Here's my conversational showstopper: I saw Helms without a shirt on.

I'm so sorry this happened to you, Kat.

So Buffistas, I only blow in when the wind is fair, but or possibly, and how fair is today's wind? Health insurance? Gay marriage? A triumphant response to a heinous, hate-filled, act of terrorism. This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Seriously, from the moment I learned marriage rights had been legally extended to same-sex couples, I knew I had to be here. I started out here thinking the government should recognize any group of people which defines itself as family. It's not that I disagree with my earlier opinion -- it's that I extend it (and have for years now), and that's largely thanks to the influence of you good people.

When SCOTUS ruled, today, the first place I wanted to be was here, because you people gave this to me -- you people woke me up to the root facts. You made me see a broad horizon, where before, despite my efforts, I'd only ever seen the tunnel.

Also, POTUS made me cry for hours, when he started singing AMAZING GRACE.

And here's why: He's completely right. Nobody can earn grace. Grace is freely given. That was the best definition of grace I've ever heard, outside of my Christian college.

But it was the singing, yo, it was the singing that did me in (even though his voice was a little flat).

I got an official email from the Bishop of our church conference reiterating that the official church stance is to not recognize same sex marriages and same sex marriages cannot be conducted in our churches or by our clergy and blah blah not in accordance with beliefs of church blah blah. I think I am done with organized religion. I actually told my mom that I got nothing out of it anymore and only go to see them.

msbelle, I've been on the precipice of leaving my church for the last couple of months, for similar reasons, brought to the fore, once our old pastor left and we hired the COMPLETELY WRONG INTERIM PASTOR I DON'T WANT TO DIGRESS, for our transition period. It ended with him leading the transition team to make us withdraw from our more liberal denomination (we were dually affiliated with a liberal denomination and a conservative one), which has just pretty much written me out of a church I joined, before it dually affiliated with the more conservative denomination.

Anyhow, my point is, there is a place for us, even if it's not where we currently are. There is a place for you (I recommend the UCC or the PCUSA, or the Episcopal Church, for you, given what I know of you -- that's where I'm trying to lead my family).

In other words, don't let the bastards win.

Anyhow, BUFFISTAS, I needed you to be here for me, today, and here you were. Bless you.

Also, how great is President Obama. That singing? Oh, girl.

He started a little flat, but he corrected.

Also, Cindy! I can't possibly list all that you taught me.

Ginger, right back at you. For instance, I am not naturally a fighter, but then I met you.

But mostly, it is the hive-mind (which certainly includes you) which has made me a better woman, a better person, a better Christian (in the true sense, which is love) than I ever could have been without any of you.

Also, I'm just sitting here, loving on Barack Obama, more than I ever thought I could have, even back when he gave the address at the DNC, when John Kerry was the candidate. This is a good and true man who speaks his heart. I disagree with people who disagree with his politics, but I do sympathize with them, for I've lived under politics with which I disagree.

I take issue with those who refuse to accept the sincerity of this good, good man.

So happy to see you, Cindy, here among your people.

I will note that JZ also had to leave her church of choice in Berkeley when it was pushed hard to the right, and found a new spiritual home closer to home in SF.

It's always lovely to see you, Cindy, but especially nice that something so positive has brought you here.

David, did she find another Roman Catholic Church, or something else. I am so at sea right now, I can't even explain it. This church has broken my heart, and yet, I feel a lot of it is my fault, because when I had problems with them a few years ago, I pulled back.

That is to say, I used to be a leader and maybe could have effected a different change, but I wasn't there for the important meetings. Whatever. Blah. I feel I frigged up, but I also feel I frigged up, because I was frigged over. It's all the same problem, dealing with the humans.

Cindy McLennan needs to find that grace. (Apologies, Obama)

Burrell, how are you and your lovely family doing?

And yes, it's love (and my gratitude for how the Buffistas broadened my horizons) that brings me here, today. Love you all, much.

Did I mean "affected a change" rather than "effected a change"?

SEE BUFFISTAS -- THIS IS HOW CONFUSED I AM.

I take issue with those who refuse to accept the sincerity of this good, good man.

I am constantly baffled by it myself. But then I guess I could never really see Dubya as a genuine, loving Christian even though I know many do see him that way. I always saw him as breathtakingly ignorant and arrogant at the same time.