As I mentioned under a blog thread at Bakotopia, there is a tendency among, not only visitors and bloggers of this community, but everywhere, to judge others and the motives of others, and to never give a person we disagree with, the benefit of the doubt. 

We only look at what some sort of action appears to be on the outside.  We rush right in from there, where angels fear to tread, to make some sort of judgement about someone's motives, and we pretend we can read minds.

The person over there suggested my comments were not  "supportive."  The blogger suggested I had an agenda.

http://www.bakotopia.com/ho...

I reiterated the point that being supportive doesn't mean I have to agree with the person or person(s) I support, in this case, the blogger, as a person.  I also support the blogger's freedom of speech, and the respectful way he generally (with a few notable exceptions) makes comments.  I do not, necessarily, agree with his portrayal of the Clerk as "the enemy."

I don't know if she is friend or foe.  I don't know her, so I'm not judging her one way or another.

As for my "agenda" as I stated over there:

My "agenda," if you want to call it that, is to put out positive energy in the blogosphere, to encourage musical and artistic expression, and to urge people to refrain from hating on others based on limited information and stereotypes. 

I accept Barnetts explanation. She obviously has a problem with the ceremonies. And the number of ceremonies may already be taxing the already strained county office resources. Adding more ceremonies, a lot more since apparently most homosexual marriages will be done this way, would likely be too much of a strain. I'll take her word for it and assume she is not lying.

Heterosexual and homosexual couples will still be able to get all their paperwork done and it will be legal.

Why would you want your marriage ceremony, your special day, done in a county office anyway?

Agree with blogroll. I have not heard any statement to make me think the clerk is hating anything or anybody except those who would jump to conclusions. I don't know that the decision was hers. However her actions may seem to some, bottom line is I can't presume to know the clerk's mind. Maybe her critics can read minds; I can't.

It's comforting to know, based on the 2nd and 3rd comment posted here, that not everybody automatically wants to pile on and condemn the woman to hell.  The two of you should be commended for giving this woman the benefit of the doubt, and for not rushing to judgment. 

If more would do that, this world would be a much better place to live, and the blogosphere would be a much more peaceful environment in which for folks to interact. 

On a side note, we see that

is urging a boycott of Bolthouse Farms products.

I've been drinking a lot of Bolthouse Farms products, lately, but I can assure you, it has nothing to do with what they do with their money, or what causes they support.  That stuff is packed with protein, and loaded with other nutrients----and it tastes great at the same time. 

Just the other day, I tried the protein soy drink.  I paid for it, but drank it all before pulling up to pay for that, and the rest of my groceries.  It was an awesome drink.  And, just for the record, I was not paid to say that :)

I've heard that the owners of the company are not haters.  I've heard that they love all people, but wish to see the traditional definition of marraige protected and preserved.  If anybody provides information that confirms the company to be haters, I'll gladly give up my present beverage preference. 

Until then, the more people boycott the product, the more bottles I'll buy.   

When Bolthouse goes bankrupt from a boycott, I'll stand in awe of The Bilerico Project.

I just got this random e-mail:

------ Forwarded Message
From: Julie Leigh Domeny
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 12:40:29 -0700 (PDT)
To: <jbaldwin@bakersfield.com>
Subject: gay marraige

THANK YOU BAKERSFIELD!
 
And, thank you Kern County for being a voice in the wilderness in regards to this gay marraige issue.  I think I will leave the metropolis of San Jose and join you in the desert where decent people reside.
 
Julie
 
 
"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, it is the parent of all others"  Cicero


------ End of Forwarded Message

It just pains and saddens me to see Bolthouse willing to spend $100,000 to keep a few harmless, law-abiding Californians from happiness, when newborn babies are being thrown in the trash because, perhaps, the Safe Surrender program isn't being funded enough to be as effective as it could be.

This doesn't make the Bolthouse owners hateful, but it grieves me to see where their priorities seem to be.

$100,000 could be used to do a lot of human life-affirming good.  It's being spent on obstructing a few harmless people's happiness instead.

Jbaldwin, as much as the writer's attitude saddens me, you would be best to edit out her email address.

(edit: looks like you got it)

No problem. It's funny that she chose ME of all people to send that to. She doesn't know me ...

I wouldn't have edited out the email address.  But then, that's just me.  If a total stranger emails something to me I feel no obligation to protect their name.

As for Bolthouse.  I wouldn't be too quick to head them down the path of bankruptcy due to the boycott.  There are probably a lot more people like Blognroll who feel the same way he does.  Sometimes it's the "silent" majority you have to watch out for.

I too have stated on other blogs that I don't think Ann Barnett was motivated by hate.  It is common for some bloggers of differing opinions to make such accusations when they disagree with a person's views. 

Pay attention to the two comments made above.  Those voices are the voices of common sense. 

$100,000 could be used to do a lot of human life-affirming good. 

Maybe they feel that preserving the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, is life-affirming.  When traditional marriage fails, everyone suffers, and spiritual and pychological death follows. 

On the other hand, I do commend you for not automatically assuming, on the basis of their actions, that the company stands for hatred towards gays. 

"Maybe they feel that preserving the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, is life-affirming.  When traditional marriage fails, everyone suffers, and spiritual and pychological death follows."

I don't see any connection, even a slight connection, between this matter and the failure of traditional marriages.  I don't understand what you're trying to say, and I'm trying.

Since other people are promoting their blog posts, I'll promote my post on this issue:  http://people.bakersfield.c...

If you want to protect traditional marriages, it's up to people who are now in traditional marriages to make them sacred.  Live your marriages as though they are sacred, and they will be sacred.

The government can't make them sacred for you.  Only you can.

Very smart Nancy (re Bolthouse) about marketing.

Given the demographic and political makeup of Baco-Bits, this may just have been a master stroke  in marketing........

Some of the Lefty wingnut zealots tend to ascribe way too much importance to their proliferation hereon......

I find the boycott of Bolthouse products interesting considering William Bolthouse sold the company and the name years ago. 

Excuse me, I'd say more, but I'm in the middle of guzzling a Bolthouse protein drink :)

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.  Good stuff!

Bolthouse. Great products.  I will enjoy them more now.

I've been very thirsty lately.  Tonight, on the way home, I think I'll pick up a six-pack, no a twelve-pack, no, a twenty-four pack.  I've got a huge thirst and nothing less than a 24-pack of Bolthouse drinks will quench it :)

I've never had their drinks, but BLT is making me thirsty for one. I'm am always looking for alternative protein sources.

BLT: Maybe you should talk Botlhouse into giving away some free drinks at your Release Party.

With all the worthwhile things out there Bolthouse could have done with that money... And they blow it on trying to interfere with what is basically private behavior. Like that clerk who's sanctimonious beliefs are so strong she wants to make everyone live and believe like she does. What ever happened to minding our own business or what about personal freedom and liberty? Let's worry about things that actually are a threat to our freedom rather than fight to oppose how others want to live.

I think the clerk feels she has taken some moral stand~ done some great good in the name of her religion. If she had the courage of her convictions to say honestly what those were,  I'd applaud her~ but all we have to go on is her contact with a religious group fighting same sex marriages.Sounds like an act of not so much courage to me. I am heartened by the fact several local officiants will be on hand at the courthouse to preform the 7 minute ceremony needed for free. I am heartened my friends live in San Jose. I am really glad I have my own juicer and Grimway Farms produces such nice carrots.

BLT: Maybe you should talk Botlhouse into giving away some free drinks at your Release Party.

Food for thought :). 

Sagefever, with all due respect, aren't you being a little too harsh and judgmental on the city clerk.  Do you really know her well enough to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, what her motives are?

With all the worthwhile things out there Bolthouse could have done with that money... And they blow it on trying to interfere with what is basically private behavior.

Maybe they don't see it as "private behavior."  Maybe they see it as something that impacts the moral fiber of our society, and maybe they see it as a threat to the sanctity of traditional marriage. 

Like that clerk who's sanctimonious beliefs are so strong she wants to make everyone live and believe like she does. What ever happened to minding our own business or what about personal freedom and liberty?

Once again, aren't you being overly judgmental on the city clerk.  Do you really understand her beliefs enough to be labeling them with the pejorative "sanctimonious" label?  How do you know that "she wants to make everybody live and believe like she does?  You folks are rushing to judgment on somebody I doubt that you know very well at all.

Let's worry about things that actually are a threat to our freedom rather than fight to oppose how others want to live.

Why should we all worry only about the things you think are important to worry about?  We all have different priorities, and different things we feel are worth fighting for and against.  Just because you don't regard something as a threat, doesn't mean others feel the same way, or should feel the same way. 

Let's worry about things that actually are a threat to our freedom rather than fight to oppose how others want to live.

The California Supreme Court agrees with that sentiment.

The problem is that we, the people, have different ideas, random, on what things represent a threat to our freedom. 

That's not a problem, it's an advantage.   We even have a Supreme Court to make the ultimate decisions.

.

Ashleigh Brilliant said it best--the more we disagree, the more likely it is that at least one of us us right. 
 

So allow same-sex marriages, and if you think it's wrong, don't have one.  Everybody wins.  But if you can't point to a definite problem caused by same-sex marriages *IN AND OF THEMSELVES,* the Supreme Court says you haven't got a valid reason to stop them. 

http://www.bakersfield.com/... Supervisor Maben is a good man! 

Ann Barnett is to be applauded for sticking to her convictions.  Whatever the reason, the woman has cajones.  

Looks like Supervisor  Maben is serving his last term.

si kbabe02

si quadratros

la mujer está en verdad buena............

wasn't Maben a LASO Deputy?

OK IM  18 AND I AM FOR GAY MARRIAGE I BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHAT THEY BELEIVE IN AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE THEN JUST DONT MARRY A GAY OR LESBIAN MARRY SOMEONE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX  AND ALSO FOR MANY THAT SAY THAT GAY MARRIAGE AFFECTS REGULAR MARRIAGE AND FAMILIES THEY ARE WRONG BECAUSE WHAT IS REALLY AFFECTING FAMILIES IN THESE DAYS IS DIVORCE BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMEN THAT IS WHAT IS MESSING FAMILIES UP

AND I DISAPPROVE WHAT BOLTHOUSE DID BY DONATING 100,000  BECAUSE KNOW THE ONES WHO PAY THE PRICE ARE ITS EMPLOYEES MY MOTHER WORKS THERE AND SHE TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE LAYING LOTS OF PEOPLE OFF TODAY IS HER LAST DAY OF WORK AND ALSO NOW THE PEOPLE HAVE TO REALLY WORK HARDER BECAUSE THEY WANT TO KEEP THEIR JOBS  WHAT BOLTHIOUSE IS TRYING TO DO IS DO EVERYTHING BUT WITH LESS PEOPLE AND MANY PEOPLE ARE GROWING TIRED OF THIS NEW CHANGE THAT WHENT INTO EFFECT THIS WEEK

Reorganization is the way of big buisness always has been always will be. This thing that "goes into effect this week" couldnt have effected laying off those people this fast..Bolthouse Farms have been hiring and laying off alot lately. Trying to become a more efficent operatlon.

You just turned 18 and are just starting too pay attention to what happens in the real world. Its one of the reasons your parents have been telling you all these years to work hard and get an education while you can ..because the job market is a finicky place.

You have to take into account  gays verses straight customers. The gay community has always been substantially smaller and I betcha a dollar to a donut the majority of the ones screaming they will boycott Bolthouse dont do buisness with them right now anyway. Now go love your mamma shes going through some hard times right now...but keep in mind with todays economy its happeneing to alot of familys in different areas all over the USA...and it doesnt have anything to do with gays.

I just had a thought...all this crap is about them wanting to get married..Marriage is a religious ceremony and always has been The majority of them profess to being atheists..so why iis it so important for them to associate a part of our religious background within their community...cant they just maybe slit their wrists and intermingle blood or something totally different...maybe refer to it as Unionising with one another.. instead of marriage....They could makeup their own liscenses and everything just like we had to do..

They want to be seperate from us in their thinking and actions?? Then by Gawd be seperate...

Oh, and Silver.  Hit that cap lock release button will ya?  You're making my eyees hurt with all that virtual yelling.

De eso nada.. ¿Un diputado LASO? por qué hacen usted pregunta Chico?

estoy de acuerdo que la mujer está muy bien

Sioux -- La razón que pregunté está porque su trabajo anterior nos diría algo acerca de porqué decide cuando hace emisiones adelante

personalmente él parece él tiene un orden del día en su mente. como marrige alegre podría benifit él de algún modo. Si usted consigue mi movimiento

A boycott probably won't work.  If people wanted to go after Bolthouse, they'd picket a few Walgreens locations and ask Walgreens to remove their product across the state.  Walgreens doesn't care enough to stand up for them, and they'd just put another product in their place.

Good idea TomW> I plan on calling my supervisor and urge him to join Mr. Maben in trying to continue a tradition here in Kern County.

Too late I already emailed em and told them if they valued their jobs next election they need to oppose Mr.Maben's actions

Now I know you had government class SCR~ I get'ta say too! As do all our citizens .

siouxcityranch

Just where do you get the statistics that the "majority of them" are atheists?  I'm willing to bet that gays and lesbians have the same percentage of those who are Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, etc as the main polulation at large.  ALso, the day that you were required to get a public license to get married was the day that marriage stopped being a religious ceremony.  And this may come as a shocker, but there are Christian ministers out there who will perform religious marriage ceremonies now that they are legally able to.  (Those who make the erroneous claikm that this law takes away religious freedom need to consider that before this state law churches that WANTED to perform legal gay marriages were prevented from doing so).

silvermd,

Did your mom lose her job or was she lucky enough to find a job at a different company? If she lost her job, maybe she can find work in another one of their departments.

Those of you who don't like what same sex couples do, you should be promoting them to get married and encouraging them to have or adopt kids. It would definately hamper their romance.  

BLT:

"with all due respect, aren't you being a little too harsh and judgmental on the city clerk."

I know you know this and just slipped, but just in case someone else is reading, this is about the Kern County clerk, and has nothing to do with the Bakersfield city clerk.