Home of the Free?

As children growing up in the United States we are taught that we live in the freest and greatest country in the world. For years many of us do not even question this fact. Yet if you ask a class of high school students to explain why the above statement is true, most of them can’t even find a place to start. While others get offended at the very nature of the question. Believe me I’ve tried it.

So if you have not already begun to question this ideology I have yet another instance of the hypocrisies of our country. A law that dates back to 1915 could soon have gay and lesbian couples from Wisconsin facing prosecution and possible jail time. As some of you may know California is now the only state in our fair Union that will issue a marriage license to out of state gay couples. For what I can only guess is hundreds if not thousands of couples from Wisconsin this would appear to be the culmination of long held dream. Yet there are now some people trying to have these seemingly law abiding citizens arrested. The aforementioned law states that any person who is a Wisconsin resident that leaves the state to get married with the intention of returning is subject to arrest.

Now this almost has to go without saying, but I seriously doubt anyone has been arrested for this offense in at least four decades if not more. I can also all but guarantee that the state is also not going to go arrest John and Jane Doe after they get back from their destination wedding. You as well I know that the only people with so called “law” will be used against is same sex couples. While you can argue the merits of gay marriage all you want, enforcing a law solely against one specific group is discrimination.

This is even more ridiculous when you consider the fact that the California marriage license on its face is worthless in Wisconsin since gay marriage is not legal in the state. Now the proponents of bigotry and ignorance will argue that letting same sex couples marry and return to the state will lay the ground work for gay marriage in Wisconsin. To this I have the prefect counter argument. Who Cares? Seriously that’s it. I mean ask yourself if John and Jane go get married how does it influence your life at all. In all reality it doesn’t. So if John and Steve or Jane and Sara go get married how does it influence your life. Again in reality it doesn’t.

People are way too concerned with how other people live their lives. Before you can go around and dictate how others should live, why don’t you first figure out how to live your own life? I am sure if we really perform an honest self evaluation most people will realize they have much more pressing issues in their life than two people they don’t even know getting married. For those of you who would argue that if states allow same sex couples to marry it would force churches to perform the ceremonies, I can tell you with a bare amount of research you will find out you are wrong. As any who has been married or has considered getting married can tell you, any church can refuse to marry any couple gay or straight. Most churches required membership to the church for a minimal amount of time along with further restrictions. When it comes down to it at most churches it is up to the discretion of the priest if the two individuals are ready to be married. But don’t be mistaken I am no whole heartedly placing my trust in the judgement of the church. I merely pointing out the idiocy of yet another hate filled and baseless argument.

Gay, straight, black, or white in the end you need to live your life and let others live theirs. Love one another, be kind, and respect others choices and we will all be better off.

Remember a Revolution does not take place overnight

Keep of the Fight

Che