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http://kellyayottesenate.blogs...
http://seminal.firedoglake.com... Ayotte claims to be a protector of Women's interests but her tenure as a New Hampshire Attorney General tells quite a different story. She and her crew allowed for bad LE to run amok, assaulting and threatening men, women and children throughout the State of New Hampshire, and that's a FACT.
Over the past six months, my opponents have constantly reminded me of how crucial this race is. Whether it's a woman's right to choose or a family's right to affordable health care - they've shown us time and time again what we all stand to lose if Kelly Ayotte, Bill Binnie, or Ovide Lamontagne wins.
We are again having to take a short bypass on our planned writing journey; this time to a place that's, according to their Facebook page, about 148 beer stores north of Toronto, Ontario (which, for the benefit of the less-geographically aware reader, is in Canada).
It's a crazy place, where duct tape is more truly the coin of the realm than loonies, but we're going to try to explain it all today...and in the effort we may even learn about a few things that really matter, like the unimportance of importance, and the kind of quality of life that comes from having a junk pile and a sense of adventure.
So grab the bug spray, Gentle Reader, because it's time to visit Possum Lodge.
In the wake of the latest repeal for EQUALITY in MAINE as a basic HUMAN RIGHT, and has the world celebrates the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, tonight (MONDAY NOV 9) the Colonial Theatre in Keene, NH and the Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies will present KRISTALNACHT REMEMBRANCE at 7PM. Admission is FREE - just call the Colonial Theatre Box Office at 603/352-2033 to get on the list.
The remembrance helps the community to reflect upon and recognize a responsibility to act when human rights are violated. This year's remembrances features a keynote address by Rabbi Leo Trepp, the last living rabbi to have survived the Holocaust. As a young rabbi in Oldenburg, Germany, Rabbi Trepp witnessed the destructive terror of Kristallnacht. He was forced to flee Nazi Germany in 1938 and made his way to California, where he continued to work as a rabbi, eventually becoming a professor of Jewish theology and philosophy. He has been active in Jewish-Christian dialogue in Germany for decades.
We can never forget the horror and absurdity when human beings continue to suffer oppression, bigotry, even murder from governments, courts, faiths, and unfettered majorities. EQUAL RIGHTS is a basic right recognized by the United Nations since its founding after the atrocities of World War II. America is not exempt from protecting these rights - slaves, women, and minorities of all kind are entitled to be included in the promise of equal rights under both domestic and international law.
The work for equality is everyone's call, and the need to remember and fight in neverending. Remember, none of us are truly free is even one of us isn't free, too.
On Monday, Kelly Ayotte released a statement announcing that she had filed the appropriate paperwork to run for U.S. Senate but neglected to tell anyone why she's running. While it's clear she is interested in advancing her political career, it is very unclear why the people of New Hampshire should support her candidacy without knowing who she is or where she stands on the issues.
As Attorney General, Ayotte was a vocal supporter of President Obama's plan for economic recovery. Just last week, Ayotte publicly endorsed a program to solve cold case crimes which is funded by money from the federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In May, Ayotte also released this statement in support the Recovery and Reinvestment Act:
"in times of economic uncertainty and with the potential for increasing crime, we need to continue to support these programs."
Now that she is running for Senate, will she change her position and stand in the way of President Obama's economic recovery plan?
As Attorney General, Ayotte used her role to argue against a woman's right to choose and marriage equality. She took an assault on a woman's right to choose all the way to the Supreme Court and lost. Will Ayotte stand behind her anti-choice past now? Ayotte also filed a court brief to delay marriage equality in California. With polls showing that a majority of Granite Staters support marriage equality, will Ayotte favor equality now?
(Posted by Victoria Bonney, Communications Director at the New Hampshire Democratic Party)
Shall we rejoice that public officials (public servants) in New Hampshire have been specifically directed to record the domestic partnerships/unions/marriages of all adult persons, regardless of gender or sexual orientation? While it's always good news that the basic principles of our governmental system are being complied with, it shouldn't be necessary to expend the citizens' time and energy on such clearly established principles as equality and justice and the public welfare.
I mean, what is it that we have representatives for if they have to be spoon-fed the basics of democratic rule--i.e. popular government.
Yesterday State Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley called on NHGOP Chairman John H. Sununu and Republican Legislators to support an amendment to the marriage equality bill which would protect religious freedom. But today John H. Sununu took to the airwaves and told WGIR AM listeners that the amendment to provide additional religious protections is "trivial."
"The amendment to the marriage equality bill goes a long way to protect religious freedom, but John Sununu has chosen politics over the rights of religious organizations and has even gone so far as to call their rights "trivial." Do Republican leaders really want to be on record opposing protections for churches and clergy?" said New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley.
During the course of the debate surrounding marriage equality John H. Sununu referred to the legislation as "radical" while polls conducted at the same time made clear that 55 percent of all New Hampshire residents and one third of Granite State Republicans support marriage equality. Now after amendments to the bill were introduced which would go even farther to protect the views of religious groups, Chairman Sununu and Senate Republicans remain opposed and out of step with the people of New Hampshire.
(Posted by Victoria Bonney, Communications Director for the New Hampshire Democratic Party)
(NOTE: Please read the Governor's statement carefully. It is a major step forward, but we have more work to do on this for passage and signature. - promoted by Dean Barker)
[I have changed the title from Breaking, Governor Lynch on Marriage Equality because someone should say thank you]
Gov. Lynch Statement Regarding Same-Sex Marriage Legislation
CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch released the following statement today regarding same-sex legislation in New Hampshire:
"The gay marriage debate in New Hampshire has been filled with passion and emotion on all sides.
"My personal views on the subject of marriage have been shaped by my own experience, tradition and upbringing. But as Governor of New Hampshire, I recognize that I have a responsibility to consider this issue through a broader lens.
"In the past weeks and months, I have spoken with lawmakers, religious leaders and citizens. My office has received thousands of phone calls, letters and emails. I have studied our current marriage and civil union laws, the laws of other states, the bills recently passed by the legislature and our history and traditions.
"Two years ago, we passed civil unions legislation here in New Hampshire. That law gave same-sex couples in civil unions the same rights and protections as marriage. And in typical New Hampshire fashion, the people of this state embraced civil unions and agreed we needed to continue our tradition of opposing discrimination.
"At its core, HB 436 simply changes the term 'civil union' to 'civil marriage.' Given the cultural, historical and religious significance of the word marriage, this is a meaningful change.
"I have heard, and I understand, the very real feelings of same-sex couples that a separate system is not an equal system. That a civil law that differentiates between their committed relationships and those of heterosexual couples undermines both their dignity and the legitimacy of their families.
"I have also heard, and I understand, the concerns of our citizens who have equally deep feelings and genuine religious beliefs about marriage. They fear that this legislation would interfere with the ability of religious groups to freely practice their faiths.
"Throughout history, our society's views of civil rights have constantly evolved and expanded. New Hampshire's great tradition has always been to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections.
"That is what I believe we must do today.
"But following that tradition means we must act to protect both the liberty of same-sex couples and religious liberty. In their current form, I do not believe these bills accomplish those goals.
"The Legislature took an important step by clearly differentiating between civil and religious marriage, and protecting religious groups from having to participate in marriage ceremonies that violate their fundamental religious beliefs.
"But the role of marriage in many faiths extends beyond the actual marriage ceremony.
"I have examined the laws of other states, including Vermont and Connecticut, which have recently passed same-sex marriage laws. Both go further in protecting religious institutions than the current New Hampshire legislation.
"This morning, I met with House and Senate leaders, and the sponsors of this legislation, and gave them language that will provide additional protections to religious institutions.
"This new language will provide the strongest and clearest protections for religious institutions and associations, and for the individuals working with such institutions.
It will make clear that they cannot be forced to act in ways that violate their deeply held religious principles.
"If the legislature passes this language, I will sign the same-sex marriage bill into law. If the legislature doesn't pass these provisions, I will veto it.
"We can and must treat both same-sex couples and people of certain religious traditions with respect and dignity.
"I believe this proposed language will accomplish both of these goals and I urge the legislature to pass it.
My sister ran into an elected Republican official yesterday, and they entered into a friendly, non-monetary wager. If the Equality Bill becomes law, this elected Republican official has agreed to perform the first same sex marriage ceremony in Manchester under the new law.
Before you say, "oh, this is silly," think about it. We have an elected Republican official who has agreed to perform the first ceremony in Manchester, and a fairly popular elected Republican at that - of whom there are not many. It will cut the legs out from under John H. Sununu's "radical San Francisco agenda" rant, as how could it be radical if a member of his bench is out front agreeing to perform the first ceremony in Manchester, and how could it be "San Franciscan" if it takes place in Manchester?
I hesitated to put this up in a diary, because the Equality Bill is serious business. But, we have all been working pretty hard to get this through, and a little light heartedness (and perhaps light headedness) is not a bad thing on a Friday afternoon. I have some more serious reasons as to why the bill should become law, but the sun is shining, the leaves on the trees have popped, the lilacs are out, and I'm feeling optimistic, so I'll save those for another diary.
As noted elsewhere, the Maine House of Representatives passed the Maine equality bill today. Talking Points posted the following from a member of the Maine House:
I'm a state rep from Bangor, Maine, and I'm in the chamber of the state House of Representatives right now as we "debate" LD 1020, Maine's marriage equality bill, which was passed by the senate last week.
I'm struck by how overwhelmingly the balance of representatives today have spoken in favor - on both sides. A Republican representative known for being a staunch conservative gave an exceptional and moving floor speech early on this morning in which he said he realized "this is not about me" and announced his support.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/
How sad that in New Hampshire, Republicans in the Senate were so afraid of standing up to John H. Sununu that they would not vote for a bill that some of them support in private. There was a time when New Hampshire Republicans stood up for civil rights. How sad that the NHGOP chairman calls bills supporting equality "garbage." How sad that in his effort to appeal to fears and bigotry, the Republican chairman, along with his buddy Patrick Hynes, resorts to fabricating a secret conspiracy between the DNC and "those people" to force a favorable vote. How sad that none of the senior elected Republicans, like Judd Gregg, Ray Burton, Ray Wieczorek or the Republican state senators will stand up to Sununu and tell him to stop appealing to fear and bigotry.
The New Hampshire Senate approved a same-sex marriage bill today 13 to 11. Governor Lynch hasn't said whether or not he will allow the bill to become law without his signature or veto the bill. While the New Hampshire House still needs to vote on the Senate bill it had previously approved a same-sex marriage bill so there is almost no doubt that it will be passed and so it'll all be up to Governor Lynch about whether or not to permit same-sex marriage.
Blue Hampshire has Lynch's statement regarding the passage of the bill and they think it might be a veto. In anticipation of this, we, progressives, would like New Hampshire Citizens to write, call or fax the Governor in support of same-sex marriage. You can do that by:
Office of the Governor
State House
25 Capitol Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603)271-2121 - phone
(603)271-7680 - fax
I'm guessing that if Governor Lynch doesn't sign the bill he won't be the Democrats top pick in 2010. But, that's just my opinion.
Currently "forty-two percent of Americans now say same sex couples should be allowed to legally marry, a new CBS News/New York Times poll finds. That's up nine points from last month, when 33 percent supported legalizing same sex marriage."
And that support is showing progress in the Northeast. The Legislature's Judiciary Committee voted 11-2-1 today in support of a bill to allow gay marriage in Maine...Eleven members voted in favor of the bill, two voted against it, and one voted to send it to referendum."
It is starting to look more and more like the Northeast (New England + New York) will be a bastion for same-sex marriage by 2010. That's bound to bring the issue up in the 2012 Presidential Election. Of course, California is still the site of the most contentious fight over same-sex marriage. Amidst todays revelations the National Organization for Marriage announced that Miss California would star in their new ad against same-sex marriage.
While Conservative Groups fighting against same-sex marriage think California is the be all end all it's pretty clear that the best they can do now is delay the inevitable. We could see 5 or 6 states supporting Gay Marriage by the 2010 midterms.
I think that Nate Silver's timeline didn't factor in the possibility of a tipping point. Considering that a majority of New Yorkers support Governor Patterson's same-sex marriage bill its certainly time to start talking about whether or not same-sex marriage is at a tipping point.
It occurred to me that it is a mistake to refer to the marriage equality bill as the marriage equality bill. Actually, it should be the Equality Bill, because as everyone has been pointing out, the bill is about equality, not marriage. It really took reading a lot of the comments yesterday and today to drive that home to me.
So, to the politics - which is what I am much better at than policy. If I were going to discuss the politics of the Equality Bill with the Senators, here is what I would say:
(I think this is the first diary I've ever front-paged while putting what was below the fold, above. Please read through this, and take the call to action if you have received these calls. - promoted by Dean Barker)
My neighbors and I have all received automated calls from that same DC number that called us a few days ago with the push poll. The calls urge us to vote for Jeb Bradley, stating that he is the only candidate that supports marriage between a man and a woman, and other twaddle.
At the end of the call the number that is given as that of the sponsoring organization is 603-228-4794, which is the number of the Cornerstone Policy Research office (although the responsibility is supposedly that of the "Cornerstone Action PAC".)
I called the NH DOJ office and they stated that if we are on the Do Not Call list such calls are illegal, and the gentleman I spoke with said he would be very interested in receiving written complaints about such calls. These can be submitted through their website using the form for consumer complaints at:
http://www.egov.nh.gov/consume...
and who I complained against there was:
Business Name: Cornerstone Policy Research
Business Representative: Unknown
Mailing Address: 136 North Main St. Suit #2
Concord, NH 03301
Phone Number: 603-228-4794
Email Address: cornerstone@nhcornerstone.org
If you have received such a call, won't you join me in complaining? I'd love to see this violation of the law have some serious consequences.
When the Primary Campaign started last year, it was refreshing to see that there was an African American and a woman among the candidates. It was especially gratifying to see that race and sexism did not appear to be an issue in the early days of the campaign. I hopped that this was a sign that Americans had finally begun to believe that ability and ideas were what mattered in a Presidential candidate. Unfortunately the last few weeks have shown that hope to be unfounded and that many Americans still don't not accept the basic American creed that "All Men (and Women) Are Created Equal."
Make no mistake about it; to be racist is to be un-American.
In 1776, the United States was founded upon the principle that all men (and women) were created equal and that we all have the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The entire purpose of American government as stated in the Declaration of Independence is to protect these principles. Through out history we have not lived up to these goals. The original draft of the Declaration contained a passage condemning slavery but it was deleted at the insistence of some of the southern states. Women were not included in the original document and have had to fight for equality. Even so, the concept of equality for all people remained and remains today.
To be an American you must believe in these principles, as they are basic to what we are. Discriminating against a person because of gender, race, religion, or lack of religion, sexual orientation, etc. is to say that all men (and women) are not equal and are somehow different in society and under the law. As people, we have never been able to accept fully this concept but we have and must continue to work for it.
This is practically true of those of us in government service. The President of the United States is not just the President of White America or Straight America or Republican America he is President of the United States of America. How long has it been since we had a President who we can truthfully say represents and respects all Americas?
Today America and the world is at a cross roads where critical decisions have to be made it we are to survive as a people and a planet. I am not exaggerating this problem. I spent 25 years of my life working for the U.S. Department of State and the world situation scares the hell out of me. America needs a leader we truly believes that all men (and women) are created equal and that all people must work together to make the world a better and peaceful place. A leader who will work together with all Americans and citizens of other countries with respect and dedication to solve these problems. We don't have that kind of leadership today but we must have it in the future.
With his recent speech, Senator Obama has shown that he is the kind of man who believes in equality and that he will be the kind of President needed to lead all Americans. Senator Clinton has the same beliefs and qualities that would make her a fine President. Both of these individuals have the character needed to repair America's shattered image with the rest of the world. They will work with world leaders and build alliances to solve the problems that beset all nations. With all due respect, to Senator McCann I don't see anyone on the Republic side that has this same dedication to equality and ability to lead.
We need a President who is dedicated to the birthright of all Americans that of being considered and treated with the equality that they deserve. We must work together to achieve this goal and put the abomination of racism behind us.
Well, things are happening fast in the effort to adopt Civil Unions for New Hampshire. Last Wednesday the House voted in an astounding way, 243 to 129, in favor of House Bill 437 (copied below). The debate was over 2 1/2 hours long, and was passionate on both sides. But the bipartisan result (most of the Democrats voted for the bill, and we picked up 27 Republican votes) was a historic moment for New Hampshire and the nation.
The cause continues: This coming Tuesday, April 10th, the State Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on House Bill 437, which I'm sponsoring with Somersworth State Representative Dana Hilliard. It will begin at 1:15 PM in Representatives Hall, which for orientation purposes is directly under The Golden Dome at the State House in Concord.
PLEASE E-Mail your thoughts to as many State Senators as you can, and CALL those in your part of the State. Let them know how this bill will help the cause of greater equality. Tell your story. Tell your friends stories. Contact information appears below.
The Senate Judiciary Committee:
Senator Joe Foster Chair (Democrat)
Senator Dave Gottesman Vice Chair (Democrat)
Senator Deb Reynolds (Democrat)
Senator Bob Clegg (Republican)
Senator Bob Letourneau (Republican)
Please tell your story in E-Mails or over the telephone, or bring a written statement or testify at the hearing.
Please treat everyone who is present with respect. People in the audience who are today's opponents could be tomorrow's friends and supporters. The education process continues.
The copy of HB 437 and a list of NH State Senators appear below.
It's great to see that the issue of gay and lesbian equality is being advocated more and more across political philosophies nowadays.
Sometimes it takes a while, but just like American society has come to realize that racial and religious discrimination is something we should not tolerate, nor should we continue to institutionalize prejudice based on sexual orientation.
One of my favorite movies about gays is Latter Days (2003), written and directed by C. Jay Cox and starring Steve Sandvoss, Wes Ramsey, and Jacqueline Bisset.
It has a great message, a bit of humor, and certainly presents a lot to think about. I'd highly recommend it and you can find it in video stores or online.
In it, "Elder Aaron Davis," the Steve Sandvoss character, helps "Lila," portrayed by Jacqueline Bisset, get over the death of her longtime boyfriend. It is what he says that paints a beautiful picture:
Aaron asks her if she's ever looked at the comics in the newspaper up close. He explains that when he was little, he used to put his face up real close to the comics and look at the many little dots that made up the picture. Then when he'd hold the newspaper further away, the mass of dots blended together and made sense -- they made the picture. It's sort of the "big picture" theory put into a simpler concept.
Then he summarizes that just like the dots, in life "we're all connected." Maybe we don't see it now, and life makes little sense to us now, but "it all makes sense to God."
I thought Aaron's explanation is an excellent argument for same-sex marriage, as well as for breaking down all kinds of discrimination and inequality.
On this Earth and in this adventure of life we're in, we're all connected -- in one way or another. The 300,000 generations of human beings that have occurred from our evolution from the chimp to now during the past few million years --okay, maybe we can argue that another day -- does provide one constant: that we are all related. We are all connected. That giant mass of little dots makes sense.
That mass of little dots does make sense. And it gives us reason to find ways for us to treat each other fairly and well, to live together on this planet without hate or war, to love one another as brothers and sisters and friends, and to be each other's cheerleaders as we continue on this adventure through life.
(Thanks for coming, Rep. Splaine. I look forward to the discussion. - promoted by Dean)
It's about time that gays and lesbians who are in a loving, committed relationship are treated with all of the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations that a man and woman who are in a loving, committed relationship have.
There is nothing more important than the way we treat one another. While we can't cure all of this planet's wrongs, at least we should resolve that here in New Hampshire and now in 2007, we will create equality in our laws for same-sex unions.
I have been openly gay for over 20 years, and I feel discrimination or disapproval just about every day -- in the workplace, or in my community, my neighborhood, or in politics. It happens.
But worse is the discrimination I see toward others who are gay or lesbian. It just isn't right. The discrimination has to stop.
I know many of my gay and lesbian friends want to have the word "marriage" as part of any law allowing unions. I do too.
But I also know many of my gay and lesbian friends feel that what is most important right now is that those rights, responsibilities, and obligations of union are equally shared. We have waited too long as it is.
If some 5-10% of our population is gay and lesbian, there are about 70,000 to 140,000 among us in New Hampshire. The discrimination has to stop.
For years, New Hampshire has been on the crest of providing more equality for our gay and lesbian residents. Our state is one of just 20 in the nation that provides for civil rights equality in areas of services, housing, and employment. In most of the country, people can still be fired just for being gay, but in the mid-1990s New Hampshire adopted a law offering protection.
That, and other protections, exist because of the leadership of people like State Senator Rick Trombly, State Representatives Mo Baxley, Ray Buckley, Marlene DeChane, Nick Panagopoulos, Dana Hilliard, and Bill McCann, and Governor Jeanne Shaheen, among others.
However, official discrimination in our state still exists in many of our relationship and financial laws. While I am in favor of full marriage equality with the word "marriage" -- a position I have publicly held and spoken out for since the early 1990s -- I feel that we can no longer wait to have equality in those three important words -- "rights," "responsibilities," and "obligations," and that is what a spousal union bill will do.
Civil unions in Vermont, Connecticut, and now New Jersey are providing a good degree of equality in those states, although I and many others who are gay and lesbian would much more prefer the Massachusetts approach of full marriage equality. California has just adopted laws providing for marriage equality, again without that word.
While it will be controversial and there is some hope in some Democratic circles that we avoid certain contentious issues, the time for more open dialogue about full marriage equality is here. I and others will be introducing legislation to accomplish some important steps in this area, and it is time New Hampshire moves positively.
It's about time. People 50 years from now will wonder why we have waited so long already. The discrimination has to stop.
