By John Strand
Editor

There are times when it's extremely difficult to zip one's lips, to not say what one wants to say. Because, quite frankly, getting angry is not the finest display of character.

But then again, sometimes people need to get mad. They need to display their anger. They need to vent. They need to call a spade a spade.

So, cutting to the chase, the upcoming vote on a constitutional amendment to limit gay marriage in North Dakota -- well, it sucks!

Now mind you, we are not saying the very fine people who advanced this noble cause suck. We will simply call them misguided. Or blissfully ignorant. Or shallow. Or …

You get the point.

Regardless, it's a sad testimony that North Dakota residents will be pitted against each other. It's a sad testimony that mothers and fathers will see their children wrongly judged. It's a sad testimony that we can't find anything better to do than bash people who, in all honesty, face quite enough prejudice on a daily basis in this barren no man's land.

The up side of this situation is that between now and the November general election folks can bond. They will have an opportunity to learn things perhaps they do not already know. They will have a moment where they can shine, if they want to; or where they can be as nasty as they want to be.  

It's an individual choice.  

The old saying, when you point a finger at someone else, you have three fingers pointing back at yourself, comes to mind. Translated, that means, what we say about others and how we say it, says everything about us.  

We say we want North Dakota to grow and prosper. But do we mean it?

We say we want the younger generations to feel at home in North Dakota. But do we mean it?

We say we are a loving, welcoming people. But do we mean it?

The vote on this constitutional amendment will be a litmus test for what we really want for North Dakota. And, like life in general, we will get what we want.  

The fact that organized religions are at the forefront of this movement is quite telling. Imagine the edict passed down from Catholic bishops to local parishes that they promote the petition effort from the pulpit.  

How utterly sad. How utterly telling. What utter hypocrisy.  

Imagine young family members who wrestle with sexuality issues, sitting at home and listening to their parents and their parents' friends, espousing the virtues of constitutionally disallowing marriage equality for same sex couples permanently.  

Imagine the damage that instills. Imagine the quandary that creates.  

Imagine, on the other hand, North Dakotans seeing the light, and deciding not to bash anyone's sons or daughters, anyone's neighbors or friends. Imagine that.  

Imagine a place where folks get along, not spending time belittling one another. A place where unconditional love is the rule, not the exception.  

Imagine a North Dakota of colorful, diverse, creative people. Imagine that, if you dare.  

Whether the decent-minded folks who passed or who signed this petition know it or not, they are doing irreparable damage to people they know and love.  

We need to pray for them, too. For, as much as they would like, they will certainly not get into the heaven they desire, any more than anybody else, as long as their hearts are poisoned. But let's not wrongly judge them like they insist on judging others. Certainly their religions allow for a higher power to do that.  

Imagine a better place for all of us. Imagine what we need to do to accomplish that. Imagine how you can help, as opposed to doing harm.