In case you missed it, Margaret Edds has a fine article in this morning’s Pilot on the so-called marriage amendment:
Some years back, when Virginia’s old Byrd organization was in its death throes, a Capitol wit suggested a TV commercial for a member of the rear guard.
The idea was to show the lawmaker with his body lashed to the hands of a gigantic clock. Then an announcer would intone: “Holding back the hands of time is a 24-hour job.”
With the current ballot amendment on gay marriage, it feels as if many Virginians are once again trying to wrestle back the hands of time. All the legislative statutes and constitutional amendments in the world will not change the fact that homosexual men and women exist, that legions of them have stripped off anonymity and shame, and that they are moving forward with pride.
[…]
Now, the rest of us can recognize them for who they are – our sons, daughters, brothers and sisters, asking to be treated with respect and judged by their values, views and accomplishments.
Or we can erect battlements and engage in hand-to-hand combat, fighting our way into a future where human rights will, almost certainly, one day prevail.
History students will recall that Virginia tried that once before, along about 1960, to our futility and eternal shame. They called it Massive Resistance back then; school integration was the cause.
[…]
Profound societal changes do not occur overnight. But equality and fair play are such quintessential American values that I think I know where this one’s headed. It would be a proud moment if Virginians elected not to shackle themselves on Nov. 7 to an ultimately futile effort to still the hands of time.
Yeah – what she said 🙂
Technorati Tags: Marshall Newman Amendment, Virginia Marriage Amendment
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 