The arc of history is long, but it bends towards justice.

[elisi]

Today was quite a depressing morning. The news from Egypt are sobering, and I'm having flashbacks to Iran in 2009 - which reminded me of this video from that uprising, set to a song that was sung during the '79 revolution: My Elementary Schoolmate. (It used to be on youtube, but has since been taken down. I'm very grateful I saved it.) Lyrics under the cut.

My elementary schoolmate.
You are with me and my comrade all the way.
We’ve suffered together.
Your tears and sighs are mines as well.
Engraved on this blackboard are our names.
Remaining on our bodies are still the scars of the lash of tyranny and injustice.

This uncultured landscape of ours is covered with weed instead of the green of grass.
Either good or bad, dead is the hearts of all its people.
Your hands and my hands must rip these veils apart.
Who else, except for you and I, could cure our wounds?

Then I discovered that in Iowa the Constitution was amended to take away the rights of same sex couples to get married. I don't understand this. Egypt, horrific though it is, is something I can wrap my head around. Evil regimes very rarely just give up and give power back. But why would anyone want to take other people's rights away from them, just for the sake of it? (ETA: Olberman said it best here) *is sad* I wish that I could link you to the absolutely wonderful interview with Elton John and David Furnish that was in the Sunday Times Magazine. (I think they're a bit *old* to be parents, but then doctors have given IVF to women the same age, so... *shrug*) I wish them, and their little son, all the best.

Anyway, despite the beautiful sunshine outside it was not a good morning. And then there was a knock at the door with a parcel from kerkevik (well not just from him, but it's a LONG story) with Doctor Who novels for me and one of the most touching letters I've ever received, and I was reminded of how we all, in all the little things we do, can slowly make things better. To end on a quote:

We don't stop being human when we lose our hearts; nor when we lose our heads. And every last vestige of humanity can be drained from us, but as long as somebody, somewhere cares, we are not dust.
the_royal_anna

Comments

[green-maia.livejournal.com]

Some thoughts on this later, must rush to work now. In the meantime: {{{*Hugs*}}}

[elisi]

Have a good day at work!

*many hugs back*

[green-maia.livejournal.com]

It's quiet at work this morning. I just posted this:
http://green-maia.livejournal.com/391769.html

[elisi]

Will have a look later. Thank you. :)

[owlboy]

(hugs)

[elisi]

Thank you. :)

*hugs back*

[jerusha]

*hugs* Yeah, the thing with Iowa... It was just the House, from what I understand, and it hasn't passed the Iowa senate yet. I think I have some idea what happened, and why. A lot of it has to do with people here hating "activist judges" and thinking that the voters or elected officials ought to change the law if a change needs to be made. In my opinion, that viewpoint shows a huge ignorance of how our legal system works, and what judges do. This very thing is one of the reasons that US Supreme Court judges have a lifetime appointment, so that they can make difficult decisions without committing career suicide. Three of the Iowa Supreme Court justices were ousted this past year for their decision on same-sex marriage, and it's just a shame.

[elisi]

Thank you for your explanations - I'm afraid I'm not exactly well versed in US law etc, but it really hurts to see history go backwards, even if it is only (hopefully) temporarily, especially considering the people who've suffered one way or another.

[jerusha]

And part of the trouble with understanding US law is that it varies state-to-state, sometimes hugely. Since Iowa is our neighbor, I have some info.

I'll probably put up a post later today with some thoughts I've been having for a while on the nature of the courts and their intersection with the law.

[elisi]

And part of the trouble with understanding US law is that it varies state-to-state, sometimes hugely.
*nods* It's hard to keep track of...

And I'll look out for your post!

[skipthedemon.livejournal.com]

*nods* It looks like it has to pass both the state house and senate twice, actually. The second time in 2013, after a new election. I have hope that politicians will be hesitant to roll things back, after that long.

I am a lawyer and former administrative law judge. I hate the term 'activist judge' with a fiery passion. I've seen people on the liberal side, including a post on whitehouse.gov using the term too. Ugh.

[elisi]

*nods* It looks like it has to pass both the state house and senate twice, actually.
Really? Well that's a ray of sunshine at least.

[jerusha]

And as a lawyer and judicial law clerk for the Nebraska Supreme Court, I'm right there with you. "Activist judge" is such a misnomer, and to me, it demonstrates ignorance of the legal process.

[promethia_tenk]

The roots of the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. -Jefferson

I don't want this to be true, but I worry sometimes that it may be.

Hope you're feeling better.

[elisi]

I don't want this to be true, but I worry sometimes that it may be.
I fear you may be right. Plus that one people have had on posters these last few days: 'Those who make peaceful protest impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.' (JFK)

Hope you're feeling better.
Thank you, I'm OK. It was just one of those days where all the news seemed horrible and I wanted to go and hide somewhere. Plus RL is stressful in its own way... (Nothing compared to most other people's, but stressful for me.)

[promethia_tenk]

<3

[elisi]

<3 <3 <3

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

Then I discovered that in Iowa the Constitution was amended to take away the rights of same sex couples to get married.

But... WHY? WHY?

WHY?

[elisi]

I DON'T KNOW!!!!

:(

Although apparently it needs to go through various stages and it might never happen.