FREE AT LAST ... ALMOST

Few things have shaped my political life like Los Angeles Times political cartoonist, Paul Conrad. For thirty years he shaped the Op/Ed page of the Times thanks in large part to the last and only progressive member of the Chandler family of editors.

Conrad's time at the Times spanned several in a line of the greatest evils in American politics. Until now the worst was a man named Nixon.

Trying to use words to explain his art is never easy but because one of his drawing has always been so important to me, I will try.

On the very last day that former President Richard M. Nixon left office, Conrad drew a picture of two black hands, from the wrist up, hands reaching upward. Around each wrist was a hand cuff. But as those heaven sent hands reach upward, they broke the links of those cuffs between them.

Under that drawing was printed the words, "Free at last, thank God Almighty, free at last!"

When even an even greater "evil" leaves office this January 20th 2009, I will once again remember Conrad's art and pray those words, as I did then: "Free at last, thank God Almighty, free at last!"

Free at last! Thank God almighty!

PASADENA PROP 8 DEMONSTRATIION

"If Prop 8 is allowed to stand, it goes much beyond the issue of marriage equality and puts all of our rights at risk," said San Francisco city attorney Dennis Herrera, who is leading the legal fight.

Ashton Kutcher on Prop 8

Ashton Kutcher appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher last night. They discussed Prop 8.

SAD DAY ...

(Episcopal News, Los Angeles) -- The raging Montecito wildfire has destroyed historic Mount Calvary Retreat House, staff and Santa Barbara County officials have confirmed.

This is a place where I found great peace ... I am so sad that it is gone ... more later ...

SOME GOOD PROP 8 INFO ...

From the opening argument by SF City Attorney Dennis Herrera:

"No matter what your view of same-sex marriage, the passage of Proposition 8 has pushed California to the brink of a constitutional crisis, and it's important to understand why. This measure sought to do something that no constitutional amendment has ever done in our history: to strip a fundamental right from a protected class of citizens. In doing so, it did not merely undo a narrowly disfavored Supreme Court decision. Its effect is nowhere near so simple or elegant.

"Rather, it upended a doctrine of separation of powers deeply rooted in our system of governance; it trounced upon the independence of our state's judiciary; and it eviscerated the most foundational principle of our state's constitution.

"If allowed to stand, Prop 8 would so devastate the principle of equal protection that it could endanger the fundamental rights of any potential electoral minority — even for protected classes based on race, religion, national origin and gender.

"It would mean that a bare majority of voters could enshrine any manner of discrimination against any unpopular group — and our state constitution would be powerless to disallow it.

"Let us be clear: equal protection of the laws is what separates constitutional democracy from mob rule tyranny. It is a principle reaching back eight centuries to the Magna Carta. And it is what guided the founding of our state and our nation."

THIS GUY IS A SAINT ...

PROTEST THE MORMANS AND OTHERS WHO TAKE AWAY CIVIL RIGHTS

There is something amazing about being with 15,000 other people to protest ... protest that the voters in California have taken away my right to marry the person of my choice. What the hell is that anyway?

MORMANS, TAKE AWAY RIGHTS

The election is past, the votes are counted and hate and fear have won out over reason and justice.

I am stuck with the folks who say that "they should get over it ...marriage is defined, the people have spoken. Yes but "they" won with down right lies, distortions and their own hatred of the unknown.

They took away my right and the rights of millions of others ... are they happy now? Well, hopefully this time the community will not let this die down and will never forget who did this. And keep on fighting.

WRONG WRONG WORNG

Never before in California's history has a group, who currently enjoys a basic right, been singled out and then had those rights ripped from them by a vote of their fellow citizens. This decision is so radical and so egregious that every voice must first be heard, no matter how unlikely a changed outcome might be.

There must be a way to right this wrong ... there must be things people of good will can do ... We must do everything we can to correct this injustice ...

Thank God ...

Thank God, thank God, almight ... thank God.

A FRIEND OF MINE ...

When I add an image like this I often wish that thousands of web wanders would see it this ask "why" ... I am grateful for the 40 or so folks who stop by here and see what Yarddog's "Simple Truth's" are ... If you live in California please vote NO on Prop 8.