In the latest of his legendary comments, Olbermann went to town on Proposition 8 and its supporters.
It wasn’t an angry attack, though, but an eloquent and surprisingly emotional plea for all those who voted “Yes” to Prop 8 to examine their motivations, and think again about why they feel the need to deny the right to marry to people who are in love.
A salient point to keep in mind? The “definition” of marriage has never been static. It has evolved as our society became more enlightened.
The last two instances of marriage being “re-defined” in America were the alterations to the laws that first, permitted slaves to marry, and second – and much more recently – finally permitted inter-racial couples to marry.
And yeah, that’d include President-elect Barack Obama’s parents, right?
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His commentary moved me to tears. I hope he reaches into some of the closed hearts of those who voted against my right to marry whom I love.
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Keith Olbermann always puts so much heart into what he does, it's hard not to get the chills when he starts speaking. It is a sad sad thing when we see our country, our people are not ready to support and accept each other. 跟別說其他國家的人
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There's a controversial "anti-gay blacklist" website up, showing the names and contributions of people sponsoring Prop 8. A news video had some guy whining about it, saying he was "afraid for his life" and "I'm only exercising my freedom of speech…" So far, I haven't heard of any of the protests getting violent, much less any one-on-one backlash, so I don't have much sympathy when someone who bullies a group of people gets bullied back. I think it's about time people got angry about this garbage. As for freedom of speech: "The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins." – Oliver Wendell Holmes.
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I wish I knew what to say… ” target=”_blank”>http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Don't...
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I agree with giving them some rights that married couples have but don't call it "marriage". Call it a Union or something else that gives them some rights of married couples. I proudly voted yes on 8 along with 52% of the people that voted in California. Oh yes go after the people who contributed to Yes on 8 and while you are at it go after people who contributed to the GOP. Get real.
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"Give them SOME rights?" You mind telling me which rights those should be, and why anyone should have to ask you for them? What exactly are people trying to defend marriage from? Other couples willing to back it up? Why is someone else's happiness such a threat to yours? Two people devoting their lives to one another IS marriage. As far as I'm concerned, "getting real" is about calling it what it really is, and giving them the right to do it. Incidentally, they were proud of segregation in the South, too.
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Irony of ironies. As my African-American wife pointed out, many of those who voted for Obama voted against gay marriage — there being a huge, huge homophobic component amidst that community. It just goes to show that religious fundamentalism knows no color.
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Olbermann is a partisan hack. As one of many examples, see how he completely and semi-dramatically reversed his stance on the FISA issue for partisan reasons: ” target=”_blank”>http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/06/26... I have little doubt that his stance on Prop 8 is partisan as well despite his seeming emotional appeal. Beyond that, though, gay marriage is simply immoral, as is heterosexual marriage. The state has no authority to oversee marriage of any sort. Justin Raimondo, a homosexual and political activist, explains this idea more fully in the following article: ” target=”_blank”>http://www.takimag.com/site/article/gay_marriage_... Please stop accusing those of us who oppose gay marriage of being "not ready to support and accept each other." Among other things, it's annoying. If I were in California, I gladly would have voted for Prop 8, but my decision has absolutely nothing to do with "support" or "accept[ance]" or any lack thereof.
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ALL marriage is immoral? I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. You don't think straight people should be allowed to get hitched, either?
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Marriage is immoral? Whew! I thought I was copping out and just following the herd, but how about that! Maybe I can start a harem and get a poster at the post office! "Breakin' the law, breakin' the law…" It really blows my mind that I did it just to have kids. News to me! I knew I should've read the contract more closely… my wife said I was getting a free bicycle, but this changes things. I guess we can start shooting 'em out now! (Babies, not bikes.) Personally, the only reason I'm not helping pass laws that restrict Other People's rights all day is because it's so irritating when people think I'm intolerant. I'm making a statement, not being petty! The same when I kick puppies or coldcock the homeless – how can you miss the deeper meaning behind it? Plebes…
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Incidentally, Olbermann's flip-flops are irrelevant. We're not discussing gay rights, not pundit integrity. Do you seriously think people are against the Prop 8 decision because Olbermann doesn't like it? I think you put a little too much importance on appeals to authority, Bry.
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