We are a better people than this

Anthony Makk is an Australian trying to become a United States citizen. He and his husband, Bradford Wells have been together for 19 years. Bradford has AIDS and his husband Anthony is his primary caregiver. Anthony who has been in this country legally is being denied consideration for permanent residency because, although he is legally married, his marriage is not recognized nationally because of the Defense of Marriage, a law that the Obama administration argues is unconstitutional. 

I have listed links to articles that provide more details about the plight of Bradford and Anthony. It is clear that if the administration chose, a way could be found to keep these married men together while we continue our political battle over their marriage status. 

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/10/caregiver-of-husband-with-aids-facing-split-by-deportation-over-doma/

http://gay.americablog.com/2011/08/to-be-very-clear-obama-administration.html

http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2011/08/domas-consequences-tearing-loving-families-apart/#.TkRQ03Mz3Mk

http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-06-04/news/29619663_1_couples-defense-of-marriage-act-visa-requirements

I don't think I am alone in feeling that as an average citizen I no longer have any meaningful input into the policies of my country. I am not a corporate powerhouse nor do I have the financial resource to allow me to be heard by my elected representatives. But that reality does not deter me from continuing to try in the hopes that others will be of like mind and find the time to express their views. If the White House receives enough emails, letters, or phone calls perhaps just perhaps they will respond positively to plight of one married couple whose primary desire is to continue their lives together.

The White House web site is at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/ There is a link in the upper right hand corner Contact us that will take you to the page on which you can voice your opinion. On that page you can find an address and telephone number. 

I attended a conference in Atlanta, Georgia, a number of years ago in which the Dalia Lama spoke about the issues associated with aging. He spoke of retaining the "freshness of youth" and the ability to still experience "awe" in this world. That also implies the presence of a degree of naivety and idealism. I recognize and own my late life idealism and it motivates me to support causes that rationally seem perhaps hopeless. 

If enough of us and enough of our friends take the time to contact the White House and argue for a compassionate response to the needs of this married couple, perhaps, just perhaps, we can validate the hope that we are a better people than this.