This should be interesting...

[Guest]

Not going to say a lot here....just posting part of an article and the link the very same....

"The question of same-sex marriage has been especially vexing to Obama, who needs to hang on to his progressive Democratic base, which sees same-sex marriage as a human rights issue, while not offending moderate blue-collar Democrats and independents, who might not be comfortable seeing two men or two women holding hands and saying, "I do." "

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/08/MNT012GOPI.DTL

[Guest]

I am dumb founded...all of you good people have SO much to say about every other issue...this is the hottest one out there and NO one has any comment at all?

Bucco, Steve, Chels, Susan....ok so of you may not be a wake enought to start posting....but I know some of you are....

this is a HOT topic...this could be the decider for many Floridians and more across the country....

[Guest]

I have thumbed through some of Senator Barack Obama's books and he is very good at defending traditions while also admitting that there is a need for change. He is very smooth in other words and I think he can dance around this as well as Fred Astaire danced around Ginger Rogers.

That's one of the reasons I like Sarah Palin she does not seem as smooth as the typical politician.

[Guest]

I am dumb founded...all of you good people have SO much to say about every other issue...this is the hottest one out there and NO one has any comment at all?

Bucco, Steve, Chels, Susan....ok so of you may not be a wake enought to start posting....but I know some of you are....

this is a HOT topic...this could be the decider for many Floridians and more across the country....

Sorry, I just don't see it as a "hot topic." If it is the deciding issue for some people, that is because they have a vested interest. We all have our "deciding interests," and that's what makes campaigning such a challenge.

[Guest]

I don't think there is much to say here. People who are for gay marriages would just say "great post", people who are against it will get bashed in this forum for being against it, so they don't post.

[Guest]

I wasn't asking about people's opinion of gay marriages...I thought the artcile was interesting and pointed to the fact that it was a HOT topic for Floridians....

Even if someone is against Gay Marriage...they still might find it an interesting post...

[Guest]

There are so many more important issues to be decided,this isn't even on my radar.

[Guest]

OK Cassie, My .02. This is not the major issue in most peoples eyes. I will address my thoughts and am not afraid of bashing. Obama should be your choice if this is as important to you as most liberal gays. I have gay friends and understand their feelings. I believe gays have the same rights to "marriage benefits" as a married heterosexual couples. I do not believe being gay is a choice. I think it a strong genetic natural occurance that should be addressed. My friends son was obviously "different" at a very young age. Boy oh boy, could that kid sing, dance, act, write, explore and show feeling. We love him and wanted him to be who he is. He was born with a genetic make up unlike heterosexual boys. We all saw this, acknowledged his feeling different as he got older and gave him the support and love every human being deserves. He is now a well adjusted man in a relationship united with his partner by civil union. They don't feel they need to have the "married" title, even though they are "married" legally by civil union. Another son was "disowned" by family. I told them my feelings. In time they have accepted and now have open arms and minds. If my kids were gay I would love them no less!! Personally, I really don't care if gays could marry, it is their right to live their lifes as they want with the same rights afforded to the hetero population. Calling it a civil union would just shut the bigots up, hopefully. Some catholic priests were hiding their sexuality behind a robe. I think if people had been more open minded in past generations (forever!)priests would not have had to resort to hiding their sexuality behind a robe in a closet. THINGS ARE CHANGING!!!! Being gay does NOT make you any less a human with feelings than being heterosexual. You are as human as I. NO MORE CLOSETS!!! Unfortunately, many don't have my opinion. Now you need to teach me and let me know your feelings on this please. Will this world ever evolve into a humanitarian world? I pray it does. Your thoughts? RR

[Guest]

My thoughts....well I guess I would agree and/or appreciate with most everything you said. Somedays I want to get "married" just to be able to say without any prejudice that I am....MOST days I don't care about the term....except when some get nasty about it....what concerns us the most is having the same rights as others.

What scares me the most...especially here in Florida is that if something should happen to me and I am in the hospital would S and the child be allowed to visit me....(family only and the child can not come in on her own)....and would S be allowed to make the decisions for me should I not be able to. We can have POA's, we can have health care proxies, we can have everything the law allows....but most states do not even care.

Here is a link to a story about a couple...it was the saddest thing I have ever heard!

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flrxgaysuit0626sbjun26,0,3396801.story


This is what scares me! I must also point out that I bumped a previous post from May....it talks about Amendment #2....this will not just curtail gay marriages and rights...but will hurt those heterosexual couples that CHOOSE not to get married but live together...
There are tons of couples like that here in TV's...I can think of 5 I know personally(I have only been here a short time permanently)....

So when all is said and done...I could care less what it is called...marriage, civil union, partnership...what ever! S is My spouse...in MY opinion...and for our lives....I could careless about everyone else's opinion....as we are all entitled to one....I just don't think anyone should try to take away my LEGAL rights....constitutionally. "Marriage" is a ceremony the church brought into play. Legally it should just be a word.

Remember they separated church and state. Religious beliefs are different than legal rights.
For anyone interested in learning to see things a little more openly...especially in regards to what the Bible really says....you should watch the movie on DVD "For the Bible Tells Me So..."
The most amazing, amazing documentary!

There are more "couples" here in TV's then anyone realizes! the people here (TV's) are, for the most, part very open and welcoming to all people.....

I have had also met so many people that say to me....oh wonderful...I have a gay son, I have a gay daughter...

Honestly I don't know who it is harder for....parents when they find out about their child....or the gay person themself....

Thankfully MY parents are the greatest in the world! For the most part my family is just fine with my relationship. Although my youngest brother wants to be a priest and makes it very clear that he is not happy....he will get over it though....loves me too much....it will just take him a while longer.


Ok....those are my thoughts...thank you for sharing and thank you for asking for mine.

[Guest]

Thanks Cassie. Your response is intelligent and educating. You already know my vote. That article is a wake up call to small minded folks!!! WAKE UP PEOPLE! I will also rent the movie you recommend. I voted on the link page and was happy to see that 86% who read that article agree the 'law' is wrong when something like this is allowed to happen. That was a most horrifying experience. Majority rules and change is happening! Americans are educating themselves, boomers children are voting, finally. We shouted in the 60's and 70's, educated and opened our hearts and the world to our children. We are a peaceful generation with much compassion and the vote will prove most of this generations thinking. I most definately think you should be able to say you are married, also!!! S and Cassie ARE married!!!! yay!! OBAMA '08 will show the world we are not a bigoted empire. THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!! Have I swayed you yet, Cass??!!!!

[Guest]

you have indeed my friend...perhaps we will plan a "wedding" ceremony...like Ellen and Portia....of course not that extravagant....

You are good person Ronda...and highly cultured, open minded, fun and intelligent...thank you for being so!

[Guest]

I strongly encourage everyone, regardless of age, health, financial or domestic status, to address your estate planning needs.
Should you become incapacitated or pass away without the proper documents executed and in place, the laws of the state will prevail, regardless of your intentions. As state laws change so frequently, and none of us know when we might be in this situation, you need to update these documents on a regular basis. I am not an attorney, but as a Certified Financial Planner who has provided financial education seminars for over 30 years, one of the first questions I would ask is whether or not a client had a valid will (and estate plan) before they proceeded any further with financial planning. Too many people focus on managing their money and overlook the consequences of not planning their estate. ESTATE PLANNING IS NOT JUST FOR THE WEALTHY - it's for you and your loved ones, regardless of your situation. This is even more important for those in non-traditional relationships, which is so sadly exemplified in the article about Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Below is a link to the Florida Bar Association website, with a listing of consumer brochures you can print. Please take a moment to read the publications on wills and estates.
http://www.floridabar.org/tfb/TFBConsum.nsf/48e76203493b82ad852567090070c9b9/7adaf9c3481ead7685256b2f006c53fa?OpenDocument
I would suggest that you provide your physician as well as your designated surrogate with a copy of your health proxy and living will. Carry a copy with you when you travel, and if you are admitted to a hospital, be sure there is a copy in your file along with your health proxy's contact information.
If you have children/grandchildren who are over 18 going off to college, they, too, should have a health proxy with their important papers. You can never be too prepared!

PS - Cassie, you are 100% right about Ronda

[Guest]

I strongly encourage everyone, regardless of age, health, financial or domestic status, to address your estate planning needs.
Should you become incapacitated or pass away without the proper documents executed and in place, the laws of the state will prevail, regardless of your intentions. As state laws change so frequently, and none of us know when we might be in this situation, you need to update these documents on a regular basis. I am not an attorney, but as a Certified Financial Planner who has provided financial education seminars for over 30 years, one of the first questions I would ask is whether or not a client had a valid will (and estate plan) before they proceeded any further with financial planning. Too many people focus on managing their money and overlook the consequences of not planning their estate. ESTATE PLANNING IS NOT JUST FOR THE WEALTHY - it's for you and your loved ones, regardless of your situation. This is even more important for those in non-traditional relationships, which is so sadly exemplified in the article about Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Below is a link to the Florida Bar Association website, with a listing of consumer brochures you can print. Please take a moment to read the publications on wills and estates.
http://www.floridabar.org/tfb/TFBConsum.nsf/48e76203493b82ad852567090070c9b9/7adaf9c3481ead7685256b2f006c53fa?OpenDocument
I would suggest that you provide your physician as well as your designated surrogate with a copy of your health proxy and living will. Carry a copy with you when you travel, and if you are admitted to a hospital, be sure there is a copy in your file along with your health proxy's contact information.
If you have children/grandchildren who are over 18 going off to college, they, too, should have a health proxy with their important papers. You can never be too prepared!

PS - Cassie, you are 100% right about Ronda





Travel....thank you for this and you are right....however in the case we are speaking about...they HAD all of those things in order! Unfortunatly they did not have them with them as you mentioned to do....in this case once they had everything faxed to them and the hospital they were still given a hard time...literally told that FL was the worst state for them to be in....as they were very gay unfriendly! How sad....S and I are going next week for our legal papers to be taken care of! We were told though that even if we do this....if our parents or other families members wanted....they could fight it and probably win. Thankfully mine won't do that....sometimes I wonder about hers though...no one is good enough for their girl!! Even at 53! LOL