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Our Governor, Linda Lingle, is going to make a
decision on whether or not to
sign, veto or ignore the Civil unions House Bill 444,
before her now.
No mater what your political or
religious beliefs are, please
contact her by phone or e-mail
and ask her to vote on the side of
justice and fairness.
I believe so strongly in the its passage,
that I am taking time out to ask
all of you to call or write to Governor
Lingle’s office and remind her of the
importance of allowing access to
the bedside of a dieing partner.
Or the fact that someone’s family
member can come and take everything
away from you, that you and your
partner built together over the past
50+ years.
A couple weeks ago I lost my best friend.
And if the grief and hardship of making
Funeral and memorial service arrangements wasn’t
Enough, I was dealt a hard blow, when sitting
Across from his partner of about 27 years,
the man from the funeral home informed us
that it would be unwise to use his partners
name on the death certificate because it would be
very difficult if not impossible to get it released
when we tried to get it.
Suppressing my anger and disgust at the
lack of in justice I was witnessing, all I could
think about was this Bill now poised in our
State Government and how if these free
writes were available now , we would not be
experiencing this serious injustice, making me feel
less of a American or even of a person.
If she can not see this as just plane human
decencies, then try to look at this in a
financial way.
I strongly believe that allowing
"Civil Unions" in Hawaii, will
bring families and Friends to our
Islands celebrating
LOVE.( what I thought Hawaii was
all about.)
They will bring big bucks $$$$$$
to the state at a time when, as everyone
knows so well, we need the money.
By increasing truism, an in license fees, and
by Hotel and banquet hall rentals.
On one last note, although I am a strong
believer in “separation of church and state”
I being also a strong believer
In God and a devout Christian,
believe in this: In the Bible, Jesus
talks about placing Love above all else.
And when asked,
"What would JESUS do?"
I believe, without a doubt that
he would, most definitely, be on the
side of Love, compassion and freedoms for all
people, not just some.
Where is your “Aloha” Governor?
With Love,
Joe Parker
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Everyone in Puna should call or write (or email) Gov. Lingle, urging her to sign the bill. Civil unions first, then the right to marry... because it is the right thing to do. The Conservative Christian Right would like you all to believe that the church has always supported this thing called marriage. But that is not true. Peter called on all Christians to abandon their spouses and lead a celibate life. (Alas, if only those early Christains had heeded him!) The church then went on denouncing marriage for the next thousand years, until it was clear that the flock was ignoring them. Then they changed their tune and demanded that the Church be present at any marriage, arguing that unless a priest presided, the couple would burn in hell. Then they proceeded to undermine the rights of women for most of the next thousand years. Then in the early 20th century things got a little bit better for the girls... and in the 1960s we finally molded marriage into something that was no longer racist... Now we have another opportunity to make the institution of marriage better for all people. The "good old days" weren't good. Marriage has been changing since the institution began. Civil unions are such a small concession! A first step. Marriage equality should be the ultimate goal, no matter who you are. Let's help Gov. Lingle make the right decision, so we can take this step forward toward a more evolved society.
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quote:
Peter called on all Christians to abandon their spouses and lead a celibate life. (Alas, if only those early Christains had heeded him!)
Yeah, that should really encourage people to support your cause.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
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Not sure I understand. What I wrote was an historical fact. I suppose my appeal was not so much an attempt to recruit or persuade but rather to point out what to me seems obvious. I'm not a politician, canvassing for votes. Equality in marriage is right, and will become the law eventually, because it is right. Support the idea or don't... I do, and I hope others will also, but quite frankly, I have precious little faith in my fellow citizens and I am pinning my hopes on Ted Olsen...
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Aloha Hawaii4Joe,
Thanks for bringing the topic to the forum for awareness and action. I read through your thoughts and experiences. I understand the arguments, for and against, and I support anyone's right to vote and lobby their conscience.
I took exception only to this:
They will bring big bucks $$$$$$
to the state at a time when, as everyone
knows so well, we need the money.
By increasing truism, an in license fees, and
by Hotel and banquet hall rentals
I do not wish to appear disrespectful but I have to say this argument is getting to be very tiresome. It is being used as justification by all sorts of causes, from civil unions/gay marriage to legalization of Drugs! It is actually somewhat insulting to me to think the only venue of appeal for support of a cause is the 'motivation' a person would have in voting or lobbying on some perceived nebulous financial gain. The merits of any argument are most often won when the person[s] being persuaded believes the presenter is 'confident' and 'convicted' in the central issue. Money is central to a business discussion. Perhaps Civil Unions and Same Sex Marriage and the purchase and sell of drugs is really about business; but, as the mother of a daughter -- who 'married' her partner in August of 2008 in California legally -- money was never a discussion point when she called her father and I to say she and her partner were getting married. She knew it would be a period of adjustment for us to move from our comfort zone to seeing and supporting her in her's. Over the weeks that followed the engagement announcement we had many discussions and private thoughts. Money was never an inducement or consideration. Never. It was a fabulous wedding atop one of the hotels in downtown Los Angeles. They were the first couple to file in LA to get married legally after the law passed in California.
The legalize drugs folk have been hammering the 'money' side of the argument everywhere, yet, when you sit down and truly listen to the money mantra it lacks credibility and perhaps it is because the folks who truly want cannabis legalized themselves do not see it as a topic related to 'money' so much as their right to use, to medicate, to enjoy, etc. I just really prefer to hear the legitimate reason a person wants to do something, or believe something that seems to run against the accepted mores...apart from the hype. JMO
Again, mahalo for bringing the discussion here.
“A penny saved is a government oversight.”
"Q might have done the right thing for the wrong reason, perhaps we need a good kick in our complacency to get us ready for what's ahead" -- Captain Picard, to Guinan (Q Who?)
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I have sent my support to the governor. I hope she signs it. Civil unions do not affect me personally which is kind of the point. I believe Hawaii is an excellent place to take a positive attitude about supporting families of all persuasions.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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Critterlover: I agree, it's just not about money. We had friends wed in CA during the "window of legality" also and it was a lovely ceremony, and nobody thought about the financial aspect. That said, the argument is often used to justify things like movie productions coming to town, Olympic Games, All Star games etc., which are also activities that, while they have an aspect that relates to business, are really about something else, much like a wedding. It's an argument used to persuade those who have perhaps only considered the question from a narrow perspective. It is sad however, that we go immediately to that argument to try and pry people out of indefensible positions, rather than taking their views at face value and logically dismantling them or perhaps appealing to their morality. It's always about the money here in America. Oh well, at least Puna is about as far from America as you can get without actually leaving America. God Bless Puna!
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Hi, this is my first post. I have been lurking here for some time. This topic is one of my hot button issues.
I do not believe in same sex marriges or unions.I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, not Adam and Steve. That said I do not hate homosexuals, but I do believe what the Bible and my faith tells me.
Does this make me judgemental? Yes, it does it is from my upbringing and religion. Everyone is judgemental. We start from the time we open our eyes in the morning till be close them at the end of day.
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Welcome to Punaweb Joey,
You are of course entitled to your beliefs. Here on Punaweb we are not going to get into debates except as they are related to Hawaiian or Puna. In this manner the religious or ethics of the debate of civil unions and/or marriage are appropriate in their relation to Hawaii. The subject is here because the legislature has passed a bill on the subject and our governor is due (tomorrow I think) to sign it or veto it.
I caution members to not attack Joey's or anyone's position. I advise Joey to reference his positions in Hawaiian terms in the future.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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Joey, you are certainly entitled to your opinion and to live your life according to your religious belief (as do I). However, the civil unions bill awaiting the Gov.'s decision has nothing to do with religion and the sanctity of marriage, and all to do with legal issues between two individuals. The guy Brittney Spears married for the weekend in Las Vegas had more legal rights with respect to their relationship then my partner of 13 years and I have. How can that make sense in anyone's beliefs???
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