Tummyache

I've had a stomach bug for the last 5 days.  It seems to be finally getting better, but the effects of our state's recent election have turned my tummy upside down again.  This election was one of the most emotionally charged elections I have experienced, and I feel like it evoked such strong feelings from both sides that people lost their sense of logic, tolerance, and compassion for each other.  Specifically, this was caused by the proposed (and now passed) amendment to the constitution making marriage between one man and one woman the only legal union in our state.  On Facebook, I watched many of my friends post article after article, pleads for votes, and some borderline offensive comments.  On the news, I saw supporters yell bigoted sermons.  And worse, so many people that spoke on the issue knew nothing more about the amendment and its ramifications than it is "anti-homosexual".  It was really sad.  People have such strong and polarizing opinions on the subject that was made into such a public spectacle, that I think some folks even lost friends over this issue.  It's heart-wrenching for me to see, especially because the issue is important to me, and I feel like I can't talk about it to my friends without starting a nasty debate.  About half of my friends agree with me, and about half do not.  For something so very important to my views of life, equality, etc, it's extremely hard to hold it inside and talk only to Tony in the privacy of our home about how I feel, while I watch people on the outside throwing horrible comments at each other, dividing our state more and more.  Hence, the tummyache.  Unfortunately, Pepto isn't going to cure this one.