How We Got Marriage Wrong And Other Musings

By BlackJack

• No matter the weather outside - Today is a cold and foreboding anniversary. On June 6th, 1949 George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-four was published and became his eternal legacy. It seems appropriate today to acknowledge it's impact on modern society and our social conscience, but sadly it seems now to be less a work of fiction than a revelation of probable eventuality.
  
  Often over the last 6 years, during what has become known as the post-9/11 era, we have seen the signs of our own 'Big Brother' watching over our every move. Sometimes slowly, and occasionally in giant strokes of a Presidential pen, our rights have been eroded as we have moved from the 'beacon of democracy' to the 'harbinger of doom'.
  

• I still think we've got this whole marriage thing wrong - all kinds. Marriage is itself a religious institution that has taken on a legal component. I propose that marriage be relegated to strictly a religious recognition thereby allowing each individual denomination to choose whether they recognize a marriage or not.
  
  From a legal standpoint I think we need to implement a civil partnership - a personal version of a corporate partnership. Any 2 or more people should be able to enter into a personal financial contract to share income, expenses and property just as they can in the business world. This would allow people of any type of relationship to share the costs and rewards of life.
  
  I especially can think of many living arrangements involving the elderly where shared expenses and benefits would be helpful. I also know of several single mothers who have chosen to live together (platonically) in order to make ends meet.
  
  Leave marriage to the church but find a way to give equal rights to everybody.
  

• I'm convinced now that G. W. Bush is just a bad speller. He must have meant IraN, not IraQ. Imagine that - 3 letters off and everything would be different now.

• Listening to Scott Hennen is like a dog humping a leg - a lot of action but no productive outcome. I never thought anyone could make Rush Limbaugh sound relatively well grounded. His side comments after a caller or guest hang up are a nice touch and speak volumes about his character - only fight when you can sucker punch.

From just inside the Red Zone - over and out!