“What You Intended for Harm, God Intended for Good”

Jim Burroway

November 5th, 2008

The following email appeared in my inbox this morning from one of our wonderful No on Prop 102 volunteers.

The quote in the subject header comes from Genesis 50:20. It’s what Joseph told his brothers years after they sold him into slavery. Because of what they did to him, he ended up a chief official to the Pharaoh and saved the lives of his whole family during a famine.

Four years ago, like most of you, I sat desolate as the presidential results came in. I could not conceive how the nation could survive another four years of Bush. And yes, it did get worse.

But out of that loss four years ago came a victory tonight that we dared not even imagine back then. Instead of a leader that was merely better than Bush, we now are looking at a future with a leader who I believe will change our country and our world for the better.

So with this in mind, I think about our loss on Prop 102 and the potential loss on Prop 8 in California . As sad as I am to see bigotry and discrimination win, I can’t help but wonder, what amazing thing that we cannot dare dream of now is this setting us up for?

It has been a great honor to work with all of you throughout this election, and I look forward to rolling up my sleeves alongside of you for the next task. And the next. And the next.

Because we know that good and right don’t always win, but they eventually win. And we will win. In ways we never even imagined were possible.

–Kelly

Jason D

November 5th, 2008

progress is not a straight line.

It is like a wheel moving forward on the ground. Pick a point on that wheel, and yes for a time that point will move backwards, only to be carried further forward as it rotates.

cowboy

November 5th, 2008

I guess as a sign of clinging to any morsel of good news my co-workers are gloating over the win with the Proposition 8 in California. It’s their only glimmer of happiness today.

They haven’t asked for my take on the election yesterday but the whispers are there. They know the win in California is legislating discrimination or else they would not fear facing the facts…they only whisper.

The time for me to make a stand is not here yet. The day I can find myself with a picture of my lover/soul-mate sitting on my desk is not here yet. The day I can say my legal status is the same as those in the cubicles next to mine is not here yet.

But I’m immensely proud of you people here on BTB.

Charles

November 5th, 2008

This letter has been the best solace I’ve had over Prop 8 all day. At this point there is nowhere to go but up. Long ago the NAACP learned that focusing on individual states was not an efficient way to fight segregation. Perhaps with this new government, something better than killing Prop 8 can happen on the federal level.

Michele Kilmer

November 5th, 2008

Etched into marble above the steps of the Supreme Court are the words “Equal under the Law”. Every morning all over this country children end their morning pledge to the stars and strips “with liberty and justice for ALL”. I look forward to the day when these are no longer just words but truths we live by. Don’t give up the fight. We can beat bigotry, we will beat bigotry…we have to!

Duncan

November 5th, 2008

It is a cause in which there are no failures, only setbacks.

Dave

November 6th, 2008

Go ahead and have a pity party. Not me. I am mad as hell! I don’t even live in any of the effected states, but I am still angry. I want to blame someone. Is it non-p.c. to blame African Americans? Polls showed they voted 70% for prop 8. I also blame Mormons, evangelicals and Knights of Columbus. But rejoice because chickens have equal rights now in CA. Hooray for mob rule!

Gentle Lamb

November 6th, 2008

Its a very touching comment. God bless
Gentle Lamb, Singapore

Erin

November 6th, 2008

This comment made me cry. I’m so emotional about the outcome of these three propositions. It is such a betrayal. What can I do now?

Tony Konrath

November 6th, 2008

What follows wil be a series of court battles that take this from California on to the whole nation.

If we had won then California would be one of the only places we could marry in. The road ahead leads to the supreme court.

That is where the battle will eventually be won for all Americans.

Leave A Comment

All comments reflect the opinions of commenters only. They are not necessarily those of anyone associated with Box Turtle Bulletin. Comments are subject to our Comments Policy.

(Required)
(Required, never shared)

PLEASE NOTE: All comments are subject to our Comments Policy.

 

Latest Posts

The Things You Learn from the Internet

"The Intel On This Wasn't 100 Percent"

From Fake News To Real Bullets: This Is The New Normal

NC Gov McCrory Throws In The Towel

Colorado Store Manager Verbally Attacks "Faggot That Voted For Hillary" In Front of 4-Year-Old Son

Associated Press Updates "Alt-Right" Usage Guide

A Challenge for Blue Bubble Democrats

Baptist Churches in Dallas, Austin Expelled Over LGBT-Affirming Stance

Featured Reports

What Are Little Boys Made Of?

In this original BTB Investigation, we unveil the tragic story of Kirk Murphy, a four-year-old boy who was treated for “cross-gender disturbance” in 1970 by a young grad student by the name of George Rekers. This story is a stark reminder that there are severe and damaging consequences when therapists try to ensure that boys will be boys.

Slouching Towards Kampala: Uganda’s Deadly Embrace of Hate

When we first reported on three American anti-gay activists traveling to Kampala for a three-day conference, we had no idea that it would be the first report of a long string of events leading to a proposal to institute the death penalty for LGBT people. But that is exactly what happened. In this report, we review our collection of more than 500 posts to tell the story of one nation’s embrace of hatred toward gay people. This report will be updated continuously as events continue to unfold. Check here for the latest updates.

Paul Cameron’s World

In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote that “[Paul] Cameron’s ‘science’ echoes Nazi Germany.” What the SPLC didn”t know was Cameron doesn’t just “echo” Nazi Germany. He quoted extensively from one of the Final Solution’s architects. This puts his fascination with quarantines, mandatory tattoos, and extermination being a “plausible idea” in a whole new and deeply disturbing light.

From the Inside: Focus on the Family’s “Love Won Out”

On February 10, I attended an all-day “Love Won Out” ex-gay conference in Phoenix, put on by Focus on the Family and Exodus International. In this series of reports, I talk about what I learned there: the people who go to these conferences, the things that they hear, and what this all means for them, their families and for the rest of us.

Prologue: Why I Went To “Love Won Out”
Part 1: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Part 2: Parents Struggle With “No Exceptions”
Part 3: A Whole New Dialect
Part 4: It Depends On How The Meaning of the Word "Change" Changes
Part 5: A Candid Explanation For "Change"

The Heterosexual Agenda: Exposing The Myths

At last, the truth can now be told.

Using the same research methods employed by most anti-gay political pressure groups, we examine the statistics and the case studies that dispel many of the myths about heterosexuality. Download your copy today!

And don‘t miss our companion report, How To Write An Anti-Gay Tract In Fifteen Easy Steps.

Testing The Premise: Are Gays A Threat To Our Children?

Anti-gay activists often charge that gay men and women pose a threat to children. In this report, we explore the supposed connection between homosexuality and child sexual abuse, the conclusions reached by the most knowledgeable professionals in the field, and how anti-gay activists continue to ignore their findings. This has tremendous consequences, not just for gay men and women, but more importantly for the safety of all our children.

Straight From The Source: What the “Dutch Study” Really Says About Gay Couples

Anti-gay activists often cite the “Dutch Study” to claim that gay unions last only about 1½ years and that the these men have an average of eight additional partners per year outside of their steady relationship. In this report, we will take you step by step into the study to see whether the claims are true.

The FRC’s Briefs Are Showing

Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council submitted an Amicus Brief to the Maryland Court of Appeals as that court prepared to consider the issue of gay marriage. We examine just one small section of that brief to reveal the junk science and fraudulent claims of the Family “Research” Council.

Daniel Fetty Doesn’t Count

Daniel FettyThe FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics aren’t as complete as they ought to be, and their report for 2004 was no exception. In fact, their most recent report has quite a few glaring holes. Holes big enough for Daniel Fetty to fall through.