ballot measures

The one thing pulling down on my considerable (natural) high today is a few horrible ballot measures that ended up passing. Arizona, Florida, and California all passed their hateful measures to ban gay marriage. And Arkansas passed their disgraceful measure to ban gay couples from adopting (just what we need... less good homes for children in need!).

At least Colorado voted against the ridiculous "human life from moment of conception" measure... which would have essentially ended IVF and other infertility treatments in the state. Michigan voted to allow stem cell research (and medical marijuana*). And Washington voted to allow doctor assisted suicide!

Energy measures met a mixed fate. In Missouri, voters approved a measure requiring the state's three investor-owned electric utilities to get 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2021. But California voters defeated an even more ambitious measure that would have required the state's utilities to generate half their electricity from windmills, solar systems, geothermal reserves and other renewable sources by 2025.


I'm so sorry to all of my GLBTQ friends. Just as it too way too long for the last of the laws making it illegal for interracial couples to marry to be struck down (didn't happen until 1967!! that's only 40 years ago for Pete's sake!), so too does this fight continue too long. Hopefully we'll get the chance to right this wrong soon.






* The marijuana reform movement won two prized victories, with Massachusetts voters decriminalizing possession of small amounts of the drug and Michigan joining 12 other states in allowing use of pot for medical purposes. Henceforth, people caught in Massachusetts with an ounce or less of pot will no longer face criminal penalties. Instead, they'll forfeit the marijuana and pay a $100 civil fine.
The Michigan measure will allow severely ill patients to register with the state and legally buy, grow and use small amounts of marijuana to relieve pain, nausea, appetite loss and other symptoms. [Source]