The majority...simply does not have the right to erase, then recast, the age-old definition of marriage, as virtually all societies have understood it, in order to satisfy its own contemporary notions of equality and justice.
~ Associate Justice Marvin Baxter, California Supreme Court, May 15, 2008 - Dissent on Same Sex Marriage
Actually, Justices Baxter and Chin described today's decision as "judicial fiat." Very apt, considering that 61% of the California electorate voted to recognize only marriage between a man and a woman in March 2000.
But, I fully expected today's decision. In the wake of Proposition 187, which was also trashed by the courts, Californians have learned that our votes are meaningless--unless they conform to the moment's politically correct standards. So much for Lincoln's "government of the People," which seems to have perished from the earth after all, at least in the State of California.
Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along. We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: "Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler, all this might have been avoided." We have an obligation to call this what it is — the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history.
~ President George W. Bush, to Israeli Parliament - May 15, 2008
It's all true. Every word the president said in this speech is a timely reminder of history we are in danger of repeating. Yet the Democrats are outraged--particularly Barack Obama. Of course, in Obama's egomaniacal mind, this was a direct insult to him. There are any number of Congressional numbskulls--and a disgraceful ex-president--who simply don't comprehend the advancing threat we face from radical Islam. But for Obama, everything is all about him.
The president's speech was a gift for John McCain, who smoothly interjected himself into the fracas. "It does bring up an issue we'll be discussing with the American people and that is, 'why does Senator Obama want to sit down with a state sponsor of terrorism?' McCain inquired, noting that Obama's willingness to chat with enemies underscores his lack of experience and portrays him as naive. Today was a bad round for the Barackstar.
We must use all our forces, and save lives at whatever cost. Life is the most precious thing.
~ Premier Wen Jiabao, China, May 15, 2008
China's death toll from this week's earthquake could reach 50,000. The photos of the devastation are overwhelming to see. China's crushing tragedy puts our country's current events issues into perspective. We Americans do have more than our fair share of "judicial fiats" and "false political attacks." It's a good time to remember that we also have more than our fair share of comforts and blessings.
