Thursday, September 9, 2010

Via JMG: CALIFORNIA: Supreme Court Refuses Bid To Force Prop 8 Defense


The California Supreme Court has refused to force the state government to defend Proposition 8.
The state officials' decision not to argue in support of Proposition 8 has raised questions about whether anyone is legally qualified to defend it in court. The Pacific Justice Institute filed suit last week, arguing that the California Constitution requires Brown to defend the state's laws. A state appeals court dismissed the suit without a hearing, and the state's high court denied review Wednesday without comment. It will now be up to a federal appeals court, and possibly the U.S. Supreme Court, to decide whether Prop. 8's sponsors have legal standing - the right to represent the state's interests in defending one of its laws. Attorney Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, said the court order was disappointing. "People on the left and right should both be mourning the fact that the attorney general and the governor are reneging on their oaths of office," Dacus said, arguing that the officials have a sworn duty to defend all state laws.
Whether you like it or not!
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Via Jmg: Meghan McCain Appear On Maddow

"It's OK to be a moderate Republican." Great interview.




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Via JMG: BREAKING: GetEQUAL To Close Down Castro & Market In ENDA Protest


GetEQUAL plans to close down the intersection of Castro and Market streets in San Francisco this afternoon in a protest over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's inaction on ENDA. The group similarly shut down the Las Vegas strip in August during Netroots Nation. Today's action is scheduled for 5pm local time. Via press release:
"We pay taxes, contribute to the economy, and create American-paid jobs that provide products and services world-wide. Yet we continue to be treated unequal and Speaker Pelosi has the power to bring us one step closer to being fully-protected American citizens - and workers," said Dan Fotou, a California GetEQUAL supporter and participant in today's rally. "As Speaker Pelosi and other members of Congress are out campaigning to keep their jobs, they should know we have every intent of continuing our campaign to keep our jobs, too. Speaker Pelosi has said that 'our impatience is justified' - but what isn't justified is the unfulfilled promises she continues to make to the LGBT community. It's time for Speaker Pelosi to do the right thing and schedule an immediate vote on ENDA."

"GetEQUAL has promised that, as long as people's lives and livelihoods are at stake, we will not stop standing up for those LGBT workers in dozens of states across this country without a voice, without any job security," said Heather Cronk, managing director of GetEQUAL. "With the launch of our 'ENDA Summer' campaign, we told politicians that while they are back home campaigning to save their jobs, we intend on reminding them that their employment isn't the only one on the line. Millions of LGBT workers punch a clock every single day unsure if today's timecard could turn into tomorrow's discriminatory pink slip. The time to pass ENDA is now."
Another protest is underway at this writing in the offices of Rep. Chris Carney (D) in Pennsylvania. Zach Ford has more and photos of the sit-in.
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Via JMG: Tweet Of The Day - Andy Borowitz





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