Progress

[H2O Man]

I am very happy that the rule of law was upheld by the US Supreme Court, in its decision on marriage equality. It is definitely a step in the right position. Progress towards social justice enriches the entire nation, and especially those who have had this most basic of human rights denied for far too long.

The dissenting opinions provide un-needed evidence of exactly what type of self-righteous thug would appoint themselves to be capable of deciding for adult human beings who they can or cannot love. They represent a strain of diseased thinking that, even if it can’t be fully cured any time soon, can be marginalized so that the risks of it damaging healthy people’s lives -- or spreading unchecked -- will be a thing of the past. Thus, it is, of course, not the final step that we must take.

Malcolm X used to say that if you stick a knife nine inches into a person’s back, the act of pulling it out six inches does not represent true “progress.” It is only after the knife is removed, and healing takes place, that there is actual progress.

This decision removes one of the knives our society has plunged into people’s backs. We still must work to heal the damage. And that includes a full awareness of the pockets of infection that still poison our society.

Today is a great day. Celebrate it!

H2O Man

[malthaussen]

1. Past time

Although I'm a bit dubious about some of the reasoning. Nevertheless, the point of law should be ineluctable.

My cynical side still wonders if rights that have been sought for generations are now being acknowledged because they are no longer valued as highly, but it would be hard to make that argument in regard to the marriage decision.

-- Mal

[H2O Man]

3. Interesting.

Good points. Very valid points.

There are times that I believe the 1% "okays" social progress -- which rarely impacts their families and friends -- to release growing tensions ....with LBJ's Civil Rights acts being the prime example. As our society moves into what will be much tougher economic circumstances, for most people, keeping citizens divided, with hostility, keeps them from focusing on a system that is exploiting them just as surely as Uncle Same has ever exploited a third world country.

Regardless, today's victory is huge. And it is the result of good people's extremely hard work and dedication. Indeed, it has the potential to unite more people in focusing on other, related injustices.

[malthaussen]

5. That last is something I'd like to see...

... too long dissent has acceded to the ruling class's "divide and rule" strategy. Wasn't it Huey Newton who said "The only position for women in the Movement is prone?" He may have thought that was witty, but so long as that kind of attitude prevails, the only ones laughing are the fat cats.

-- Mal

[H2O Man]

6. Yep.

My younger son gave me a copy of the book "Days of Rage" by Bryan Burrough, which I'm presently reading. It contains information on Huey and others, that shows that many of the "leaders" of that era were strange combinations of good and bad. Much of Newton's ill behaviors might be attributed to the times; yet much of it, despite his being a victim of an unjust society, were things he owned.

[malthaussen]

9. Of course it's the sentiment that interests me more than the person...

... but nice to have my fuzzy memory confirmed.

I tend to interpret social dynamics in terms of oppressors and oppressed, and it is interesting (and lamentable) how often the oppressed can be encouraged to turn on each other to fight over the few scaps the oppressors are willing to "grant." (Echoing Justice Kennedy's opinion) At the same time, the oppressors like to pretend that they are competing with each other, but I wonder sometimes if they don't conspire more frequently than they would have us know. Probably not, since bloody-mindedness tends to follow the same predictable forms, just as seemingly dissent seems to follow predictable forms of inclusion and exclusion. Even here at DU, we find people struggling for the "purity" of the Party. Fortunately, we also find a lot of people more interested in discussing issues of importance, and interested in pragmatic application.

-- Mal

[Zorra]

2. "The dissenting opinions provide un-needed evidence

of exactly what type of self-righteous thug would appoint themselves to be capable of deciding for adult human beings who they can or cannot love. They represent a strain of diseased thinking that, even if it can’t be fully cured any time soon, can be marginalized so that the risks of it damaging healthy people’s lives -- or spreading unchecked -- will be a thing of the past."

Exactly. That's why we're still in the game after all these years of struggle. We know if we don't play, the thugs will do their very worst to kill and destroy everything that is beautiful and good in the universe.

[H2O Man]

4. Right.

There are people who, like the machine they are, seek to destroy life. For that is the nature of many types of machines. They are not consciously aware of what is good, what is Truth, and in their dim state of unawareness, they resent -- even hate -- those who are awake.

[malaise]

7. Excellent post

Celebrate the entire week

[H2O Man]

11. Right.

It's been a week for the record books.

[mmonk]

8. Yes. One at a time and some important infections removed.

Taking those out took a lot of work, especially activists and protesters on the ground. For the remaining infections, income inequality, environmental injustice, and voting rights, we just have to keep up with the same formula when it comes to injustice. May injustice never sleep.

[H2O Man]

12. Exactly.

While the lower-crust, hate-filled folks may be temporarily stunned by reality, the 1% will harness the intensity of their negative energy in order to cause further social disruptions.

We need to continue. Indeed, we need to pick up the pace.

[wyldwolf]

10. Only one problem...

I've quickly become addicted to good news. I need more!!

[H2O Man]

13. Yep.

I was driving my daughter to graduation practice yesterday afternoon, and she said, "The only thing that I don't get is why this was ever a question."

[raouldukelives]

14. I will be among many who will not be pleased with the ruling today.

Fun huh? Well, they can never dampen my parade and it will be fun, to watch them squirm. It is a celebration for all Americans whether they can recognize it or not.
Freedom!
Or as I am sure Ashcroft must be singing right now. "Let the Eagle soar!"