Have We Really Come That Far??

Just this morning, I was sent a link to a YouTube video that featured a commentary by MSNBC's Keith Olbermann. Now let me be very up front, I am not a Keith Olbermann fan, unless he is back on ESPN or co-hosting NBC's Sunday Night Football in America. I do not agree with many of his political views. But this time, the video clip that I received was Mr. Olbermann's commentary regarding the recently approved Proposition 8 in California.

According to the State of California's voters guide, Proposition 8 "Eliminates rights of same-sex couples to marry." The summary of the proposition states, "Changes the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California, Provides that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. " The voter's guide is also informative enough to point out that, "Over the next few years, potential revenue loss, mainly from sales taxes, totaling in the several tens of millions of dollars, to state and local governments. In the long run, likely little fiscal impact on state and local governments. "

Mr. Olbermann utilized nearly 7 minutes of national air time to give, what may be, the most impassioned, heartfelt, and emotional commentaries in recent memory. He points out that in an election year where racial barriers were shattered but there is still discrimination on-going. Not based on the color of someones skin but on what is inside. Mr. Olbermann speaks of love as being a tiny ember that is burning inside and that nobody should be able to extinguish that ember for another human being. He states that you do not have to like the people or want to like them, but we should all love each other, because we are all the same. We all want the same rights, to be treated as equals. He points out that if this country had not "redefined marriage" in the past, then black people could not marry white people. Also that until 1967, 16 states had laws on the books that banned black people from marrying white people.

Over the course of the last few months, there were people from both sides of the issue that made impassioned speeches for their stance on Prop 8. Actors, actresses, billionaires, churches, and just everyday average citizens had their say. But Mr. Olbermann said it best, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Bigoted ideologies and actions have gotten us nowhere as a society in the past. Isn't it time we try something different? Let's try tolerance and understanding, wouldn't that be nice?

Here is the link to the YouTube clip featuring Keith Olbermann's commentary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnHyy8gkNEE&feature=related

Proposition 8 Information taken from:
http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/title-sum/prop8-title-sum.htm