Pass it On
Sometimes– and it’s pretty rare– but sometimes, I’m proven wrong about people. Sometimes, humanity mocks my cynicism with the good actions of true people. This man is one of them:
I cannot adequately put to words how glad I am to be proven wrong in this way. This man has demonstrated remarkable courage, resolve, and righteousness. The sort of bravery we’ve just witnessed in this video is very nearly unheard of in today’s politics; he deserves all of our respect and unmitigated admiration for standing up in the face of adversity and doing the most unpopular act imaginable: “flip-flopping” on an issue in order to support gay rights.
San Diego, which he represents, has strong conservative values. They’re one of the major Californian cities in favor of Proposition 8 (a proposition that would amend the California state constitution to say that marriage is only between a man and a woman). He has risked his career, his entire life’s work, and not least of all, (unfortunately) he’s also likely to have lost the respect of his conservative constituents. So for once, I’m not here to bitch about how the political system is failing us– or indeed, how we are failing it. I’m not here to point out stupidity or make snide remarks about politicians’ lack of insight. Today I’m here to point out why those things are sometimes necessary: because right can still defeat wrong, because equality can still defeat bigotry, because there is still love and justice left in this country and those thing can defeat the worst among us… but because it’s only when we speak up that they ever do.
/Elysa.
Asheton said,
November 3, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Throughout this presidential election I’ve found myself losing faith in our country and the way things work. Now with the election only hours away, I’ve become extremely disenchanted with politics and politicians in general. All of the mudslinging, “he said this,” and “he voted for that,” has just increased my dislike for the way that the campaigns are run.
That being said, I am altogether astonished and moved that this man would look into his heart and do a complete 180 in front of the world to stand up for what he believes is right. Politicians can’t pick and choose their constituents, so I don’t believe that they should say “all men are created equal” and then refuse a group in society the same benefits as the rest. It took real courage for this man to recognize a flawed idea and go against it. I can only hope that this sort of daring shows others in political offices that you CAN do what is right and fair, and you’ll actually be more respected for it.
Asheton said,
November 4, 2008 at 3:45 am
Throughout this presidential election I’ve found myself losing faith in our country and the way things work. Now with the election only hours away, I’ve become extremely disenchanted with politics and politicians in general. All of the mudslinging, “he said this,” and “he voted for that,” has just increased my dislike for the way that the campaigns are run.
That being said, I am altogether astonished and moved that this man would look into his heart and do a complete 180 in front of the world to stand up for what he believes is right. Politicians can’t pick and choose their constituents, so I don’t believe that they should say “all men are created equal” and then refuse a group in society the same benefits as the rest. It took real courage for this man to recognize a flawed idea and go against it. I can only hope that this sort of daring shows others in political offices that you CAN do what is right and fair, and you’ll be more respected for it.
lizbeth said,
November 5, 2008 at 3:39 am
it is such a relief to know that some people go against what all the people around them believe, and even what they might believe themselves, and do what’s right because they can’t, in good conscience, stick to their beliefs without going against what is right.
I’m sure to some people what he chose wasn’t right. But what is not right about someone admitting that everyone is equal and should be treated as such.