Opinionated News

First they can’t, then they can, then they can’t, and then they can - and now they can’t.  It’s like a tedious movie plot where the characters are trying to get to their hearts desire whilst the world around them keeps throwing obstacles in their way.  Does the state of California, with its movie star governor realize that real life should not imitate that which is captured on camera?  Does it realize that with every amendment, revote and decision reversed there are real people who are caught up in the mess? 

The gay marriage issue is the point in question.  Why it was this ever thought suitable for a public vote is beyond me.  Only the people who are affected by something should be given a say in it, and even then only those directly involved - otherwise the world would have wanted to vote in the US Presidential election. -   Those people in California however thought “we’re not happy with the idea of gay marriage, and we know a lot of straight folks here don’t like it, so we’ll put it on the ballot alongside the Presidential choices because then more people like us will turn up and vote”.   Despite approving gay marriage twice now, they followed the trail of the Republican presidential campaign and changed their minds on decisions previously made.

The only reason I can see for this is that some narrow minded officials of California don’t like the idea and so they have brought it to a ballot where conservative people would turn out to vote in high numbers.  McCain may not have won the election in California, but the Republican governor supports what he stands for, and McCain’s idea on gay marriage was made clear in his appearance on the Ellen show.   I thought that California was better than that, and was prepared to break ground for the rest of the US - apparently the state isn’t mature enough yet to get to grips with forward thinking decisions.

California needs to get a grip.   All people are supposedly created equal.  In America all people are supposed to be equal under the constitution.  No-one has the right to tell you marry a certain person, or gender.  You have a right for the pursuit of happiness - how can you pursue happiness if it’s always going to be controlled by the local government who can manipulate public opinion to suit their own purpose?   Shame on you California for showing that despite the industry you promote, you are intolerant and immature in regard to social issues.   You ban gay marriage but don’t turn a hair at your divorce statistics amongst straight people.  The straight people who divorced once made a oath before god “till death do us part” and then show how much they believed in their religion by filing papers down at the courthouse.   Some of these people are the hypocrites who are saying “Gay marriage is against the God.” How screwed up is that?

Reading the outcome of this vote today I’m saddened and a little stunned that a state that breeds such erratic and bizarre behavior as California, has taken a vote to once again reduce the rights of people who don’t want to hold cocaine parties, have 20 minute marriages, or stalk celebrities in LA, they simply want the right to marry the person they love.  It’s about time the US realized that this isn’t a game show, or a movie set, it’s real people’s lives that are being messed around here on the whims and belief system of others, and a federal law should be brought into force that allows gay couples the same rights and options that straight couples enjoy.