Washington State Politician Thinks "Religious Freedom" Means for Christianity Only

Wow, would he be easy to caricature!
Image from source, Raw Story

When the Supreme Court recently ruled that it was constitutional to open governmental meetings with prayers, I knew this was coming. I've done enough arguing online over the years to see it. When a lot of Christians argue for religious freedom, they really mean freedom for Christians.

[Excerpt]

Wash. state city councilman demands all prayers be directed to Christian God

A city councilman in Kennewick, Washington is demanding that council meetings open with a prayer to an explicitly Christian God, The Tri-City Herald reports. John Trumbo proposed that all city council meetings should begin with a prayer “directed in name and reference to the same God addressed in the Founding Fathers’ signatory documents that established this nation. . .”

Read more at: Raw Story

Bridge Falls into River in Washington State

They're not supposed to do that. Image from source, MSN.

Okay, if I bring up the subject of infrastructure spending, would that be considered "too soon" and "playing politics?" Would I be told, "now is not the time" to bring up something so obvious? Harumph. Sounds like nobody died, and that is a very good thing. Of course, this is a developing story, so that could change. Hope not.

[Excerpt]

Interstate-5 bridge collapses into river north of Seattle

A bridge on Interstate 5 has collapsed into the Skagit River north of Seattle sending cars and people into the river, the Washington State Patrol reports. Both north and southbound lanes of the freeway collapsed, according to the Washington State Patrol. . .


Read more at:  MSN

Shazam! Jim Nabors Marries Partner of 38 Years!

Image from Palzoo.net

Go-o-l-l-l-yyy! Yes, there have long been rumors that Jim Nabors is gay. It might be more surprising to some that Jim Nabors is still alive, but that's another story. Famous from The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle USMC and The Jim Nabors Hour, as well as countless appearances on 70s TV, Nabors was long rumored to have secretly married Rock Hudson. Though that was an odd and rather unbelievable hoax, the sexuality of both men was easier to swallow. And now we know. So, congratulations to Mr. Nabors and his husband. Oh, and on that whole "still being alive" thing too!

[Excerpt]

‘Gomer Pyle, USMC’ star Jim Nabors marries male partner in Seattle

“Gomer Pyle, USMC” star Jim Nabors married his longtime male partner at Seattle’s Fairmont Olympic Hotel earlier this month, according to Hawaii News Now. Nabors, a Hawaii resident, had never publicly come out. But his relationship with Stan Cadwallader wasn’t a secret before they decided to take advantage of Washington’s new same-sex marriage law, he told the news station. . .

Read more at: The Seattle Times

In Case You Missed It: "Washington Bears" Get Married--For Real

Both pictures of Larry Duncan and Randell Shepherd from source, MaddowBlog, and (obviously),
Meryl Schenker Photography.

The picture of the two lumberjack-looking dudes getting their marriage license in Washington state was a viral internet sensation (including here). Well, in case you missed it, they actually did get married. Legally. Which is great because, hey, good for them. And it's great because they show the world at once how not everyone fits a preconceived notion, and how harmless their marriage is to society. The "protect marriage" crowd has created a straw man, a false threat. Pack it in, NOM.

[Excerpt]

Way past wonderful gets more wonderful still

Last week, we ran photojournalist Meryl Schenker's great picture of two guys in Washington state getting a marriage license in the first hours of marriage equality there. . .

Source: MaddowBlog

Picture(s) of the Day: Marriage Equality in Washington State

I know this picture has been everywhere, but that's because it should be. Congratulations to Larry Duncan and Randy Shepherd on their marriage this weekend. Keep busting those stereotypes, boys! I'd have sworn it was Jackie and Dunlap from Red State Update!

[Excerpt]

These Men Are Officially, Wonderfully The Face Of Marriage Equality In Washington State
You've probably seen this picture already. It's of 56-year old Larry Duncan and 48-year old Randy Shepherd receiving their marriage license in Washington State this morning.
Photographer Meryl Shenker snapped it and, as the photo became an internet sensation, told Seattle PI she focused on the men because she wanted to challenge stereotypes. She did her job well, and we should all be grateful. . .

Read more: TowleRoad

UPDATE: And this, via Facebook

Today, the first marriage licenses were issued in Washington. Jane and Pete-e were the first same-sex couple to receive a license. Click "like" and share this photo to congratulate all the happy couples. Via Freedom to Marry.

Right Wing World: Reaction to Gay Marriage in Washington State

Oh, I just can't leave well enough alone, can I? I get happy news, like marriage equality in Washington State, and what do I do? I have to go dip a toe into the frigid waters of right-wing world. If you ever want to go for a dip there, the most distilled waters are in FreeRepublic.com. There you'll find the tea-baggin'est, god-fearin'est, Palin-lovin'est crowd of keyboard commandos anywhere on the internets.

And they don't like gay people. At all. At all. At all. Your average FReeper either doesn't know (or know that they know) any gay people, or hates every one they've met. They believe the most ridiculous statistics (most gays die by age 42!), craziest lies (most gays have "gay bowel disease!"), most insane urban legends (gerbils!), and use the most heinous language (f*g, f*ggot, d*ke, and worse), and senses of humor on par with Beavis and Butthead.

So, it should go without saying that the FReepers would go ballistic over this decision. But I'm not going to let it go without saying. Here they are, (mostly) uncensored. And remember, this is not an obscure site. This is the face of the Republican base.
 
"The left does error “not knowing the scriptures”. Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil....."

[Editor] The right would do well to learn that no one in this country is bound to follow their religion, or their interpretation of it.

"Get ready for the almost immediate issuance of all so called marriage licenses to ask for partner a and partner b, no more husband and wife, no more bride and groom."

[Ed.] Yes and no. The paperwork will probably say that. The words you use for each other are your own. For my marriage, we are husband and husband. On the paperwork, Partner A and Partner B. Nobody is outlawing words.

"I hope this perverted bill goes back to hell where it belongs"


[Ed.] The bill is perverted, and it came from hell?

"PERVERTS are NOT Equal to normal decent citizens. Not now not ever......"

[Ed.] Excuse me? Heterosexual perverts are already allowed to get married. This is about equality!


"Sounds like pretty good grounds for a serious "beat down", either in person or in court. . ."

[Ed.:] Annnnd, we have our first threat of violence.


"Prime example of why civil unions (defined here as “everything but marriage”) aren’t good enough for the homosexual activists. After they got civil unions, they immediately went to a “separate but equal” argument as to why even civil unions aren’t enough."

[Ed.:] When the "everything but marriage" separate but equal law was percolating in Washington, the anti-gay brigade fought it tooth-and-nail. In Ohio, they passed a constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage and civil unions. So, what's good for the goose. . .

"A man and sheep — separate but equal. . ."


[Ed.:] Classic false equivalence. Animals (and children, and toasters) cannot give informed consent.

"Perhaps we will have to distinguish between secular marriage, or government marriage, and biblical Christian marriage."

[Ed.:] We already do, moron. Civil marriage and religious marriage, ie., "holy matrimony." My side has been arguing this from the very beginning!

"Queerly beloved, we are gathered together with the approval of Satan and in this company of weirdos to jon [sic] together in unholy deadlock these two perverts."

[Ed.] I've got to hand it to 'em. While the thread on this subject was vile as usual, it was rather restrained, compared to others. And this last statement? The closest thing to humor--malicious though it may be--that I've seen in all of the FreeRepublic. Kudos!

UPDATE: THERE'S MORE!

"I have already cancelled my Sunday newspaper subscription because I don't want to see the faggot ‘wedding’ pictures."


[Ed.] Yes. Because wedding announcements are renowned for their sexually graphic photos.


"San F*Gcisco takes the top spot but the Western Wa. area is a liberal commie cesspool/sewer of the highest order."

[Ed.] Oh, the hilarity! And I assure you, there was no "*" in the original.

"Our fudge packer supporters here in Seattle are second only to San Fran Freako in their depravity."

[Ed.] Okay, obviously the quasi funny comment a couple of quotes up drained whatever potential humor these folks have. I feel bad for comparing them to Beavis and Butthead, who are at least funny.

As an aside, how many cities and states in America are on the "not REAL America" list anyway? 

- Chicago (Chicago-style thug politics)
- Massachusetts (Taxachusetts)
- San Francisco (San Fran Freako/San F*Gcisco, above)
- Seattle (Does it have a nickname yet?)
- Hollywood (Hollyweird)
- Las Vegas (Sin City)
- Washington, DC (Obama-nation)
- New York (Godless)
- New Orleans (Before Katrina)
- Detroit (Should have been left to die)

That's quite a list of American places that conservatives hate!

Marriage Equality in Washington State!

Thank you, Governor. Image from LA Times

Though it is sure to be contested by busybodies, the Governor of Washington State has signed same-sex marriage into law. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn't do anything more than expand the number of couples eligible to be married. It doesn't take anything away from anyone. It doesn't damage existing or future opposite-sex marriages. Except for the fuss raised by the afore-mentioned busybodies, there will be no effect except for the happy couples, their families and friends, experiencing marriage equality.

It's funny though, to see Washington named the seventh state (plus Washington, DC) to legalize gay marriage. It's actually the eighth. California is not currently performing marriages, but it legalized them. The proposition that undid that has been found unconstitutional. Twice. They'll be back in place eventually, after the appeals run out. Mark my words.

[Excerpt]


Washington state makes 7: Governor signs gay marriage law

"My friends, welcome to the other side of the rainbow!" state Sen. Ed Murray declared Monday as Washington became the seventh state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage.

In a boisterous ceremony at the state Capitol in Olympia, Gov. Christine Gregoire -- a Catholic who weathered strong opposition, including a last-minute "action alert" from the state's Catholic Church leadership -- signed legislation to give same-sex couples the same right to a marriage license as anyone else. . .

Read more at: Los Angeles Times

Gay Marriage Bill Clears Hurdle in Washington State

Image from source, Gawker

Funny that I have to differentiate "Washington State" from "Washington, DC," since DC already has legal same-sex marriage. It's an uphill battle, and even our victories are being undone (or trying to be undone) by the the rabid, busy-body, doesn't-know-their-own-business far-right wing. But I think even the frothiest, most gay-hating fundamentalist wacko knows that they are fighting a losing battle. They may win this one (though, truth be told, it is looking good for our side), and the next and a few after that.

Or, they may lose this one. Or start to lose one here and there. But they will lose. Eventually, they will lose. One day--hopefully in my lifetime, but who knows--same-sex marriage rights will be nation-wide, and largely unquestioned. The Catholic Church, the Mormons and Evangelical Christians will still exist, and will be no worse off for it (other than scrinching up their noses at gay weddings). That's the kicker. If same-sex marriage were legal nationwide tomorrow, the only change to their world will be that something they think is icky would be legal. BFD. Get over it.

[Excerpt]


Bill to Legalize Gay Marriage Clears Major Hurdle in Washington State

The Washington state Senate voted 28 in favor (including four Republicans) to 21 against late Wednesday evening to pass a bill legalizing gay marriage. The bill now goes to the House, where it's expected to pass, and Governor Chris Gregoire has already said she will sign it. So basically, the hard part is over and gay and lesbian couples will be able to get married by June unless crabby homophobes can muster around 120,000 signatures before that time to force a referendum. . .

Read more at: Gawker

Bomb Found in Spokane on MLK Day Parade Route

Image from source, TPM Muckraker

Yeesh. Well, the Arizona shooting tragedy is ten days old, so we were due for a new news cycle obsession, right? Here you go then.

[Excerpt]

FBI: Bomb Planted Along MLK Day Parade Route In Spokane



An incendiary device found along the route of a Martin Luther King Day parade in Spokane, Wash., was "likely capable of inflicting multiple casualties," the FBI said today. . .
 
Read more at: TPM Muckraker

Washington Police Shooter Dead, Mike Huckabee Connection

Image from source, CNN

Back when George H. W. Bush was running for re-election against Michael Dukakis, a big stink was raised over Willie Horton. Horton had been released on a prison furlough program in Massachusetts, and had committed a crime while out. The Willie Horton ad was widely condemned for fear mongering and not-so-subtle racism. But it worked.

Now, for at least the second time, 2008 GOP candidate Mike Huckabee has been taken to task for essentially the same thing, releasing criminals who later reoffended. In the most recent case, particularly disastrously. I'm not inclined to come down on Huckabee like a ton of bricks on this, as he didn't have a crystal ball, and I don't know all of the details of the case. But I also can't say that this should be ignored. Is this a case of turn about is fair play, or could there be more to it than that? Time will tell.

[Excerpt]

Police: Suspect dead, had slain cop's gun

The suspect in Sunday's fatal shooting of four police officers was shot and killed early Tuesday by an officer after the suspect approached him and "reached into his waist area," authorities said in a statement. . .

Read more at: CNN

Election Results: My Take

Okay, the big question brewing already is, were the results of last night's elections a "referendum" on President Obama? My take? Not exactly.

What we have here is a rinky-dinky little off-year election. But we all were so invested in 2008, some of us still have a bit of the bug. Gays were also especially invested because of anti-gay ballot issues in Maine and Washington. Republicans and/or conservatives are all still a little bruised by 2008, and also energized by all the 9/12er, tea bagger, Glenn Beckian nuttiness, and desperately wanted a change in their fortunes.

So did it happen? Sorta. And also kinda not. In Virginia, a Republican took the Governor slot, something that was long predicted. Bob McDonnell, the guy who won seems like kind of a creep to me, but apparently the Democrat was a weak candidate, and Virginia has a history of putting the opposite party to the President in power. Whatever. In New Jersey, Gov. Jon Corzine, the Democratic incumbent, was fairly unpopular. There was also a third-party contestant. As I type this, the winner, Chris Christie has been getting some intense coverage on FOX "News," so they must be scoring it as a big win for their side.

Perhaps the biggest news, at least among office races, was the upset in New York's 23rd district. It's a district that has gone for a Republican for like 120 years. But the Beckians and the Palinites threw out the Republican there, and installed a "Conservative Party" carpetbagging candidate named Doug Hoffman. Dick Armey called the move the tip of the spearhead of a plan to do this around the country in 2012. But they lost. Boo-hoo.

The other big news is of course, the anti-gay measures. In Maine, after the legislature approved same-sex marriage, a ballot measure was offered up to reject it. And, by all appearances at this writing, it passed. It was tight, but it passed. In Washington, there was almost an identical situation, except there it was an "everything but marriage" measure that was to be voted on. But it looks like (again, it's not 100% yet) it passed. Again, slim margin, but to the good side!

So yeah, I'm bummed by Maine. I still think this sort of human rights issue shouldn't be up for popular vote in the first place. But at least it wasn't a constitutional amendment, and it can always be tried again. The margins get slimmer all the time.

Election Day 2009: Maine and Washington

Today is an election day in some parts of the country, though not in my home state of Nevada. The two big election states in my radar are in Maine and Washington state. In those two states there are gay rights referendums on the ballot. And though I've been remiss in reporting on those two issues, I'm writing this in a last ditch effort to sway the one or two people who might happen upon this post.

In Washington, they're trying to take away domestic partnership rights for gay people. And in Maine, they're trying to invalidate marriage rights for gay people that have already been gained. The results in these sorts of elections are abysmal for the gay side. I think we're 0-for all, actually. But the main point here for me is, should rights even be up for a popular vote in the first place? I think not. If they were, most of the rights obtained for minorities and women would never have been obtained in the first place.

Many anti-gay marriage arguments allege that if only we didn't call it "marriage," there wouldn't be a problem. This is belied by the fact that in Washington the issue isn't marriage, but domestic partnership rights. This proves--to me at least--that a dictionary definition really isn't the issue. Stomping on the neck of gay people (mostly in the name of religion, which shouldn't enter into law in the first place) is the issue.

I just want to pose the hypothetical scenario to anyone in those states (or elsewhere) sitting on the fence. Suppose that I was of a religion that found your personal relationship abhorrent. For whatever reason. Imagine that I found enough people to put it on a resolution that your relationship was unworthy--in fact abominable--of any sort of legal recognition. Further suppose that we were capable of voting your rights away. Exactly how would that make you feel? And would you think that other voters had any right to make such a decision in the first place?

Washington Petition Signers Want to Hide Their Names

Image from source, Joe.My.God

There are a couple of things about this story that irritate me. Number one, is that petitioners in Washington State who are trying to revoke domestic partnership rights. Whenever a same-sex marriage debate ensues, the "opposition" will claim they have no problem with gay relationships, only that it shouldn't call it "marriage." But look what happens when gays settle for an "other than marriage" arrangement.

The other thing that annoys me is that these folks feel so strongly about the issue, they're willing to sign a petition to revoke rights of other people, and that affect the petitioners' right not one whit. But those same people get bashful when their names might be made public. TOUGH.

[Excerpt]

WA: Haters Want To Hide Their Names

Protect Families Washington is suing the state to prevent the publication of the names of people who signed the Referendum 71 petition, which would overturn the state's brand-new domestic partners law. Washington's secretary of state says the request will be heard in court, but that the haters shouldn't hold their breath. . .

Read more at: Joe.My.God.