A Simple Request

Dear Bagel Factory Readers,

It is clear that the same-sex marriage issue is not going away anytime soon. Even after California citizens have voted twice, in a matter of eight years, to define marriage between one man and one woman, opposition to this vote is angry and adamant that their "right" to the word marriage be recognized and legalized.

You've all seen the numerous protests, marches, and rallies across our nation following the passing of Proposition 8 on Nov. 4th. You've all heard or read the biased media coverage of said gatherings. With anger flaring and violence, vandalism, graffiti, hate crimes, harassment, intimidation, destruction, defacement, and even domestic terrorism ruling the day, there is more need than ever for Prop 8 supporters and marriage protectors everywhere to take a respectfully vocal stand. In an effort to heed this call, I have continued writing my thoughts and reactions on my What Our Country Needs blog. And, herein lies my simple request. If you stand in support of traditional marriage, could you please add a "Protect Marriage" link list to your blog and include my Prop 8 blog and any others you come across who are blogging for marriage and/or Prop 8? I have a whole bunch on my WOCN blog that you can just copy and paste into your link list. And, if you have any desire to do more, you could even start writing your own thoughts and musings about and reactions to Prop 8/marriage stuff on your blogs. You could even start a protect marriage blog! Join the community of bloggers for protecting traditional marriage. The Internet, as we have been reminded by our religious leaders, is one of the best and most efficient news outlets of our day. While others "join the impact" we can make our own strong and quiet presence known in the cyber community and beyond. We can make a difference, no matter how fast this tidal wave appears to be moving toward us. If nothing else, let's make a decision that we'll not turn and run, but dig in our feet and stand strong against the threat of moral relativism and irreligion.

Many of you, my friends, are incredible writers with backgrounds in journalism and reporting. Many of you are incredible writers, period. But whether you feel you write well or not, you have a voice and you have the ability and resources to give that voice flight, right here on the Internet. While others march against a decision already made, we'll write to protect the decisions yet to come.

Now, you may think to yourself, "I don't live in California, so how can I possibly contribute? What will my voice matter in Pittsburgh or Chicago or Stillwater or Amity or Spanish Fork?" Well, if you take a look at that group of "protect marriage" blogs on my WOCN sidebar, you'll notice that they are people reporting from all over the country. They either keep tabs on marriage happenings in their neck of the woods, or they simply voice their thoughts on marriage in general and Prop 8 in specific. Whether you write about legislation, marches, scriptures, speeches, conference talks, etc. you can do the same! Be respectful, be kind, be loving...but be heard.

I love you all! You inspire me to greater heights. My life is a better one for having met every single one of you and I would love for the world to know you, too.

Here's to protecting traditional marriage - marriage between one man and one woman.