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A Little Nicer
Author: BobR    Date: 06/27/2013 13:04:40

The United States just got a little friendlier yesterday. After years of right-wing onslaughts against the rights of certain groups of people, those people finally prevailed and won their rights. The most obvious group is our gay brothers and sisters, who won the right to marry just like everyone else. California's Prop 8 was rejected (more accurately - the appeal to reverse the decision to revoke got dismissed), and DOMA was repealed. It was a historic day, and couples celebrated around the country. On a personal note, we have a friend whose partner recently died, and she will now be able to claim survivor's benefits.

Naturally, the right-wing is unhappy about this. I have heard several Republican congresspeople say that preventing gay marriage was all about "protecting the children", but I have yet to hear any explanation as to what that means. It makes no sense to me.

Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) was one of those unhappy Republicans. She stated that marriage was “created by the hand of God” and “not even a Supreme Court, can undo what a holy God has instituted.” When asked to comment on Michell Bachmann's statements, Nancy Pelosi replied with the best possible answer: "Who cares?".

Since the Supreme Court has declared that banning gay marriage is unconstitutional, the Republicans are attempting to change the Constitution. House Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS) is putting together a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. How often do we get amendments that deny rights? Prohibition is the only one I can think of, and it was overturned. This will never make it out of the Senate, and will certainly never make it past the President's desk. The sad thing, though, is that if one ever did (with Republicans holding the House, Senate, and Presidency), there are probably enough red states to gain a 2/3 majority. Hopefully, people will realize that letting other people live their lives does not negatively affect them in any way. This tweet says it quite succinctly:



The other big story of good triumphing over oppression is the denial of a draconian anti-abortion bill in Texas. State Senator Wendy Davis had filibustered the bill for hours, abiding by some of the most restrictive filibuster regulations in the country, and fell short by 3 hours because she supposedly went tangentially off-message one too many times. The Democrats kept the bill from a vote by invoking procedural questions for nearly 3 hours until State Senator Leticia Van De Putte asked: “Mr. President, parliamentary inquiry... At what point must a female senator raise her hand or her voice to be recognized over the male colleagues in the room?”

The gallery erupted in wild applause, and the noise from the gallery and the rotunda continued unabated for 15 minutes until the clock ran out. The Republicans still tried to sneak it through by changing the date/time stamps of the vote, but they were called on it, and the bill was called dead.

The vote on the bill was a special session called by Governor Rick "I want to control your uterus" Perry. He has vowed to call for another special session. If he thinks the Dems won't be prepared, he is wrong. This time was the practice run - next time, the people will filibuster again. Expect Perry to have extra security in place.

There is one other small story about America becoming a little nicer. As people have come to realize that they have friends and family who are gay and deserve the same happiness as everyone else, so to have they realized that America's dark history (no pun intended) with slavery has shaped our race relations. Younger generations see mixed race couples and children and think nothing of it. They see other people as people, not as races. That's why when a celebrity like Paula Deen makes comments about plantation weddings and lamenting her grandfather's loss of property (slaves), they are rightfully repulsed. This is an old south Jim Crowe era mindset that is thankfully dying away. The revelation that Paula Deen still secretly harbors that mindset has created a backlash that shows we really don't want that in our lives anymore. Even Wal-Mart has cut their ties with her.

Changes to American law and the zeitgeist of the American culture come in sudden spurts, after years of malaise. This is one of those times. We should enjoy and rejoice and continue our push for a country where everyone is treated equally and fairly, and given the same opportunities. Wouldn't that be nice?
 

45 comments (Latest Comment: 06/28/2013 01:29:39 by Raine)
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Comment by trojanrabbit on 06/27/2013 13:12:25
Oh look, Governor Goodhair called another special session.

Comment by Raine on 06/27/2013 13:17:20
Your post made me smile this morning.

good morning!

Comment by wickedpam on 06/27/2013 13:30:17
Morning

Comment by Raine on 06/27/2013 13:30:20
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1005884_477154722377246_381321602_n.png


Comment by wickedpam on 06/27/2013 13:33:18
Hate to rain on the parade but Perry as already called for a new special session next week

Comment by BobR on 06/27/2013 13:40:57
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Oh look, Governor Goodhair called another special session.

Quote by wickedpam:
Hate to rain on the parade but Perry as already called for a new special session next week

Yeah - I put the link to that in the blog post.

Comment by Raine on 06/27/2013 13:42:53
I'm still trying to understand how Perry is still governor when he *retired* in 2011...

Comment by wickedpam on 06/27/2013 13:46:44
Quote by Raine:
I'm still trying to understand how Perry is still governor when he *retired* in 2011...


good question


Comment by TriSec on 06/27/2013 13:50:13
The progression is Gay Rights --> Societal Collapse --> Men lying down with dogs.

Since Massachusetts was the first to go this route, you've seen how depraved and debased our state has become, right?

One more time:

"The only people who were affected by gay marriage was this couple that lived next door to some lesbians. They got invited to the wedding and had to buy them a present."
-- Barney Frank



Comment by TriSec on 06/27/2013 13:53:54
Did you all see FB last night from IAVA?

When bg, beefy Paul Rieckhoff live-tweets the spontaneous celebration from Stonewall, I'd think that somebody got this right.



Comment by Scoopster on 06/27/2013 13:53:54
Mornin' all..

I was introduced to this article today... interesting stuff!



Comment by Raine on 06/27/2013 13:59:54
Grand theft Issa, it turns out was actually the one directing the IRS to target groups, it appears.

Comment by TriSec on 06/27/2013 14:10:23
Hmm, I heard on my baseball podcast that a Mr. Jeter of the New York SIth turned 39 yesterday.

I do hope he gets to play again. He may have the wrong colors on, but he has always been a gentleman.

In marked contrast to a certain Mr. Rodriguez of the same team, who has always been a giant jerkwad.



Comment by Scoopster on 06/27/2013 14:38:11
In a cheeky jab at the U.S. spying program that Snowden unveiled through leaks to the media, the South American nation offered $23 million per year to finance human rights training.
The funding would be destined to help "avoid violations of privacy, torture and other actions that are denigrating to humanity," Alvarado said. He said the amount was the equivalent of what Ecuador gained each year from the trade benefits.


O SNAP SON!

Comment by Raine on 06/27/2013 14:58:03
Quote by Scoopster:
In a cheeky jab at the U.S. spying program that Snowden unveiled through leaks to the media, the South American nation offered $23 million per year to finance human rights training.
The funding would be destined to help "avoid violations of privacy, torture and other actions that are denigrating to humanity," Alvarado said. He said the amount was the equivalent of what Ecuador gained each year from the trade benefits.


O SNAP SON!
you got a link?


Comment by Raine on 06/27/2013 15:00:16
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Scoopster:
In a cheeky jab at the U.S. spying program that Snowden unveiled through leaks to the media, the South American nation offered $23 million per year to finance human rights training.
The funding would be destined to help "avoid violations of privacy, torture and other actions that are denigrating to humanity," Alvarado said. He said the amount was the equivalent of what Ecuador gained each year from the trade benefits.


O SNAP SON!
you got a link?
Got it!

Snap indeed.


Comment by Scoopster on 06/27/2013 15:07:33
Oh heh sorry.. I'm dealing with stupid computer problems yet again today.

Our new server's shared drives seem to be randomly & intermittently losing connection to the network. I've tried to figure out the problem but it keeps happening.

Comment by wickedpam on 06/27/2013 15:22:16
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Scoopster:
In a cheeky jab at the U.S. spying program that Snowden unveiled through leaks to the media, the South American nation offered $23 million per year to finance human rights training.
The funding would be destined to help "avoid violations of privacy, torture and other actions that are denigrating to humanity," Alvarado said. He said the amount was the equivalent of what Ecuador gained each year from the trade benefits.


O SNAP SON!
you got a link?
Got it!

Snap indeed.



kinda think that's a bit rude, we're not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but as much as we try to help others I don't think that was a very nice response

Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/27/2013 15:29:37
Good morning, bloggers. BobR, I believe that it was a good day for the country yesterday but I am still angered by the Supreme Court ruling on the Voter Rights Act. We must press hard on that issue, even while working to further marriage equality -- that battle is not over either.

Still, to paraphrase Dr. King, we must hope that the arc of history does indeed bend towards justice and freedom.

Comment by Raine on 06/27/2013 15:36:24
HAl is reading the article I posted yesterday... Snowden is strange bird.

Comment by wickedpam on 06/27/2013 15:54:17
Quote by Raine:
HAl is reading the article I posted yesterday... Snowden is strange bird.


I think reading the chats aloud makes it more enjoyable


Comment by livingonli on 06/27/2013 16:10:15
Good day, folks.

Comment by wickedpam on 06/27/2013 16:17:08
Hey Liv

Comment by Scoopster on 06/27/2013 16:19:28
Jeez now they're investigating Aaron Hernandez for a drive-by double murder that happened last year.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/27/2013 16:27:37
I seldom ask, but there is a woman I know locally from a few of the synagogues here who is arguing on Facebook that voter fraud is common and voter suppression exists. I provided a few links. Would anyone like to join in on my page?


Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/27/2013 16:44:54
Thanks, Mala, for responding. I am trying to be civil, but the longer I have known someone, the more she has drifted to the right. (Not sure why some women support the GOP.)

Comment by wickedpam on 06/27/2013 16:47:24
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Thanks, Mala, for responding. I am trying to be civil, but the longer I have known someone, the more she has drifted to the right. (Not sure why some women support the GOP.)


I'm not as good as Raine and Bob at combating FB whiners

personal pet peeve when someone just says "that's not true" and provides no back up to their POV - completely irks me


Comment by wickedpam on 06/27/2013 16:49:39
okay, is it just me that I feel sorry for Paula Deen? I really do think it was all ignorance and not hatefulness.

Comment by Mondobubba on 06/27/2013 16:59:56
Quote by TriSec:
The progression is Gay Rights --> Societal Collapse --> Men lying down with dogs.

Since Massachusetts was the first to go this route, you've seen how depraved and debased our state has become, right?

One more time:

"The only people who were affected by gay marriage was this couple that lived next door to some lesbians. They got invited to the wedding and had to buy them a present."
-- Barney Frank



You and Mrs TriSec are still married? Still not practicing black occult rites in your basement? No desire to marry an animal? I ask because Mass was the first state to make gay marriage an affront to God.

Comment by Scoopster on 06/27/2013 17:05:33
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/27/2013 17:08:04
Quote by Scoopster:
What an absolute asshole..



Nice ad-hominum attack, Gov. Asshole.

Comment by Mondobubba on 06/27/2013 17:16:18
Oh I almost forgot, howdy hi!

Comment by TriSec on 06/27/2013 17:36:14
You and Mrs TriSec are still married?
Despite our best efforts, surprisingly yes. We've been bankrupt, couldn't have kids, and I"ve had a major medical event....any of which could destroy a lesser couple. This year will be telling though...our anniversary is July 14, and that's the morning Javi and I head to camp. (Our first anniversary apart, actually.)


Still not practicing black occult rites in your basement?
Well.....we were anyway. Gays getting married really didn't change a thing.


No desire to marry an animal?
No, but I do desire to eat one. Medium rare, with a nice Russian River Valley Red Zinfandel.



Comment by Mondobubba on 06/27/2013 17:39:20
Quote by TriSec:
You and Mrs TriSec are still married?
Despite our best efforts, surprisingly yes. We've been bankrupt, couldn't have kids, and I"ve had a major medical event....any of which could destroy a lesser couple. This year will be telling though...our anniversary is July 14, and that's the morning Javi and I head to camp. (Our first anniversary apart, actually.)


Still not practicing black occult rites in your basement?
Well.....we were anyway. Gays getting married really didn't change a thing.


No desire to marry an animal?
No, but I do desire to eat one. Medium rare, with a nice Russian River Valley Red Zinfandel.



So it is all status quo then? Good. Keep up the good work.


Comment by Mondobubba on 06/27/2013 18:34:02
Gasp! our insurance costs have gone up! After the non-smoker's discount, it was all of 4 bucks.

Comment by Mondobubba on 06/27/2013 18:40:23
Did we know that Greta Van Susteren is a Scientologist? Something else to hold against her.

Comment by Raine on 06/27/2013 18:48:43
Ok everyone... Pre-funeral errands done. I am going to get my self prettied up and head over to the funeral home. After that I will on a train to Philly to be reunited with Bobber.

It's the national Homebrew convention, so sorry -- no beer in in the blog lounge!



Comment by Raine on 06/27/2013 18:49:00
Ok everyone... Pre-funeral errands done. I am going to get my self prettied up and head over to the funeral home. After that I will on a train to Philly to be reunited with Bobber.

It's the national Homebrew convention, so sorry -- no beer in in the blog lounge!



Comment by Mondobubba on 06/27/2013 18:52:09
Quote by Raine:
Ok everyone... Pre-funeral errands done. I am going to get my self prettied up and head over to the funeral home. After that I will on a train to Philly to be reunited with Bobber.

It's the national Homebrew convention, so sorry -- no beer in in the blog lounge!




Raine, there is always beer in the blog lounge. It might not be Bobber's brew, but there's beer. Small run craft beer of course.

Blog condolences to the bereaved if you please.

Comment by Mondobubba on 06/27/2013 18:56:05
:kicks pyramid of PBR cans into the corner of the blog lounge:

Comment by TriSec on 06/27/2013 19:02:02
Oh, I have coverage for Saturday, yes?



Comment by Raine on 06/28/2013 01:21:22
MONDO! Come here and Don't make me get off this train!!!

Comment by Raine on 06/28/2013 01:21:40
MONDO! Come here and Don't make me get off this train!!!

Comment by Raine on 06/28/2013 01:29:39
Quote by Mondobubba:
:kicks pyramid of PBR cans into the corner of the blog lounge: