The Bullsheet Computer DIED!

About Prop 8...

Those of you who read my 11/6 post know how revolutionary I believe the election of Obama
is for the civil rights movement. The most white position of power in the world has gone
black, and history has been... well you know. I've heard several black people on the news
talk about how amazing it is to be able to say to their children: "Today, you can be
anything you want to be." And this truly is amazing. But lest we forget, that on November
4, 2008, the gay community was told by mandate of the people, that they are to be
society's lesser humans.

Why is it that the United States rejoiced in the glory of breaking such a monumental race
barrier, yet largely ignored the passing of Proposition 8--the ballot initiative, which
called for the banning of gay marriage in California? Furthermore, where was Barack Obama
to promote this basic civil liberties cause? He could have reached out to those black and
Hispanic communities that voted overwhelmingly for Prop 8--but he didn't. Obama should
not be blamed, but he should have been there.

Not only did the most progressive state in the union vote against the rights of an entire
people, but so did Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas. In fact, Arkansas banned gays from
adopting! But what conclusions can be drawn from these staggering civil rights defeats? I
am confident that the day will come when gay marriage is legalized once again (perhaps
sooner rather than later), but it is clear that the nation is still overwhelmingly
homophobic, and too many gays are fearful of advocating for their own cause (the No On
Prop 8 campaign rarely even used the word).

What is good about Prop 8 is that it has sparked a bit of a national dialogue--not a very
big one, but significant nonetheless. Protests in California are growing, and outrage
amongst many prominent people in the straight community are voicing their opposition (see
Keith Olbermann). The campaign against Prop 8 was poorly organized and largely
ineffective in many communities (particularly black and Hispanic ones). But the
proposition has also exposed another dastardly foe to civil rights: organized religion.

What organization provided the most support for Prop 8? The Mormon Church, of course.
Perhaps the most discriminated religion in American history (the ironic part) has
disregarded the plight of fellow human beings, and ensured the passing of this mandate of
intolerance (providing nearly half of the funds). Organized religion claims they must
protect the "sanctity of marriage," but we must remember that this "sanctity" once
prohibited inter-racial marriage. It should be clear who is on the wrong side of this
issue.

So what is the big deal about marriage exactly? Do gay people really "deserve to be
miserable like the rest of us" (Bill Maher)? Well this issue really is not about
"marriage" per se. It is about taking away the freedoms of people who are different. The
ferocious campaign to take away given rights ought to disgust any decent person--and the
hateful "Pro-8" celebrations that took place should be condemned. But in the words of
Kevin Sessums: "Race has always--up until this point--trumped sexual orientation as a
socially accepted civil rights issue." This, I believe, will be a turning point of the
LGBT rights movement--when the word "gay" entered the national conversation of civil
liberties.

I heard Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (an opponent of Prop 8) say that the "people of
Cali-forn-i-a have spoken"--that this is the nature of democracy, and the will of the
majority. Well, is our court system not designed to protect the interests of minorities?
If we operated under mob rule, how many millions would be disenfranchised? In this
instance, it will be up to the courts to re-establish that majorities cannot determine
the limitations of liberty upon minorities. Example: Brown v. Board of Education (the
controversial ruling to desegregate schools).

But in closing, I have a question for those who believe in equality: are you a true
advocate for the cause? To the minorities who have suffered throughout history, but have
gained significantly in the past 50 years: do you feel no responsibility to stand with
your brothers and sisters in their own quest for the Dream? Who are we to sanction
freedom? Who are we to treat others as lesser beasts who must adhere to the law of
religion and prejudice? I do not believe that I have been a good enough an advocate, but
now is the time to endure... to pursue what is right and noble; for we must come together
for the pursuit of happiness of all.

Do not be afraid. Be human.

-Skye Wallin
(www.theskyewire.com)

EVEREST GEAR is having a DENISON STUDENTS ONLY SALE!! $10 Off All Jackets and Denison
Hoodies.

8195

I'm looking for a ride to and from Indianapolis or anywhere in
between Columbus, OH and Bloomington, IN (Cincinnati, Dayton, etc.)
for Thanksgiving break. I'd be more than happy to cover half the cost
of gas. If interested, please contact dailey_n@denison.edu.

Hello, Everyone!
Don't forget to drop by the Curtis Veggie room sometime today between 11:00 am and 2:00
pm to make sack lunches for low-income Licking County residents. Materials to make these
lunches will be provided. If you are going to be in Curtis anyways for lunch, why not
take five minutes to make a lunch for someone who otherwise might not get to eat?

-Hunger and Homelessness

hey bullsheeters, could you put this in until tuesday? thanks!

Hey Denison! Do you want to know "how to have love and sex without embarrassing
yourself"? If you do, come and listen to world renowned sex columnist ANKA RADAKOVICH's
advice, this upcoming TUESDAY (Nov. 18) at 7:30 in SWASEY!
Anka has appeared on VH1, MTV, MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, Conan O'Brien (9 times!), and over
200 other shows; she has also written for The New York Post, GQ, Redbook, Seventeen,
Cosmo, Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, Playboy, Marie Claire, New York Magazine, and many
others.
We would love to see you there!

-The Women's Resource Center

thanks bullsheet!

Last Chance to Get Involved with Homelessness and Hunger Week!
PB&J Making and Delivery!

A) PB& J Lunch Making Drive @ Curtis Dining Hall, drop-in any time from 11:00-2:00pm,
make peanut butter sandwiches and lunches for low-income residents of Licking County.
Materials are provided!

B) Deliver PB&J Lunches! to The Main Place: a drop-in center for homeless and mentally
ill residents of Newark. Be prepared to hang out and chat with clients and/or play BINGO
for prizes!
12:30-2:30
Meet at the PB&J Drive at Curtis-- transportation provided!

Be there or be box-shaped!
Thankz,
Eryn

Dear Students,

I left a brown patagonia jacket in the foyer of Huffman the night of november 13, around
7:00 p.m. so that it would not reek if Huffman for the rest of the night, and when I came
back after eating it was not there. If you picked it up please have the decency to
contact me, it was a birthday gift that I have had for a week and a half. I just want it
back. Thank You.

John Dionne
Dionne_j@denison.edu
Slayter: 9172


To all you who submitted, sorry about the mixup, the computer had a meltdown and was attacked by viuses...thank GOD for technology woohoo!

-Laura "theskyewire.com?" Masters, Junior Editor