Box Turtle Bulletin
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyMay 21st, 2009
I am beginning to think that when the New Hampshire House voted down the marriage bill revisions requested by the Governor that it was not a vote about marriage at all. I think that those Republicans – and perhaps some Democrats – that are supportive of marriage are indignant that Governor Lynch, a Democrat, gets to have it both ways.
The Boston Globe carried a few quotes today which I found interesting
Key Republicans who switched sides indicated Thursday they’re open to supporting a compromise.
“I think the votes are there to pass it and put it on Governor Lynch’s desk,” said Rep. Anthony DiFruscia, a Windham Republican who lead the fight for negotiations.
Amherst Republican Cynthia Dokmo, who also voted against passage, said she would like to see the bill tweaked.
“I would like to see this bill pass,” she said. “It just seems to me it really doesn’t hurt anyone and it helps some people. It’s not going to affect my marriage.”
Rep. Steve Vaillancourt, a Manchester Republican who also switched, argued Lynch’s proposed language provides churches broader ability to discriminate than do laws in Connecticut and Vermont.
“I need something that does not send a signal to the rest of the country that New Hampshire has gone farther than any other state,” said Vaillancourt.
It may well be that they objected to what they saw as partisan support for protecting a Democratic Governor from risk while they shouldered threats from within their party. They too may be chaffing at being handed wording from the executive office and told to rubber stamp it.
But from the words of these “no” votes, it seems likely to me that wording can be achieved that meets Gov. Lynch’s requirements but also can be seen as originating in the legislature. I think that the delay is simply that – a brief delay in passage.
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Lindoro Almaviva
May 21st, 2009
I have an idea! How about that dumb ass of a governor actually gets some reading lessons, he reads the Constitution’s Freedom of religion clause, gets a lesson on what it means and stops whining about getting protections that are already in the constitution.
How about that for a change? I am tired of having to apologize at every turn for wanting rights that should have been given to me eons ago.
Bruno
May 21st, 2009
Yes Timothy, given the intent of all the parties involved, this can be seen as a brief delay. But it can also be seen as a dangerous game of political football. The House in NH has 400 or so members and is at the mercy of factors such as attendance and politicking. With close votes such as there have been on this issue, it’s a mighty dangerous game to play.
I do think Gov. Lynch should pay for his posturing, but not at the expense of LGBT rights.
RMB
May 22nd, 2009
Yeah, the problem with this all is that Vaillancourt decided the rights of LGBT people in New Hampshire were worth playing political football with. I do NOT appreciate that.
Pender
May 22nd, 2009
RMB: Agreed, and well said. It’s like he’s abusing gay people to teach the governor a lesson.
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