Yes on Prop 8

In light of the recent uproar surrounding the Proposition 8 Campaign here in Southern California, I felt it necessary to finally write my feelings about it here on my blog, in addition to the comments I have made on others' blogs.

As worried as I am about this proposition passing, I'm probably more saddened by the way people on either side of the debate are treating each other. I hear daily stories of harassment, defacement of property, and stealing of propaganda signs. Just today, my husband and adult daughter volunteered to hold signs up in favor of Prop 8 and had to endure the anger of a few passing drivers. One actually almost had a fender bender because he wanted to make sure the sign holders saw his middle finger!

Today I received an email with some photos of a family who after having had their yard sign stolen, decided to place a banner on the front of their second story home, only to have two people park their SUV in front of their home and decorate it with hate speech, including "haters",and "bigots live here" and an arrow pointing towards this family's house.

Unfortunately, the hate works both ways and there are many who take advantage of this campaign to promote their own hateful agendas towards the gay and lesbian community.

I wish we could all agree to disagree and respect each other's points of view and respect our freedom of speech and of expression.

I wish others would not abuse their freedom of speech and of expression to promote hate and anger. I know how passionate and heated a debate can be, but where is our self-control and self-restraint? How much better are we if we insult and degrade the opposition?

I wish the citizens of this State remember that we belong to a Country established by good, God fearing men who acted only in the best interest of the people, setting an example to many other countries.

I hope that after all is said and done, and after the results reflect the will of the majority, they will be respected by the minority. This is, after all, the United States of America, home of freedom and democracy.

I pray that God will be with us throughout this trial and that this trial will bring out the best of us and not the worst.