A proposal for Spitzer

[NMMNG]

Gay-rights groups urge legalization of same-sex marriages, equality.
By Dan Wiessner
Gannett News Service
November 12, 2006


"The question with New York has never been if we'll have equality; it's always been a matter of when," said Alan Van Capelle, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, a statewide gay-rights-advocacy group.

<snip>

Nine states had same-sex-marriage bans on the ballot Tuesday night, and eight passed the measures. Arizona was the exception.

Still, according to Duane, the fact that so much attention is being paid to the issue is a victory in itself.

"Every time the issue is discussed, it's a win for the gay community because the poll numbers of Americans supporting same-sex marriage increases," he said.

<snip>

Full Article


Interesting. Every time the issue is discussed the poll numbers of Americans supporting same-sex marriage increases, yet we keep hearing "Stop talking about gay marriage so much--it's going to cost the Dems votes".

Apparently the facts are very different from what we're constantly being told.

[Sapphocrat]

1. Facts?

We-- er, they-- don' need no stinking FACTS! :D

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. Uh-oh:

>>>A Spitzer spokeswoman didn't return phone calls seeking comment about his plans to push for gay marriage -- a touchy political issue.>>>>

Now, that don't sound too good !

>>>"I know he believes that we're an important constituency, and not just from a political point of view, but from a personal point of view, our community is important to him," said Sen. Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan, who became the first openly gay member of the Senate when he was first elected in 1998.>>>

How does Sen. Duane ( I'm a big fan, BTW) *know* this, exactly?

Seriously, the article doesn't explain how or why Mr. Spitzer would regard this issue as important. I'd sleep better, for example, if his brother were gay, or his best friend, or if he had some special background or familiarity litigating gay legal issues. Nothing *experiential* appears to be prodding Spitzer to 'do the right thing'.

And since he's already being promoted by his wackiest fans as a future presidential candidate, why shouldn't we expect him to continue to defer and dodge on this 'touchy political issue'?

Speaking of touchy political issues: wouldn't marriage have a better chance of passing if NY's two US senators came out publicly for it?

[NMMNG]

3. .....

Seriously, the article doesn't explain how or why Mr. Spitzer would regard this issue as important. I'd sleep better, for example, if his brother were gay, or his best friend, or if he had some special background or familiarity litigating gay legal issues. Nothing *experiential* appears to be prodding Spitzer to 'do the right thing'.


He can't simply have a desire to do the right thing, but has to have a personal stake in it?



Except for the remote possibility that I might become pregnant via rape I will never need to worry about needing emergency contraception or abortion services, but I actively fight to keep them available for all women. Even if I had no chance of becoming pregnant I would still fight for these options to be available for all women.

I have always been a proponent of stem-cell research, even before my sister was diagnosed with MS.

I am Caucasian, yet denounce any form of racism.




One does not need to be personally affected by social injustice, physical/mental disabilities or other issues in order to be motivated to do the right thing. One needs simply to feel a desire to correct the wrongs s/he sees.

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. He absolutely CAN........ * theoretically*.

>>>He can't simply have a desire to do the right thing, but has to have a personal stake in it?>>>

And no one hopes he *does* more than I, but my sleep is disturbed by the sudden seachange from Spitzer's pounding the podium at ESPA's annual dinner a month ago ( pre-election) and his aide's terse 'no comment' on a 'touchy political issue' post election.

I'm not sure what the sea change means... but I'm thinking it means *something* relative to Spitzer's determination to push marriage equality thru the (politically divided) legislature.


>>>One does not need to be personally affected by social injustice, physical/mental disabilities or other issues in order to be motivated to do the right thing. One needs simply to feel a desire to correct the wrongs s/he sees.>>>

Of course. But if one has ambitions to run nationally, and a determination to **win** one might prefer not to be saddled with the cradit /blame for being the governor who brought gay marriage to NY state. I'm saying there's a lot riding for a lot of people on Spitzer moving on to nat'l office. I don't think they want gay marriage standing in the way. It's not clear to me exactly what makes this candidate "tick". So I don't know to what degree ambition is driving him. I do know that lot's of folks HERE, NYS, have a *truckload* of ambition FOR him ( Not me, frankly). Hence, my sleep is disturbed.

Ya might have to be more enmeshed in the political atmosphere in NYS to appreciate what I'm saying.