Following the hoped-for, but unexpected decision by the Supreme Court to refuse to hear an appeal from the 10th Circuit, five states, including (snigger) Oklahoma, just embraced marriage equality.
This is a time to celebrate the extension of civil rights, yet a bit of me is simply sad that it has taken so long. While the new right is to be welcomed, it is worth noting that discrimination against the LGBT community is still protected by Oklahoma law.
I believe that is true for about 29 states ... shame on you all.
Meanwhile, the Governor who shows the least sign of them all, of growing a brain, decided to make a statement.
I have to interject here that it is far better that people wonder why you don't say anything, than have them wondering why you do. Undetered by common-sense, or any understanding of US law, the Governor was moved to issue the following statement.
As I know she is an avid reader of all the short words in Daily Kos Diaries, I'll help her out. Her words are italicized, mine are not:
The people of Oklahoma have the right to determine how marriage is defined. In 2004, Oklahomans exercised that right, voting by a margin of 3-1 to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
The people of Oklahoma have not spoken on this matter in ten years. When they did it was part of an evangelical-led push to game the 2004 General Election ... There have been many Supreme Court decisions since then, some of them highly controversial. For example, I give you Citizens United ... I don't believe you raised any objections to that SCOTUS decision, presumably you thought the SCOTUS had the right to judge. In the ten years that have passed, the opinion of the entire country has shifted on this matter, and it is safe to assume that the opinion of Oklahomans has shifted too.
The will of the people has now been overridden by unelected federal justices, accountable to no one. That is both undemocratic and a violation of states' rights. Rather than allowing states to make their own policies that reflect the values and views of their residents, federal judges have inserted themselves into a state issue to pursue their own agendas.
The will of the people is a concept entirely alien to you, Gov. Fallin. It is perfectly clear that Oklahomans want good schools, good healthcare and jobs. You have undermined every one of those desires. It might be worth reminding you that rights are inalienable, which broadly means that we do not get to vote on the rights of minorities. If the Civil Rights movement had relied on votes, then we would still be using segregated bathrooms in many states.
Also I feel it would be remiss of me not to educate you a little about the Supreme Court and the Constitution. That document lays out the manner of the appointment of the justices. While it is true that they are not subjected to universal suffrage, they are elected, or at least confirmed, by the Senate. They can also be removed by the same body, so if you have a gripe you are free to campaign for their impeachment.
Today's decision has been cast by the media as a victory for gay rights. What has been ignored, however, is the right of Oklahomans – and Americans in every state – to write their own laws and govern themselves as they see fit. Those rights have once again been trampled by an arrogant, out-of -control federal government that wants to substitute Oklahoma values with Washington, D.C. values.
The rights of Oklahomans. You are selective about which Oklahomans you are referring to. There are many gay people in Oklahoma. I am presuming here that you feel they should have fewer rights, effectively be second-class citizens in this state. The only thing Oklahoma has lost in this matter is the right for a small, very loud and hate-filled minority to exact their bigotry on their fellow citizens.
You, I might add are one of the afore-mentioned hate-filled bigots, so I suppose this line of reasoning is lost on you. No matter, you lost, and Oklahoma gained. Just a tiny bit, but freedom for a few more is more freedom for us all.
Just in case the above requires a level of comprehension above your apparent pay-grade, I offer the following in the for of an open letter:
Dear Governor Fallin.
Hahahahhahahahahahahaha . BwaaaaaaHaaaaaaaa, hahahah
"snort", "snigger"
ROTFLMAO
pauses to catch breath
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaah
Bwaaaaaaahhhahahahahhahahahahaahhahaha
lol
Yours sincerely
A Constituent.
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5:23 PM PT: Hat tip to raptavio, for pointing out a grievous error ... Diary amended.