A great day to be a chicken
What a strange breed we humans are.
In Arkansas, voters turned against children by decreasing a chance to have a home for those in need of adoption or foster care.
In Florida and Arizona, voters denied same-sex couples the right to marry.
But the strangest of all was California. Not only did voters take away the existing right of some people to marry (Proposition 8), but also they extended rights to chickens (Proposition 2).
Yup, chickens gained rights, humans had them withdrawn.
What a strange breed we humans are.
— Bill Dubay, Seattle
Liberty and justice for all
After the election, it is a blessing toward the uphill climb of justice. But we still have losses. I appreciated the speeches given by Sen. John McCain, President-elect Barack Obama and particularly Ralph Nader.
The corporate gods and media are still primarily in control and devoted to only a two-party system. We can only hope the body of the new administration will be diverse, bipartisan and inclusive of the other parties, so that Americans will see a pool of the very best ideas to offer our nation and the world.
Perhaps women will see equality soon and the military will shortly cease the unjust practice of dishonorably discharging some of their very best for being gay.
We can hope. Yes we can.
America’s historic presidential election brings a new era of fairness and inclusivity. Sadly however, the majority of voters in California, Arizona, Arkansas and Florida have voted again to exclude some Americans from the fundamental promise of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Obama’s story gives us hope for a more perfect and more fully inclusive union. There is more work to be done in order to make our most cherished ideals a reality.
So many have worked tirelessly to defeat discriminatory ballot measures. I share their pain and disappointment. So many gay couples and families are more vulnerable because of this legislation [California’s Proposition 8].
The misinformation campaigns regarding God’s gay children continues and we face daunting struggles. But the seeds of justice are here, too. Those who voted for discrimination are mere footnotes to larger trends in public opinion, which are shifting in favor of legal recognition of same-sex couples.
The promise of liberty and justice for all continues to be refined.
— Cindy Hadden, Centralia