Jesse Ventura Speaks UP

Jesse Ventura and his wife, Terry, have announced their opposition to the Marriage Amendment that will appear on our ballots here in Minnesota this November.

by Charlie Leck

If it passes, the Marriage Amendment would redefine marriage in the Minnesota State Constitution as a union between only a man and a woman. If you’re a regular reader, you know I stand four-square against it. I’ll vote no!

Today, I received an email that announced former governor Jesse Ventura’s intention to vote against it also…

“Terry and I are proud to speak out today against this harmful and divisive constitutional amendment. Watch our new video here: 

“This amendment just isn't the way we do things in Minnesota. We don't use our constitution to limit the rights and freedoms of our fellow citizens. We don't tell some families that they aren't good enough. We don't let government dictate love. 

“I know you and I may not agree on everything. But I'm certain that we can agree that every Minnesotan has dignity, and that none of us should be constitutionally deemed unworthy of marrying the person we love. 

“Defeating this amendment isn't a liberal or conservative issue - because the truth is that it impacts each and every one of us.

“We have a chance to decide what kind of state we want to be - and I plan to make sure that we're the kind of state that protects the freedom and dignity of every Minnesotan. 

“No matter what they say, love is by far bigger than government can ever be.”

Jesse signed off with the word “United.” It’s a reference, I expect, to Minnesotans United for All Families, the non-profit that is leading the political effort against the amendment. I urge you to go there and pledge to vote NO.

Our current governor, Mark Dayton, and former governor Arnie Carlson have also indicated their opposition to this amendment. The list of distinguished Minnesotans who oppose this constitutional amendment crosses all political party lines and has, in many ways, united so many of us.

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Minnesota’s Supreme Justices Knock Me Out

I was surprised by their decision because I thought they’d do the right thing and not the political thing!
by Charlie Leck

By a 3 to 2 vote!
It was by a split decision that the Minnesota Supreme Court voted to allow a very poor description of an amendment to the constitution to stand on the November ballot just as the legislature wrote it and not as the Secretary of State had amended it. The three justices who voted to go with the legislature’s wording were all appointees of the former conservative Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty. They also ruled that the legislature’s original title for the Marriage Amendment question for the Minnesota Constitution should stand. [If you wish, you can read the StarTribune story about the decision here.]

Progressives wanted that language clarified on both constitutional amendment proposals so that voters would know exactly what they are voting on when they have the ballots before them in the voting booth. The language on both issues is very misleading.

Chuck Samuelson of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota bluntly stated the following: “Today we are Florida! This was a political decision by a political court!”

In his dissent, Justice Alan Page (elected and not appointed to the Court), had some scathing things to say:

"It is ironic, if not Orwellian, that in the name of 'protecting' the voter and preventing unspecified voting 'fraud,' the Legislature has resorted to a ballot question that deliberately deceives and misleads the very voters it claims must be protected."

Orwellian? Indeed!

Make no mistake, this was a victory for the conservative and Tea Party cause in Minnesota!

The League of Women Voters in Minnesota, which brought the law suit, was disappointed but looked for the positives: “At least we got the conversation started.”

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Maryland Approves Same-Sex Marriages

NEWSFLASH! Maryland has approved marriage between same-sex couples! Hooray!
by Charlie Leck

My shortest blog EVER.
Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley will sign a bill passed by his legislature that will allow same-sex marriages in his state. [Click here if you want to read a Washington Post story about the new law.]

Here in Minnesota we have to endure a vote on an amendment to our constitution which will disallow such marriages.

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What Does the Lord Require of You?

I am struggling with my conscience lately. I argue with it that I have done enough over the years and now I am tired and retired from the battles for justice; but my conscience stares me down, mocks me and decries my excuses!
by Charlie Leck

I’m moving through troubling days. This community I live in is very conservative. For instance, President Obama got very few votes here in the 2008 election. It went by about 75 percent for his opponent.

Now, this state I live in is going to face an incredibly significant decision in the election this November. In that election, my little town will again, I am sure, reject President Obama. However, it will also need to vote on the marriage amendment to our Minnesota State Constitution – an amendment that will define marriage as between only a man and a woman.

I stand on the other side of this issue and oppose the amendment with all my heart. As my wife said to me today, as we were pouring our morning coffee: “This amendment will actually legislate and give protection to discrimination! This has never happened before, has it?”

Well, actually yes, it has. The U.S. Constitution did not allow women to vote until it was amended. That amendment was an injustice corrected.

But, now, in our age, to think that we might very well create a clear and terrible, constitutionally endorsed policy of discrimination against those who cannot possibly define their lives and their sexually as many others of us do.

I am really and deeply troubled and saddened by this possibility. It shouldn’t be! It shouldn’t happen! Here in the quiet of my study I interrogate myself.

“Do you have any energy left in this old system of yours, sir? Are you both willing and able to wage a battle against such injustice and unfairness? There are people you care about, old fella, who will be hurt deeply by this proposed constitutional amendment! What can you do?”

 “Contributing money, you know, is too easy! Are you courageous enough to talk to neighbors and people in the community about your feelings? Can you handle the cruel things they might say about you? It is time you know, to decide – to act!”

And, God seems to interrogate me also!

“And what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I command you this day for your good?” [Deuteronomy 10:12]

 “He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” [Micah 6:8]

The God of Creation could not have put these children upon the earth, as he did, to be unhappy and unfulfilled and unable to take partners in commitments of love. Don’t all knowing, and caring, and thinking people realize this?

So, trembling and in the presence of my Creator, I filled out the volunteer form for Minnesotans United for All Families and sent it in. What can I do but “do justice and love kindness and walk humbly with my God?

You, too, wherever you live, if this proposed amendment to Minnesota’s constitution troubles you, can contribute to the cause at Minnesotans United for All Families! You can give funds or you can volunteer. Think! “What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice and to love kindness?…”

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