Caffeinated Thoughts

Iowa Federation of Labor President Ken Sager’s Lack of Civility Speaking Out Against HJR 6

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 07:00 PM PST

The Iowa Federation of Labor's President, Ken Sager, spoke against HJR 6 (which passed in the Iowa House today) at the public hearing on the resolution (listen below) in the Iowa House chamber last night. He "took liberty" with German Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemoller's famous statement, "First they came."

Sagar "paraphrased" the pastor who endured Nazi persecution when he said:

When they came for the minorities I did not speak out because I was not a minority.

When they locked up the immigrants, I said nothing as I wasn't an immigrant.

When they came for the gays I did not speak out because I was a gay.

While there are several variations to Niemoller's statement the most often quoted is this:

First they came for the communists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Some versions also mention Catholics. I can understand speaking passionately about this issue. It is an incredibly important discussion for Iowans to have. I do have a huge problem with Mr. Sagar's reference to this statement. Linking persecution at the hands of Nazis in concentration camps to redefining marriage is vilifying the opposition. It is inappropriate, and I've been consistent with this position when it was directed at those with whom I disagree. Also what immigrants are getting "locked up"? Illegal immigrants? Who is coming for the gays?

Nobody. Nobody. Those of us who don’t believe that the Iowa Supreme Court had the authority to change the definition of marriage want a public discussion and debate. We want to be allowed to decide this matter for ourselves (and we understand we could lose the vote). We don’t want to see homosexuals mistreated. Comparing those who are in favor of this bill to Nazis is out of line. This rhetoric contributes nothing to a civil debate.

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Iowa Marriage Amendment Passes Iowa House 62-37

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 02:26 PM PST

The Iowa House passes HJR 6 by a vote of 62-37, this resolution introduces an amendment to the Iowa Constitution defining marriage to be between one man and one woman.

The entire Republican caucus voted in favor of the resolution minus State Representative Betty DeBoef (R-What Cheer) who was ill today. Three Democrats joined with Republicans to vote yes – State Representatives Dan Muhlbauer (D-Manilla), Brian Quirk (D–New Hampton), and Kurt Swaim (D-Bloomfield).

Before Iowans can vote on the language in this amendment it first needs to pass the Iowa Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal (D-Council Bluffs) has already promised to block a vote, and an attempted vote to bypass Senate rules to allow the Senate version to come to the floor to be debated and voted on failed. The amendment would have to be passed again in the next General Assembly before it could be placed on the ballot.

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Horoscop

miercuri, 2 februarie 2011

Caffeinated Thoughts

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