The CotoBuzz Journal, Community Journalism

Senator Dianne Feinstein’s blitzkrieg in an attempt to defeat the California Marriage Protection Act is at best a ruse, an artifice.

Proposition 8 is a proposed amendment to the California constitution which if passed into law would be known as the California Marriage Protection Act. This California ballot proposition will appear on the November 4, 2008 ballot along with eleven other statewide propositions. Proposition 8 is one of four ballot measures which propose to amend the California state constitution and appears on the ballot titled as Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. We can thank the Attorney General for supporting the ruse with the title - the implications are that the proposition is a civil rights issue, rather than a moral issue.

As of October 27 opponents of Prop. 8 had an advantage in fundraising from larger donors–about $32.3 million versus the approximately $28.2 million raised by the proposition’s supporters.

The major arguments against proposition 8 include:

1. “Our California Constitution–the law of our land—should guarantee the same freedoms and right to everyone. No one group should be singled out to be treated differently.” - The implications of this argument is that a Men should be really treated as a Woman and vice-versa . Better yet, instead of a person being identified with a particular sex, let’s obsolete the terms male and female, and instead us the neuter - neuter. Or better yet, how about instead of ticking male or female, we simply refer to ourselves as MOF (male or female). In that case we can use HOH (for his or hers, for instance)

2. “Equal protection under the law is the foundation of American society.” - Refer to 1 above

3. The institution of marriage conveys dignity and respect to the lifetime commitment that a couple makes. Proposition 8 would deny lesbian and gay couples the opportunity that same dignity and respect. Absolutely ridiculous argument! Civil unions provide all the protection needed. Dignity and respect are a function of gravitas, self-esteem, self-respect, self-regard. Emphasis on the self. Apparently the only way such respect is gained by opponents of prop 8. is by defeating traditional marriage?

4. “The freedom to marry is fundamental to our society, just like the freedoms of religion and speech.” - refer to 1,2 and 3 above.

5. When domestic parternships are held out as an acceptable substitute for marriage, this is misleading. Domestic partnerships are not a substitute for marriage. - Talk about circular reasoning

Using the Senator’s office as a bully pulpit to defeat proposition 8 trivializes the issue and detracts from the self-respect, self -esteem her supporters so desperately crave.

Senator Dianne Feinstein’s Artifice - MOF Positions on Prop. 8