Thursday, November 6, 2008

Another political rambling. Sorry Eli.

I have been told that sometimes my ramblings are just too much. I will try really hard to be brief.

I told you about the ACLU. They couldn't even wait 24 hours to file a lawsuit. This one says that Prop 8 was illegally placed on the ballot, that it could not go directly onto the ballot without going through the legislature...interesting timing. Oh well. They would have had some wronged couple for whom to file a suit against some church had it not passed, so I suppose this is better. Freaking ACLU.

I think there are several really great reasons to celebrate, to say nothing of ACCEPT, HONOR or just NOT RIDICULE, our new president aside from the obvious:

1-I woke up Wed morning and read all kinds of articles about the celebrations going on around the world. While there are definitely nations whose support I think we are better off without, we desperately need to kiss and make up with many others. John McCain could never, even if he had enacted policies with which everyone in the world agreed for eight years, have repaired relations so seamlessly. We'll see what happens, but I think that is a definite benefit. I think, and have always thought, that Obama has it right on foreign policy.
2-There has never been a more democratic, meaning real cliche "voice of the people spoken" election. 82% of LA county voted. That is astounding. Young people actually voted. That is astounding.
3-The Republicans need a break from power. The people in power have thoroughly exhausted their competence, reputations and identities. The GOP needs to regroup, rebuild, redefine and step out of the center of attack for the next few years. And fortunately, the democrats did not attain a commanding lead in the Senate; factor that in with the fact that the economy sucks, and there is a slim to no chance that either his disastrous tax or health care plan will pass. At least not in the immediate future.
4-The two justices likely to retire, Stevens and Ginsburg, in Obama's term are extremely liberal. I realize he can still stack the lower courts. But the ultimate balance of power in the highest Supreme Court is unlikely to change.

I don't care if you don't agree with any of my aforementioned silver linings. If you do, great. EITHER WAY: He is our new president, so line up America.

I'm not so optimistic about the endurance of Prop 8. It was a good fight, one which I was hopeful to see come to an end. I wish we could have at least had a honeymoon period where we could stop talking about it. Freaking ACLU.

4 comments:

Andy & Jen said...

Ash...I HEART U!

Ali said...

I always walk away more informed after reading your blog or talking to you.

Way to focus on the positive.

lauren said...

freaking alcu is so right on. they never cease to amaze me (in a horrible and thoroughly irritating way). oh yeah, there's going to be a protest of prop 8 here today by the temple. classy.

and thanks for outlining some of the positive outcomes of this election. as you well know i am so tired of the ineffectual whining of those who don't appreciate the freedoms we have.

p.s. are you coming here for thanksgiving? christmas?

Michelle Tolboe said...

Whether you are for or against gay marriage, the people of California have spoken and have said that they do not want gay marriage in their state. I WISH THE ACLU WOULD STOP TRYING TO CHANGE THIS COUNTRY IN THE COURT SYSTEM. I guess the freaking ACLU and it's members all are for freedom of speech, but not for democracy.

And to the people who feel it is necessary to attack the LDS church as bigots of gay rights: Please. Is that your flabby attempt to find someone to blame? Sounds like hypocrisy when you call THEM bigots.

Sorry, had to get the off my chest.