Politics
Another win by John E. Jones III
Judge John E. Jones III ruled today that the Pennsylvania ban on same-sex marriages is unconstitutional. Judge Jones is the same judge that ruled in the Kitzmiller vs. Dover case in 2005, scoring a big point for science standards, shutting down the attempt to push "Intelligent Design" into the Dover School District’s science curriculum.
This time, instead of protecting science, Judge Jones protected equal rights, saying of the Pennsylvania ban on same-sex marriages, "We are a better people than what these laws represent. It is time to discard them into the ash heap of history."
Governor Tom Corbett can appeal the ruling (and probably will), but it’s doubtful that will accomplish anything other than rallying the backward-minded members of his political base and wasting time and money.
What Gov. Corbett should do, however, is leave well enough alone. Pennsylvania is (was?) the last northeastern state to disallow same-sex marriages. It’s sad and embarrassing. It’s well past time for Pennsylvania to leave the bigotry behind and stand up for equal rights. As Judge Jones stated, the term "same-sex marriage" will be abandoned in favor of "marriage" someday.
Let’s make that day today.
Increased absurdity
I didn’t think it was possible. I mean, Sarah Palin has pretty much been the definition of the phrase "inane absurdity" (I know that comes perilously close to being redundant) for well over half a decade*, but today she appeared on The Today Show and was briefly interviewed by Matt Lauer. She has a new book about the (fictitious) "War on Christmas" but he first asked her some questions about the health care law, Chris Christie, and general politics before getting to the book.
I’m almost sure there wasn’t a single thing she said that was not either blatantly false or patently absurd. I cannot fathom why… no… wait. I can fathom why this woman still has a public platform, but it pains me to think there are enough people in this country to voluntarily and enthusiastically provide it for her. That so many either agree with or believe her is truly indicative of a sad state of affairs in this country.
If only McCain had chosen someone else.
* Palin would occasionally lend the definition to Michele Bachmann.
Flawless use of Willy Wonka footage
Jon Stewart, to the surprise of nobody, did a bit about the government shutdown issue, placing blame squarely where it’s deserved.
Making 100% valid points along the way (including a great capper at the end), Stewart shows a clip from the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with a message to House Republicans from a small business owner.
The message is appropriate, but if you carry the reference too far, it would probably be better if the Republicans suffered the fate of Augustus Gloop, something that happened near the beginning of the chocolate factory tour, ensuring Augustus would not be causing trouble when matters of golden eggs and technology were in play.
Stewart backs it up with perfect driving and football analogies, though, so it’s all good.
Oppose Marriage Equality!!! *
While I try to avoid using sarcasm in anything serious that I write, this (which I first saw on Facebook… I didn’t write it) is an appropriate use. Ha!
I’ve heard equality-opponents make arguments against some of these points and it’s always amusing to watch a bigot try to justify their beliefs.
“Homosexual behavior is a choice!” (#2)
“Studies show that children do better with a mother and a father!” (#9)
“What about polygamy!?” (#3)
…and of course…
(insert any number of bible quotes here) (#1 – #10)
* title meant as sarcasm
Overall…
Overall… not a bad day for domestic human rights.
I’m a little disgusted about the 5-4 split on DOMA, though. It should have been 9-0. Evidently, almost half our Supreme Court judges aren’t in favor of equal rights, hiding behind an argument of “Oh no! People will argue about this!” (which pretty much summarizes Justice Scalia’s dissent)
Scalia said:
By formally declaring anyone opposed to same-sex marriage an enemy of human decency, the majority arms well every challenger to a state law restricting marriage to its traditional definition.
I like the “formally declaring” bit… which implies (accurately, IMHO) that opponents of same-sex marriage were already enemies of human decency, but simply had yet to be “formally” declared as such. But now that the formal declaration has been made (according to Scalia), it’ll be open season on state laws restricting marriage to its “traditional definition” (ie… .. restrictions based on nothing but misguided religious ideology).
…and that is a good thing.
Miracle Babies
Another currently relevant comic by The Atheist Pig…
(click the image to see it full-size at TheAtheistPig.com)
Yep.
An insightful excerpt from this article:
And right now the Republican Party accommodates too much quackery, belligerence and misplaced moralism to play a fully credible part in a vital, essential debate about the size and scope of government.
I make special note of the phrase "right now" because the Republican Party was not always that way. The editorial also notes that there’s hope, which is encouraging.
Gas prices
Interestingly, back when gas prices were hitting the $4.00 per gallon mark, the right-wing was absurdly shouting blame at President Obama for the increase. Now that gas prices have dropped around sixty cents, I don’t think I’ve read or heard a single peep from that same right-wing group thanking the president for lowering prices… or even acknowledging the drop.
It’d be nonsense, either way, since the president has little, if anything, to do with gas prices, but it’s amusingly hypocritical. No doubt, there would be some "explanation" about how Obama was responsible for the increase, but not the decrease.