Yes we can, except for Proposition 8 in California

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
by Chad Rubel

We are so used to saying "Yes" and "Yes we can" on issues at the polls, but there is one key issue where "No" is the focus.

Those who do NOT want a change in the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California should vote NO on Proposition 8.

But it's difficult adopting the mindset of promoting "NO" as opposed to "YES." We like positive affirmative statements. In the case of Proportion 8 in California, though, NO is the YES.

The race is really close, but there are many people, not just Californians, who are watching to see what happens.

Some are gays and lesbians in other states who hope their California brethren (and sisteren) will get that right, possibly spreading the momentum to other states. And some are outsiders who are trying to influence the vote, specifically people from Utah. (Should Utah ever judge California on marriage?)

I still recall in 2004 being asked to sign a petition in Ohio to ban same-sex marriage. I rarely turn down a petition in the sense of opening democracy to everyone, but I adamantly said, "NO." In some cases, it's really easy to say "NO."

The proposition would change the California Constitution to state that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Are things so awesome in California or in any other state that this is a pressing issue? Whether a dude and a dude want to marry, adopt, visit each other in the hospital when they're sick, or set up transfer of property in a will.

Since I now have the Sundance Channel (yea! for expensive cable), I now get cool documentaries into my living room, such as "For the Bible Tells Me So." I thought I knew a lot about the Biblical passages that often get quoted by evangelicals and conservatives, but I learned quite a bit.

It was sad watching people who totally understood who they are, and where they wanted to go, and to be told that they can't go there. For these people, it took a lot of struggle to get to this place, and the narrow-minded element of society told them, "NO."

So we will watch the presidential race Tuesday night, the House and Senate races as well. But we will keep an eye out for Proposition 8, and while the rest of the country gets to be "Yes we can," hopefully, Proportion 8 will be "NO" as in "No Way."

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS

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