Preamble:
The United States of America was founded under a banner of rebellion; Rebellion against those who would use their Colonial interests in the name of Empire, Capital and Oppression. They believed their courageous children to be tools, mere digits in the fist of Conquest. Oh how they were wrong.
America has seen, and been the cause of it's share of wrong done to others, of the strong pressing their heel to the weak in order to expand borders, raise fences and increase an ever expanding fiscal margin without aim besides eminent domain.
It has also borne its share of heroism and selfless sacrifice for the ideals that were laid out so long ago in blood in Philadelphia, Boston and Appomattox; on the shores of Normandy and countless other unnamed beachheads and hamlets. We have renewed ourselves in the ideological battlegrounds of Memphis, Selma, and Atlanta; We were there to open the gates of Auschwitz and witness it’s horror and vow “Never Again”. The battle continues on our borders though the battle is not to keep the tide out, but to understand how the tide is Us and only the latest face of America.
We are a melting pot; Our melting pot is homogeneous, yet it retains it's individual flavors. We are one, out of many. We do not fear evolving demographics. For in freedom there is no account of color, race, creed, religion or gender.
Our differences, while moot in the grand scheme, weigh heavy on our shoulders, yet they are our strength. Lest we not forget why we have fought so hard and shed so many tears, and buried so many sons and daughters; let us come together once more unto ourselves. Let us be the New American Party.
Mission Statement:
The New American Party is founded upon these principles that we hold as fact:
1. All persons are afforded the same rights, basic opportunity and hold to the same accountability under law.
2. No person shall be forced to give up their rights at the behest, request or demand of another regardless of moral, religious or ideological standpoint.
3. We shall not stress our differences but embrace them; adding them to the armor that is our Freedom. We shall not discount our similarities, but celebrate them; proving them to be the foundation of our ever evolving dream.
4. We shall seek out first our problems and apply our solutions through democratic means which do not remove the rights of other persons. We shall uphold and respect our Constitution through vote of plebiscite.
5. We shall treat other Nations as we govern ourselves regardless of their reluctance to treat us as such. We shall seek out peaceful means unless at all times save self defence or the defence of others.
Via these simple axioms shall we ensure freedom for all, and commit all to freedom under the watchful eye of God.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Day Two- A word on Equality
Take a good look at the cartoon to the left, I hope you "get it". If you do, you could probably skip to the bottom and add a comment in the vein of "Repeal Prop 8" and move on to your next blog. If you don't "get it" or your do and your first thought is "Well that was different" then Let's Talk.
There are so many hot-button words and phrases connected to Marriage Equality (notice I do not use the phrase "Gay Marriage", I'm trying to avoid labels here in keeping with the soon to be written mission statement of the American Party) that it will take a bit of creative writing or generalization to explain what (to me) is the plain truth of the issue.
I think it would be safe to say that in one way or another most people have experienced or at least witnessed some form of discrimination. I have yet in all my years of traveling the world to meet a person who liked it, let alone a person who wanted their "Rights" taken away. If the word "Rights" is a hot button for you, comment and we can discuss it in depth in another post.
Lets review a couple of key dates in the history of American Equality: (My apologies to any who feel I have missed some, I tried to hit the major wickets, feel free to educate me in your comments)
+ January 31, 1865: Lincoln signs the 13th Amendment to the Constitution officially ending slavery.
+ August 18, 1920: The 19th Amendment to the Constitution gives women the right to vote.
- February 19, 1942: Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 ordering over 120,000 people of Japanese decent taken from their homes and placed in "internment camps". Two thirds were American citizens, and half of them children. Note: Only ten people in the US were convicted of spying during WWII, all were Caucasian. I wont even touch the violation of Habeas Corpus...
= December 1944: Public Proclamation number 21, which became effective in January 1945, allowed internees to return to their homes. (no plus or minus here I just cant assign a positive attribute to it, and yes, I recognize it in no way made things "Right")
+ May 17, 1954: the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously outlaws segregation in public schools in Brown v. Board of Education.
+ Aug. 29, 1957: Civil Rights Act of 1957 aims to increase black turnout at the polls by making it a crime to obstruct voter registration.
+July 2, 1964: Civil Rights Bill of 1964 bans segregation in the workplace and public accommodations.April 10, 1968: Civil Rights Bill bans discrimination in housing.
+ June 12, 1967: the U.S. Supreme Court said that Mildred Jeter, a black woman and Richard Loving, a white man, could marry. In order to change the law and allow such a marriage, the court relied on the fourteenth amendment.
Let's take a quick break. We all agree that the minuses were bad and the pluses were good right? And we can at least agree that equals sign was at least the right thing to do; Agreed? Good! Can we all also agree that none of the victims (hot button word, I know) had a choice as to whether or not they were part of the group being discriminated against, right?
Good.
The Declaration of Independence states the following; We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
I know. Not a legal or constitutional document, more of a Mission Statement... and a damn good one at that.
The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution (Section 1) says All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
This however, is a legal and constitutional document. Given that all Sodomy laws that effectively outlawed Homosexuality were repealed or struck down in 2003 it is not a crime to be or Homosexual or engage in sexual acts between to consenting adults regardless of gender.
You might say; "But Homosexuals choose to be that way!" Ok. How about a little experiment. Why don't you choose to be homosexual for one day. What? Cant do it? Doesn't feel right? But I'm not gay? Oh... hmmm... yeah. I'll go out on a limb here and say that for most Homosexuals, the converse hold true as well.
Now, I know I have simplified this. I know there are numerous hot-button issues like religion, morals, etc... I wont get into those. This is about equality or the lack their of. Sanctity, Morals etc. have not a thing to do with it.
An adult U.S. Citizen who is of homosexual orientation has the same rights afforded any other non-felon Adult U.S. citizen, right? The constitution says so.
Wrong. They are not afforded the same rights. So, in my simple and general way, this subject needs no more discussion. Proposition 8 is illegal and discriminatory. Period.
We, the People of California (and the United States) talk a good game... but we are no better than the Slave Owners, Segregationists and Fear Mongers we so despise. It is that simple.
There are so many hot-button words and phrases connected to Marriage Equality (notice I do not use the phrase "Gay Marriage", I'm trying to avoid labels here in keeping with the soon to be written mission statement of the American Party) that it will take a bit of creative writing or generalization to explain what (to me) is the plain truth of the issue.
I think it would be safe to say that in one way or another most people have experienced or at least witnessed some form of discrimination. I have yet in all my years of traveling the world to meet a person who liked it, let alone a person who wanted their "Rights" taken away. If the word "Rights" is a hot button for you, comment and we can discuss it in depth in another post.
Lets review a couple of key dates in the history of American Equality: (My apologies to any who feel I have missed some, I tried to hit the major wickets, feel free to educate me in your comments)
+ January 31, 1865: Lincoln signs the 13th Amendment to the Constitution officially ending slavery.
+ August 18, 1920: The 19th Amendment to the Constitution gives women the right to vote.
- February 19, 1942: Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 ordering over 120,000 people of Japanese decent taken from their homes and placed in "internment camps". Two thirds were American citizens, and half of them children. Note: Only ten people in the US were convicted of spying during WWII, all were Caucasian. I wont even touch the violation of Habeas Corpus...
= December 1944: Public Proclamation number 21, which became effective in January 1945, allowed internees to return to their homes. (no plus or minus here I just cant assign a positive attribute to it, and yes, I recognize it in no way made things "Right")
+ May 17, 1954: the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously outlaws segregation in public schools in Brown v. Board of Education.
+ Aug. 29, 1957: Civil Rights Act of 1957 aims to increase black turnout at the polls by making it a crime to obstruct voter registration.
+July 2, 1964: Civil Rights Bill of 1964 bans segregation in the workplace and public accommodations.April 10, 1968: Civil Rights Bill bans discrimination in housing.
+ June 12, 1967: the U.S. Supreme Court said that Mildred Jeter, a black woman and Richard Loving, a white man, could marry. In order to change the law and allow such a marriage, the court relied on the fourteenth amendment.
Let's take a quick break. We all agree that the minuses were bad and the pluses were good right? And we can at least agree that equals sign was at least the right thing to do; Agreed? Good! Can we all also agree that none of the victims (hot button word, I know) had a choice as to whether or not they were part of the group being discriminated against, right?
Good.
+ May 16, 2008: the California Supreme Court strikes down the state's ban on gay marriage.
- Novemeber 4, 2008: The people of California vote TO TAKE RIGHTS AWAY FROM A GROUP OF CITIZENS.
The Declaration of Independence states the following; We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
I know. Not a legal or constitutional document, more of a Mission Statement... and a damn good one at that.
The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution (Section 1) says All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
This however, is a legal and constitutional document. Given that all Sodomy laws that effectively outlawed Homosexuality were repealed or struck down in 2003 it is not a crime to be or Homosexual or engage in sexual acts between to consenting adults regardless of gender.
You might say; "But Homosexuals choose to be that way!" Ok. How about a little experiment. Why don't you choose to be homosexual for one day. What? Cant do it? Doesn't feel right? But I'm not gay? Oh... hmmm... yeah. I'll go out on a limb here and say that for most Homosexuals, the converse hold true as well.
Now, I know I have simplified this. I know there are numerous hot-button issues like religion, morals, etc... I wont get into those. This is about equality or the lack their of. Sanctity, Morals etc. have not a thing to do with it.
An adult U.S. Citizen who is of homosexual orientation has the same rights afforded any other non-felon Adult U.S. citizen, right? The constitution says so.
Wrong. They are not afforded the same rights. So, in my simple and general way, this subject needs no more discussion. Proposition 8 is illegal and discriminatory. Period.
We, the People of California (and the United States) talk a good game... but we are no better than the Slave Owners, Segregationists and Fear Mongers we so despise. It is that simple.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Thoughts on Change
There is (rightfully so) quite a bit of discussion on the great significance of America electing it's first African American President.
I don't think the import of this escapes anyone. I must say though that I was witness to more than one conversation today and in recent months of the ethics of African Americans voting for President Elect Obama solely based on the color of his skin of which I have these thoughts; When JFK met with my grandfather (a DNC Delegate for the State of New Jersey) There was no doubt in the mind of any of my Irish Catholic family that we were voting for an Irish Catholic Man first, and a Democrat second. Feeling that intense validation that "one of ours" could succeed where others were held back was (I imagine) an amazing feeling. If some African Americans voted purely on race, who of us could say they would not do the same under certain circumstances?
It is moments like these that break the barriers that keep this country divided and make all things possible. It is only with true equality for all that we may finally realize the true American Dream, a land of the free and home of the brave for all mankind.
With that in mind, perhaps it's time to discuss the absolutely confusing aspect of Californians voting so overwhelmingly for President Elect Obama while also passing Proposition 8.
Day One.
It is November 5th 2008. Day one of the Bloodless Revolution. A new day in ideology, perception and hope. "Despite Logic" exists to document this new era of positive change from the vantage point of a former Republican, now party-less due to broken promises, inept bigotry and close minded "Politics"; A man awakening into enlightenment.
Join me as we not only watch, but participate in our renewed democracy. Come with me along the road to change for the better, and not just change for the sake of "Politics". Leave your party affiliation behind and join me in the new "Party"... the American Party
America has a bright future, the torch has been rekindled and passed on to a new generation. Let us help hold it high to light the darkest parts of the mind and embrace the destiny that our forefathers foresaw; Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness... Freedom to Choose.
How will you help unify our country? What will you do to rebuild America into a beacon of freedom and thought? What place will you have in the change to come?
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