This morning, not feeling particularly well, I decided to brave the rain and jaunt to my local market for some comfort food and electrolyte stocked beverages. The weather accommodated me very well, rainy, humid, a bit cold a bit hot. Or, that could be my body temperature talking. As I came to a busy intersection that preceded my places of capitalistic interest (guarded by socialists selling newspapers), I came upon a woman, a bit shorter than me, middle aged, white hair, glasses, very resolute, holding a NO on Prop. 8 sign, dripping rain water from its edges. Previous to her, I had passed a group of younger, much hipper looking men, standing under cover from rain, holding the same signs and inspiring drivers who were coming off the 580 freeway to honk in support of voting no on Proposition 8. It was a very , very loud intersection.The woman dutifully approached me as I was waiting for the little white, LCD man to tell me to walk safely across the street."Are you registered to vote?" she asked, huskily. "I sure am." I was sweating, I had a fever. I had a hair cut yesterday so I was a bit shy.She excitedly bounced her NO on Proposition 8 sign above her head and offered a suggestive, poignant grin towards me. I smiled in turn and gave this repose:"You know, I can understand both sides, why someone would vote yes, and why someone would vote no."Hoping that would inspire a conversation….She pondered , " I've had many , many interesting conversations today, especially with those who are voting yes. But the one thing that I have been getting a lot of today is respect, from both sides. And that's the way you make change, by letting the other side see your point and considering it. That's the only way."We continued a pleasant conversation, the white LCD man gave me the all clear, I patted the woman on the back and told her to keep fighting the good fight. A bit later, I passed the same busy intersection, shopping bags in hand, umbrella over my head to find a slight, middle aged man, wearing an army bomber jacket, functional practical brown shoes, average jeans, and bouncing a No on Proposition 8 sign slowly above his head. Drivers echoed past him, some honking, most ignoring. He was alone, clothes soaking wet, large umbrella glistening over his head. Standing quietly.I stood about ten feet away from him for about 3 minutes, again waiting for my friend mister white LCD man to tell me to safely walk. But, I felt his pride, I felt his belief. And, I actually considered giving him some of the raspberry fruit tape that I guard with my life. But, I moved quickly on as the rain had intensified and I was sweating. I walked toward my neighborhood...My experience this morning aside, consider this.The fundamentalism that supports proposition 8 is religious. Defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman has its roots in religion. You cannot argue this fact.When you see PROTECT OUR CONSTITUTION VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 8, this is a very accurate statement. I think the forefathers of this country had in mind the FREEDOM to practice any religion we wish. NOT TO BE GOVERNED OR MANDATED BY ANY RELIGION. You can make a case that this is the very reason a group of English renegades sailed across a vast ocean to colonize uncharted (or previously believed to be uncharted) land. I respect you if you are a person of faith. But I ask you to consider this when you cast your vote in regards to Prop 8.Today, you can walk down the street and encounter a homosexual person who respects your opinion on why you feel your belief should directly affect and complicate their lives.The point being is today,YOU CAN PHYSICALLY INTERACT with a homosexual person, group, or couple.If you believe that your vote for Prop 8 "protects" marriage, consider the HUMANS that your vote would directly affect.Also consider, that you are voting on a proposition that has its roots in ancient PHILOSOPHY, penned and rewritten over EONS of time to suit culture, and instill fear upon commoners. Sound familiar? (paging George W Bush)Again, very clearly, I respect your religious beliefs. But I can call my gay friends right now, sit down to a cup of coffee with them, and talk about how I will vote regarding all of the California Propositions. Unfortunately and regrettably, I cannot do the same with Jesus Christ, Allah, or any deity.