They're Coming for Your Civil Rights

Over my dead body (0.00 / 0)

Not so fast Dean; 50 Reps who originally voted against marriage equality changed their votes to keep it when a repeal bill was introduced.

Hopefully cooler heads will prevail-the electorate is in favor of marriage.

We have to be more vigilant, work with our friends. There is still more work to do, regardless who is in charge.

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by: Putney Swope @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 10:52:10 AM UTC

I expect... (4.00 / 1)

....that in order to sway those 50 (plus any new members who might be more moderate) to cement a veto-proof vote, that they will attach a civil unions bill to their marriage-equality repeal bill (trying to play both sides of the fence).  It will be critical for us to provide factual data that shows why civil unions are NOT an acceptable alternative.  In my own case, the difference between the two results in a minimum $36,000 cost to taxpayers (yes, I was writing my testimony last night as the juggernaut rolled in.)  If the GOP can't base their vote on decency, fairness, humanity, or New Hampshire's "Live Free..." tradition, perhaps some will be able to hang their hats on Fiscal Responsibility...which is what they claimed to be all about in this election.

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by: Tully Fitzsimmons @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 11:30:47 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

about 1/3 of the House Republicans.... (4.00 / 2)

About a third of the House minority caucus crossed over last winter to vote for marriage equality.  This included some of the most conservative Republicans in the House.  That time it might have been relatively easy for those Republicans to do the right thing, since we Democrats had enough votes to pass it by ourselves. The Republican leadership had little motivation to go the mats over the issue last time--- and many of them were amongst those who crossed over. But it is also easier to do the right thing a second time after you already did it once.

I think we can get to 201 on an "Inexpedient to Legislate" motion.  It won't be easy but it can be done.

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 12:38:08 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Tim, It Is SO Good... (4.00 / 3)

...you're going to be back.  Thank you for hanging in there, through some rough times.  I think all the Democrats now will give you the respect you deserve.  And your former-rep Dad should be mighty proud!  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 13:02:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Don't be silly. Marriages aren't created (0.00 / 0)

by the state.  What the state doesn't make, it can't take away -- other than life itself.
The issue is whether or not married people get special consideration when it comes to doling out public benefits.  It's an issue that hinges on whether or not the community as a whole benefits from such preferential treatment for couples, as opposed to singles.

Of course, from the perspective of austerians, single persons are easier to impoverish and control.  

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by: hannah @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 11:10:45 AM UTC

I am sure you realize that recognition of marriage by the state (4.00 / 4)

makes a difference.

Among other things, invalidation of same sex marriages increases the sense of license felt by those who wish to discriminate against GLBT citizens.

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by: beverlywoods @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 13:50:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

A marriage is not invalidated by the state's failure to recognize it. (0.00 / 0)

That said, people bent on exclusive behavior don't need the law on their side.  Nor does declaring the behavior illegal bring it to a halt.
Remember, we used to have illegitimate children. Declaring some people illegal has a long history.

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by: hannah @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 17:03:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

maybe they don't *need* the law on their side (4.00 / 1)

but it sure helps. Hannah, I don't understand why you argue the other side of these kinds of things. Can you tell me?

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by: beverlywoods @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 17:29:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Dean is right (4.00 / 1)

There are a lot of deeply cherished rights that are in jeopardy today.

NH Democrats benefitted from two wave elections in 2006 and 2008, and we've been badly hurt by one in 2010, as were in 2002. We need to learn from this, but, while learning also need to be prepared for a legislative session starting in January at which the Republicans will try to impose not just a fiscal agenda, but also a social agenda that is not what people voted for.

Anyway, be sad today, then we need to brush ourselves off, there is a lot of work to do.

 



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 11:56:11 AM UTC

Citizen's un-United (4.00 / 3)

They've already taken our rights, under the rubric of Justice. The corporatists have them now.


note to close readers: this might be sarcastic so think twice before reading to candidates for use in their attacks on each other

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by: JonnyBBad @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 12:45:48 PM UTC

at keast there will be more chances for Dems to go on record... (0.00 / 0)

This is an inside baseball type comment, but there goes:

There will be a lot more roll calls next year... so we Democrats will have a lot more chances to go on record as supporting our agenda.  I have heard that the House Republican Alliance (a conservative Republican caucus) has had a policy of moving for a roll call whenever any one member of the group wants one.  It essentially took unaninimous consent of the HRA to have a voice vote or "division vote" on a bill.

The Democratic majority was very cautious about moving for roll calls: the ostensible explanation was that it costs some legendary sum of money (usually claimed to be in the low four figures) to print the roll call in the journal.

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 12:50:36 PM UTC

The other perspective on Roll Calls (0.00 / 0)

My understanding of the reason for being careful with the roll calls is that there was every reason to try to provide Dems in difficult districts some cover.  The wisdom of being cautious has now been proven.  Those from marginal districts who courageously took very difficult stands are no longer in the House. This is why the HRA wanted everything on record all the time.  

The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. --Marcus Aurelius, courtesy of Paul Berch

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by: Lucy Weber @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 23:36:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

WE NEVER Should Be Afraid Of Fighting... (4.00 / 1)

...for the right thing.  We have marriage equality, and it's a good thing we accomplished that in 2009 instead of waiting.  DEFENDING rights is easier than winning them, because "The New Hampshire Way isn't to take rights away.  

We should look welcome to the discussion in January, on protecting House Bill 436 and other matters such as women's choice and workers' rights.  I tend to think that a number of Republicans will overeach.  And we'll have more to talk about in the election of 2012 as a result.  

The pendulum of politics, as I've said many times in this blog during the past four years, is a very real thing.  We will smile again.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 13:00:30 PM UTC

Sure wish (0.00 / 0)

you were my rep, Jim. I lost all of mine in the fire last night.

They. Don't. Care.
We do.
Rinse, repeat.

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by: GreyMike @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 13:19:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Jim didn't run this time (4.00 / 2)

I hear he will disclose his plans soon.

note to close readers: this might be sarcastic so think twice before reading to candidates for use in their attacks on each other

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by: JonnyBBad @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 14:49:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

JS for Gov, 2012.... (0.00 / 0)

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by: Tully Fitzsimmons @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 15:08:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I knew that, (0.00 / 0)

but I still wish he was my rep, you see.

They. Don't. Care.
We do.
Rinse, repeat.

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by: GreyMike @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 16:27:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You're So Nice... (4.00 / 1)

...to say so, and I'm in the House until November 30th so wherever you live, I'm still your Rep. for that long.  Maybe again someday, if I live long enough.  There is much for all of us to do.  The cause -- and the adventure -- continues.

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 17:51:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

This is such a disaster. (0.00 / 0)

I am still in shock.  This is borderline depressing knowing my slim chances at equal rights just went down the drain; maybe for another decade.  I wonder if this new political climate puts my job at risk.  And with this economy finding a new full-time job could be impossible.

Scared member of just about the smallest minority out there.

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by: xrk9854 @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 15:10:54 PM UTC

Constitutional Amendment (0.00 / 0)

I expect that a constitutional amendment bill will pass with this legislature and come on the 2012 bill making marriage available only to one man one woman.  At almost 68 years, I hope I live long enough to see the day when LGBt people are not threatened and terrorized on an annual basis by others in the state and nation.

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by: mevansnh @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 16:45:32 PM UTC

I Welcome The Discussion... (0.00 / 0)

...and I can't believe that it is "The New Hampshire Way" to take rights away from people.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 17:49:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Gloating Press Release from Kevin Smith >:-< (0.00 / 0)

No comment:

   CORNERSTONE COMMENTS ON STATE ELECTION RESULTS

   Calls GOP Super-majorities a Repudiation of Far-left Radical Agenda

   Manchester, NH - Today, Cornerstone Action's Director, Kevin Smith, released the following statement about the results from last night's state elections:

   "We've been saying since the summer of 2009 that the voters would eventually reject the far-left radical agenda of the New Hampshire legislature and last night they finally got their say. Not only did they return fiscal and social sanity to the statehouse, but they did so in historic proportions - a clear repudiation of the prior legislature's extreme out-of-touch policies. And while we were disappointed to see Governor Lynch re-elected, both chambers now hold veto-proof majorities, so if he ever does decide to use his veto pen, he'll find it's out of ink."

   Smith added, "We look forward to working with the newly elected officials, both Republicans and Democrats, on advancing a common sense agenda that restores the traditional New Hampshire values of strong families, limited government, and fiscal conservativism to Concord."

   Cornerstone-Action is the legislative and issue advocacy arm of Cornerstone Policy Research.

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 16:55:29 PM UTC

Pie in the sky. (0.00 / 0)

It would be nice if strong families could be legislated and any number of people would probably prefer to return to an era when people could be made to labor for free.  But, that's not likely to be achieved.
As for "limited government," that's what you have when you don't have a dictatorship.
On the whole, Cornerstone has an unrealistic and punitive agenda.  It's abusive and what Democrats need to demonstrate is that it isn't necessarily so.

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by: hannah @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 17:25:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

This is my biggest concern (4.00 / 1)

My husband and I have a marriage certificate from the province of Ontario, which is currently recognized in NH. Once equality was recognized, I set about trying to get a NH certificate, which apparently could only have happened if we got divorced and re-married in NH - which being a rather silly concept, we did not do.

SO, if the repeal of marriage equality in NH actually happens, am I grandfathered - or not?

My hope is enough Republicans are respectable enough human beings to prevent over-riding a Lynch veto - and I don't have to find out the answer to my question.

Having our marriage recognized by the state is more than the sum of the rights and responsibilities bestowed by the state. That recognition provides a validation of sorts and allows us to, well, relax. It says to the bigots, your hatred is YOUR problem, not ours. It says, that type of hatred is not acceptable in our community.

The recognition by the state, and ultimately the Feds, has a HUGE impact on teens struggling to come out, and the general health and well being of gays in general.

Ok, I've ranted enough.
-Aaron

Aaron / Deering. Kuster 2012: http://www.kusterforcongress.com/

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by: nhveedub @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 17:33:23 PM UTC

Grandfathering Depends On The Legislation That... (4.00 / 2)

...would be passed, and any Court interpretation of effect.  But let's not think that way -- we can prevent repeal.  Let's do it.  I agree with your operative paragraph:  "My hope is enough Republicans are respectable enough human beings to prevent over-riding a Lynch veto - and I don't have to find out the answer to my question."

Let's be respectful to the Republicans, and realize that enough of them can come over and support equality.  We won 40 against the repeal bill in February of this year.  We need to keep the dialogue open.  My mantra last year in passing House Bill 436, which I repeated many times on www.BlueHampshire.com and at our strategy meetings, was "WE CAN DO THIS."  We can.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 19:31:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

NOM in Iowa (4.00 / 4)

Defeating our legislators, disheartening though it may be, is one thing.

Getting judges kicked out of office on a partisan basis because they recognized minority rights, which is kind of the point of judges in this country? That is an extremely dangerous precedent. Even those on the wrong side of marriage equality should see the danger in creating a judiciary in which judges fear for their careers to make unpopular decisions.  The founding fathers gave federal judges non-electoral lifetime appointments for a reason.

States that elect your judges, now is the time to amend your state constitutions to change that; NOM has opened the floodgates.

--
Hope > Anarch-tea
Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 18:50:15 PM UTC

And it is not just Iowa. (0.00 / 0)

Just wait til you see the number of impeachments brought here in NH this next term.

The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. --Marcus Aurelius, courtesy of Paul Berch

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by: Lucy Weber @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 23:40:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ugh. (0.00 / 0)

73% House Majority, 76% Senate Majority. 100% Council Majority. Lynch might as well stay in bed under the covers at this point.

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by: ChrisMelcher @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 20:33:37 PM UTC

lol Perhaps He'll Appreciate That Advice... (0.00 / 0)

...but we need him more than ever.  When the going gets tough, the tough get going.  Who said that?  

He's up for the challenge.  But he'll need our help at times.

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 20:46:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

maybe Joseph Kennedy (0.00 / 0)

http://www.englishclub.com/ref...
Origin: This saying is attributed both to Joseph P. Kennedy (1888-1969), father of the USA President John F. Kennedy, and to Norwegian-born American football player and coach Knute Rockne (1888-1931).

note to close readers: this might be sarcastic so think twice before reading to candidates for use in their attacks on each other

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by: JonnyBBad @ Wed Nov 03, 2010 at 21:31:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]