G'day JustinO,
In Oz, the Senate has joined the House of Representatives in voting down legislation aimed at allowing same-sex couples to marry. On Wednesday, just 42 MPs in the Lower House supported a private members bill put forward by Labor backbencher Stephen Jones while 98 MPs voted against. I keep hearing opponents of marriage equality saying that marriage is between a man and a woman exclusively. And why is that, do you think? Mainly because bigots refuse to change it! This is a democracy with a secular government. It's not a theocracy. And yet religious views seem to dominate the marriage equality agenda. If churches wish to discriminate, that's their business. But it's not the government's business to discriminate. The government's business is to adhere to the wishes of the majority of its constituents. Only 30% of Australians are opposed to marriage equality. 50% approve and the rest couldn't give a damn.
Yesterday, the NSW state government made a formal apology to all women who had their babies forcibly removed for adoption back in 50s, 60s and 70s. It also apologized to the adoptees. The reason those women were deprived of their basic human right to keep their babies was because, shock, horror, they became pregnant out of wedlock. They were considered to be unfit mothers, and their babies were stolen. It was unacceptable that babies should be born out of wedlock. Decades on, the government is now apologizing for the "shameful" conduct of previous governments. And yet they can't see the same thing happening in another decade or two when a future government has to apologize for disallowing same-sex couples to marry. IT'S THE SAME THING. DISCRIMINATION. But the dickheads can't see it.
And now we have the head of The Australian Christian Lobby, Jim Wallace, declaring that homosexuality is unhealthier than smoking. Can you believe it? He's supposed to be an intelligent man! And last night on telly he said that homosexuality is a sin. He's insulting not only all Australian gays and lesbians but also their parents, siblings, lovers and friends. He was sitting at his boardroom table with a bunch of his cohorts leading them in prayer to God. Is it the same God that gays pray to? The same God that non-bigoted people pray to? Apparently not. The God that Jim Wallace prays to agrees with Jim's views. How convienient to have such an obliging God.
Gary
Pathetic, is it not?
A few years back I read this bit of wisdom on the tab of a Salada Tea Bag. . . .
- Why does history repeat itself?
- Because no one listens the first time!
JustinO
3 comments:
Gary,
I was truly gob-smacked by the vote. I certainly did not believe it would pass, yet, but I was not at all prepared for the huge difference, the loooong way we have yet to travel.
It truly makes me despair, I thought maybe, just possibly, our "government", our "representatives" might just vote our way.
How wrong I was.
Back to the dark ages?
I think not, I hope not. I hope and trust that those of us who have been truly mis-represented will vote differently next time.... but somehow something as "minor" as this will be lost in the fight for what is arguably more important, all of our financial and physical survival, gay and hetero all.
I have no faith in our politicians, they do not represent the majority, they are all too caught up in other less important agendas...and it is just sad fact that "our" agenda, gay marriage, is not one of them.
I dunno what to think, my trust and faith in our government, our system of government is truly tested.
But the sad fact is, we have no alternative. All we can do is knuckle down and wear the bastards away, time will do it, but it is still a long time away methinks, further than I'd previously thought.
But I'll get over it, I'll have another glass of red and see what tomorrow brings.
Greg-the-discouraged-but-not-resigned.
Yes, from out of the mouths of babes... and motor bike riders. The house of mis-representatives. Now why didn't I think of that?
Tellya what, Greg. The last thing I wanna do is vote Greens. But I'm being increasingly tempted. And it's the major parties that are convincing me that the Greens are the way to go. Any elected politician who dismisses the wishes of the majority of the electorate to vote in favor of his or her own personal agenda is not a person who deserves my vote.
This issue is not just about marriage equality. It's about ignoring the vast majority of Australians, one of whom am I. And I for one am not going to stand for it. If those dickheads want to ignore me, I'll ignore them.
In this case, it's a matter of principle. The issue of same sex marriage is beside the point. It's a case of failed leadership, lack of spine and an unwillingness to represent the wishes of the majority.
The house of mis-representatives is a disgrace.
Spot on Gary.
But I have to admit I'd find it hard to go Greenie......they have their fair share of nutters and looney policies too.
We seem to be faces with choosing the lesser of the evils, still. Does nothing ever change for the good?
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