This is my final Prop 8 post since the ticker to the right says there is very little time left. I think that it is amazing with all the differences the two presidential candidates have, they can agree on this incredibly important topic.

Tolerance doesn't mean that I have to accept as right what I beleive is not.

Marriage Taught in Public Schools

I have never really been a fan of politics, especially after following so closely the debate over Prop 8. I do not understand why people are not willing to say what they really mean. Over the last few weeks the opposition has accused the Yes on 8 campaign of lying about whether or not same sex marriage will be taught in school. I looked at the education code and it's pretty clear to me. 

Section 51933(7) clearly states: Instruction and Materials shall teach respect for marriage and committed relationships.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=7288714515+0+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve

Section 51890 (1D) describes the curriculum for health education grades K-12 stating that the following will be taught: Family health and Child Development, including the legal and financial aspects and responsibilities of marriage and parenthood.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=edc&group=51001-52000&file=51890-51891

Although I reserve the right to fight for my beliefs, I do not fault others for having different beliefs than me. If they really believe that same sex marriage is OK, then why aren't they supporting it being taught in schools. Why are they hiding it? They know that people don't want their children reading "King and King" in 2nd grade without the right to be notified and opt out of the lesson. They know that Prop 8 will pass if people really understand the ramifications of changing the definition of a fundamental institution of society. It's not about tolerance with them, it's about them trying to force their beliefs and values upon me and the rest of California. The whole point of a set of values is to govern behavior. If values constantly change, then anything goes. 

I still have not heard an argument that carries any weight from the opposition. Same sex couples enjoy all the same rights under the registered domestic partnership as married couples do. 

What Prop 8 Is

So I was pondering today the many reasons to pass Proposition 8 in california. I have mentioned many of them on my blog and my facebook site. What I haven't posted yet is a discription of exactly what Prop 8 is. 

The Official Voter Information Guide for the California General Election states:

This initiative measure is submitted to the peopl ein accordance with the providios of Article II, Section 8, of the California Constitution. 

This initiative measure expressly amends the California Constitution by adding a section thereto: therefore, new provisions proposed to be added are printed in italic type to indicate that they are new.

Section 1.  Title

This measure shall be known as the "California Marriage Protection Act."

Section 2.  Section 7.5 is added to Article 1 of the California Constitution, to read

7.5 Only marraige between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

(pg 128)

That's it. It preserves the institution of marriage. Here is a great article written in 2005 discussing the effects of changing fundamental institutions of society. 

http://www.janegalt.net/blog/archives/005244.htm

Tagged

I've been tagged.

8 shows I like to watch 

   We actually don't have TV right now but if we did...

* Simpsons

* Futurama

* The Price is Right

* Animal Planet's Most Extreme

* Spongebob Squarepants

* House Hunters

* Get Smart

* Two and a Half Men

8 favorite Restaurant's

* Chili's

* Mongolian Barbeque

* Denny's

* In N Out

* Asian Buffet

* Carl's JR

* Fish Market

* Winger's

8 things that happened yesterday

* Ben came home early, well earlier

* I went shopping

* Folded Laundry

* Zoe took 3 pathetic naps (pathetic because they were about 30 minutes each)

* Zoe was incredibly happy for only taking 3 short naps

* bought clothes for Zoe

* went for a walk

*Got a back rub

8 things I look forward to

* Zoe taking longer naps

* Zoe being able to sit up on her own so I don't have to hold her up

* Buying a house

* A bigger kitchen

* moving

* A big yard

* Ben graduating

* Ben finishing his thesis

8 things I love about fall

* leaves changing colors

* getting ready for christmas

* halloween

* pumpkin pie

* It doesn't snow in California

* Thanksgiving

*

8 things on my wish list

* a house

* a yard

* Zoe taking long naps

* A van that's not held together with duct tape

* New windows

* New kitchen

* Some distance between my room and the baby's room

* Disney land passes

I don't think I know enough people to tag 8. 

I found a really good letter written by the legal counsel of ProtectMarraige.com. It defends the new ad that Yes on 8 put out regarding teaching kids about same sex marriage in schools. It's pretty crazy that religious rights are trumped by same sex marriage. 

http://www.protectmarriage.com/files/AlreadyHappened-AdFacts.pdf

Read this letter and pass it on to anyone else you know... especially in California. Some of you Utah and Idaho people have to know other Californians.

Oh, the other thing.... I guess the opposition is scared cuz they stole all the "Yes on 8" signs that we put out in San Juan. 

PROTECT MARRIAGE

Annie and I went and heard Elder Ballard and Elder Cook speak about proposition 8 today. I know that alot of people that read our blog live outside California, but it's good information to have. Earlier this year 4 California judges overturned the wishes of 61% of voters by legalizing same-sex marriage. At first I wasn't really sure how that would affect us, but since then I've learned a lot. I put a few links to Yes on Prop 8 Sites on the blog for more information. Basically it would infringe on our rights to believe what we want. It would be seen at hate speech to teach that marriage should be between a man and a woman. It would be taught to elementary school kids that same sex marriage is just like regular marriage. Churches could lose their tax exempt status if they are seen as being intolerant. Catholic Charities in Boston has already had to shut down their adoptions agency to avoid having the state force them to let homosexual couples adopt. The more I think about this the more I'm fired up to VOTE YES ON 8. I don't want any teacher telling Zoe it's ok to marry another girl. I should also mention that under California Law, registered domestic partners have all of the same rights as a married couple. I really liked how Elder Ballard explained tolerance. Tolerance is loving the person, not accepting their actions. I love everyone as a son or daughter of God, but I don't want to be seen as intolerant just becuase I am not willing to bend on my morals or values. Here is the LDS site on the issue http://www.preservingmarriage.org/.

So I was tagged and this is what you do...take the 4th picture from your 4th file and post it and then tag 4 people.

We were having trouble with our fireplace a couple of years ago and this is a picture of Ben after he had messed with it. I had to take the picture because he was just filthy. Ah good times.

I tag no one because I don't have enough friends to keep tagging and still have everyone like me. But if I were to tag anyone I would tag...Josh...because I'm sure you got an amazing 4th picture on your 4th file, Jacob...because we want to see some pictures, Erin...because you seem to have disappeared, and Chelsea...because I don't think I've tagged you yet.  :)

Yum...Food

Ben was noticing that it had been a while since we posted anything with pictures and so here I am posting a couple of pictures.  

A few weeks ago Zoe started on solids (rice cereal). She absolutely loves her food. I thought she wouldn't like it the first few times and spit it out and not want to eat it. But I was wrong. She had a little trouble figuring out how to swallow. But other than that she couldn't eat it fast enough. 

These are pictures of her eating. Yes...she is holding on to my arm with her feet, like a little monkey. It made it really hard to feed her. I think I was messier feeding her than she was eating. 

And yesterday she got her first taste of squash. Again I thought she wouldn't like the flavor but she loved it. Just ate it right up. I guess she is ready for some variety in her diet.