"Joy and pleasure are as real as pain and sorrow and one must learn what they have to teach. . . ." -- Sean Russell, from Gatherer of Clouds

"If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right." -- Helyn D. Goldenberg

"I love you and I'm not afraid." -- Evanescence, "My Last Breath"

“If I hear ‘not allowed’ much oftener,” said Sam, “I’m going to get angry.” -- J.R.R. Tolkien, from Lord of the Rings

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Try Aiming for the Left Foot Next

In case you wondered why organizations such as the Alliance Defense Fund have started losing so many of their anti-gay cases, this might be a clue:

The Alliance Defense Fund, an Arizona-based right-wing litigation organization, filed a lawsuit in Bronx County Supreme Court on June 3 on behalf of five individual Republican state senators, seeking an injunction against Governor David A. Paterson's order that New York State government agencies extend recognition to marriages of same-sex couples contracted lawfully in other jurisdictions. . . .

The lawsuit, charging that Paterson exceeded his authority and violated the prerogatives of the Legislature, totally misconceives the nature of marriage recognition as practiced under New York law, and essentially asks the courts to order the governor not to comply with their own recent rulings.
(Emphasis added - ed.)

Perhaps it's uncharitable of me, but I love it when these goons shoot themselves in the foot.

Via Queerty.

Also in this category, the County Clerk of Kern County, CA, who says the county will not perform any marriage ceremonies after June 13:

So when the California Supreme Court refused Wednesday to postpone legalization of gay marriage until voters decide the issue in November, Barnett’s office issued a press release stating “the County Clerk's office will not solemnize weddings after June 13, 2008. We will not have the staff or space to deal with an increase in both licenses and ceremonies.”

As it turns out, there are two rooms next to her office that are set aside for weddings, and the county takes in about $50,000 per year from performing the ceremonies. The local Unitarian Universal minister has announced she will be on hand to perform the ceremonies.

A local activist said she respects the clerk's attempt to step down as clerk, "standing by the tenets of her faith." Frankly, if her faith were that strong, why didn't she resign all three titles (she is also county Auditor and Controller)? I have no sympathy: when someone tells me that their religion overrides their commitment as a public office holder to civil law and the duties of their position, I'm unmoved: quit or do your job. I guess pick-and-choose Christians think they can be pick-and-choose public employees, too.

Via Pam's House Blend.

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