California gay marriage vote negates fundamental freedom

Dallas Morning News by Erin Goldman | Nov. 14, 2008 (Opinion)

The day after the election, I woke up invincible; Barack Obama was elected to serve as the president of the United States of America. The voting population looked past the color of the man's skin and voted for him based upon merit.

However, my restored faith in humanity was short-lived. "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible," declared Obama on Nov. 4, "who still wonders if the dream of ... Full Story »

Posted by Dale Penn

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3.4

by Beth Wellington - Nov. 14, 2008

This opinion piece by a high school student is impressive--in rating it, I was comparing it to all other pieces of journalism, rather than handicapping it by the age and journalistic experience of the author. I concur with the other reviews here and would add that, for me, the strong start is undercut by this statement, which is inserted and then dropped without an obvious segue to the next paragraph, "I say it's a place where things are possible only when it's convenient." I question, also, her use of "inhumane," which might have been strengthened by pointing to the irony of another California measure which passed Novmeber 4, to assure better treatment of animals. But I'm not sure that I'd want to introduce the possible ... More »

I've linked to a piece by Morris A.Thurston, in a commentary posted by Mormons who joined other Californians in opposing the passage of Prop. 8. Thurston writes that he is a Momon in good standing and that received his undergraduate degree in political science from BYU and his law degree from Harvard Law School.

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3.6

by Michael Bugeja - Nov. 14, 2008

The writing of this op-ed on the short-lived thrill of Barack Obama's election--only to experience disappointment at California's vote on Proposition 8, restricting the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman--is a poignant reminder that equal rights for all, in this case rites of marriage, have not yet been fully achieved. The high school senior gets wrong the history of marriage, associated with religion, and she should have informed her opinion with more research on that count, as she would have been able to dismiss arguments on procreation--at the root of why marriage has been consigned to man and woman. The writer's argument, partly based on her thesis on the pursuit of happiness, would have been ... More »

I believe that the pursuit of happiness is the legal key to legalizing gay marriage, and in this, the author as student journalist should be complimented.

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3.9

by Dale Penn - Nov. 13, 2008

This opinion piece was written by a heterosexual high school student who takes up the case for gay marriage. Well written, she shares her opinion with no apparent fear of reprisal.

The words in this article from a teen give hope to this 51 year old gay man. Our children, my heterosexual son included, seem to foresee a world of true equality for GLBT people as a reality that is just a matter of time - something they expect to see during their lives. I only hope that those who are cheering the loss of our rights today are not themselves subjected to similar treatment by a new majority that will surely form in the future, but history seems to support the ... More »

Dale posted this story.

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3.2

by Mike LaBonte - Nov. 14, 2008

Pure opinion, but I enjoy seeing the viewpoint of a high school student on this.

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3.4

by Patricia L'Herrou - Nov. 14, 2008

this is a strongly voiced opinion written well, without much sourcing or many facts. she picks out a major factor of fear used in the prop 8 campaign-- "that it may result in public schools teaching our kids that gay marriage is okay",-- and ties all in with a cogent argument about freedom of choice and obama's hopes for our future.

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