Former Governor Peterson on Civil Unions

Zwonitzer (0.00 / 0)

There are a few earnest old-style Republicans out there yet.  Rep Dan Zwonitzer of Wyoming made a big splash a few months ago for saying no to a bill that would have disallowed recognition of same-sex marriages in WY.  Here is a bit of his House floor speech

Under a democracy the civil rights struggle continues today, where we have one segment of our society trying to restrict rights and privelges from another segment of our society. My parents raised me to know that this is wrong.

It is wrong for one segment of society to restrict rights and freedoms from another segment of society. I believe many of you have had this conversation with your children.

And children have listened, my generation, the twenty-somethings, and those younger than I understand this message of tolerance. And in 20 years, when they take the reigns of this government and all governments, society will see this issue overturned, and people will wonder why it took so long.

My kids and grandkids will ask me, why did it take so long? And I can say, hey, I was there, I discussed these issues, and I stood up for basic rights for all people.

May the Petersons and the Zwonitzers of the world begin speeking up!

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by: Love Child @ Sun Apr 29, 2007 at 17:40:49 PM UTC

Walter Peterson Is A Legend Of New Hampshire (4.00 / 1)

I saw Walter Peterson in Concord this past week, and we briefly discussed Civil Unions - - he's been a long time supporter of fairness and equality, and he's a legend of New Hampshire for that and so much more.

He's also a strong supporter of Granny D's Fair Elections concept, and that's another cause coming up.  We currently have legislation to create the Fair Elections process for New Hampshire, and joining me in sponsoring that bill are Representatives Dana Hilliard, Peter Allen, Betty Hall, Barbara Hull Richardson, and Senator Jackie Cilley.  Water Peterson spoke in favor of the bill at a hearing a month ago.

I've known Walter since my very first term in the House in 1969.  He is a good man, who was a good Governor. 

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Sun Apr 29, 2007 at 19:41:12 PM UTC

Where have all the Petersons gone? (4.00 / 1)

And the Jeffords, and the Chafees, father and son, and the Governor Basses, and the Hugh Greggs, and the Teddy Roosevelts?

It seems only Jim Douglass is left, and Olympia Snowe, though both seem like echoes of what could be.  This isn't just a phase.  This is a fundamental paradigm shift of the highest order.  The very definition of the party has devolved.

It's high time the GOP started investigating with a cold eye how and when their party got hijacked by a gang motivated solely by greed, sprinkled liberally with crooks, liars, and delusional ideologues.

Where's the party of fiscal restraint, common sense foreign policy, skepticism towards military adventures, privacy, conservation, and individual rights?  These days, those values are more often found in the one beginning with a D.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Sun Apr 29, 2007 at 23:23:57 PM UTC

There's one left (4.00 / 1)

Rep. Andy Peterson, the former governor's son, sits in the seat in front of mine in the House.  I find my Republican colleague oftentimes voting with me rather than against.  Or is it the other way around...

It's time we steer by the stars, and not the lights of every passing ship

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by: Andy Edwards @ Mon Apr 30, 2007 at 08:13:12 AM UTC

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