Rage and disgust at the Supreme Court were joined by joy this week as the Voting Rights Act gets gutted then DOMA and Proposition 8 get tossed in history's dumpster.
Personally, I would have preferred if the commentary had managed to include both. Sad to say, after the DOMA/Prop 8 decisions, too much oxygen was stolen by deserved celebration to notice that the majority opinion in the VRA case - that "things had changed in the South", so the specific provision in question was no longer necessary - was proved wrong by events as Texas moved to enact voted ID laws that would have been prohibited under the close scrutiny afforded by the now-voided section of the VRA.
Having to go back to square one on civil rights legislation is not going to be easy. It also isn't going to be pretty. It is, however, necessary. Congress is beginning to stir, with some discussion of a new VRA. I applaud the idea; I support it. With the current Congress for all intents and purposes in the hands of crazy people, I no more see it passing that I foresee John Boehner entering Alcoholics Anonymous.
This anger and sadness does not mitigate the joy at the decision in the marriage equality cases. There is still a whole lot of work to be done. The vast majority of states do not allow same-sex marriage. Here in Illinois, thanks in no small part to rhetoric from religious conservatives playing on the religious sensibilities of some members of the legislative black caucus, the legislature adjourned before it could come up for a vote. The momentum in the state, however, is clearly on the side of equality; the special session called by Gov. Quinn to deal with the state pension issue should also see marriage equality pass. At least, that is the talk and I know there are people working toward that end.
Did I mention the disclosure yesterday that the whole phony IRS scandal was something its chief proponent, Rep. Darrel Issa, pretty much orchestrated? He directed the IG report only to look at conservative groups so the report only talked about conservative groups. The whole thing, from start to finish, was a sham, a creation of Republican rage at Pres. Obama.
I shouldn't neglect to congratulate the Chicago Blackhawks on their Stanley Cup victory in a game that featured an amazing two-goals-in-17-seconds that takes your breath away, whether you're a fan or not.
I'm still getting used to the new house, new arrangements, new schedule, and such, but I hope to return to my semi-regular posting habits once that all shakes out.
Personally, I would have preferred if the commentary had managed to include both. Sad to say, after the DOMA/Prop 8 decisions, too much oxygen was stolen by deserved celebration to notice that the majority opinion in the VRA case - that "things had changed in the South", so the specific provision in question was no longer necessary - was proved wrong by events as Texas moved to enact voted ID laws that would have been prohibited under the close scrutiny afforded by the now-voided section of the VRA.
Having to go back to square one on civil rights legislation is not going to be easy. It also isn't going to be pretty. It is, however, necessary. Congress is beginning to stir, with some discussion of a new VRA. I applaud the idea; I support it. With the current Congress for all intents and purposes in the hands of crazy people, I no more see it passing that I foresee John Boehner entering Alcoholics Anonymous.
This anger and sadness does not mitigate the joy at the decision in the marriage equality cases. There is still a whole lot of work to be done. The vast majority of states do not allow same-sex marriage. Here in Illinois, thanks in no small part to rhetoric from religious conservatives playing on the religious sensibilities of some members of the legislative black caucus, the legislature adjourned before it could come up for a vote. The momentum in the state, however, is clearly on the side of equality; the special session called by Gov. Quinn to deal with the state pension issue should also see marriage equality pass. At least, that is the talk and I know there are people working toward that end.
Did I mention the disclosure yesterday that the whole phony IRS scandal was something its chief proponent, Rep. Darrel Issa, pretty much orchestrated? He directed the IG report only to look at conservative groups so the report only talked about conservative groups. The whole thing, from start to finish, was a sham, a creation of Republican rage at Pres. Obama.
I shouldn't neglect to congratulate the Chicago Blackhawks on their Stanley Cup victory in a game that featured an amazing two-goals-in-17-seconds that takes your breath away, whether you're a fan or not.
I'm still getting used to the new house, new arrangements, new schedule, and such, but I hope to return to my semi-regular posting habits once that all shakes out.
