Responses to my No on Proposition 8 Appeal

This week I sent to the CLIFFNotes subscribers an appeal to vote No on California Proposition 8 - The email went out to 3,777 people. If you didn't see it, here is a copy of the letter at http://www.ferretsanon.com/CLIFFNotes/NoonProp8Letter.pdf

About 100 responses came back, 90 positive, 10 somewhat negative and only one out right hostile. I received a lot of congratulations for being married - something I didn't expect. Thank you every who sent in their good wishes, it made me feel great.

I was a little apprehensive sending out a political appeal to a ferret list. I don't wish anyone to feel I'm pushing my political views on them. But our California ferret list is about upholding and protecting rights - most people were supportive.

I don't want anyone to feel unwelcome to the ferret legalization efforts if they support Proposition 8. CLIFFNotes is about ferret legalization, nothing more. The view was presented as my own and sent out on my private email. Legalized same-sex marriage came as a shock to me - I kind of felt like the bird sitting in the bird cage and the door is left open - what do you do?

That being said, I appreciate all the messages of people sharing their feelings with me. There are a lot of gay people on our mailing list. And we all know how it feels to see our neighbors put up "Yes on 8" signs. Its hurtful - an obvious sign of rejection and hostility.

A few people asked what happened regarding Rocky. Rocky was a ferret I bought in Colorado Springs back in 1996. Rocky had personality. Since I'm already going to hell, I'll tell you that Rocky's full name was "Rocky God-damn-it!" because Rocky was always getting in trouble. And my spouse could often be heard "Rocky God Damn It, Get off the ... "

He had a successful adrenal surgery late 1997. On January 1st 1998 we were having a ferret walk in Balboa Park. Tom Tokar, a camera man for Channel 39 came to my house to get some photos of us getting ready. Rocky bit him on the thumb. As expected a quarantine order came down and Animal Control showed up at my door. They did not have a warrant so I wouldn't give them Rocky. We made arrangements to have Rocky quarantined at the vet and then sent out of state. (where I'd retrieve him) A few days later I asked Animal Control if they were familiar with the National Public Health Veterinarians study on rabies in ferrets which recommended a ten day quarantine. They called the Department of Health Services in Sacramento. DHS, knowing they had my ferret, replied with a fax "euthanize the ferret in custody immediately." Later they asked for Rocky's vaccination records. I spent about $13000 in court costs but we were denied "with prejudice" and not allowed in court.

And a few people asked about my experience at the Department of Real Estate. I passed the California Real Estate License exam in 2002 and applied for a real estate license. They sent me a letter saying my license application was being challenged on the grounds of moral turpitude. I had to go through 18 months of bureaucratic red tape. On one of the applications I had to check a box; married, single or divorced. I didn't and don't consider myself any of those things. I wrote in "Domestic Partner." My license application was denied for "failed family relationships" amongst other things.

So there's my story. I hate this election and the bad feelings being generated. I like to get along with people but when I hear my marriage has to be annulled because Jesus doesn't like it - I get a little upset.

Vote No on Proposition 8

One of the most interesting movies I've ever seen was "Liar, Liar" with Jim Carrey. How much easier life would be if people had to tell the truth. And how many lies we have to get past in our day to day lives.

"Ferrets are wild animals." "Ferrets are a threat to wildlife and public health." "The California Fish and Game Commission has not determined ferrets to be normally domesticated in this state."

Wouldn't it be fun if the people who made those statements were forced to tell the truth, just like Jim Carrey's character in that movie, in front of everyone? What would we hear?



Lies take on a life of their own and another one is causing me a little grief. I normally don't like to go off the ferret legalization topic, but this is my blog. So here goes.



The People Behind Proposition 8 Are Lying



Proposition 8, if passed, would deny the right of same sex couples to marry. It isn't about protecting marriage - the motive behind it is to fight the public acceptance of homosexuality.



"Time to fight homosexuality - My fellow Christians: Hold fast to your beliefs. Homosexuality is a sin. We are in a spiritual warfare. It is good against evil. Traditional marriage is good; homosexuality is evil." wrote one letter writer to the Ventura County Star.



That's just one letter writer, all it does is show their motivation.



A more blatant and dangerous lie can be found on the "iprotectmarriage.com" website:



Q: Isn't banning gay marriage just like banning interracial marriage?
A: It's completely unrelated. Blacks who endured prejudice can't wake up in the morning and not be black. None of us can be counseled out of our race or ethnicity. But homosexual behavior is a choice, and countless gays and lesbians have left the alternative lifestyle.




Homosexuality is not a choice. Isn't that obvious? Who chose their sexual orientation, can one person say they chose to be straight or gay? No, it is the way we came out of the womb or something we picked up very early in life. No one knows for sure.

The point is, lies hurt us. People not minding their own business hurt us. We aren't all straight. We aren't all dog and cat owners. A society advances and people achieve greater happiness given the freedom to be who they are.

Of course my freedom ends where yours begin. I have no right how to tell you to live your life either.

Please vote no on Proposition 8. If we let them take away this freedom, who's freedom will be next?