A different look at the issue...

White Church member (hereafter called "WASP"): "I'm sorry, but I can't allow this marriage to take place."
African American (hereafter called "SLAVE"): "But master, I don't understand. I love this woman. We don't want to raise our children out of wedlock because we respect the bonds of matrimony. Why is this so?"
WASP: "Because, oh little one, we who 'made' this country based its laws on a book written centuries ago, long before we recognized your type in this world. This book defines marriage as a state between two WASPs. There was no mention of ones such as you, so therefore there must not be a marriage among SLAVES. That simply cannot be."
SLAVE: "But master, was there mention of Native Americans in this book of which you speak?"
WASP: "Don't be silly. Of course not."
SLAVE: "Are the Chinese written about in this book?"
WASP: "Not at all. Why on earth would that matter?"
SLAVE: Well, if they are mentioned in the book, and we're not mentioned in the book, then how is it possible for Native Americans & Chinese, for example, to get married and not us?"
WASP: "It just is. Now excuse me while I try to forget that you are here."

What's my point you might ask? Just this. Christians have made it a moral crusade to prevent homosexuals from marrying. Frankly, this puzzles me. I've heard the arguments. "Marriage is defined as a union between man and woman in the bible." is the most common. To this, I will not argue. It is there, I have read it. I understand. However, it also says in the bible that slavery is acceptable. I don't hear many people arguing for that in the last 130 or so years. So I began to ponder what the difference between the two is in the minds of most Christians. Or, more importantly, the religious organizations who oversee the faithful flocks. Then I remembered what a former professor of mine hammered into my head about organized religions. Follow the money.
If former slaves become land owning, income earning citizens (and have already been converted) then they will contribute to the coffers of the church through tithes and offerings, this increasing the financial power of the church. Since the church already has a policy of "don't ask, don't tell" about homosexuality (and therefore has gay church members filling the coffers) they don't stand to gain from allowing same sex marriages. I won't even discuss why marriages are allowed between couples from, let's say, a Buddhist background, whom Christians consider non-believers.
I've spent a great deal of time with many different couples. Some Christian, some not. Some homosexual, some heterosexual. I'm convinced that sexuality doesn't matter in a family unit. Love, understanding, respect, compassion and tolerance are all ingredients in a healthy relationship, and are the building blocks of an excellent family unit. Sexual preference is not included, so it should be irrelevant.
The state of Maine has just started (once again) the debate of legalizing same sex marriage. Can someone give me a decent, rational argument as to why it shouldn't be allowed? I would love a debate. Bring it on...

Things that Really Cheese Me Off...

It's a Monday, and I'm grumpy. What can I say...

1. Paying the government half of every paycheck for the "right" to work.

2. Deli counter attendants who are too busy discussing private parts to wait on you.

3. Women who think they should get whatever they want because they look good.

4. Guys who think the rest of society should bow before them because they need to turn sideways to get their ego through the door.

5. People who are on welfare when they have $30K vehicles in the front yard, an ATV, and several snowmobiles parked in the garage.

6. People who believe that Ramen is healthy for you.

7. A justice system that can convict an innocent man to a lifetime of purgatory on the say so of just one person and no evidence.

8. Bill Gates, for making the worst product of the last 30 years.

9. A society that feels women should have to wear makeup and men should have all their hair to look "good".

10. Animal activists who decry hunting while munching on a cheeseburger or chicken sandwich. At least I know my food died quickly and humanely.

11. A marketing industry that promotes a toxin like Soy, but decries eggs as a source of "evil" cholesterol.

12. The CDC for brainwashing Americans into thinking that vaccines are helpful (and healthy) despite no significant independent studies.

13. Major religions that trod on the innocent in "the name of a greater good" despite the underlying message of each to "love thy neighbor". At least the Buddhists seem to have it right.

14. Pro athletes. Who the hell is worth what they get paid?

15. Bailed out companies "misplacing" taxpayer monies.

Everything I ever needed to know I learned from my friend, Wayne

In the spirit of one of my favorite authors, Robert Fulghum (All I ever needed to know I learned in kindergarten, It was on fire when I lay down on it, etc.), I created this list of what spending time with one of the most incredible persons I have had the distinct pleasure of sharing time with has taught me:

1. Walk, don't run. Running through life doesn't allow time to savor the moments that make life special.

2. The recipe to a good marriage is 1 part tolerance, 2 parts love, 3 parts work, a pinch of sarcastic humor tickled with a bit of spicy passion, tempered under a slow simmer for 30+ years.

3. Everyone that you meet has a lesson to teach you.

4. Silence is something to be cherished, but not extended.

5. Everyone gets kicked in the face from time to time. The key to success is to get back up every time.

6. Cats can be transported by ambulance from the scene of a motor vehicle accident but can't fill out insurance paperwork.

7. The measure of a man is not monetary wealth, but the unique wealth that comes from experiencing what the world has to offer.

8. Nothing heals the soul like a day of fishing.

9. Life finds a way if you believe it will. "Six months to live" can turn into 5 years plus if you have faith.

10. Fortune favors the prepared. Hence, be careful what you throw out.

11. "Murphy's Law" is the missing gospel of the Bible.

A new take on prenuptials

For those of you who may not know, I am a Reverend for a group called Inter-Faith Ministries. We deal with couples who practice multiple faiths (i.e. one spouse may be Catholic while the other is Jewish, etc.). Both within the confines of my ministry as well as from previous experience, I have dealt with many different couples. I have shed tears of laughter with some, as well as tears of heartbreak with others. What I saw today was a first though:
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=11444512&ch=4226713&src=news

The gist of the story is that a 40 year-old Long Island physician is embroiled in a 4 year long divorce with his wife. "What is taking so long?" you may ask? Well, he doesn't want the house, money, or any of the material property. He "just" wants his kidney back. "Or equivalent value", which is $1.5 million.

Huh. Guess I didn't know I was a millionaire 3 times over as soon as I was born.

But wait, let's dig a little bit deeper. According to Med Tech, the value of a kidney on the black market is only $85,000. Hmmm, so why the difference? Well, if you dig a little bit deeper, you'll find that $1.5 million is the total value of the couple's estate. This translates to "I should have let you die when I had the chance" syndrome.
Now, I realize that a divorce is a messy, uncomfortable, hurtful act between two people. I have been through one, I know personally. I spent almost a month in a tent in November (in Maine) because of one. The quicker it is over, the quicker the healing can begin for both parties. The fact that the plaintiff isn't willing to allow even his own healing to begin begs the question:

Does "humanity" exist in humans anymore?

More on this later...when I'm less disgusted.

P.S.: Does this mean that every person I saved as an EMS provider owes me personally now? [insert disgusted head shake here]

P.S.S.: Does this mean that I can sue my ex-wife for all the "donated" sperm?
(I'm kidding, of course!)

The latest "WTF?" from the great state o' Maine

Flashback to last summer for a moment: The economy was starting to seriously nose dive, gas was $4/gallon, and the wonderbrains in Augusta were considering cutting the gas tax to "help out the taxpayer". Instead of this, they decided to ascend the mighty pulpit of the media and preach out their message of "conservation". "Carpool" they cried "use one trip to accomplish all your errands" the screamed.
Well, Mainers read that message loud and clear. We reduced our fuel consumption. We learned to save again. We picked up bikes, scooters, & mopeds for the first time in years.
Fast Forward back to today: The Congress that is getting ready to begin in Augusta will be considering many new bills in the coming months. Tucked in those bills, very neatly I might add, is a bill to raise the taxes on fuel. The reasoning? A decrease in the anticipated income due to decreased sales of fuel. Didn't you guys cause that? Hello? [knocks on the door] Anyone there?
Let's just slip that bill in while gas is lower priced, so that we can really screw the taxpayer when the price goes back up to $4/gallon! WOOHOO!!! BOHICA!!!

Just another reason to convert your vehicles to alcohol...