Monday, July 03, 2006

Independence Day

In celebration of Independence Day, I had a chance to re-review the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to our Constitution. And when I say the Bill of Rights, I mean my Bill of Rights and your Bill of Rights because it is so clear that the original authors, responding to the tyranny of the crown, wanted to protect individual people, each of us a puzzle piece to the greater picture at large. It is my own interpretation that the framers had immense faith that individuals could be trusted to do the right thing even to the point of electing or appointing the people who would keep them on track. It is a reminder that this country is mine and yours and collectively "ours" to seize, build, reform, baske in, and cherish.

For your perusal, a summary of your Bill of Rights.

1. The First Amendment protects your freedom to practice religion, freedom from being forced to practice any particular religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to associate and assemble, and the freedom to criticize the government and ask it to make changes.

2. The Second Amendment allows people the right to protect themselves by bearing arms. The Constitution essentially secures that the responsibility of personal protection lies with the individual, not the government.

3. This amendment prohibits the government from forcing you to house soldiers during times of peace and war. This amendment has been more broadly interpreted to include the government's use of private land to "house" other things like endangered species.

4. The Fourth Amendment deals with privacy, unlawful search and seizure, and probable cause.

5. The Fifth Amendment makes sure that you are not tried for the same crime twice, that if convicted you are only punished once, that you don't have to testify against yourself, and that your personal property cannot be turned into public property without just compensation.

6. Every person accused of a crime has the right to know what the charge is, the right to be confronted by their accusers and witnesses, the right to require witnesses to testify in their defense, the right to a trial within a short period of time from being accused, and the right to legal assistance (which at the time only meant that the government couldn't take your lawyer away. It wasn't until later that this amendment was interpreted to allow people the right to have a lawyer even if it meant that one had to be provided.)

7. The Seventh Amendment ensures that everyone has the right to a jury trial for every accusation.

8. Essentially, this amendment ensures that the punishment shall fit the crime.

9. The Ninth Amendment essentially says that just because the Constitution gives the people some rights, it shouldn't be implied that it denies other rights to people. We don't need the Constitution to tell us everything - just because the Constitution doesn't say I have a right doesn't mean that I don't have it.

10. State governments can provide rights or limit rights not otherwise listed or described in the Constitution.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Countdown to the Gay Games - Pride


Week 15

This week marks a milestone - 20 miles. In the 18 week program it is the longest stretch that one will run before raceday. The upside is the overwhelming accomplishment. I mean, c'mon. I average somewhere between a nine and a ten minute mile. That means running consistently for anywhere from 3 - 3 1/2 hours. If you work a 9-5 job, that is the time between the start of your day and lunch break. It's crazy when you think of it. The downside is that it still isn't a full marathon and there is always the looming question of whether you truly will be able to complete the race. When it all comes down to it, will you fall short of the finish.

I have to say that these last few weeks have been tough. I've had a lot on my mind, a lot of tasks and travelling, little motivation to run. The summer weather has been unforgiving with temps in the 80's by 0900. For long runs like last week, getting up at 5am has been a necessity to avoid the heat and humidity of Midwest June. And I have to say, this week I told myself that whatever happens, I'll be happy with how far I've come over the last four months.

But then, I stopped myself.

June is Pride month for most people and places. It represents a celebration of who we are and what we have accomplished. But it is also a reminder of what we still have ahead. Last weekend, I had the pleasure of spending Pride in Minneapolis with my dear friends Nancy and JP. We danced at Twilight, listened to freestyle vocals at Jet Set, watched the parade, visited the park, and met gobs of cool people. I drank too much, flirted with a hottie hipster, kissed a lesbian, and laughed at the general straight reaction to so many gay people in one place. I also got the funny idea that at some point, gay people should rebel against marriage equality. I mean, why should we want to be equals, we should want more. We should want better ceremonies, stronger ties, longer lasting "I do's", cooler "forevers", swankier divorces. Why should we settle for what they have. And maybe Pride should last all year long. OK, seriously.

My point is that it is easy to enjoy the momentum that we have created - to sit back and say "whatever happens, I'll be happy with how far I've come." But sometimes, you have to push through. You have to remember that there are six more miles left in the race. And it's OK to be proud of running 20 miles. But isn't it better to be proud of finishing? It's OK to be proud of who you are. But isn't it better to be proud of who you could be?

Week 14