I understand it took a bit, but . . . you're finally on the right side of history. Congratulations. I know it was a long battle for you, (allegedly) standing up for the beliefs of your political party, versus the best interests of citizens of Florida. I know it took an amazing amount of court losses - shouldn't you, as the Attorney General for FL be able to win a case or two? You might not want these losses on your resume - for you to realize that you were fighting a losing battle.
I know this victory for the gay citizens of FL is actually a bitter defeat for you. I'm sorry that you feel that way. I'm sorry that your compassion and best interests for the citizens of FL only extends to the narrow-minded and heterosexual citizens of FL. I'm sorry that you feel that only heterosexual citizens of FL deserve equal protection under the law.
Perhaps, with that attitude, you might want to consider a career change. I mean, after all, isn't the well-being of every citizen of FL part of your job description? Is there some fine print in your contract that states you only defend the rights of heterosexual citizens of FL? Is there some more fine print that says you personally get to pick and choose that only certain citizens of FL deserve equal protection under the law?
If not, it sure seems that way.
Okay, I know that, in order to get elected (allegedly) you had to maintain your stance against same sex marriage. I get it. Had you shown support - the morally correct option - for same-sex marriage, there was a good chance you would not get re-elected. It's quite obvious, at least to me, that your career trumps doing the right thing. It's okay, many Republicans are just like you. In fact, they no longer refer to the GOP as the Grand Old Party. It's now the Gay Oppression Party, and your actions are one of the reasons that new name applies.
But, all of that aside, SCOTUS smacking you down, as other courts have time and time and time and time and (well, this would be a really long post if I listed every time a court smacked you down) time again was the ultimate moment when you did what was actually right. Okay, your hand was forced and you probably really, really, really did not want to do it, but . . . you did.
I applaud, though only very softly, your courage - for yes, it took courage for you to finally do, at least in my mind, the right thing - to say you would no longer fight against same-sex marriage.
Here is my hope for you, Ms. Bondi: that you never have to experience what you put same-sex couples through. May you not have your fate decided by one person. May you not have to fight and fight and fight for what you know is right, only to have one single person fight against you and say "you don't deserve equal protection under the law". May you not have one person's actions tell you that your love is not right or normal. May you not have to have your hopes dashed again and again and again . . . by one single person.
You see, Ms. Bondi, even though you're a woman, you don't have a clue what it's like to be told, by people like you, that you don't matter. You don't know what it's like, after being with someone for 20 years, to be told "oh, I don't believe you should be able to marry". You don't know what it's like to have people - twice, three times, four times and more divorced - like you, spout off about traditional marriage. Traditional marriage is about life-long commitment. But, people like you, don't get that . . . but still, my hope for you, is that you don't have to experience such things.
My ultimate hope for you, Ms. Bondi, is that one day, you'll be able to treat people how you expect to be treated, because, I certainly hope you don't expect to be treated with disrespect, or to be told you don't matter.
For that, Ms. Bondi, is how you have treated the gay community of FL!
Scottford
