And Maybe There is a God…

The news came this morning from my roommates on the couch, after my shower. The Federal Marriage Amendment was defeated today. They had to get a two thirds vote to send it to the Senate. The voting today ended in 49-48. But knowing out “fearless leader” this won’t stop him in trying to push this through congress. If this goes through in the future the measure will deny marriage to same-sex couples and seriously threaten civil unions and domestic partnerships. We are still not in the clear though, at least 13 states have passed amendments banning gay marriage while only two -- Vermont and Connecticut -- have legalized civil unions. If we keep fighting and raising our voices, we can make a difference to let our government know that we won’t stand for discrimination in this country in any form. While I was surfing the news articles this morning I came across an article that interviewed a black clergyman that had been apart of the civil rights march on Washington. He accused gay rights activists as trying to hijack the movement saying these are not civil rights issues. I strongly disagree, civil rights issues are human rights issues, and I assure you we are all human, and to deny humanity rights is wrong.
HRC News Coverage
Gay.com News Coverage
MSN News Coverage

For some reason this got me thinking about the troops America has over in Iraq, I am not sure how the line got there but it did, to question Squid’s line of thought would be a very scary thing. Yesterday was D-Day, not many people realized that or at least what I saw anyways. I saw the 6-6-06 dooms of apocalypse, “national emo beat down day”, and the release of The Omen. But no mention of the remembrance of D-Day. Yesterday was the 62nd anniversary of the reinvasion of Europe at Normandy. Sixty-two years ago, we began the last great push in the liberation of Europe. This may have been the most idealistic moment in American history since the Civil War.

Apropos of current events, General (later President) Eisenhower wrote a draft message in the event the landings failed. It is interesting to see the changes he made from the initial version he prepared. Here's how the first draft read (more or less; he was obviously editing as he wrote):

"Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold, and the troops have been withdrawn. This particular operation was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone. "

Here's the final version:
"Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold, and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."

Note the changes and how Ike consciously took responsibility for the possible failure. Any chance we'd see a message like that today? Would Bush, or any of our Generals now take that responsibility? I doubt it.
What a wonderful leadership we are living under.

Currently listening to:
Pink feat. The Indigo Girls
“Dear Mr. President”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eDJ3cuXKV4