The Ventura County Stonewall Democrats sent out an email with their December events. Click on continue reading to see it.

In related news The State Supreme Court is going to be taking up issues related to Proposition 8 including the status of the marriages for people married before the ban went into place and if Proposition 8 was a revision of the constitution or an amendment.

I favor marriage equality but I don't have an opinion yet on if it was truly a revision instead of an amendment. I look forward to reading the debates on the legal question. I do find it funny, but expected, to see partisans that haven't waited to hear the arguments take a position on a state constitutional question.

Click here to read the story about Proposition 8 going to the State Supreme Court.

People upset at the ban are organizing events and getting together a movement to repeal the ban. It of course would have been great if they did this BEFORE the election!

Locally they have been targeting a Lassen's grocery store for donating a large sum to the Yes on 8 campaign.

Click here about the ongoing protests against Lassen's in Ventura for donating money to ban gay marriage.

This quote stands out from the article:

"We have a lot of gay and lesbian customers. We have nothing against them," said Endecott, who manages the Lassen's store in Camarillo, which is owned by her father, John Lassen. "To us, it (same-sex marriage) is a moral issue, not a civil issue."

I guess she means nothing against their gay customers except not wanting them to be able to get married .

The checks were from Lassen's the business, not the individuals. Wouldn't it have been easier if the owners donated themselves, instead of having their company do it?

We all acknowledge that individuals have every legal right to donate to campaigns but any company that donates to a campaign like this risks threats of boycotts and the potential loss of business. The Yes on 8 side has their own lists of businesses that they threatened to expose for donation money against Proposition 8, so the danger goes both ways for people that get involved in the process.

I think many of us assumed that Lassen's was a liberal company because of the products they sell. Have you ever made a choice about using a company's goods or services because of the money they gave to a political candidate or cause?

Many people are claiming that Barack Obama's election is indirectly responsilble for the passage of Proposition 8. Click here to read an article from polling expert Nate Silver of 538 fame that counters that conventional wisdom being pushed by pundits.

There are more rallies planed this weekend, but this time across America in response to the vote on Proposition 8 in California.

For more information click here for details or to put together your own local rally.

If you are going to a rally, always bring a camera. It keeps people on their best behavior and helps you record the day. If you send me pictures or videos I will post them. Don't feel bad about calling people to their best behavior. If you see a rude sign, volunteer to give them a new sign. If you see people behaving poorly, call them on it. Of all the No on 8 rallies I went to ranging from a few kids to about 50 people almost everyone was pleasant and having a fun time.

Remember what Emma Goldman said:

"If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution"

The battle over gay marriage isn't going to end anytime soon, nor should it. Think about what each side believes they are arguing over and then try to convince them to compromise or stop pushing their cause.

1. One side believes that gay people are different and that if we legalize gay marriage again this will teach children that being gay is normal. They also are afraid of churches being sued or gay marriage being taught in schools. For some of them, their religion has given them clear direction and they want that reflected in civil law. For them it isn't about civil rights but about the state recognizing something they don't want it to sanction.

2. Those in favor of gay marriage believe it is a question of basic civil rights. They believe separate is inherently unequal. They believe that marriage is much more than a set of legal protections and that is exactly why civil unions are not enough. They don't see any nonsense slippery slope where polygamy will become legal. They are tired of their family members and friends being treated differently under the law. They want the children to grow up and get married, regardless if they are gay or straight. The are tired of reading articles like this about discrimination that isn't based on reason.

Did I miss a core part of either sides' arguments?

Why would people believe either of these groups will give up anytime soon?

I don't support all of the tactics that other advocates use in pushing their cause, but who does? I know most of us disagree with the tactics are favored candidates or causes use from time to time.

I support marriage equality even though I know it is likely a long path to victory.

If you are planning any local political events, send them to me and I will post them.

I took the above video in Simi Valley at the corner of Cochran and Sycamore before the election. I recommend that people attending any protest or rally bring cameras with them. People tend to behave better when they know there are cameras nearby.

This weekend there are more protests planned across California, including in Ventura.

Click on continue reading for details.

Did you see the Ventura County Star article about the protest outside a Mormon church? It has over 400 comments last time I checked. I try to keep it cleaner in my comments section than many of the news stories on The Star's main site. If you ever see a comment that goes over the top, email me and I will delete it. I do not post who requests that a comment gets deleted. I have used this same policy for years and I have told every major campaign in person about my views on deleting comments.

Click here for the story about the protest outside the Mormon Church.

Protesting against Mormon's because of their involvement in eliminating same sex marriage from California doesn't seem like the best idea to me. Churches have the legal right to get involved in political issues as long as they aren't endorsing candidates or parties. Marriage equality is about religious freedom. To win this long term argument people need to know that their churches won't be forced to accept gay marriage and won't be sued if they don't perform gay marriages. Protesting outside of churches is counterproductive to that message.

There is also going to be picketing in front of Lassen's grocery stores because they donated money to amend the state constitution to ban same sex marriages. Is there a Lassen's in your town? This would have been more effective months ago to convince companies not to donate to Yes on 8 when they were raising money. Now it seems too vindicative.

The governor is urging on supporters of marriage equality. Recently he said:

"I learned that you should never ever give up. . . . They should never give up. They should be on it and on it until they get it done."

Click here to read the full article.

Too bad the governor didn't do more about this before the election. His ability to raise money would have been very helpful. He could have cut a quick commercial with Democratic leaders to show that No on 8 had bipartisan support. instead, he is urging on protesters and encouraging the courts to get involved again.

I don't know if proposition 8 rises to the level of a major revision of the state constitution, which would have required it to go through the legislature, but I am interested in watching arguments from both sides on that specific topic as this makes its way slowly through the court system.

I support marriage equality, but you won't see me in front of a church of in front of Lassen's anytime soon.

Keep sending in your events and I will post them.

A friend of mine has written about his experience phone banking against Proposition 8. Click on continue reading to learn more.

Did you make many phone calls during this election cycle? Are they effective? It seems all the winning campaigns in a contested election do them, yet most of us consider them annoying.

A liberal activist group put together this ad that singles out the Mormon Church, without mentioning other religious groups, for supporting Proposition 8.

Do you think it goes too far or is it just humor? Either way it doesn't seem like it would be an effective tactic to win over voters. But maybe that is the part of me that grew up in Simi Valley, where there are many Mormons.

Now that the voters of California have banned gay marriage what's next for advocates of marriage equality? I know political winners will tell the political losers to give up. That's expected but not really going to happen. I think it is a matter of time before gay marriage becomes legal in California. Banning it in the constitution delays it for at least a few years it would seem. Do you agree?

I support marriage equality but I have many questions and views on the aftermath of the vote.

1. What happens to the reported 18,000 people that were married in the time same sex marriage was legal?

2. There are pending lawsuits arguing that Proposition 8 was a revision of the constitution, not a simple amendment. Revisions have to go through the legislature, whereas amendments can be put on the ballot by petition. This attempt failed in court when opponents of Proposition 8 tried to eliminate it from the ballot.

I don't have an opinion yet on if it is really a revision or an amendment. I am going to wait to read from some of the best legal minds around. I think many people will just decide to support whatever legal reasoning supports their position.

Click here to read an article about the lawsuits and the revision versus amendment argument.

3. I think the state legislature should pass a series of laws that clarify and strengthen the arguments against Proposition 8. Laws could be passed that update and empower parents to increase their ability to opt out of lesson plans they disagree about. Religious liberty laws could be made more clear. A whole series of laws that would have wide based appeal could be implemented.

That way when the vote comes up again, which seems like it will, the focus could be on gay marriage and not the other issues that were brought into the debate.

4. Somebody asked me if I thought people that voted Yes on Proposition 8 were bigots. Before I answer click here to read the dictionary definition of bigot by clicking here.

I do think that some of the people that voted yes on proposition 8 were bigots. But I also believe that many of the people that voted Yes on 8 were not bigots. I would treat them as individuals and not groups to answer the question.

But that goes for both sides. I argued with No on 8 people that had become bigots against Christianity in part because they saw some Christians as the people leading the movement to remove their basic rights. As a Christian I was offended to stand next to anyone, from either side, displaying bigotry towards others.

Both sides had people that stole signs, yelled hateful language, and likely turned off more voters than they convinced to support their cause.

So, what do you think is next?

None of the options looks great at this moment in time.

I met these young people out rallying Monday night at the corner of Alamo and Tapo Canyon about 9:30PM. I drove by earlier but didn't have time to stop about 5PM at the place was packed with Yes on 8 supporters.

Anyways, this is your official predictions entry for Proposition 8.

Post your predictions in the following format:

Proposition 8 will pass/not pass by _____ points.

I think the polls are unreliable in some ways on this proposition. I don't know what to expect.

The Election Night No On Proposition 8 party
At the Villa @ Paul's
2585 Cochran
Simi Valley
10' X 10' screen
Live Entertainment
Food
Tuesday night
After polls close
Limited to 250 people

Keep working until the polls close! To help Get Out The Vote ( GOTV) go to Democratic HQ at the corner of Sequoia and Los Angeles behind the Medcenter and 7-11.

For the best interest of our communities it is good the election is almost here. Most of the campaigns and causes are pretty mild but Proposition 8 has been fraying the patience of many people.

Both sides have been stealing each others' signs. I have no way of verifying or knowing which side is more likely to steal signs. A Yes on 8 supporter suggest I call the Sheriff and ask. I don't think that would prove much except people shouldn't be calling the sheriff over a stolen yard sign.

My No on 8 sign was stolen Friday night. My Mom's and her neighbor's signs were stolen WHILE I WAS THERE Saturday night. They did leave behind the Barack Obama signs though. If you are like me when you look in your front yard you are somewhat surprised your sign is still there. I am going to check on my sign now. Alright, I am back and my sign is in my lawn.

At the rallies and around town people are getting angrier and angrier at each other. It isn't normally the people waving signs, but people driving by. Here are a few examples:

1. Lots of name calling on both sides. From people trying to promote equality or promote their version of family values the language doesn't always makes sense. Besides, yelling something from a car doesn't often elicit a thoughtful response. F$#@ me? Well then F%# you!

2. A young woman I know had a bottle thrown at her for holding a No on 8 sign last week.

3. The Star reported a knife being brandished at a Thousand Oaks rally. Click here to read the story. Sidenote: If you think the comments on my blog get heated or don't make sense I urge you to go read the comments on many of the news stories. They make CAP, Flamo, and the gang here look like a poetry recital!

4. Today at the corner of Los Angeles and First street I came across a ugly scene.

I saw a young man getting pushed into the street so I pulled over. I got my camera out and starting filming.

The Yes on 8 people from Sonrise Christian Church said that the young man got out of a car and tried to take away a sign from a woman supporting proposition 8. Somehow she had trash thrown on her, they started wrestling and the young man went back to his car. By then another person had pulled over and was standing in front of the alleged attempted sign thief and was blocking his vehicle and traffic from moving. That's when I showed up.

I didn't interview the person that allegedly tried to steal the sign, as he was in his car with someone yelling at him in a threatening way to get out, but I did interview the Yes on 8 people and I did watch what happened next.

The man blocking traffic was yelling at the young man to get out of the car and the young man in the car was blowing his horn constantly. Eventually the car, that was in the turn lane left and the man that was blocking it lashed out with some R rated words including a common insult for gay people.

I did get the license plate numbers of the people involved on video.

I then interviewed the Yes on 8 people who told me their side of what happened. I waited with them for the police to show up in case they needed to see any of the video.

The police were there quickly and after talking with me and the Yes on 8 people for about 5 minutes they said there wasn't anything for them to do as the woman wasn't injured. I offered to let them see the video but they declined. I did direct them to my blog if they wanted to contact me later. I don't think they got the phone numbers or names of the Yes on 8 people that were there, although I might have missed that.

I am not posting the video at this time because it contains the license plate numbers of people from both sides that were involved. I do not want to give the information away to anyone reading my blog to go after each other. But if law enforcement or another person has a legitimate need for it, let me know. When I have the time I might get a friend to edit out some of the video for us.

It seems clear from the scene I arrived at that the Yes on 8 people were the victims of someone going after them for their political views.

I don't agree with their views, but their freedom of speech should be protected. I feel law enforcement didn't spend enough time on this situation, but I don't know what other calls they needed to respond to next. People should feel safe waving a political sign on a street corner in Simi Valley.

If you were there, add any details that I missed. There was about 5 to 6 Yes on 8 people I think.

5. To end on a more uplifting note the other day at the Corner of Sycamore and Cochran there were many No on 8 people and just a few Yes on 8 people.

A sign twirler, not a No on 8 person, started getting in a Yes on 8 person's face and trying to intimidate him. My brother, who was there waving a No on 8 sign, got between them and stopped the sign twirler from harassing the Yes on 8 supporter.

Brother, thanks for defending freedom of speech, even of those that disagree with you!

Everyone else, bring a camera with you! People tend to be on the better behavior when there is a camera pointed at them. If you go to a rally without getting someone to bring a camera, then you aren't prepared.

Sunday afternoon at the corner of Alamo and Tapo Canyon I was lucky enough that two rallies were happening in the same place. One group was there for city council candidate Mike Judge and another group was there because they are against Proposition 8.

I took a short video with one of the people that was there with her family and friends.

Here is the video:

On youtube I have many videos that you might have missed. Click here to see the collection.

Another day, another rally.

Click on continue reading for more pictures, videos, and comments.

Quick thoughts:

1. For a rainy day there was many people at the rally.
2. The age demographic went up a few years.
3. Both sides agreed that they were all getting along peacefully and debating respectfully.
4. There wasn't that many Yes on 8 people, they were out hanging flyers on doors across town.
5. Most of the gays and lesbians there are from Simi Valley and said they felt they were treated with respect living here.
6. If you are making videos or taking photos of almost any local political events that you want posted, send me an email.
7. Phonebanks at Democratic HQ in Simi Valley and across the county continue tomorrow.
8. There will be a rally again tomorrow.
9. I need a better camera. Bruce at The Star, are you reading this? Maybe as a holiday bonus?
10. To my new readers, thanks for reading and commenting on my blog. If you ever see a comment that needs to be deleted please email me.

My close friend Carlos Cabrera wrote an analytical article discussing the claims of both sides of the Proposition 8 campaign. Finding the truth when most of the information comes from a side in the debate is often times very difficult, but Carlos has done a great job.

Please give his article full consideration of your thoughts and leave him some critical feedback whether you agree or disagree.

When did you make up your mind on Proposition 8? Have any of the arguments you have heard changed your mind or have they simply reinforced your prior position?

Click on continue reading to see his essay.

Thursday night I hung out for a few minutes at the corner of Sycamore and Cochran talking to people rallying for their candidates and causes. They included Hannah-Beth Jackson supporters, Proposition 8 supporters, opponents and proponents of Proposition 8, a few McCain fans, the pizza guy, a sandwich guy (I think), and the Halloween store sign waiver.

I suggest this corner to anyone holding a rally. Between random skate boarders and sign wavers for businesses your rally will look big!

A protester, who I talked to in the past, had a sign falsely accusing Barack Obama of not being born in the United States. Click here to see snopes.com debunk that story. He declined having his picture taken so I honored his request, even though he was in a public place pushing a internet rumor that is false.

In almost every election each side accuses the other side of stealing their signs. But I have solved the case. A few Yes on 8 signs have actually been stolen by people trying to help your cause. Watch this video to learn more ( Warning: Offensive language) :

I kept asking about taxes because that is what the young man was talking about earlier. I guess he was talking about the potential tax savings that some people may get by being married.

I am not making a claim that these young people were representative of the Yes on 8 side. I don't respect journalists that find an interesting group of people and always try to find the most provocative person and pretend they are representative of the truth. Most of the Yes on 8 people I encounter are people serious about their faith and believe the law should follow their moral beliefs.

This weekend the Mormon Church plans to mobilize. Click on continue reading to see their plans.

There is also a rally planned at the corner of Sycamore and Cochran again by No on 8 protesters. If standing on a street corner isn't your thing, there are phonebanks happening too.

I don't know how effective phonebanks will be, but it doesn't seem like rallies are effective either. Have you ever been swayed by a political phone call? Feels better than doing nothing.

There are many phonebanks this weekend against Proposition 8. Next weekend will hopefully be restful for many of us.

UPDATE FROM 10/31

This video is of a couple of my friends on Halloween night waving Boo! on 8 signs at the corner of Cochran and Sycamore. Thank you for standing up for equality.

Tonight someone stole my No on 8 sign from my yard. What did you accomplish? I am just going to work even harder as a result of your theft. And get another sign. Maybe two more.

As we were taking a few pictures these young women came up and wanted to get their pictures taken too.

This picture is from the rally at Sycamore and Cochran last weekend. There was mostly people there against Proposition 8 but then a few Yes on 8 people showed up and kept walking laps through the intersection. Both sides should call a corner and keep their distance from each other. At the least don't try to stand real close trying to block their signs. That doesn't win votes. I don't know if either side has ever convinced the other side of much by arguing on a street corner. There is plenty of room for everyone. Keep the peace by keeping distance between each other.

Local Mormon churches have been doing much of the organization to get people waving signs on the corners of Simi Valley to eliminate the right to marry for same sex couples.

Click on continue reading to see a forwarded email from them about a rally tonight in Simi Valley.

This weekend I expect to see many people from both sides out there. Be safe and bring a camera.