June 20, 2004
The Ballot Of The Intolerant Initiative
A blogger pal was not quite prepared for my version of the Spanish Inquisition, when I peppered him with questions after his post, Gone Mild: Missouri Gay Marriage Issue on August Ballot - Good for the World. He is a very proud Missourian, yet as you will observe from the hate comments he received, it takes guts to post this sort of opinion even on one’s own weblog homepage.
The response he posted, Gone Mild: Gay Marriage in Missouri received high marks for concise answers to my queries, and obvious added research. He also offers his personal observations at this juncture, which only resulted in an additional homework assignment from yours truly.
I can only defer, to respectfully request comments from Californians reading this entry as to how the pros and cons of a ballot initiative campaign plays out. For it was this key aspect of the unfolding controversy that prompted me to write this entry, as I am now convinced that the outcome is as assured as, what many first predicted would be the result of the NBA Finals.
If the predicted backlash by social Conservatives like Pat Buchanan had ever materialized in the wake of legalized ceremonies in Massachusetts, then the allocution of charges against New Paltz, N.Y. Mayor Jason West would’ve been just the thing to further energize their movement. Although, Mayor West may have avoided any penalty for his law breaking, he is barred from conducting future gay civil ceremonies under orders from a separate judge’s decision. However, that has not stopped the Deputy Mayor and a Village trustee from now presiding over new ceremonies.
It is not automatic to assume the primary players in this political drama are set in Missouri, because it is not being played out on the national stage. Yet, neither is it automaticly assumed to even a savvy native Missourian that the primary players in this saga are a direct result of the continued taboo surrounding this social issue concerning gays and lesbians thrust center stage into mainstream politics.
The manner in which this delicate, hot button issue is handled by both Democratic and Republican politicians throughout the state, will undoubtedly remind some gays and lesbians of the process of ‘coming out’ to their family and friends. As similarly, the voter’s reaction to their legislator’s position will, for certain, affect their relationship from this point forward.
Will any prominent national organizations make their presence known? How much money will be committed, and how many ‘true believers’ will volunteer their time? Count on most editorial pages throughout the state to take a strong stand on the issue. But, will state leaders go further than simply issuing a press statement?
I keep coming back to how a blog pal keenly described the opposition to Gay Marriage. He described it as a pool of water - a mile wide – but, only a half inch deep.
Conservative radio will serve as campaign headquarters for the army of Pat Buchanan/American Family Council-type followers, hoping to mobilize those willing to exercise a solemn act of civic duty and pride, in order to deny to those deemed inferior a legal recognition which most are dumfounded they would fight so passionately for.
However, will members of the Missouri Democratic Party, energized by the Howard Dean candidacy, followed by significant registrants added to their voter rolls embrace this, not only as a worthy cause, but recognize it as a test of their strength?
In the midst of the Democratic Presidential Primary campaign, you may have missed a Newsweek photo caption, accompanied by a brief article. The picture shows the senior Congressman from Missouri Dick Gephardt posing with his family, with a Washington monument and the Potomac River as a backdrop. Noted in the article, is the presence of the non-family member at the end, with her arm around the Congressman’s daughter, Chrissy.
The voters of Missouri need look no further than the revered leadership of native son Dick Gephardt, that has served them so well for nearly three decades. For he has a personal story of discovery, acceptance and empowerment, that should be taken into account before going to the polls in August.
Posted by Bert M. Caradine at June 20, 2004 04:20 PMMissouri will vote down gay marriage. It will not get much support from politicians, as this is an election year and no one wants to be on the side of controversial issues but rather appear as middle of the road as possible. Also, Missouri is too conservative a state to vote in favor of gay marriage. This will eventually take federal legislation if it is ever to become widespread.
Posted by: dennis mccowan at June 24, 2004 12:13 PMdennis, having lived in KC,Mo., I would agree with your assessment. KC has a huge number of wealthy and upper middle class folks and the rural areas are pretty conservative on social issues. These would seem to add it up to a no vote on the issue.
Posted by: David R .Remer at June 24, 2004 01:28 PMDennis and David:
I agree that the likelihood is that the amendment will pass, but I am by no means certain of that result. Here are a few points to consider - it is on the August ballot, where the only other vote likely to gain much interest is the democratic gubernatorial primary. Second, it is the anti-gay marriage people who are asking us to amend our constitution - they’re altering the status quo, and for no obvious “benefit” (gay marriage is already against the law here). Third, we’re not as backwoods conservative as I sometime fear - we elected a dead man to the Senate instead of Ashcroft.
David, you must have lived in KC a long time ago. KC does not have a huge number of wealthy folks - they mostly live on the Kansas side. St. Louis county does have those people, though.
Posted by: Dan at June 24, 2004 06:40 PMGentlemen,
Unfortunately, the subtle (smart-ass? flippant?) way in which I sometimes make my argument, often gets lost on my reader!
Given that I am even disagreeing with native Missourians, I firmly believe the amendment will be voted down!
I alluded to many of the ramifications that will affect this outcome, yet I’m curious as to your collective thoughts on one, in particular.
Did any of you read the article linked in the very last paragraph?
Posted by: Bert M. Caradine at June 24, 2004 10:34 PMYes, I read the article on Gephardt and his daughter. I still do not see Missouri allowing gay marriage, it is too conservative a state. I do not see it happening nationally, either. It will take time like civil rights and probably will never be accepted by many.
Posted by: dennis mccowan at June 28, 2004 01:40 PMDennis,
Thank you for taking into account all the evidence I’ve presented, however I will respectfully disagree as to the outcome of the vote.
Social change in this country begins somewhere, spreads and then takes hold in the most unlikely of places. I would also guess that such transitions were even proceeded by conventional wisdom of doubting such an occurance in a ‘conservative state’.
A mere two decades ago, my home state of Illinois was considered a Republican rock-bed. The GOP dominated state offices and its electoral votes were as much a given as the state of Texas is now.
But, something happened. No scandal, no internal economic breakdown or social upheaval that was not shared by the rest of the country. And, no larger than life political figure swaying the citizens caught up in a cult of personality.
Yet, here it is 20 years later, and the political idealogy pendulum of the state as a whole has swung decisively to the Left.
Bush/Cheney ‘04 has all but written off the state, and even subtracting the sex scandal, Republican Senate candidate Jack Ryan was a long shot. Democrats hold every statewide office except one.
Because, a gay guy I knew who unwittingly was outed when his picture appeared in the paper was fired, he had no recourse. There is no statewide anti-discrimination law on the books currently. For the last two decades, the legislation has been voted down every time it came up in the State House.
This year, that will change also.
Posted by: Bert M. Caradine at July 1, 2004 08:56 PMIf California voted in support of traditional marriage 3 or 4 years ago, surely Missouri will do likewise and by a larger margin.
Posted by: DJ at August 2, 2004 07:40 PM
