A victory for the forces of joy

Looks as though out in the state of Washington they’re about to make it legal for every person to marry the person they love.  The news out of Indiana, that Republicans there are intent on turning their poor state into another Mississippi, is dismaying and infuriating. But take heart. The Right knows they’re losing the bigger battle. It’s why they’re going nuts.  They know that what’s happening in Washington is happening all over.

They know they no longer live in a world where a few old men decide how much joy the rest of us get to take from life.

Comments

[Earl Bockenfeld]

The packed public galleries burst into applause as the Senate passed the measure on a 28-21 vote Wednesday night after nearly an hour and a half of debate. Four Republicans crossed party lines and voted with majority Democrats for the measure. Three Democrats voted against it. The measure now heads to the House, which is expected to approve it. Gov. Chris Gregoire supports the measure and has said she will sign it into law, though opponents have promised to challenge it at the ballot with a referendum.

Same-sex marriage is legal in New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia. Lawmakers in New Jersey and Maryland are expected to debate gay marriage this year, and Maine could see a gay marriage proposal on the November ballot.

Heed these words:

"We hold these truths to be self-evide­nt, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienabl­e Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.­"

Nowhere in the Declaratio­n of Independen­ce does it say the right to Happiness is excluded for gays. I think that like "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", passing gay marriage laws are at first "A Big Deal", but after it's done everyone will begin to wonder what "The Big Fight" was all about.

Of course, out of all the people who don't like Marriage Equality, anyone who can prove damage to their own marriage or to the citizens of the other States with Marriage Equality should please feel encouraged to speak up and show the proof of their damages.

As far as Indiana is concerned. The only ones to benefit from "Right to Work Laws" are corporations who increase their profit margin by skinning workers pay rates. This law is just another example of the legalized wealth extortion from the 99% to the 1%. Any employed individual voting for officials who pass this thieving legislation are shooting themselves and every other fellow worker in their State in the foot : creating a permanent earning disability for the remainder of their working life in that State. These laws are designed to kill Unions and thus the earning power of the middle class. Indiana workers need a "Living Wage" law.

[Tim Susman]

Hooray indeed for this! It is happening all over.

And again, we get this comment which infuriates me because of the appropriation of victim language:

Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester, argued that the proposed law alters the definition of marriage and “will lead to the silencing of those who believe in traditional marriage.”

“It’s ironic how a bill which purports to be about ending discrimination leaves the door open so far for discrimination going in the other direction,” he said. “I’m extremely concerned that without additional protections, this legislation will create a hostile environment for those of us who believe in traditional marriage.”

I'm sick of people claiming they're being "discriminated against" because not all their neighbors will subscribe to their belief system. Nobody is telling Dan Swecker where he can work, or live, or where his kids can't go to school, or whom he can't marry. He has not lost any freedom in the way he lives his life. All he's lost is the ability to impose his beliefs on other people who don't want to live by them. And that doesn't make him--or any of his supporters--a victim.

(Also, he should ask the people of Massachusetts how their traditional marriages are going. Seemed to be just fine the last time I was there.)

[David C.]

When I hear of another state approving marriage equality, I always think of my favorite uncle. We all knew he was gay. Not that he would have come out to us - he was a very private person. What we didn't know until after he passed away was that he had a partner - for 40 years. I find it so sad that their relationship couldn't be celebrated in the same way my wife's and my marriage is and I would have loved to have had another uncle.

[actor212]

The Giants and Patriots were patsies for not refusing to play the game.

That is all.

[Rana]

I'm sick of people claiming they're being "discriminated against" because not all their neighbors will subscribe to their belief system.

Tim, you get an "amen" from me.