January 2004 Archives

GW's SOTU - Sanctity of Marriage?

2003 State of the Union Address (self-hosted)

A key piece of President Bush's State of the Union Address this year was targeted at "activist judges" who are "redefining marriage...without regard for the will of the people." He further states: "Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage".

When, in recent history, has marriage been held sacred in this country? Isn't the simple fact that the TV networks have made money hand over fist with shows such as "Married By America", "The Bachelor", and most recently "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance" evidence to the contrary? Isn't the fact that Britney Spears gets married for what may be a record 55 hours in Las Vegas evidence to the contrary?

In my experience, it's not the gay or lesbian couples who take commitment on a lark. It's the straight people who get married because "it's time" or "it will help us bond" or "it will solve all our problems." It's the commericials for Las Vegas where people get married to people that they've only known for hours. "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas" - well, unless you get married or get an STD, I suppose.

If GW and the conservatives who are out to "protect" the institute of marriage are really serious about this statement, then here are some suggestions:

- Require an intelligence and compatibility test before people can get married. Find out how much they really know about each other.

- Mandate a country-wide 90-day waiting period between obtaining a marriage license and the actual ceremony. Most states have this already, but those heathens in Las Vegas would no longer be able to perform their Elvis-officiated, drive-through, 24-hour weddings.

- Mandate a 6 month waiting period for divorces. After all, most divorces really only happen because people don't try hard enough.

- Mandate couples counseling for anyone foolish enough to file for divorce. Religious institutions preferred, of course, since it's the "sanctity" of the institution at risk.

Seriously, though...nowhere have I read or heard a cogent argument for failing to address the needs of an increasingly vocal and important group within our nation. As the openly gay and lesbian population ages, we're uncovering gaps and voids in our protections for them that are widely open to the straight population.

Last I checked, that's the textbook definition of discrimination - differential effect with differential intent upon a selected class of citizens.

I'm Gonna Be a Part of It...

Whoo-hoo! Looks like I get my first trip to New York at the end of this month. Should be pretty fun. A little bit of work, since there's a trade show that's the excuse for going, but should be a lot of fun.

The Power of "Yes"

I'm somewhat in shock - I went into my boss last week with a request for a significant salary increase, and without batting an eye he said he'd make it happen. This is the first time in my life that I've got a feeling of permanence and usefulness at a job - although I suppose by now I should admit to myself that it's really a career.

This is just so freaking awesome - should put me in a perfect position to buy a house this year, and finally actually settle down in something more permanent that an apartment.

Fuck, yeah!!