Spin.

Absolutely right. (4.00 / 6)

How do I "recommend" or "rate" a diary that starts on the front page?

Elwood's take on what is going on says it all.

Ten out of ten.

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 @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 05:55:11 AM CST

the zeitgeist (4.00 / 1)

the Speaker is a smart man who read the political climate, and rode the passions of voters(those who bothered to vote)to a grand victory on Nov.3.
First time leaders who come in filled with the fervor from recent victories often stumble. We call it 'learning the ropes'. He will tack to the center to keep power, or lose it. T minus 22 months and counting...

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

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by: JonnyBBad @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 07:04:06 AM CST

It's All About Spin... (4.00 / 1)

...and we have to be prepared.  Have you noticed that the term "sneak attack" shares 7 letters with the word "Republicans?"

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 07:35:44 AM CST

Proceed (4.00 / 2)

as planned.

little camera girl

Zandra Rice Hawkins (Granite State Progress)

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by: Zandra Rice Hawkins @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 07:40:13 AM CST

marriage bills (0.00 / 0)

Some marriage bills are being introduced, even though the leadership discouraged this.  One of these is an interesting compromise bill, sponsored by Peter Bolster (R-Alton)  which would get the state out of defining marriage altogether: it would be replaced by something called a "domestic union". I don't know if Seth Cohn is cosponsoring it, but he was trying to get me to sign onto it.  I politely refused, because what we passed in 2009 was much, much better and I am committed to preserving it.

The deadline for introducing new bills happens to be unusually this cycle: reps have been given two weeks in late June/early May to submit proposals for 2nd-year bills.  Unless this deadline is moved back to September where it has traditionally been, it won't be possible to put anything off till after the budget process.  The budget is not going to be finished until June 23rd, give or take a few days.

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 08:05:59 AM CST

Yes, I'm an (active) cosponsor... (4.00 / 1)

Sorry if I wasn't clear, I certainly wasn't trying to get you to sign onto it, just discussing it.

BH's token Republican / Libertarian / TeaPartier / Free Stater, courtesy of a Federal Affirmative Action grant, despite many of his comments being marked down and hidden.

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by: SethCohn @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 16:51:53 PM CST

[ Parent ]

What does the bill do? (0.00 / 0)

I think the devil is in the details.

If there was a way to remove the state altogether from marriage, while preserving rights to all benefits,including federal benefits,  for all who the state civilly united, then i would be fine with it. (France and other country's do this-- there is a civil acknowledgment at town hall. If people want to have a religious or other marriage ceremony, that's fine and they can do it in any manner they wish, but it doesn't affect their legal status.)

Given the mass of federal laws to the contrary though, I don't see how this is feasible at present.

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  

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by: Paul Twomey @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 19:05:47 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Give me a call or email (0.00 / 0)

and we can discuss this... The current draft isn't perfect (all fixable), but some very good folks on all sides have been reading it, providing feedback and ideas for improvement.

I agree with Rep. Horrigan on the early window btw... some have suggested a second window for LSRs in the fall.

BH's token Republican / Libertarian / TeaPartier / Free Stater, courtesy of a Federal Affirmative Action grant, despite many of his comments being marked down and hidden.

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by: SethCohn @ Fri Jan 14, 2011 at 05:52:49 AM CST

[ Parent ]

an interesting compromise (4.00 / 3)

for those who don't ever want to be eligible for things like Social Security widow/widowers benefits or any of the 1400 or so legal rights that apply to legally married couples.

On the other hand -  the folks who are proposing this also want to eliminate Social Security.  

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by: susanthe @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 17:28:44 PM CST

[ Parent ]

"Compromise?" (4.00 / 4)

That's like saying, "I'm going to steal all your money. No, wait - we'll compromise. I'll only steal HALF your money."

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by: elwood @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 17:32:04 PM CST

[ Parent ]

So, in order to keep some taxpaying Granite Staters (4.00 / 4)

from having the legal right to marry, this "compromise" would force divorce onto all taxpaying Granite Staters.

Sounds like a great idea.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 19:14:31 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Paying taxes is an obligation. Rights are rights. (0.00 / 0)

Freedom is not a transaction.

--
Hope > Anarch-tea
Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 20:01:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

analogy to national legislature...from Gail Collins column (0.00 / 0)

Gail Collins is my favorite NYT Opinion writer...excerpted here she talks about the speech last night by President Obama.
It is not her central theme, but immediately reminded me of this thread, and how we need to proceed.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01...
Op-Ed Columnist
Obama Brings It Home
By GAIL COLLINS
Published: January 12, 2011

snip

But, politically, there's a challenge about where we go from here. You can't expect the Republican majority in Congress to give up on killing the health care reform law, although it might be a nice step if the leadership urged its members to stop saying that God wants to see repeal.

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

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by: JonnyBBad @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 11:01:50 AM CST

NH gay marriage opponents confident of repeal (4.00 / 1)

The laughable attempt by the House Republicans today to try to shake off the universal condemnation of their outrageous behavior since taking over just fell flat.  Any hope they had in thinking the public would fall for their bait switch trick just evaporated.

NH gay marriage opponents confident of repeal
By NORMA LOVE

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- Gay marriage opponents say they'll keep working
to repeal New Hampshire's two-year-old law even if House Republicans
aren't making it a priority.

Kevin Smith, of the conservative Cornerstone Action, said Thursday the
House must vote on legislation to repeal same-sex marriage. He said if
it isn't this year, it will be next year.

(sorry no link available to full story)

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by: Ray Buckley @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 13:12:02 PM CST

A link, a link. My kingdom for a link! (0.00 / 0)

From the Globe, now that she is banished from the UL.

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by: Mike Emm @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 13:29:41 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Another release from NHFTM: (0.00 / 0)

New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Believes GOP Leaving Door Open
to Repeal of Marriage Equality This Session

Concord, NH - Following the House GOP press conference today, the executive director of New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, Mo Baxley, issued this statement:

"We are pleased again to hear the House majority leader say that gay marriage is not a priority this legislative session. Voters want their legislators to focus on the economy; they did not send people to Concord to rehash marriage equality. But we heard some wiggle room in today's remarks, leaving the door open to bring up a repeal of marriage equality in the coming weeks. We are continuing our efforts to educate and engage all Granite Staters as planned to show that it's not the role of government to  take away rights from New Hampshire citizens and families."

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 19:15:50 PM CST

Republican "humor" (0.00 / 0)

Call collecting taxes to support schools, fire fighters, cops and national defense "theft."

Then deny any role when the mob you stir up kills people.

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by: elwood @ Fri Jan 14, 2011 at 05:57:47 AM CST

(grin) n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: susanthe @ Fri Jan 14, 2011 at 17:42:28 PM CST

[ Parent ]

This post was picked up by AMERICAblog Gay (4.00 / 1)

"Blue Hampshire: GOP House leader's message on marriage was 'SPIN'"

I trust Blue Hampshire over a NH GOP leader any day. Yesterday, the GOP House Majority Leader appeared to indicate that repealing the state's same-sex marriage law wasn't on their agenda.

Anti-gay leaders are "undaunted" and seem pretty sure they'll be getting their vote, according to the Boston Globe.

And, elwood at Blue Hampshire dissected what was -- and wasn't -- said:... http://gay.americablog.com/201...

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by: Putney Swope @ Fri Jan 14, 2011 at 06:08:43 AM CST

They'll Be (0.00 / 0)

all over this next year, when they can use it as a "dog whistle" to rev up their crazy base.

Sure, I voted for less government and less government spending...just NOT the parts that I benefit from!

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by: Ref @ Fri Jan 14, 2011 at 17:19:59 PM CST