Pedantic Political Ponderings: Gregoire

Showing posts with label Gregoire. Show all posts

13 February 2012

Praise: Washington State Marriage Equality Signing Ceremony

Today the Governor of Washington State, Christine Gregoire, signed legislation that overturns a Washington law that prevents gays and lesbians from marrying their partners. Opponents of equality have promised to sign a petition and place marriage equality on the November ballot, so the law will not go into effect for a while if ever. Nonetheless, this is wonderful progress and kudos are particularly owed to numerous legislators and a brave governor.

10 February 2012

FollowUp 7: NJ Democrats Call for Marriage Equality

Recently there has been very good news for proponents of equality coming from Washington State. Governor Gregoire promised to sign legislation that has recently been passed, and is expected to do so the day before Valentine's Day. I have written a few articles on Governor Chris Gregoire, on State Senator Ed Murray, and on State Representative Maureen Walsh.

Today Think Progress put the following video on YouTube where Washington Governor Gregoire says that she will call New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and share with him her journey from being opposed to equality to now promising to sign the bill that will bring marriage equality to Washington State.

Ah to be a fly on the wall when that conversation happens. Governor Christie will not be changing his public position as that would jeopardize with the national GOP. Still it would be fun to listen in.

9 January 2012, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.

25 January 2012, FollowUp 1.

26 January 2012, FollowUp 2.

28 January 2012, FollowUp 3.

30 January 2012, FollowUp 4.

31 January 2012, FollowUp 5.

3 February 2012, FollowUp 6.

13 February 2012, FollowUp 8.

18 February 2012, FollowUp 9.

21 February 2012, FollowUp 10.

06 February 2012

6 February 2012: Marriage News Watch

05 January 2012

FollowUp 1: Governor Chris Gregoire on Marriage Equality

Since Governor Gregoire's speech yesterday, the bigots are starting to object. Not really a surprise. Let's look at just two. First, local to Washington State is Ken Hutcherson, pastor of Antioch Bible Church.

Pastor Ken Hutcherson of Redmond’s Antioch Bible Church, a long-time gay marriage opponent, said he believes Gregoire’s endorsement is payback to the gay community who helped get her elected.

“I think she is going to do this because she has to. I think that she’s made promises to the community and the gay community to help her get into office in the first place,” said Hutcherson.

“I am a believer in the Bible. I am a pastor. I’m a man of the cloth, any way you want to say it. The Bible says that when something is wrong, you stand up against it and I can’t think of anything that the Bible says is wrong as being good for society if we go against it.” Said Hutcherson.

It should be noted that Governor Gregoire was first elected to her office in 2004 and is serving her second term as governor. She does not intend to run for a third term. The argument that this is a payback makes less sense than if she had something to offer donors in future terms in office. Of course, if she made promises and is keeping those promises, that is something that the Pastor should approve.

The Bible says that many things are wrong. Beyond the "Ten Commandments", the five books of the Torah have an additional six hundred and three commandments. The Book of Leviticus that prohibits homosexuality also prohibits the eating of pork, shellfish, and catfish. It prohibits wearing cloth made of blended fibers (like cotton and wool). It prohibits tattoos. When Mr. Hutcherson, the believer in the Bible, ever treats these other prohibitions similarly then, perhaps, he is worthy of more attention.

Second, local to Washington, D.C. is Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage.

"The people of this country believe that marriage is a union of a man and a woman," Brown said in a telephone interview. "I expect the legislature in Washington state will stand up for this commitment and vote to protect marriage."

The same article, however, shows a somewhat different picture.

Polls show sharp national division on same-sex marriage, and the issue is still divisive in Washington, which tends to be split between a liberal coast, including Seattle, and a more conservative inland.

Slowly, more Americans are embracing the concept of equality. Mr. Brown and Mr. Hutcherson are not shifting their beliefs, but the country is leaving them behind. This is besides the fact that human rights and civil rights should not be subject to a popular referendum. I should no more have the right to vote on your right to marry than you should have the right to vote on mine.

If you have not already done so, let me encourage you to read the full speech today by Governor Gregoire on marriage equality. Her discussion of the side issues and concerns is extremely well done.

Thanks to Joe My God for the heads up.

4 Jaunary 2012, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.

04 January 2012

Praise: Governor Chris Gregoire on Marriage Equality

The Governor of the Great State of Washington gave a speech today on marriage equality. In it she put to rest most of the silly arguments against equality that we keep hearing. Here are a couple of excepts

Some argue that the state should deny a marriage license to same-sex couples based on the premise that marriage is for procreation. Do we then deny a license to heterosexual couples who choose not to have children?... To those who can’t have children or those who adopt?...
To those who have children through in-vitro fertilization?

Some argue that same-sex marriage weakens the institution of marriage. Is this a role of the state? If so, it has failed miserably with a divorce rate among heterosexual couples now at about 50 percent.

Some argue that the state must deny a marriage license based on religious beliefs.

With a marriage license, couples marry in civil or religious ceremonies.

In issuing the license, the state should not involve itself in an applicant’s religion.

So far, so good. She gives an excellent history of marriage. Then she continues.

When someone asks me what marriage means, I don’t think about the legal protections of a marriage license. I think about love, commitment, responsibility, and partnership.

Same-sex couples should not be denied the meaning of marriage. They have a right to be equal!

Much more on politics in Washington State and the nature of the populace. She concludes.

As Washingtonians and Americans, we have serious problems to address – a far-off war, the Great Recession, more than 13 million people looking for work, worldwide economic competition.

Loving, committed married couples of any sexual orientation can only help us. They can help us defend our Democracy, help our neighbors, and build strong communities. And they will.

Fellow Washingtonians: Throughout our history, we have fought discrimination. We have joined together to recognize equality for racial minorities, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, religious sects.

Please answer the call to support equality again in our great state. It is the right thing to do and it is time.

Thank you.

Thank you, Governor Gregoire. I have done a disservice by only copying parts. The entire speech is well worth reading. Washington State has chosen its governor wisely. They are leading the country. Eventually we will follow.

Thanks to Joe My God for the heads up.

5 January 2012, FollowUp 1.

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