Prop 8 demonstration response

Antonio Villaragosa – Mayor – City of Los Angeles
William Bratton – Chief – Los Angeles Police Department

Honorable Gentlemen,

A funny thing happened to me this week on the way to my working at the Mormon Temple. I was blocked from my assignment and threatened for my support of a political proposition. The temple had been closed by un hallowed hands by the foes to the passage of proposition 8. Though they exercised their right to demonstrate the outcome of the election, in the process, they decided to violate the rights of others. All this was accomplished in full view of the LAPD, challenged with the task of maintaining the peace. Some of the demonstrators exercised civil dis-obedience and in such committed hate crimes. By far the demonstration was peaceful, however a few of the leaders, by their speeches whipped the crowd into a frenzy and let their peaceful demonstration get out of hand. Though not the result of the organizers and participants of the events, they are all now guilty of serious hate crimes.

Proposition 8, in no way was about HATE….. simply stated, Marriage is only recognized as a union between one man and one woman…. Leaders of the, “No on 8’” were wrong to assert such hate in their post election and statements and threats…. Through their process to alert the public to their side of the issue, they promoted and committed the hate crimes. The association of a few rowdy members of their group, who knew no better than to throw a temper tantrum because they did not get their way, is deplorable.

To deface ones house of worship, be they Black, White, Yellow, Red, Jew, Catholic, Baptist or Mormon is a hate crime and for one to commit such an un-holy act should not go on un-prosecuted. To threaten members of any such organization such as the Mormon Church for their support of a noble cause with all manner of un-called for remarks is deplorable. To act unlawfully and seek re-dress because of the way a person voted, or at the least supported is just not the American way of Democracy.

The task to keep a demonstration peaceful falls not only upon the heads of organizers but also to LAPD who stood by and let what happened occur un-checked. This is not acceptable by a law abiding society. I was called a Bigot, only because I stood up for Marriage and the Family, as has been the cause of decent people everywhere since the very inception of not only California, but our Great United States. What about the others, including the 51% of the voters of Los Angeles County who voted and passed proposition 8. What about the 70% of the Black population of California who voted in favor of proposition 8. What about the vast majority of church going, voting members of the state, who also voted in favor of proposition 8. Should this have occurred with any other group of the populace, the action would not have been tolerated and immediate action would have transpired.

I love my country and state, but I do not love what I see happening by the failure of others to observe and defend the laws of our society. I am saddened by such leaders and peace officers, as well as yourselves, in the obvious failure to be fair and provide the appropriate and proper protection as deserved. In other words, I call on you to do your jobs and see that appropriate action transpire.

Sincerely



William J.B. Steele
Brentwood Village, CA

Happy with election results

Well sorta happy. I would have loved a different outcome of the presidential election, however I can accept the out come. I am worried for Saturday Night Live. Their ratings will now drop because they dont have Palin to kick around any more. I am happy right now for prop 8 here in California as it looks like it passed. the attached article was just boosted from the Sacramento Bee and is pretty good with some comments following. Read and enjoy

Six months after the California Supreme Court sanctioned same-sex marriage in the state, voters Tuesday were repealing the landmark decision with 12 percent of precincts reporting. Proposition 8, the most passionately debated and costliest measure on the ballot, was ahead 56 percent to 44 percent.
The vote on the constitutional amendment came eight years after voters approved a referendum with the same 14 words: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California." In May, the state Supreme Court ruled that it violated the state constitution's equal protection clause. Since then, an estimated 17,000 same-sex couples have been married in California.
The campaign generated more than $60 million in contributions from every American state and more than 20 foreign countries. The Yes on 8 campaign - chief contributors were members of the Mormon and Catholic churches – who raised more than $28 million.
After trailing by wide margins in early polls, the Yes on 8 campaign narrowed the gap with TV ads featuring San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who in 2004 gained national attention when he issued a directive to city officials to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, became the face of the marriage ban campaign in mocking ads when he publicly stated, “The doors open now, whether you like it or not, its coming anyway.”
The next statement is in response to the above article is and is by my observation correct;
The reason why Prop. 8 will pass and Obama will win California is because of the African-American vote. Most blacks are huge supporters of traditional marriage and they believe the Bible. Obama helped to get the black vote out, which in turn was a big boost to Prop. 8. The Hispanic vote, to a lesser extent, also swayed Democratic for the presidency, but would be more for Prop. 8. Same with the Jews. Combine them with Catholics and Mormons from all colors of the spectrum, and you've got groups who have been persecuted and killed for their skin color and religion, all voting for Prop. 8 with the "No" side is claiming we're the haters. Sheesh! The true haters were the "No on 8'ers." Thank goodness, it looks like the good guys will win this time.

Additional comment from a gay couple; No! No! No! This is not about rights. The idiot that compares this against the old testimate is way off base. Bless his heart! This is talking about a behavior. It has no place in our judicial system. If you have strong feelings for someone of the same sex then protect yourself with the existing laws. Once you start getting laws passed specifically for you, then you are asking for preferential treatment and that is just another form of descrimination. My partner and I do not believe we need any more attention and descrimination. Get real! If we start passing laws for every feeling we may want we wont be free very long. Too much big brother already. wake up people! be careful what you ask for. You just might get it.

Hope you all enjoy.

Dad