Denying Americans' Freedoms

[paularoid]

Dear Friend,

With sinking polls and the upcoming election staring at them, the Republican leadership in Congress is about to pander to its extremist base again. Afraid of losing their lock on power, the GOP is reviving its effort to write bigotry into our Constitution by passing their so-called Federal Marriage Amendment, which would strip millions of lesbian and gay Americans of a basic human right.

Please stand with me against this shameful bigotry. We must tell the Republican leadership to start dealing with the real issues confronting us, such as national security, the war in Iraq, and urgent domestic issues such as jobs, health care, and education.

I've signed Senator Ted Kennedy's petition to reject the Federal Marriage Amendment. Will you join me?

http://www.tedkennedy.com/RejectTheFMA

Together, we can prove to the Republican leadership that we stand united against their effort to divide our country. Their pathetic pandering is no excuse for their lack of leadership.

Thank you!

[DaveM]

The purpose of the Constitution was and is to limit the powers of government, not the rights of individual citizens. During the history of the United States, only one Constitutional amendment was an exception to that rule. That would be the 18th Amendment, Prohibition. We all know what a glorious success that was.

I propose that a revised version of the Equal Rights Amendment be place before Congress, this one forbidding discrimination "on the basis of sex or sexual preference". And when the stuffed shirts start to vote against it, we'll know who to vote against in November.

[paularoid]

we'll know who to vote against in November.
Unfortunately it's come down to that,... voting against one candidate rather than for another.
:confused:
.

[pulmike]

I've been listening to Neil Young lately. His lines about searching for a leader to unite the country really struck home with me. I am sick of being sick of our government. I'm tired of being sold out. I want leaders I actually believe in. I want to be proud of my country again. Mr. Young is right. The lack of leadership turns all my roads toward shame and despair.

pulmike

[Dar]

Thanks for that link Paul. I sent it to a whole bunch of people including many of my relatives. Below is the response I got from one of my cousins, and then my response to her......What Would Jesus Do??? sigh


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "JulieXXXXXXX
To: "'Darlene XXXXXXXXXx
Subject: RE: please sign this petition
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2006 09:37:23 -0700


Hi Dar,

It's always nice to hear from you but I just wanted to let you know that I am a Republican and conservative Christian. It's probably best that you take me off the list for these types of e-mails.

Love your cuz,
Julie
_______________________________________

Julie, I knew that. I just didn't think that necessarily meant that you would not want two people who are in a committed relationship for life to be denied the same rights as everyone else. I'm sorry to hear that. That strikes me as rather UN-Christian. I rather hoped that actually KNOWING and being related to some of the very people this amendment goes against would perhaps widen your view. I'm sorry to learn I was wrong.

Love you anyway,

Dar

[RedjackRyan]

As a republican liberally minded conservative christian.. I'm equally disheartened by your cousins response. Know that not all Republicans think that way.

[paularoid]

Just received this today:

Dear Paul,

Thanks to an outpouring of support from across the country, your voice was heard this week on the Senate floor. The so-called Federal Marriage Amendment was defeated and the Constitution was protected.

I was particularly moved by the comments so many of you made and your powerful testimonials and passionate calls for fairness and equality. You are not alone. Americans from all walks of life and from every state came out strongly against bigotry and prejudice and in favor of equality, and that groundswell of support defined this debate.

I'd like to share these moving appeals with my colleagues. As Democrats urge the Senate to work on issues that matter, I want to offer one more opportunity to share your personal story or thoughts on the issue. It's important for Senators to know that hateful political tactics like this affect real people - and offer thanks when they reject the politics of discrimination. Your comments will be delivered to the Senators who voted to reject this despicable proposal.

Add your personal story or comment here:

http://www.tedkennedy.com/FMAcomments

Thousands of people like you in every part of the country told Congress to concentrate on issues that matter to working Americans. Improving education and health care, ending the war in Iraq, rewarding the value of work by raising the minimum wage - action on these and many other priorities will do far more for our country than the Republicans' disgraceful effort to discriminate against millions of decent Americans.

The politics of the Federal Marriage Amendment were driven by bigotry and division. It's gratifying that Republican Senate leaders couldn't even produce a majority for it, let alone the two-thirds majority needed to amend the Constitution. Gay and lesbian families who share their lives together, and who seek the simple grace of a government that acknowledges their equality, deserve our protection and our respect.

Thank you again for taking timely action at an important moment. I appreciate your support. Your commitment to protect the freedoms of all Americans is very inspiring.

Sincerely,

Senator Edward M. Kennedy
.

[RedjackRyan]

Sweeeet :D

Sometimes the system works.

[paularoid]

Sweeeet :D

Sometimes the system works.
Yeah BUT... it was (and is) thought that everybody already knew that it wasn't going to pass and the only reason for the pres. even stumping for it was as an attempt to shore up his already failing conservative base. Supposedly the pres. didn't really care one whit about it in the first place but being the opportunist (puppet) that he is, he used it as a way to stir things up a bit. A bit of misdirection if you will.
.

[hoops]

imaging ...an ulterior motive...

[Wildflower Fever]

I've been listening to Neil Young lately. His lines about searching for a leader to unite the country really struck home with me. I am sick of being sick of our government. I'm tired of being sold out. I want leaders I actually believe in. I want to be proud of my country again. Mr. Young is right. The lack of leadership turns all my roads toward shame and despair.

pulmike

"The Restless Consumer" is wonderful. And to think he wrote, recorded, and shipped this product within a months time. Some may say it's safe this late in the Bush-Bash game to speak as boldly. But I just appreciate the pure honesty and sincerity in his wail on this album.