This past Monday, the 20th of November, would have been Robert F. Kennedy's 81st birthday.  I wasn't born until a little over ten years after Bobby Kennedy's death, but I still felt his impact.  The things he said helped kindle in me a sense of the greater good and of the possibility of individuals to reach out and help create a better society.  Quotes like this one:

It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.

That's why I'm here...

This is as much a plea for help as a case in favor of gay marriage.  It's long but I urge you to read it through.

I have a friend from Mexico city who I have known for years online.  He's gay, into computers, creative, very intelligent, hard working, well educated, and speaks more fluent English than a great many Americans including the current occupier of the White House.  He met someone online about a year and a half ago who he got to know fairly well and ended up falling in love with.  Here's the email he typed up for his dad to pass on to some lawyers the family knows:

1) As of November 2005 I had begun visiting Jacksonville, Florida on what could be considered a constant basis. My first trip there was merely to visit a dear friend whom I had met on the internet about a year and a half to two years before. This trip lasted approximately three days total.

[continued...]

And the transcript:

http://www.gillibrand2006.com/node/350

I think this ad is pretty damned good.  I saw Good Night and Good Luck and it was one of my all-time favorite movies (I wish they'd show it in schools just for that speech at the end).  This ad has very much of that feel, asking John Sweeney, "Have you no decency?"  It directly challenges him on being a Republican rubber stamp and slams the Republicans for their bully tactics.

I think this is exactly the kind of thing we need.  Simple, direct, and unforgettably unique.  The only problem is it is presently web-only.  Apparently the media has taken quite a liking to it, though, so that may change.  I'd certainly encourage everyone to donate and help make sure this gets out there.