Ken Schram: Civil rights for everyone benefits us all
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I know there are a lot of people who are unhappy that our state passed a marriage equality law.
But one only has to look at the beaming couples who joyously exchanged vows in courtrooms, private venues and supportive churches to understand the milestone that has been too long in coming.
Integrating schools; women joining the workforce; enforcing voting rights, all were met by different levels of resistance and resentment.
As a society, we evolve.
We come to understand that civil rights for everyone benefits us all; as individuals, as families and as a nation.
I believe that, in time, marriage equality will be the law in all 50 states.
I believe that, in time, most people will come to wonder what all the fuss was about.
I hope that time comes soon.
On a personal note, this may likely be my final commentary here on KOMO.
So I leave you hoping that your Hanukah candles burn brightly; that your Christmas wishes come true and that your hopes for the new year are all realized.
Thanks for all the years we've shared.
It's been my privilege.
Watch out for each other out there.
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Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also connect with Ken on Facebook.
But one only has to look at the beaming couples who joyously exchanged vows in courtrooms, private venues and supportive churches to understand the milestone that has been too long in coming.
Integrating schools; women joining the workforce; enforcing voting rights, all were met by different levels of resistance and resentment.
As a society, we evolve.
We come to understand that civil rights for everyone benefits us all; as individuals, as families and as a nation.
I believe that, in time, marriage equality will be the law in all 50 states.
I believe that, in time, most people will come to wonder what all the fuss was about.
I hope that time comes soon.
On a personal note, this may likely be my final commentary here on KOMO.
So I leave you hoping that your Hanukah candles burn brightly; that your Christmas wishes come true and that your hopes for the new year are all realized.
Thanks for all the years we've shared.
It's been my privilege.
Watch out for each other out there.
---
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also connect with Ken on Facebook.
I have no problem with civil rights.  I have no problem with gay rights.  I have no problem with legalizing pot.  HOWEVER, I am getting REALLY TIRED of every news show on every TV station in Seattle  opening up their news program with two GUYS KISSING and TWO WOMEN KISSING, followed by long coverage legalizing POTSMOKING, by showing all the potsmokers actually smoking it.
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Would you open up a news program showing a guy and a girl kissing? Â NO, you would not. Â I am getting tired of it.
@Pathfinder - well there pathfinder, you are witnessing a major civil rights change. This happens very rarely, so let 'em have thier day and soon it will be no longer a big deal, we will rarely see pictures like this, just like we rarely see pictures of us straights kissing.
See ya on the flip side.
Godspeed, Ken - you will be missed by many, probably even your detractors.
I have not agreed with you on everything (I can't think of anyone I can agree on everything with!), but your support for marriage equality has been appreciated and I will miss reading your commentaries; even those I don't agree with. Whatever new adventure you are heading on, I wish you the best!
I should have clarified in my previous comment that this is one issue where I agree with Ken 100 percent. Sorry if anyone inferred otherwise and was understandably offended, but you can easily search my comment history on here to know how many times I've spoken out in support.Â
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Once again, congrats to the many happy couples pictured here and not. Remember, you've finally earned a well-deserved legal right, but in the way that counts most â from the heart â you were no less partners, marriages or families on Dec. 5 than you are today.Â
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Allowing state approval of the misappropriation of the term âmarriageâ has nothing to do with civil rights and everything to do with government getting involved where they have no business. On another note, good bye Ken you will not be missed by as many as you may think.      Â
@oldster70 - there's no misappropriate of the term 'marriage' going on.Â
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The people have spoken. It is the will of the people to allow gay marriage to become part of the definition of marriage.  If you truly believe in 'the will of the people', or the rule of law, then you must allow for gay marriage to become part of the definition of 'marriage'. You don't have to like it, but you have to allow it.
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You and folks who think like you may want to think so, but as the definition of marriage has never been a static definition owned by only by those with a certain set of religious or moral rules. No one has or can constitutionally 'own' the definition when that ownership is detrimental to others, therefore it cannot be 'misappropriated' by anyone. Particularly when a vote of the people allows for a specific change to the legal definition.
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If you are religious, the term 'holy matrimony' can mean whatever your religious beliefs define it to be. You can also have your personal meaning of the term 'marriage' can be whatever you want it to be.   However, because you can have your own meanings for these terms, that means (and requires) that others can have thier own meanings for those same terms.   If others wish to allow divorce, gay marriage, re-marriage of divorced people, mixed race marriage, mixed religion marriage, etc, then it is thier right.Â
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 @oldster70 Allowing?  Where have you been...under a rock?  LGBT people have been fighting for the change to marry the ones they love for a long time.  Through the courts, the legislature and now through the voter process. Â
Time to catch up to society.
@oldster70 wow, lame on both counts
Best wishes wherever you take life, Ken. I've disagreed with you more often than not in recent years, and sometimes questioned if your goal for a particular column was stirring up the masses rather than giving your straight-up honest assessment of the subject, but you've always been a great read.
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Your many years (decades?) of faithfully reporting, writing and editorializing here have more than earned you the right to a far better exit column than this, one devoted entirely to anything and everything you want to say.
And our many years (decades?) of faithfully reading and watching you has more than earned us the right to hear it! :^DÂ
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Come on, KOMO suits (and Ken, if permitted), don't let this one bounce into the end zone for a touchback, take it and run with it. Don't either of you let any emotional reaction from the separation details here mar the many years of good teamwork and good memories.Â
It's So beautiful to see this in Washington State Now! it's about time!
Marriage, like abortion, contraception & consensual behaviors are NONE of the government's business. To think one must have a license to marry or engage in most activities is to give power to those who misuse it. All anyone needs is to have their contract, of what ever kind recorded in the county recorder's office. Don't give government power it can't handle or shouldn't have.
@contraryjim -- It is indeed not the goverment's business. It is also not the business of any particular religion to force thier version of beliefs upon everyone else is in this country.
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These Christians who demand to force thier view on these issues upon all others would be screaming and yelling, probably even advocating revolution to stop any attempts of followers of Islam to enforce thier religious views upon America Marriage, abortion, contraception & consensual behaviors. In fact, some Christians have gone as far as to try to make law that would absolutely prevent followers of Islam from doing so.
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Even if it were Buddhists, Sikhs, or any other non-Christian religion that you can name, these very Christians who are ever so forceful in demanding that Christian ways be American law would be livid - would be screaming about the discrimination, the illegality, the un-constitutional status of any attempt for any other religion to do this.
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Yet they continue to attempt to force thier version of religious beliefs to become American law.
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I really don't understand the hypocracy of this 'my violating the Constitution is ok, but you cannot' position that they not only take but seemingly blissfully support.
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Promoting one's religious beliefs and standards is one thing. Attempting to use law to force others to follow one's specific religious beliefs -to the exclusion of all other possible beliefs- is contrary to the Constitution, regardless of whether it's Islam, Buddhism, Mormonism, or any other religious beliefs.
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I'm all for equal rights.....but it still freaks me out seeing two dudes making out.
 @MidnightRambler then stop looking
 @MidnightRambler I would not define this as a picture of two dudes "making out". Sharing a kiss, yes.
 @MidnightRambler I personally don't like seeing anyone making out in public. I don't care who you are kissing.
Has the world forgotten that marriage is about LOVE? Don't use your personal religious belief to try to pass laws on how others can live their lives. When that happens in countries it has horrible consequences.
Does that mean there is a job opening for a commentary writer? I know how to spell, I use proper grammar, and I'd LOVE to get paid for telling people my opinions! *Dream job*
Wishing you well. I will miss your commentary, even if I don't always agree with you. Evolution is powerful and wonderful!!
Ken, you will be missed! Glad you could comment on this issue before you left. I do believe we will look back on this ruling and think "Dah....why in the world would this group be excluded?" I think, who could look at all of those lovely pictures and not think it was a good thing??
Retiring so soon Ken?
Best wishes. I'm going to miss your commentaries.
Who said Ken could leave!??? Best wishes Ken!
Ken, very sorry to see you leave. I will miss reading your editorial. Best wishes where ever life takes you! :)
Oh my goodness, I am so tired of all the name calling, telling people to leave, that the world would be better off with out them that has come from the articles about same-sex marriage.  I know I will get grief for this, but I do not support same-sex marriage.  I support what the bible states, that marriage is between a man and a woman.  That being said, I do not feel that it is my right, nor my JOB to decide who can and cannot marry.  If God has a problem with it, He will deal with it when the time comes.  Not me.  So while I do not support same-sex marriage, I will not discriminate, either.  I will say, however, and I am elaborating on what another person has said about transgenders and crossdressers: use the restroom labeled for what ever genitalia you have please.  I do not want to explain to my children why a man dressed as a woman is using the women's room or vise-versa.  I don't think many children are really able to grasp that concept.Â
 @babyblueeyes82 Concerning Transgenders Men using Women's restroom. It is simple. A Transgender man dressed as a Woman, going into the Men's restroom is Likely to get bashed, harrassed, even Worse. Which is why When a transgendered Man who is dressed as a women should USE the women's restroom. Most Women are ok With it. Most transwomen just DO their business in the Stalls, Wash their hands, and Fix their hair and makeup. that's all!It's a Matter of Safety to the Transgender people that we use The restroom of the Sex that we are Presenting as.It's sad that you cannot see this, and that you would rather see trans people use the pother restoom and risk being harassesd, bashed or worse.
 @Alexandra Shepiro If a person is going to get harassed, bashed, or worse, it really wouldn't mater if it were in a restroom or else where,  I read an article a couple months back about a man that identifies as a woman using the woman's locker room at a gym.  This is a locker room that children are in as well.  There are reports of him walking around naked.  With children there.  This is not ok.  I really don't care what gender a person wants to be, they are what they are until it is changed by surgery.  And they should use the restroom or locker that coincides with their genitalia.  What is really sad is that you don't see that our children should be kept safe, and innocent.  A mother should not have to explain to a small child why a "woman" in a women's locker room has male genitalia. Â
 @LocalLady Now we are splitting hairs, talking about extremely rare cases.  Trying to keep it real here.  If a person has the ability to urinate while standing, then they should be in the men's room.  If a person does not have the ability to urinate while standing, they should be in the women's room.  Note, I did say ability, not which they choose.
".... And they should use the restroom or locker that coincides with their genitalia ...."
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But what of those who have "ambiguous sexual characteristics" - they do not definately prresent either way? There are people born like that - should they simply not go when out in public in case they upset someone?
@babyblueeyes82 I don't think you're giving kids enough credit. They're smarter than you may think.
 @babyblueeyes82 Children learn by what we teach them. If they are ignorant it's because we raised them to be that way. I would hope that you have some decency in you to not raise your children to be intolerant of other people's civil rights but to have their own opinion of what goes on in the world. I don't believe in your god, their god or any god but I don't push that onto my children; in fact my teenage daughter regularly attends Church. Yes you are allowed to voice your opinion but don't hide behind the bible as the reason. OWN IT!
@PrairieDawn @babyblueeyes82 Amen to that!!
@PrairieDawn @babyblueeyes82 My goodnesss! Baby Blue, comment was well put and non judgemental. Not 'picking and choosing'. The Bible says to love your neighbor and judge not. Step away from the conversation. People arguing with you are angry people. Those who do not believe in God, I hope for your sake, that you are right. Those who think they are high and mighty as the Phairsee who were too legalistic to love others. Well, you know your Bible and what it says about those who think they're getting into heaven because they're 'better than everyone else.' The Bible is written in metaphors and poetically; the way that people wrote in those times (thats in history not the Bible so you can look it up). It does not condone nor encourage rape or slavery. Rape = sex outside of marriage. Jesus = Forgives and loves  Slave = Jesus led the life of a slave a SERVANT Slave = EMPLOYEE. There are GOBS of lessons for you all to learn, me too, do some research! Read some history, read a Bible, Challenge yourself and what you believe!!!
 @Beth  @PrairieDawn  @babyblueeyes82 Thank you so much for explaining that so clearly. Â
 @PrairieDawn I don't hide behind the Bible as the reason for my opinion.  The Bible is a part of my life.  You say you do not believe in God, so perhaps you cannot understand my views.  I am not saying that you have to.  But for some people, the Bible is not just a book, it is a reference.  Believing in Jesus and God is not an excuse for some, but a way of life.  I am not by any means perfect, nor do I expect perfection from anyone.  I do not expect people to agree with me, just as people should not expect me to agree with them.  But in my life, when I have questions, I turn to God.  And I have not been a Christian my whole life.  I have always believed in God, but have not always had Him as part of my life.  And in MY humble opinion, I AM a decent person, and I do a fine job of raising my children. Â
 @babyblueeyes82 If you support what the Bible says, then you support slavery and rape. Or do you just pick and choose like all the other phony Christians?Â
 @lakeview Why do you label me as a phony Christian?  I do my best, try to be the version of me I can, and ask God for forgiveness for my short comings.  And there are many.  Have you read the Bible?  And if so, do you understand it? Â
 @lakeview I'm sorry that you don't see God the way I do.  But I will not try to persuade you; that is not my intention.  You have the right to your opinion, and regardless of what you believe, I have the right to mine.  You are not required to agree.  Â
 @babyblueeyes82 Yes, I'm a recovering Catholic. I bet I know more about the Bible than you. What I have a problem with is people like you using specific passages to back up your politics, but you ignore the stuff that you don't like. You either believe it all or don't. So I assume that you support the passages where God says it's OK to own slaves and it's OK to rape?Â
a little judgemental here Lakeview..you dont like it when people dont agree with your views.. thats what freedom of speech is.
@lakeview @agatha let them chose, it it their problem, do not discriminate just becasue you do not belive in what they do
 @lakeview  @agatha I am not "shoving" my beliefs on other people, I try to live my life a certain way.  By you passing judgement on me by calling me phony, you are showing your own ignorance and lack of respect for other's opinions,. Â
 @agatha If they want to pick and choose what Biblical passages to shove on the rest of us while ignoring all the other stuff, then absolutely that is phony.Â
 @babyblueeyes82 "I support what the bible states", which one, which version and which language? They are quite varied and a lot was lost in translation from Hebrew, Phoenician and Latin.
 @babyblueeyes82 Kind of depends on whether you're a christian, jew or muslim. If you're a jew . If you are they have no problem with multiple wives or concubines. if you're a christian or muslim there is no reference in the book either way. Though Jesus was pretty clear that people don't have a right to judge others.
@Blindman @babyblueeyes82 leave teh jews out of this please!
We passed it through the legislature; we passed it by referendum.
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What more do you people want?Â
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Good luck out there Ken.Â
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@lakeview ----wrong, it was shoved down everyone's throat by that witch governor, and voted in by the majority of peiple who live in Seattle/king county, Pierce and Snohomish...rememebr morethan half the counties in the state voted against it :) I for one don't care let them eat cake as they say...then they will realizehwo stupid it was to get married....and then comes the alimony, who gets to keep buster (cat or dog) etc, etc blah blah blah..
 @Tired of all this crap!  @lakeview Tired, you really need to get your facts straight.  It was passed by the legislature and signed into law by the governor.  It was then put to a vote and it was passed.  Whining about it just makes you seem like a sore loser and a bitter person.  If you really are "Tired of all this crap!!"  why are you posting comments about it?Â