What in the HELL is wrong with our Governor??!!

[Debi]

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2008/01/19/news/politics/9362b8d546283d4b862573d50014f2ee.txt

Governor looks ahead to gay marriage ruling


DES MOINES --- Gov. Chet Culver, an opponent of gay marriage, said Friday he would seek a quick response in the Legislature if the Iowa Supreme Court rules that same sex couples have a right to marry.

Culver, speaking after he taped "Iowa Press," said he doesn't want to take action before the Supreme Court rules. However, if the court upholds a lower court ruling in favor of gay marriage, he said the Legislature can, and should, respond quickly.

"We'll do whatever it takes to protect marriage between a man and a woman," Culver said.

He didn't rule out a special legislative session to deal with the issue, if the court rules after the Legislature adjourns for the year.

"We'll just have to wait and see," Culver said.

++++++++++++++++++

:mad:

[CornField]

1. Headline re-write:

"Governor looks ahead to next election"

[Debi]

2. Doesn't he need votes from his Party?

Or is he following the path that's been laid for the previous eight years (although TV didn't screw over the GLBT community :eyes:)

He could have kept his mouth shut x(

[CornField]

12. Agreed

But there's a reason why those who support this type of discrimination want it to be placed on a ballot -- the majority of people in America agree with them. It was the same with mixed race marriages not so long ago. The difference between then and now is fairly simple. Back then we had a U.S. Supreme Court that ruled on law and not on politics. Now, we no longer are afforded that national luxury, although, I think, we still have it on a state level.

I'm shocked by the number of people -- people who currently serve on our Democratic State Central Committee -- who I've heard make discriminatory comments about homosexuals. I don't know how those comments translate into support or opposition for same-sex marriage, but I do know there are a hell of a lot of bigots out there, even within the confines of our own party.

[pstans]

11. in a race against Vander Plaats

[rurallib]

3. Just saying to Mrs. Lib how the politicians reactions

to gay and Latino remind me so much of how blacks spoken of when I was young. Along with the occasional politician that had guts and would stand up for human rights, there were a ton of snivelers that could only think of the next election.
I do not in any way imply that these struggles are comparable. It is just the similarities in how politicians react. Pretty sad.
50 years later no one will say out loud that blacks should be denied the rights of citizens (note I say 'out loud' because the code talk is still there).
I hope reason will prevail. It sure would be nice if it would prevail within our party.
Funny thing, I think whatever state becomes the first 'gay friendly' will reap a bonanza.

[Debi]

4. But a special legislative session just to ensure we discriminate - and make it permanent?

That's too much.

I hope the Democratic majority stands strong and denies OUR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR his desire to have us be anti-GLBT.

Disgraceful.

[rurallib]

7. Totally disgraceful.

We'll be in consultation with local reps tomorrow. I will make sure they hear about this, have they not already.

[progressoid]

9. "I think whatever state becomes the first 'gay friendly' will reap a bonanza. "

Sadly, I don't think that state will be IA.

I'd like to think we have progressed but it doesn't seem we have so much. Of course, that's really easy to see on this side of the state :(

[9119495]

5. Jesus. He did not give that position to the

coalition meeting of gay straight alliances in Des Moines last year. This bothers me a great deal. I worked hard for him to get in office and this is one of those things that will make me apathetic towards the next governor's race.

[Debi]

6. I know

He was ambivalent (I thought) Now he's just .... x(

[9119495]

8. And it is so unnecessary. What does Patty Judge have to say?

[progressoid]

10. Looks like the budget will tie them up for a while.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19206256&BRD=1304&PAG=461&dept_id=180485&rfi=6

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Despite the furor over potential legislative action to prevent gay marriage that has marked the opening of the 2008 state legislative session, the local representatives in both houses say that the real work of the winter will be trying to balance a budget that they agree is far out of whack.

Both Gary Worthan, the state representative from Storm Lake, and Steve Kettering, state senator from Lake View, were interested to see the hundreds of demonstrators swarming the capitol yesterday - and both told the Pilot-Tribune that they sympathize with statewide call to defend traditional marriage.
However, both said they expect party leaders in their respective houses to block the issue from ever coming to a vote on the floor this session.

"I'm hearing a lot of push from the constituents who want us to do something about gay marriage, but I think that leadership feels that they would rather just leave it and let the courts decide," Worthan reported from Des Moines Wednesday. "A lot of us, however, feel that the courts have already chosen to enter the legislative arena."
The result, Worthan said, is that there will be much talk and debate on the gay marriage issue, and probably no real action.

Fellow Republican Kettering said he will support legislation to restrict marriage to a man and a woman, but doubts that he will get the chance to cast such a vote.

[DU9598]

13. Very disturbing

However, it really frustrates me that the Dems don't play better politics with this "protect marriage" bull shit.

Want to protect the institution of marriage then here are a few things to amend into the constitution:
1- Marriage is sacred, so you get one ... no remarriage for any reason.
2- Divorce is bad, so unless you prove domestic violence then you don't get one without a 5 year waiting period.
3- Since marriage is to create families and raise children, so nobody over 40 years of age can be given a marriage license and both men and women must prove their fertility before being given a marriage license. To consumate a marriage you have to have a child within the first 5 years or your marriage is dissolved.
4- To be in line with our founding fathers ... the wives are still considered property of their husband and people of varying races and religions are precluded from colluding their blood.

[Debi]

15. Uh oh...by those rules --- I'm in trouble!!

Culver's comments REALLY piss me off.

I'm sure it will be high on the list of topics of conversation at our local Iowa Pride Network fund raiser coming up next month x(

[Counciltucky]

14. Damn.

Thought Chet would be more open-minded than this. Freedom for all, y'know?

[Debi]

16. He certainly appeared more open minded

during the primary and the general election.

I guess this is the new Governor Culver :eyes: Reminds me of the 'Working Man's Governor' we elected in 1998...who then sold out Labor for the next eight years x(.

[Debi]

17. Iowa Independent Article

Thank you!!!

http://iowaindependent.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=496DC9C1BD32CE2ECD3769BEAA10BC97?diaryId=1849

[Counciltucky]

18. Try the link again. n/t

[Debi]

19. Arrghhhh - try this one

http://www.iowaindependent.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1849

Sorry.

[Counciltucky]

20. Just e-mailed Culver...

"Gov. Culver --

"First, thank you for the hard work you have done in the past year. Your vision has truly improved the state, and I am honored to have helped in electing you to the Governorship.

"That said, please reconsider your position on gay marriage. It is not right to discriminate, nor does it reflect well on the state. You have an enormous opportunity to take the bully pulpit and speak up for equal rights, possibly setting the tone for other states to do the same.

"As for the issue of electability, the people who decide on who to vote for based on anti-homosexual opinion alone most likely did not vote for you in 2006, nor would they do so in 2010 regardless of what you do here.

"Please do not pander to the bigoted fraction of Iowa's population. If you could set aside whatever personal opinion of homosexuality that you may have, stand up, and declare that homosexuals are not a lesser people and don't deserve to be treated as such, you could well set a standard of equality which others will proudly and enviously follow.

"Thank you for your time."

[Debi]

21. Good Job! College is paying off for you!

Are you back to being a foreigner now? Or are you still in Iowa?

[Counciltucky]

22. Been back in Louisiana for over a week now.

The weather's much nicer. It's kind of trippy, because it's like I went from winter back to fall. Definitely not complaining though.

[Debi]

23. Well stay warm for the rest of us b/c Iowa is headed back into deep freeze

tonight :scared:

Anybody got a good home made soup recipie? I'm getting a little burned out on Chili and Beef Stew...:shrug:

[4dsc]

24. DINO!!!

Culver is failing as democratic party governor by taking more of a republican stance on many issues.. He's just another democratic party leaders who's afraid of republicans!!

[Debi]

25. To be fair to Culver - he had eight years of training under TV

But now he has a Democratic majority in the legislature (and if Iowa had wanted a TV-clone we would have nominated a different candidate) he needs to stand up and fight for equality in our state (and maybe even follow the Platform our Party constructed).

Below are portions of the 2006 Democratic Party Platform:

<snip>

IOWA DEMOCRATS
2006 STATE CONVENTION PLATFORM REPORT
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

<snip>

Whenever the rights of any of our citizens are threatened, the rights of all are endangered.
154 We take seriously the obligation to preserve, protect and secure basic constitutional and
155 civil rights for ALL. We believe in a government which consistently and fairly serves and
156 protects ALL people. We believe in a government that protects ALL individuals and assures
157 equal opportunities for all. We believe none are truly free unless all are free; that justice is
158 the right of all, not just those who have the means or power to seize it.
159
160 The legitimate function of government is to accomplish those social goals which we cannot
161 achieve as individuals. We believe in and will continue to work for a truly representative
162 government: working for the good of the people; compassionate, progressive, responsible
163 and fair; striving to achieve peace, prosperity, and instilling confidence and hope.

<snip>

+++++++++++++++++++

<snip>

CIVIL RIGHTS (PRIORITY PLANK)
555 We support:
556 • The ERA
557 • Equal marital rights for all consenting adults regardless of sexual orientation or gender
558 identification
559 • Repealing DOMA
560 • Legislation protecting same sex couples' adoption rights
561 • Adding "Sexual Orientation", "Trans-Gender", and "Disability" to State and Federal Anti-
562 Hate Crime, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Bullying and any other civil rights laws
563 • Forbidding the Defense Department and branches of the military from discriminating on
564 the basis of sexual orientation
565 • Federal legislation guaranteeing the right to privacy including reproductive choice
566 • Legal written permission from individual account holders for any sharing of non-public
567 information
568 • Due process of law for all individuals held by U.S. authorities
569 • Affirmative Action and Title IX
570 • Recruitment of members of protected classes to serve in government
571 • Strict enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act
572 We oppose:
573 • The erosion of 4th Amendment protections in the conduct of government surveillance
574 • Erosion of separation between church and state
575 • National identification cards
576 • Any Constitutional amendment limiting or denying civil rights
577 • The erosion of Miranda rights
578 • Any governmental assets used to support the Boy Scouts of America or other
579 organizations that do not accept gays, lesbians, bisexual, transgender & atheists as
580 members, leaders and staff

<snip>

http://www.iowademocrats.org/ht/action/GetDocumentAction/id/234773

[Counciltucky]

26. Credit where due...

Culver DID sign into law legislation which protected sexual minorities in schools and the workforce. Culver is no Fred Phelps here.

[Debi]

27. I agree - he's pandering to the homophobic extremists in both parties

No different than 'Labors' Governor giving unpaid furloghs to state employees (many of them AFSCME members).

[Vet31203]

28. The power of the vote.

I see what your saying. The governor has done some good
things, but he has also made some questionable calls.
Fortunately we will be able to vote (not for governor, but for
a few house seats in Iowa), in November. I don't know about
everyone else, but I am from district 4 and while there are a
few people in the primary the only one that looks like he
really has a chance is William Meyers. He's a veteran out of
Humboldt and has recently been everywhere talking to
everybody. He is young, but maybe it is the perfect time for
him. America wants change and all. Anyways, give Culver a
little time I'm sure he'll settle down, he probably just wants
to please everyone...