I am on record as to the terrifying precedent that Proposition 8 will establish if it is allowed to stand. Literally, it will establish the precedent that a slim majority of voters can take away whatever rights they want of a minority group. Frankly, it's like something out of Nazi Germany, but then, I have said many times that the Christianists and their Mormon and far right Catholic allies are fascists at heart once the window dressing of platitudes is stripped away. Kenneth Starr clearly enunciated this reality in an interchange yesterday during the oral arguments as reported by the Los Angeles Times:*
An interaction between Chief Justice Ronald George and Kenneth Starr, who is defending Proposition 8, gets to the heart of the argument. Starr argues that voters have an inalienable right to am end the state constitution as they see fit through simple majority vote, inlcuding "things that tug at the equality principle." But George leans in on the question and asks whether, if Proposition 8 had specifically said that homosexuals had no right to form a family relationship or raise children, that still could be done by amendment? Starr replies yes. George pursues it further, asking if California voters could remove the right to free speech? Starr says yes.
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This mentality should strike terror in the hearts of ALL minorities. Today gays are the targets of Christianist hate yet if one follows their "family values" organizations, the list of those hated is long and includes blacks, non-Christians, immigrants - basically anyone and every one not just like themselves. If Proposition 8 is upheld, the day of such a the ruling by the Court may likely be remembered in the future as the day that liberty and freedom for all died in this country. No minority group will be safe from an oppressive majority that can be whipped into a hate based frenzy by demagogues. I pray that the California Supreme Court justices realize what they will be doing if they uphold this hate based constitutional amendment.
3 comments:
Is anyone surprised that it is Kenneth Starr who is defending Prop 8? I for one am not. Just think back to all that smarmy crap he did to Bill Clinton that would up in Impeachment. And a "Truth Commission" is a bad idea?
"asking if California voters could remove the right to free speech? Starr says yes"
I'm not optimistic about the court overthrowing 8, but I hope that that answer helps. I was under the impression that the US Constitution ovverode even amended state constitutions.
If 8 stands, I intend to launch an iniative targeting the Mormon church.
The little bits that I heard were upsetting, but as a CA resident I'm convinced that if the court upholds Prop 8 this time, there will be much more outcry, and a more determined effort to change it. It will be overturned.
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