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A man with a plan

A few months ago, I was walking to school when a man stopped and asked to have his picture taken with me.  The reason was because I was wearing a t-shirt that says "I think he's gay" and has an arrow pointing to the side.  This would make actually the third (straight) man who has asked to have his picture taken with me--standing on the side the arrow points to.  I love it.  I actually didn't think the shirt would be that popular, but people really like it.

He stopped and talked to me for a minute.  He is running for office in the Tennessee state Senate, in 2014.  I doubt that I will be here then, but if I am, I will certainly vote for him.  His name is Brian Stevens.  He is a very charming and personable man.  He is also very intelligent, very well-informed, and very rational.

I have been following him on Facebook ever since the day that we met.  When we first met, he informed me that he was running against Stacey Campfield (the incumbent).  That was certainly one tick mark of approval because I really can't stand Stacey Campfield.  He's behind ridiculous things like the "Don't say gay" bill, that would criminalize any public school teacher, counsellor, or any employee from even talking about homosexuality in any context at all.  Now he's got this crazy idea that schools should inform parents if any student is "involved in homosexual activity".  But enough about the bad guy.  Let's talk about the good guy.

Brian has impressed me in many ways over the last several months.  The things he posts always make me feel more respect for him.  He is logical.  He brings up an issue, gives facts related to it, and gives a reasoned argument for what action he feels is appropriate in the situation.  This is something that I think all politicians need.  It's something that we, as voters, should insist upon when we decide whom to vote for.

There have been a couple times when he has posted how he feels about something and I disagree on that particular point.  But I respect him for having his opinion because I can see that it is well-informed. Even if we only agreed on a small percentage of issues, I would like to have him in office because he has demonstrated the ability to think logically, to explain himself clearly and plainly, and that he bases his decisions on fact and reason more than dogma and belief alone.

One more reason why I have a profound respect for Brian is because he participated in a play a little while ago at the University of Tennessee (where I attend).  Not just any play, but the play called "8".  The reference is to Proposition 8, passed in California in 2008.  The entire play is taken from the actual court transcripts of the trial challenging the Constitutionality of Prop 8, with a little bit of personal discussion embellished in a few out-of-court scenes.  The fact that Brian participated in this play indicates to me that equality for gay people is something he feels strongly about.  I am glad to know this.  It's always good to see straight people who feel strongly about the issue.

I wish Brian success in his campaign.  This is his campaign website.  I endorse him as the best candidate for the job.  I have spoken with him personally, I have read much of what he has to say.  He is logical, responsible, honest, and compassionate.  He believes in leaving the world better than how he found it.  I think we need more people like him in every public office in the nation.  I urge all voters to look for politicians like this, or to become politicians like this.  Let us all leave the world a better place than how we found it.

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