Firstly, I want to congratulate Senator Barack Obama on his victory in the US election - now may I call President Obama. As much as I try to avoid voicing my personal political view here, I believe this is a turning point in the US history and it also has a large impact on the world's history. The world is going through a hard time: an economic crisis that is assessed to be worse than the 1930s' Great Depression, wars and armed conflicts that are still not yet solved properly, natural disasters and environmental issues. For all of that, I feel grateful to someone who can bring hope back, who can make people scream in tears "Yes we can" when we all know we still have to face a lot of problems. I believe that yes, we can, we shall overcome this rough time and get to a better future.

Secondly, I feel disappointed to have to inform you all that California Prop 8 "Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry" has passed with 52,5% vote approving this Proposition. We know that this is unfair, but this is just a small loss. The fight is no way over yet. I will quote President Obama on this one

"While we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can."

Yes, we can, we shall overcome all of this injustice and discrimination because there is still love, and there is still hope. This is not just about a lone California state, or the lone US, this is about all of us, about the world, our future, our kids. I hope you all will listen and give a hand in this long hard fight - we need every single one of you.

Last but not least, some small information on Linkin Park's donation for opposing Prop 8:

ANNA SHINODA $3,700 SHERMAN OAKS CA 91403 SAME NAME Oppose
ROBERT BOURDON $250 SHERMAN OAKS CA 91403 SAME NAME Oppose
ELISA DELSON $1,500 SHERMAN OAKS CA 91403 SAME NAME Oppose
JOSEPH HAHN $1,850 SHERMAN OAKS CA 91403 SAME NAME Oppose

Thanks Linkin Park (together or apart) and their family members for their support in opposing Prop 8. Even though we did not succeed this time, we still appreciate your donation very much. :)
You can search for the Prop 8 (for and against) contributors HERE. Thanks Enigmatic on LPfiction MB for the link!

On a quick note: According to Mike Shinoda's blog, his second JANM art show, Glorious Excess (Dies), which was scheduled for January, will be postponed. Shinoda expect to open the show in late 2009. Well, another not so good news today.

Two small Bennoda pics to cheer yourself up, hopefully:

Thanks Ana for the pic!

Labels: linkin park, news, prop 8