And now there are six

At midnight September 1 Vermont began issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples. Same sex marriage is legalized in Vermont – the first state to do so without a court battle preceding the event. Back in April the state House voted 100-49 and the Senate voted 23-5 to override a veto by Vermont’s governor on the legislation.  Ah, progress.

There are now a total of six states (Massachusetts, Iowa, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine & Vermont) that have legalized gay marriage and the District of Columbia recognizes marriages performed in other states and countries. The hatemongers, of course, are out in force to “protest” the new marriage law. I say let’s ignore the ignorant. The tiring religious dogma hasn’t changed. Stale rhetoric spewed by evangelicals is all we’ll hear. Perhaps some day they will understand this is NOT a religious issue. The issue is equal rights under the Constitution.

So, I say “YAY, Vermont!” Even Ben and Jerry’s jumped onboard — they changed the name of their “Chubby Hubby” to “Hubby Hubby” (in Vermont) and show two grooms in tuxedos getting married on the carton. The name change may be temporary, but the impact is permanent -an icon of epic proportions showing support for gay marriage. Life is good today.

And I ask, “Which state is next?” Slow and steady is the progress which we are witnessing.

Freedom, Equality and Justice

Every American deserves to be treated fairly. I think every state in the union ought to follow the example of the state of Maine. The argument that most conservatives use to fight against same-sex marriage is one of religion. Perhaps all religions, not just the Roman Catholic Church, should re-acquaint themselves with the concept of “separation of church and state.” I respect each person’s right to their religious beliefs, but I don’t want them forced on me or anyone else.

Marriage, in the civil sense, is an issue of equal rights. Why can’t people understand this? Equal rights–the right to be at a dying partner’s bedside in the hospital WITHOUT providing a legal document stating it’s allowable. Equal rights–the right to have affordable FAMILY health insurance. Equal rights–the right to adopt children together. The right to say “I do” and have it be just as legal as any heterosexual couple’s same words. These are rights NOT religious tenets. Religion has no basis in the arguments for equal rights.

I’m just sayin’,  Maine gets it! Maine values everyone! Protect those values … protect equality. What do you have to lose?

(Check out the youtube videos by clicking on the two places where Maine is underlined above.)

Supreme Nominee

Our ’supreme’ nominee has a sense of humor, thankfully!

Any sane, intellectual and humane being would need a sense of humor to deal with this bunch — am I right?

Overt racial politics alive and kicking

Rachel Maddow did her fact checking and corrected a few ‘factual’ statements that Mr. Buchanan spewed on her show last week. Check it out

Yeah…racial discrimination against white males, I’m seeing a whole lot of that in my experience. Not.

Despite guys like Mr. Buchanan … Mr. Sessions … etc. the vote on Judge Sotomayor should happen within a couple weeks and hopefully the white male discrimination will fall on deaf ears and she will be confirmed and appointed without further ado.

Peace.

The angry white guy – overdone

Rachel Maddow is the rockstar in the latest discourse on the Judge Sotomayor confirmation issue. Rachel went up against Pat Buchanan who disgorged so many horrific and offensive quotes it’s difficult to pick ‘the worst.’  I think I have to go with Mr. Buchanan’s definition of Affirmative Action: “Affirmative Action is to increase diversity by discriminating against white males.”  REALLY?! Ummmm….yeah, are you picking yourself up off the floor like I did? Watch the video (by clicking on the rockstar above, it lasts about 10 min) for yourself to get the full flavor of the angry white guy who can barely disguise his utter dislike of the “Latina” woman who is not at all qualified (in his opinion) in any way shape or form to be on the Supreme Court with the “real scholars” like Scalia. If you can hold down your breakfast, lunch or dinner all the more power to you. Wow. Thankfully, Rachel gave back better than Buchanan was giving. Fo shizzle!

Six days until the Cuernavaca group returns. Today was final exam day. Tomorrow is an excursion to Taxco, I believe. Next week a few days in Acapulco for some sun, surf and well deserved relaxation-right?

I haven’t officially heard, but I’m pretty sure we broke the record today for lowest high temperature … I think we reached 63 and the record set 70 years ago was 66. Yes, this is JULY! How ’bout dem apples! Not to worry … word on the airwaves is that heat and humidity are making a comeback within the next few days. YIKES! Heat. Humidity. Them’s words I don’t like!

Canine news: not much to report today. I didn’t witness any escape attempts today. Of course, that doesn’t mean there weren’t any attempts-just that I didn’t see them! No worries.

Peace.