Olbermann on Prop 8

This morning I received three emails from my sister, in California, making sure that I had received the link she had sent me. She wanted to be sure that I saw Keith Olbermann's "Special Comment" on Prop 8. Both the text and the video are available at the Countdown website.

I couldn't bring myself to read through the comments - in a scroll I could see too much ignorance and hatred - but I posted this:

I can't think of the right adjective to describe KO's comment. The degree to which he accurately addresses this (red herring) issue of "redefining marriage" is the best I've ever heard - and I teach about sexuality and the law. My sister, in California I might add, forwarded me the link with the note, "I love him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She forwarded it to me because I couldn't watch his show.

You see, I'm now living in Canada - where my family has legal recognition, where my partner and I are married and treated equally. Our son is able to live in a country where his family "counts." Lest you think, "Ah, but that's just legally. How do people really act?" Let me tell you that we're in a fairly conservative province and nobody bats an eye. Even compared to (formerly) progressive Minnesota, it's just a non-event when people realize that we're a family.

Perhaps you're reading and saying, "Good riddance." Well, so be it. Between the two of us we have two master's degrees, two law degrees, and a Ph.D. Not exactly slackers. But, we were willing to take our chances in a new country because of the hatred that persists across the US. Oh, and on this veteran's day, let me add that I'm also a veteran of the US Army and Army Reserve. Yeah, not welcome there either.

So, Keith... right on. You said it best. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My family thanks you - albeit from a distance.

******

I have to add that one of the coolest things about this moment was my sister's inclusion of the comment, "I love him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She is a very reserved person and, even in email, this was really something.

So, if you're down here and you haven't seen the video, please watch if you are able. Thanks!

BTW - Before you offer corrections, I do know that some cable subscribers in Canada do get MSNBC. I do not. And, yes, in Canada, today is Remembrance Day.