Gay Marriage Debate

Bill O'Reilly was correct - the Bible is touted too often in opposing gay marriage. Not everyone believes in religion, though, and the Supreme Court is not weighing belief. To me, religion is a constant fallback argument for those who have nothing more substantial for the debate. Have belief, but do not make it the centerpiece. You cannot sway an argument with a person who is staunchly anti-religious using religion. You will lose; trust me, I'm agnostic. Facts win an argument. If you want to say gay marriage will raise national debt or something, then fine say it. But touting religion to people who do not believe cannot work.

The fact is that marriage is a bond between two people, not a contract with the government. When you take religion out of the debate, the argument opposing gay marriage falls flat.

©2013 Steve Sagarra

Importance of Being Earnestly Filibustered

Over the course of 13 hours, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) – with support from the likes of Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and John Barrasso (R-WY) – demonstrated the job of our elected officials. At the core, the filibuster concerned the nomination of John Brennan as Director of the CIA and domestic drone attacks on American citizens on U.S. soil. As some apparently failed to grasp in their denouncements and rebukes – including Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) – it was about so much more. It was about the principles and values contained not only in the U.S. Constitution, but also in the American experience and culture. It was about the survival of both, and our ability to maintain them equally in the times of despair as in the times of prosperity.

In the end, personal decorum, to put it mildly, rather than any faltering enthusiasm brought the proceedings to a close. In light of the recent Senate vote confirming Brennan as Director, was Paul’s action worth it? In short, yes. It showed that some politicians are still willing to honor and uphold their duty to protect the past, present and future of the American people and the republic. No matter how long it may take.

Vote breakdown confirming Brennan:

YEA (63): Democrat - 49 Republican - 13 Independent - 1
NAY (34): Democrat - 2 Republican - 31 Independent - 1
NO VOTE (3): Democrat - 2 Republican - 1

Surprise YEA:  Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)

(Source:  www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00032#position)

©2013 Steve Sagarra