Gay Marriage...a Right or is Right?

This posting has taken me a few weeks and months of thinking and analyzing. I am sure my thoughts will not change the world or change the debate on this topic but I feel like I needed to put this down and publish. I am not asking you to agree or disagree with me, or for this post to change your opinions. Please read and feel free to comment below if you would like.

While listening to the debate on the Ground Zero Mosque I heard the most profound comment. The person being interviewed for their opinion, said... "Just because they have the RIGHT to do build it there, does not mean it's the RIGHT thing to do". I took that and used it in my view on gay marriage. Just because some may feel it's not the RIGHT thing to do, but they really should have the RIGHT to do it?

I also believe that the Conservatives/Republicans (which I consider myself both) do themselves harm by having such a strong anti-gay marriage stance and message. This country has so many much larger and important issues that threaten liberty and freedom. And some of us march to take liberty and freedoms away from a few.

Jesus did not teach us to condemn but taught us to love, accept and show kindness. The Bible says in Matthew 7:1-2 "Do not Judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you". I am not better or more perfect than anyone for sure, but I have to question those who speak out so firmly against something when surely their own closets are not full of empty hangers.

Sometimes you have to be a little closer to an issue to fully see all sides and understand them. I have gay/lesbian friends and family members and I love them all. I love them because they are human beings, wonderful people, and live in a great country, the United States of America. A country that since it's creation, teaches LIBERTY for all, not just for some of the "all". I watched Christian artist Jennifer Knapp appear on CNN's Larry King show. And shortly after condemning Jennifer for her preferences, Pastor Bob Botsford then said "God is the judge". That kind of approach on a national TV show is why Christians have such a struggle with this debate. Hypocrisy will take all credibility from a person and from their side of the debate.

Our relationship with our Lord is Individual and not collective. It is up to me to care for my salvation and up to you to care for yours. We all can do a better job of caring for ourselves and our beliefs before mandating or criminalizing others for theirs.

This debate is far from over, and while I may not agree that one judge should have the ability to overturn the vote of a majority like recently in California, the question is should it even be on a ballot at all. Is adultery on the ballot ? Is alcoholism on the ballot? It's ok for you to oppose gay marriage, but is it ok for you to legislate against gay marriage, or alcoholism, or adultery? I did not mean to compare these issues between themselves but more of a comparison as to how the opposition handles their beliefs. Do we see a push for an amendment to the constitution to ban whiskey ? Or pornography?

My thoughts are not perfect and I am sure someone can tear them apart, but they are just that my thoughts. And for now, in America we can still have individual thought and opinion.

Those are my Kansas Thoughts today... but I am still thinking about this topic and you should too!

Cities in Trouble?

Why are cities and states in financial trouble ?

In these times, does it seem wise to you to cut back on Police, Teachers and Firefighters? Not to me, but that is just what many of them are doing. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is calling Congress back in for an emergency session (oddly at the kick off of election season) to pass a 26 Billion dollar bill to help fund Police, Teachers and Firefighters calling it a "jobs bill". Did you know we still have $421 Billion UNSPENT dollars from the stimulus bill passed in the 1st year of President Obama's presidency? Yep... 421 Billion. A bill he sold as saving those exact same jobs last year.

Seems to be for a "laser like focus on jobs", the president could direct some of those funds but even then, it's a short term fix because cities can't find the money in the budget to keep those jobs. Or they say they can't.

Oakland,Philadelphia, Baltimore, Newark, Chicago and East St.Louis are threatening to cut the above mentioned positions. Here are some projects they ARE funding in their budgets... Oakland spends 7 million a year on museums, Newark has $39,608,662 set aside for "Neighborhood and Recreational Services". Philadelphia can save a couple cops right off the bat by cutting the $1 million set aside for mural arts. Baltimore, cops are on the chopping block, but $750,000 for the opera house.

These are cities full of citizens that thought the government was there to protect them, but seems the established leaders are NOT doing so. Must be evil rich republicans right? Fat cat bankers? Tea Party people? Here is a listing of which party and how long they have been in control in some of these cities.

Oakland - Democrats 33 years
Philadelphia - Democrats 58 years
Newark - Democrats 82 years
Baltimore - Democrats 43 years
CHICAGO - yep, Democrats 79 years

How is that working out for you there people? Below is my inspiration for this, yes he has a lot of emotion... but where is he wrong? Let me stress, the Republicans and GW Bush are not innocent in the situation either. Both parties have sat back, and let this country or LEAD this nation into a financial crisis at ALL levels of National, State AND local government. This is one of the main concerns of the Tea Party movement. Not violence or racism as some media has claimed. I can speak for myself and others I know stand and we stand for fiscal responsibility, smaller government and more individual liberty.

Mr. Beck you have the floor...