can't remember why exactly). So he came to my place that evening. We gave him a bath in my tub. I remember holding him in one hand above the water and moving him backwards in the air. He would stick his back legs straight out like he was worried about bumping into something. =) I did NOT want a cat. The next morning I left him on my front porch and went to work. Kara did not think that was a good idea so she came and got my keys, found him, and at that point the cat pretty much had a home with me. There was a pet deposit which Kara paid or split with me. So I had a cat. I named him Gus. Augustus actually. He was a pain sometimes. He made messes. He was not very affectionate, in fact he was somewhat anti-social. He attacked a few people who came to feed him when I went out of town. He never attacked me though which was good. He kept me company. I took care of him.

When Kara and I moved into our house, Gus came along. It took him about a week to fully venture downstairs away from the room that had all the furniture from my apartment. That room became his room. I still think of it as his room. He eventually became comfortable all throughout the house, and even outside. He had a few favorite spots. Under a chair in the living room, on a pillow on the daybed, on the foot of the recliner when Kara was sitting in it, on the front window sill. He normally wanted to be in the same room as us, but not always right next to us. He would occasionally deem one of us worthy and grace us with his presence in our lap so that we could enjoy petting him. He would tell us when he wanted to go outside by meowing or scratching at the backdoor. When I came in though the front door, I could see him coming to greet me. He somehow knew it was me because when someone else would knock or ring the bell, he would bolt to his room. He knew when Kara or I had returned home, and would come meow and do his little dance. He liked us. He didn't like anyone else. I admit that made me like him more. He was our cat, our "people." He was a third of our family.

He hasn't been gone that long. I forget sometimes and start to look for him, or think I hear him. Moving the blinds to see out the window, or running down the stairs, or making that little grunting noise when he jumped down from somewhere. I wish he was still here. I don't understand why he isn't. It doesn't seem fair. I'm sad that he isn't. I'm sad that my cat died. That may sound silly, or weak, or ridiculous to some. I don't care. I miss my friend.