I would like to congratulate the Church of the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for donating 25 million dollars to fund the Vote Yes on Proposition 8.
Lets face it. No religion on the face of the earth values marriage more than the Church of Latter Day Saints.
Thank God that money did not go to funding education programs, research to fight diseases such as Cancer or AIDS or helping shelter our homeless and hungry. But important issues such as stopping loving people who want to marry.
Maybe because it is just one person they want to marry? Nah!
As Americans, we pride ourselves in being a country that is diverse. A country that welcomes everyone with open arms. Unfortunately, many cultures, let alone genders have had to struggle to gain respect and their rights along the way.
When you see a country on the verge of electing its first African American President or if an upset is made, female Vice-President, you think we have come a long way. Somehow, it just does not feel like it and this time, it hits where I live.
Here in California, we have a Proposition called Prop 8. Prop 8 is an initiative that would eliminate the right for Same-Sex couples to marry. Many conservatives and religious zealots fear gay marriage because of what it could mean for society and their children who may have to learn about this in school. Many of those who are for this proposition feel they have progressed by “allowing” civil unions and feel that is enough. How very Christian of them.
The ads for why people are against it are quite hysterical:
First of all, what school even teaches this or has children books on marriage? Are their children’s books on why Mommy is an angry monster for one week every month? So let’s say a child does bring a book home, what is the difference in teaching this and letting them know where babies come from? You have to tell them the truth right?
When people get married, most do so for love, commitment, keeping immigrants in the country and bets. Ok, maybe not the latter. But basically it is a legal and registered relationship between a “husband and wife.” Married couples even have the benefit to file taxes jointly and raise their own children together.
Now Civil Unions are only recognized in a handful of states including California. If you think about it, C.U. has many of the same rights as married couples. Partners have federal benefits, such as if a partner dies assuming his or hers Social Security Benefits, sick leave for if your partner becomes ill, tax breaks, veterans benefits and insurance breaks.
So it seems the main difference here between marriage and a civil union is that two gay/lesbian couples cannot make a child together. Besides when they show their affection towards one another in public it’s icky.
I guess having a loving Gay/Lesbian couple adopting or having a child is way worse than a woman having her 8th child for extra welfare payments, an athlete having 15 illegitimate children nationwide or teenagers having unprotected sex and becoming parents. Well if your Mom is Governor of Alaska, you may have some cash coming in.
Once again, progress has stopped in its tracks. As a nation we have a chance to do something special, yet there are those out there who are scared beyond belief of 8 year old Timmy learning about homosexuals. This is much worse than hearing about murders on television or hearing about the War in Iraq.
Run away Timmy, the homosexuals are coming!!!
Seriously, wouldn’t monsters be more friendly if they all sounded and looked like Paul Lynde?
There are more important things to worry about people.
After hearing that woman at the Sarah Palin rally not wanting to vote for Obama because he was an “Arab,” I did not know whether to laugh or feel upset. However, the more I thought about it, I wondered how people actually view me? Well, other than being that loud obnoxious guy.
I do know that when I talk to most people, they usually do not see a Lebanese guy. I am always amazed at the reaction though once I tell them I am Lebanese. It is almost like I just came out of the closet or told them something shocking such as, I have 7 illegitimate children in Thailand.
Really??
I cannot believe it!
No Way!
Prior to September of 2001, I really did not get that reaction. It probably wasn’t until I graduated high school that I embraced it because, to be honest, I was somewhat embarrassed. In reality, there were not many Arabs around me growing up and all the Armenian kids were so Armenian that I needed a flag to sail on my lawn.
Plus, it’s not like I was Asian or Black where you wear your ethnicity on your skin. But outside of family where I did embrace my culture, I told everyone I was Italian, which is not a lie because I am through my great-grandmother. But I am not Italian enough to start a Scungilli farm.
These McCain/Palin rallies are beyond scary and not because you can barely see a person of color. Just the reactions of what people seem to believe makes it evident that they want the “South” to rise again.
Ok, so what if Obama is an Arab, Black or Muslim? What is so wrong with that? Isn’t that what makes America so great? Did my generation learn anything from the School House Rock Song the “Great American Melting Pot?”
Just watch this video and tell me your reaction:
Do any of these people who are voting for McCain really understand who Arabs, Muslims or anyone who is not white are? Let’s stick with Arabs here. Take a look at this list. Many of them share the same views and were in the cabinets of Republican Presidents:
• Selwa Roosevelt, American Ambassador and longest-serving White House Chief of Protocol (1982-1989) • George Mitchell, Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader; Lebanese on his mother's side. • Donna Shalala, Former Secretary of State for Health and Human Services under the Clinton Administration (and the longest to serve in the post) • John E. Sununu Sr, Former Governor (NH) and White House Chief of Staff (1989-1991) • John Elway • Doug Flutie • Bobby Rahal EVEN A NASCAR DRIVER! COME ON NOW!
My family has been in the US since the 1860’s. They have served in World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam for you, me and everyone in between. I won’t even get into my cousin Bobby sacrificing his own life 7 years ago. All of them shared the same vision, and that of course is the American Dream.
The funny thing is most Arabs here and overseas, share the same values and beliefs as most conservative Republicans. Some may say, even more so. Yet for some reason, many of the non Arab culture think we are going to ride around on our magic carpets and murder the masses as we scream AY YI YI YI YI holding a machete.
I am in fact in the minority in my family for being liberal. Which of course makes it all the much better when I hear they are not voting for McCain. That really shows you something is wrong in this current state of affairs if Arab-Americans are not voting Republican.
It really is a shame that elections that are close come down to church and state. It furstrates me when people politicize 2 things in our country that have nothing to do with each other. Even at the Republican National Convention, you could drink everytime you heard God's name. So here is my reasoning why Jesus is really a Democrat,in addition to a hip-hop producer and NFL coach.
Please keep in mind that although I am Catholic, I am not religous whatsoever. So here is my Top Ten list.
10. He uses natural resources to solve hunger 9. He loves everyone 8. He is a teacher and most teachers that do not live in backwards states that teach creationism are democrats. 7. He was on top of our health care system. I mean, who else could heal the lepers? 6. He never got angry. Just a little ticked when he wondered why he was getting cruicified. 5. Acknowledges and helps Hurricane victims. Remember, he calmed a storm on the Sea of Galilee. 4. Cut taxes from the Wealthy - Remember when he performed a simple miracle in order to satisfy those who demanded the temple tax. 3. He brought the booze and shared with all! 2. When a country was lost, he led the way rather then setting us further apart. 1. He's Jewish!!!
Man, has it truly been seven years that this happened? I think many of this generation, let alone anyone old enough can talk about where they were when this happened.
Jill and I were still living in San Francisco. After I got out of the shower she said it looks like a plane has hit the WTC. I really did not think about too much as I thought it was a small plane. Then on the radio, I found out it was a 747. I began to freak out because I thought to myself, my cousin Paul works there and I hope he is ok. Then another plane hit and then the buildings fell. I started to get worried. I remember I arrived at my desk at work very nervous. I went into my supervisor’s office and literally cried. Anyone who knows me, I am not emotional in sad events. Heck, I do not even cry at funerals and read the obituaries. Yet, somehow I was upset and I just went home.
I remember just being numb, like the life was sucked out of me for about a week. I spoke with my Dad that day and he told me that Paul was ok. Like the shmuck I was, I emailed Paul to ask me for details of what it was like. My Dad though gave me some other shocking news, that my cousin Bobby was supposed to be at the WTC and so far nobody heard from him.
So the day goes by and nothing from Bobby. We also found out, he was going to the WTC for a seminar to better himself. Days went by and we heard nothing. Like so many of the families, our family sent out alerts looking for him and pictures. Unfortunately, he was gone.
Let’s make one thing clear. I knew who Bobby was, but in my lifetime, I do not believe we ever met and I know we never spoke on the phone. But I felt a connection for one reason, Deraney. For anyone that knows me, I love my family more than anything. Whether the last name is Deraney, Boustany, Kearns, Kassis or Gabor, I will fight for them, regardless of the situation and without hesitation.
Other than my immediate family, I never was really close to the Deraney side. After my grandparents divorced and the eventual death of my Grandfather, the Deraney family was something you heard about from others. But I always kept an ear out because it is my family and plain and simple I really wanted to be part of it but did not know how.
So a few days after the tragedy, I started getting forwards from Michelle (Mimi) Haobsh who was Bobby’s sister. I also knew of Mimi and realized, God forbid something else happens (thank God I did) and I would never talk to her or anyone else on that side of the Deraney family that was so far removed from my world.
So, I decided to email her. I introduced myself in case she had no idea who I was and almost immediately, Mimi and I started emailing each other back and forth on a daily basis. We both admitted to each other that we were always anticipating emails from each other every day like school kids. She would tell me about times with my Dad and my grandfather (her Uncle Ray) and about her family. I told her how much everyone loved her mom, Aunt Gette, and all the great things my Dad would say about her. She told me that she had Breast Cancer (which at the time was in remission) and how instrumental Bobby was in helping her seek treatment.
Now, I talk with my family on that side constantly. I even found out that more Deraney’s that were also suffering Miami Dolphin fans like myself. What are the chances of that? If it was not for Bobby and this horrible day, I would not have met Mimi, who passed away 2 years ago and would never have known my Deraney cousins, Aunts and Uncles.
Thank you Bobby for the best gift I could receive, my family. You are truly missed by all and I am forever grateful of the sacrifice you and thousands of others have made.
It really is fascinating to watch the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention.
Both are high energy events that bristle with enthusiasm. People from all over come to hear speeches from candidates who relate how exactly they feel.
Now if you go back and watch the conventions, take a look at the crowds when the camera is panning around. How many people of race can you count at the RNC and DNC?
I mean, regardless of how you feel to your party, I think it is safe to say that one party celebrates diversity of not only what this country is about, but also what the world is all about. Black, White, Hispanic, young and old from all over the country came out with one mission, change.
The other party? It's the good ol' boys. Seriously, how many white haired men and women were in the crowd over the age of 60? I am not sure if I saw anyone of color, let alone different color of hair at the convention. If there was, you probably could count it on a hand or two.
Xenophobia is alive and well. Or maybe just phobia which seems to be more of the message.
Seriously, what in the world is John McCain thinking.
Let's say McCain dies. We have a person taking over with about as much experience as the kid who cleans erasers in class. I think it is wonderful that he selected a woman, but one with no experience?
A mayor of a town the size of a locker room and a governor of a state that pretty much runs itself? I cannot wait to see Biden against her in a debate. He is going to mop her up faster than the pine sol lady. Finally a VP debate worth watching.
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