Yesterday was quite the day… At 5:01PM on June 16, gay marriage became legal in California. While I have never been an active proponent of gay marriage (partly because I feel it cost us the election in 2004, and I rank other issues facing the country ahead of it), I am glad this day has come. It was a typical, overcast day in San Francisco, cold and dreary. Shortly after 5pm I ambled up to the front of the crowd across from City Hall and took the scene in. It was a large crowd of course, the vast majority voicing their support for gay marriage, while the minority were self-righteous and indignant as they held up bigger signs. Looking around I found myself standing close to members of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church, holding aloft some of the most hateful signs in the crowd. They were wedged into a small space by a pair of barricades like caged animals. Not to protect us, but to protect them. As I looked over at them, it was a struggle not to hurl all kinds of colorful metaphors in their direction. Others however did not share my restraint. But those bigots didn’t deserve the attention they so desperately craved, so I ignored them. Instead I focused instead on the brides and grooms as they came out onto the steps of City Hall. Each time they waved the cheers in the crowd would swell, drowning out the vitriolic cries of hate and intolerance. And the warmth and happiness on each of their faces, took the edge off the damp weather, making the protestors small, and less relevant. I choked up a little. Below is some video from the event. Apologies in advance for some of the harsh audio (turn your speakers down). Hopefully it will give you a taste of what happened…

Since the ruling we have been asked many times if Chad and I were going to get married. I always smile and say maybe next year, provided the anti-gay marriage initiative fails in November. But if you ask me again tomorrow… I might have a different answer.

Well it’s been a while but it’s nice to see a changing of the guard in the halls of Congress. For the first time in 12 years we have a Democratic majority, and here’s hoping that some much needed oversight will stop certain individuals from running roughshod over the Constitution, and the will of the people.

Also of note we have the first woman Speaker of the House, Congress woman Nancy Pelosi from the fine state of California and the even finer district of San Francisco. You go girl!

But I know many of you are fed up with our government, every politician a crook or worse, and feel the change in leadership will have no impact, no negligible effect. I ask them to keep in open mind, hold out a little hope. We’ve had six plus years of unilateral control, in an environment suppressive of alternate ideas. Now the Democrats have the majority, and a voice, and a tremendous opportunity to do some good. But despite their best efforts or good intentions, much of that could quickly be crushed by the weight of the Iraq war. Or if they buckle beneath the business-as-usual attitude, the results will be the same.

But I’m hopeful. Change is good. Anything is better then what we have now, and I think many would agree. But what will it take to make our country a better and safer place? Here are the issues I would like to see addressed with meaningful progress made or even laws passed (in no particular order):

• Immigration Reform
• Stem Cell Funding
• Job Outsourcing
• Lobby Reform
• Minimum Wage
• Climate Change
• 9/11 Commission Recommendations
• ISG Recommendations
• Prescription Drug Reform
• Healthcare Reform
• Manhattan-Style Project for Alternative Fuels
• Balanced Budget

It’s a long and meaty list, but it’s hardly complete. I’d like to hear what you think they should focus on. You’ll notice I left off gay marriage and impeachment off the list.

Gay marriage would be great, but won’t contribute to the survival of this nation, and nor do I think the electorate is ready to have it crammed down their throats. I think the gay marriage debate came too early and set it back — civil unions with equal rights first, and then gay marriage. But that’s just me.

As for impeachment, as much as I yearn for it, its all-consuming nature would lay waste to many of the issues that need to be addressed. We’ve been dug a pretty deep hole, do we need to dig any further? But if initial investigations reveal the tastiest of fruit and the will of the people demand it? Who am I to argue?

But let me be the first to say this. If little or no progress is made on any of these fronts, then they all need to be thrown out, every single one of them, by force if necessary. Like the Beatles said, sometimes you need a Revolution. Do you think I’m kidding?

Anyways, look for more changes soon! New design and more posts over the next few weeks so stay tuned!