October 6th, 2008
Orange County is perceived as the most conservative of California’s counties. It is the home to the large churches and “family values” organizations and hasn’t voted for a Democrat for President since 1936.
In 2000, the voters in Orange County supported Proposition 22, a change to the civil code that banned gay marriage (since overturned by the state Supreme Court), by 69%, significantly more than the state’s average. And the region’s newspaper, the Orange County Register, had this to say:
The ultimate question in Prop. 22 is whether the definition of what constitutes a marriage should remain as it always has been, or whether the door can be opened to same-sex marriages – and by extension to any other sort of arrangements that people might devise.
Their advice was not to risk such a thing and instead to vote “Yes” on Proposition 22.
But time has passed and attitudes have evolved. And California’s conservative paper has changed its position. The OC Register opposes Proposition 8.
As our understanding of equal protection has evolved and expanded and as an increasing number of same-sex couples have expressed a desire to make lifelong commitments to one another – incidentally, promoting societal stability and reducing promiscuity – it has become clear that equal protection should be extended to same-sex couples.
In an ideal world, the state would have little or no role in defining or regulating so intimate a relationship as marriage. However, the state has inserted itself into all too many aspects of our private lives. Given that it has done so, it is only fair that it afford equal protection to all who choose to make loving lifelong commitments to one another. We recommend a “no” vote on Prop. 8.
Also opposing Proposition 8:
(hat tip to reader Tara)
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Tara TASW
October 7th, 2008
Thanks for the hat tip. The OCR is as conservative as they come, but it actually makes a conservative argument against Prop 8. If conservatism is about principles, rather than just tribalism, then one of those principles is supposed to be keeping the government out of our lives.
-Tara The Antisocial Social Worker
Bill
October 8th, 2008
DON’T SIT AROUND AND DO NOTHING!
Do you support eliminating same-sex couples right to marry in California?
YES – 47%
NO – 42%
http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=b46ce159-115e-4f44-8be2-ce9b8eca657e
YES campaign raised – $27 million
NO campaign raised – $16 million
This is a fight we can’t lose, the stakes are too high. PLEASE do something even if you don’t live in California. Write online in message boards, dailykos, huff po, forums anything to get the word out to VOTE NO on PROP 8. Make videos and post them on youtube. Be resourceful. You can make your own NO on PROP 8 sign by going to
http://www.noonprop8.com/page/?id=0007
NO on Prop 8 —> https://secure.ga4.org/01/equalityforall
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