Gay Marriage: Does it really matter?

Apparently Isiah isn't the only one
in support of equal marriage rights...

If you're a current events junkie (or even just a social media fiend), there's no way you could ignore the buzz today when the 9th Circuit Court in California struck down the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage. Celebs from Corey Monteith to Olivia Munn were literally a-twitter as the news broke across the country and throughtout various social media-spheres. In fact, today's ripple effect of support for equal marriage rights begged the question; if so many are in support, have the unsupportive lost their voice?

Perhaps the most memorable quote in recent history surrounding this issue came forth today through the words of Judge Reinhardt who stated that, "Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples."

On conservative website, Truevalueexperience.org, writer Reid Guy suggested that since this issue is now going before the Supreme Court that, "the judges decisions could possibly change the landscape of America as we know it. This decision could go down in history as one of the most important since Roe v. Wade." Well, Dear Mr. Guy, we think so too.

Tara's "calling" out anyone who is standing in the way of gay marriage.

But as monumental as this decision is, what changes will it bring with it? Obviously it will enable those who are gay or lesbian to participate in the institution of marriage much like their heterosexual counterparts but what about other social implications? Reid Guy said "the landscape of America" would change right?

Wrong.

In case you haven't figured it out by now, you are either part of the American population that could run off tomorrow to get a marriage license in any state or you're not. You either identify as one sexual orientation or you don't. That isn't going to change. What will change is that every other American will have that opportunity too. Its not a crisis. In fact, its the opposite of a crisis.

In Hillsborough County, Florida, the cost of a marriage license is $93.50. According to Wikipedia, there are approximately 2.5 million weddings a year in the United States. If just 25% of those weddings are between gay and lesbian couples, that's $58,437,500 in revenue a year! Economically speaking, equal marriage rights would be a smart decision for America but that's not the only reason Prop. 8 was rightfully overturned.

With an economic boost and happy neighbors, society will soon see that allowing gay and lesbian couples to tie the knot is about as disastrous as allowing gays to serve in the military, sharing schools with students of a different skin color and permitting women to cast their votes in a ballot box. As history has shown, sometimes a little re-working is in order for us to progress as a civilization. Its time to recognize that the day is soon coming when "...one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of it's creed..."

So we ask to those who are still in opposition, when it comes down to it, will it truly have a negative impact on your life? Does it really matter?

What do you think? Do states have the right to ban same-sex marriage? Leave your thoughts below, on Facebook or on Twitter by following our new name, @citygrlthoughts

We look forward to hearing from you!

What color is courage?: Why You Should Go See That New 'Red Tails' Movie

An Opinion.

"Straighten up, fly right"... to the Academy Awards.

I can appreciate a man in uniform. I can appreciate a good George Lucas movie. I can also appreciate an Action/ Adventure/ Drama-historical-war film lionizing some of the greatest heroes of the American military since minutemen. What I cannot appreciate it the "fun fact" that this weekend's silver screen release "Red Tails" had been put on the back-burner since 1988 because no major studio would fund the project based on the belief that an all black cast would be "unmarketable".

I'm confused. This isn't the 1860's or the 1950's right? 

For those of you who didn't have the good fortune of taking a African American history course in college (something I highly recommend), the Tuskegee Airmen who are featured in this film were the first African American military aviators in the United States armed forces. During a time when Jim Crow laws ruled the South with de jure segregation, the members of the 332nd Fighter Group and 447th Bombardment Group  braved their country's racial segregation during World War II to maintain an impressive escort record and be nationally recognized with Congressional Gold Medals.

Now that the history lesson is over, can someone please explain to me how anyone could ignore that "despite these adversities, they trained and flew with distinction" and fought with purpose for a country that wasn't willing to fight for them? As an American, I am disappointed in the job we have done as a society to recognize heroes such as these and with that, I urge you to do your part and see "Red Tails" at a theater near you.  

Have you seen it? What did you think? Tell us here, on Facebook or on Twitter by following us at @COSMOpolitique

All Aboard the "Winternship"!

Craving your own working space? Get working on a "winternship"!

So you graduated eight months ago. Congratulations! Before you half-heartedly accepted our genuine recognition of a job well done, answer this: Are you still looking for a job? It's no secret that its cold out there. It seems that all prospects and big ideas you thought you had are just as frozen as black ice. But never fear! COSMOpolitique to the rescue!

After reading an article in The Boston Globe, we decided to explore a new concept of "winternships" and how and why you should try to score one:

Winternship: (noun) "A winter internship undertaken by students facing a bleak job market and shrinking starting salaries to bolster resumes and land a job".

• Be open to a variety of positions: Like an audition for American Idol, its not likely you're going to skyrocket to fame and fortune on your first try. If you start out with big ideas, you'll be able to narrow your focus once you have some experience in your field. We recommend the legislature as a nice place to start if you're willing to be flexible and learn basic office skills. Political experience, even if its just taking in the environment, is an easily translatable public-sector opportunity to get to know how government works and can be applied to almost any field of study. Also, lucky for you, we're going into campaign season so many community leaders will be gearing up to put together teams of college-educated individuals to carry them to the finish line. Could it be you?

• Accept and learn from an entry-level position: The best part is, that while you may be faced with some grunt work at first, in 2009 "nearly 90% of Goldman [Sach]'s new hires were former interns." There's no risk with demoting yourself to the status of an underaged and applying for internships. They want to teach you so we suggest sucking up the little-to-no pay and practicing your coffee ordering skills. 

• Work like a grown-up: While your time is undoubtedly valuable, you're not going to get any work experience planted on a sofa in sweatpants. (Sorry, but life really is more comfortable on the employment line.) Imagine Facebook but real life; that's what networking in an office is all about! Whether your winternship lasts six weeks or six months, the relationships you form with people may prove useful in the long run. How you're remembered professionally will affect whether or not mention your name when a position opens up or when your cubicle-mate's brother's girlfriend's cousin's aunt (twice removed) is looking for someone JUST LIKE YOU to hire!

• Get motivated: At some point, someone is going to want to know what you did out of college and while saying you read COSMOpolitique, make us feel all warm and fuzzy, its not likely to earn you very many points with a future employer. (But we didn't say none!) Before you apply, think about what your goals are and what you're looking to get out of the experience. Keep this list with you to help you stay motivated and to help express your interest in special projects.

• Start getting beauty sleep: Most grown-ups we know are 9 to 5-ers so why should you be any different? Don't watch that extra episode of Dexter and hit the hay earlier so you can be awake and alert earlier. Believe it or not, if you're up and productive at earlier hours, you'll feel more accomplished later in the day!

For these and other ups visit HERcampus and leave us your suggestions below, on our Facebook page or on Twitter by following @COSMOpolitique! Good luck!

Christmas Countdown: The 18 Reasons You Shouldn't Vote GOP in 2012

As your options for holiday gifts get slimmer and slimmer, so do the GOP candidates for president. In fact, as they weed themselves out of this political circus that is obtaining their party's nomination, it may become clearer as to why voting Republican is not the way to go in 2012.

The reason these candidates are not attractive candidates for "leader of the free world" is based on their ability to understand the bigger issues facing America, how they comport themselves in political (or presidential settings) and their general lack of knowledge.

Below are a few frightening facts about these aspiring presidents:

Michelle Bachmann

• 55, Tea Party "darling", made famous by her many gaffes (Don't confuse her with the historical facts...)

Newt Gingrich

• 68, ousted as Speaker of the House, wants to protect the sanctity of marriage yet has been married 3 times and settled a divorce with a former spouse on her hospital bed (How's that for 'sacred'?)

Jon Hunstman

• 51, no skeletons in his closet other than the fact that he dropped out of high school (but later earned his G.E.D.) and is friends with the Chinese (VP). (No word yet on whether or not he ever inhaled...)

Ron Paul

• 76, has been nicknamed "Dr. No" which settles his likelihood of being a pragmatic leader and has a foreign policy of "non-intervention" despite the fact that globalization is proving to be a contributing flattener of the world.

Rick Perry

• 61, named his hunting lodge something racially offensive (not to mention morally reprehensible) and said that human rights for gays are not in America's best interests.

Mitt Romney

• 64, needs to learn his American geography and when to admit that his ideas are just as good as Obama's when it comes to healthcare.

Rick Santorum

• 53, criticized Obama for disclosing bin Laden's death too soon adding that it was a "national security failure" and believes that the passing of gay marriage would cause the U.S. to fail. (Kinda makes you wonder his take on the economic situation, right?)

On top of all this, some candidates don't understand the separation of church and state while others simply don't understand moral obligations. Furthermore, candidates should be checking their facts because Americans are smart and we know what's good for us. 

(Hint: Demonizing our relationship with Israel doesn't make the list...)

Speaking of lists, what are your thoughts on the presidential candidates so far? Leave us a comment below and we'll promptly respond! (Mostly because there are no press secretaries to wrangle with!)