Image courtesy of RJ Mendoza
I envision Hugh Clark shaking his right index finger at me. “I told you so!” I can hear him saying. Yeah, yeah, it’s true, I had hoped Gov. Linda Lingle was going to do the right thing and come out in favor of the civil unions bill. But she didn’t. Now, fellow newspaperwoman Gov. Linda Lingle, who I’ve always liked personally in spite of her party affiliation, is, in my mind, Gov. Shinokea. (Haole translation: Gov. She Doesn’t Care.)
The fact that Gov. Shinokea came out in favor of denying a segment of our population their Constitutional right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness — that being the chance to enter matrimony — is shameful. I guess, in trying to understand her reasoning, she was swayed by the religious zealots of her pathetic political party. I’m sorry, I don’t buy the speeches that God does not approve of homosexuality. The references to the book of Leviticus, you know what I have to say to that? That’s the Old Testament. That’s old school. That is obsolete. That is from back when it was cool to have slaves. That’s right, slaves. We are in the 21st century now, 2010 to be exact. We are in America, the land of the free, where we all people — black, white, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian or Jewish — hello? Gov. Shinokea is Jewish, female, male, gay or straight — are ensured EQUAL rights.
When I first heard Gov. Lingle was leaning “60-40 against” the civil unions bill, I thought to myself, maybe the governor doesn’t want to come out in support of civil unions and have those in her own party questioning her own sexual orientation. Now that she has come out officially against civil unions with today’s veto, I have to tell you honestly that any respect I have held for her has fallen by the wayside.
I am a fierce supporter of civil unions legislation. I’ve elaborated elsewhere on this blog as to how I’ve come to take that stance. I was a rookie reporter for the Laramie Daily Boomerang, when gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was bludgeoned with the butt-end of a pistol and ultimately died in 1998. In the years that I worked on the story of that internationally known hate crime, I became intimately familiar with the struggles and the outright persecution of gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and trans-sexuals. I have tears in my eyes as I write this, remembering Shepard and others who have been slain as a result of their sexual orientation. Stances such as the one Lingle took today make me feel so disheartened with our society. People are so blinded by their “faith”; they are narrow-minded and bigoted, and they justify committing crimes against humanity in the name of religion. It is one of the reasons that I reject religion entirely. My Higher Power doesn’t care who you sleep with, who you make a home with, who you call “honey,” as long as your heart is true. God is love. And that love unconditional.
And, so, wiping away the tears, I want to point out to you from a pragmatic standpoint another reason why Lingle’s decision was foolish. Gov. Shinokea has made a number of trips to China, in spite of this sluggish economy. She claims to be seeking to foster the Asia-Pacific relations. With the civil unions bill, she had chance to make international headlines and positively shine the spotlight on Hawaii, without spending thousands of dollars to leave the state. Here was an opportunity to encourage the otherwise disenfranchised segment of our nation’s population to travel here to get married and have a Hawaiian honeymoon. Gov. Shinokea blew that opportunity. For what? For people like Fred Phelps? Come on, is that who the Republicans want to please? Know of Fred Phelps? He’s the poster boy for hatred and bigotry, that’s all I’m going to say. As far as I’m concerned, don’t let the door hit you on the way out of the governor’s mansion, Linda. Let’s hope and PRAY — let us pray! — that Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona, another one of those outspokenly loyal to the bigoted Republican Party, does not get elected in her place. We all know where he stands — on the Bible. I am exasperated with politicians who do not understand the true meaning of separation of church and state. Let us hope that this civil unions bill veto is enough to convince voters in the state that we need replace the Bible-thumpers in various political offices in the state with more progressive folks who understand that ALL people deserve EQUAL rights.
July 6th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Beatiful, and some solace to me as I read it. You make the right arguments and you really care.
July 6th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Pardon my typo, but I’m pretty upset, too.
July 6th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Join the club. For the last few years I’ve seen and fought against religious-led politicians who try to bring creationism into science education at schools. Now religion, and there is no sound argument that it isn’t religion-based thinking, is denying people civil rights. It’s an outrageous decision that any right-thinking person should find disgusting.
Think a hundred years into the future – kids will be taught what a backward and bigoted society we are and even after Martin Luther King, civil rights are still not available to everyone and discrimination is rampant.
Sometime I feel as though civilization is reverting back a hundred years or so – and when it gets there, why not revert back another hundred years?
Jeeze, I’m too angry to say anything more.
Tom
July 7th, 2010 at 12:09 am
i was gonna say sumthin
then remembered no one here GAF
July 7th, 2010 at 2:49 am
What a sad day for Hawaii…….
I am sorry to say I am not surprised….
Clearly our government is more worried about who you live with, and love, than if you have a job and can afford a house……
July 7th, 2010 at 3:30 am
Thanks for the righteous words, Tiff. I too was hoping Lingle would do the right thing, and I too have now lost any respect or support for her. Now we have to support Abercrombie, who is the only candidate who surely won’t veto the next civil union (or Marriage?) legislation that reaches the Governors desk.
July 7th, 2010 at 6:16 am
A very sad day in Hawaii Nei….
July 7th, 2010 at 6:18 am
The Party of No said no again.
July 7th, 2010 at 6:36 am
So, the Guv says God does not approve.
Well, the Guv ain’t God!
July 7th, 2010 at 7:28 am
And besides the civil rights aspect, turning down all of the millions that could have been gained for our state is just gut wrenching – now instead we’ll have a boycott and lawsuits.
July 7th, 2010 at 8:57 am
Tiff,
Great rant, it was a masterful rant well designed to ellict a response from those that are in your corner and really fire up those that are not. Let me try that another way, you just let your emotions get away from you….and here we go:
1. Did Lingle really say she vetoed it because god says it’s wrong?
2. The simple truth of the matter is THE PEOPLE of this state voted on this issue in the 90′s and said that marriage (which this in fact was no matter what u call it) is for a man and woman. I’m not here to argue whether that’s right or wrong, but if the supports of HB 444 are so sure society has changed its mind (they said this so many times at the legislature this year) then why not ask the 45 SUPER MAJORITY VOTES in the house and the 23 SUPERMAJORITY votes in the senate to simpley place this item on the ballott and have it resolved once and for all, by the people?
3. Tiff over 60 percent (as of last week) of the feedback to the governors office was in favor of a veto. Over 60 percent voted in favor of making marriage a man and a woman in the 90′s, so with that veto lingle seems to have put her personal feeling on this issue aside and followed the will of the people….and for that you say she dosent care? Tiff you can’t have it both ways, either you are for democracy where the voice of the people is heard and followed or your not. I’ll tell you this you can’t only be for freedom and democracy when it suits you or only when it falls on the side of an issue you support, THE PEOPLE spoke on this issue, THE PEOPLE should be the ones to change it.
You still want to be pissed? Be pissed at the right person CALVIN SAY. The speaker of the house pulled a fast one on the last day of the session to pass 444 and last week announced there would be no veto over rides for only the second time in lingles 8 years, to that I say WTF! They all knew 444 was gonna get vetoed the second it passed, they all knew that a majority of people were against it and they did it anyway and it was a great POLITICAL move. They (the dems) get to now tell the people that want this that “oh we tried but that darn gov vetoed it” while all the people that didn’t want it will have moved on to something else cause it got killed, all of them forgetting that Calvin and the gang have 45 damn votes in the house.
So in conclusion tiff with your rant you just pulled and MSNBC and missed the story because your feelings are hurt. Maybe you should really look to redirect that anger to the correct source, the speaker of the house.
July 7th, 2010 at 9:01 am
@ PF: I GACare
As a lame duck republican governor with political aspirations yet, it appears she has decided to follow the party line. I would imagine this will come up again when the legislators or Governor are not on a ballot. Perhaps then, the individual legislator will cast their vote representational of their constituency. These are the kinds of things that should be initiative driven and put before the people. It may go the way Prop 8 in California went but at that point it is reflective of the majority of those who voted and if the subject is important enough those who want their vote to carry the day need to get out and vote!
These are the types of decisions that people who vote for a candidate need to vet seriously before casting their vote. If there is a particular concern, ask the candidate to expound. Now is the right time to begin doing that!!
I think, more than anything, she just gave the republican candidates for the Governor the kiss of death..New governor…Neil A.
July 7th, 2010 at 9:17 am
EXPLANATION: Regarding this statement: “I think, more than anything, she just gave the republican candidates for the Governor the kiss of death..New governor…Neil A.”
I meant that from a political vantage. I did not with to demean the topic of this thread. My apologies to anyone I may offended in not being more clear in my closing paragraph.
July 7th, 2010 at 9:37 am
I am also disappointed and shocked and Lingle’s veto. She could have made herself known as a rare, forward-looking Republican. Instead she stands on the wrong side of history, loyal to a party platform that is dictated by the religious fanatics. There’s enough of them to control a sinking party, but not enough to deny the course of history. As with abortion rights, it’s really all over but the shouting. With 5 states allowing gay marriage and another 5 with civil unions, this country is not going backwards on this civil rights issue. She stands as someone who sold out her principles for ambition, and it will bite her in the butt in the very near future.
One would think the gay rights issue would elicit a moral stance from her, of all people. Instead, she disgraced herself. The gloves should be off in the way she is treated, especially on this issue. It’s time we all stop keeping her secret.
July 7th, 2010 at 9:50 am
I find this a little funny, is lingle gay, maybe she’s not, does it really matter? Blame the republicans? Is that the same Hawaii republican party that has 9 elected in THE ENTIRE STATE, all a veto means these days is Calvin and the gang gotta
drive to work an extra day, but they refuse……where’s the outrage? Wow the docractic party has played you all like a fiddle and here you are asking for more, you “dems” control the white house, congress, the state Capitol, the county council, why the he’ll can’t you guys get anything done? How can one woman subject to veto overide rules derail you this easy?
July 7th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Hey Steve, the south never would have ‘voted’ to abolish slavery either. Good thing cooler heads prevailed, as they will, eventually, on this issue.
And Tiff, your ‘emotion’ is completely called for in this instance, as you well know, having seen the outcome of hate with your own eyes. Equality is the intelligent response. (and Calvin Say is an a$$#@%#)
July 7th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Once again the “moral majority” in our “democracy” proves the mob rule theory of many deciding for not-so-many. What happened to “Love thy neighbor as thyself?” Those people aren’t Christians, they are control freaks. And in their next life they will be gay, because that is how the Creator ensures we experience all that life has to offer, and learn unconditional love and compassion for all human souls.
July 7th, 2010 at 10:28 am
did you see the people in favor of the veto?
The one woman said ” Now Hawaii can live as it is supposed to in the scriptures”.
Imagine no religion
July 7th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Ridiculous, a sad day for Hawaii for sure – I thought I moved here because people were more open minded…
July 7th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
I don’t like the idea of my rights to a legally protected family could possibly be put up to the “majority” moral or otherwise.
The sad part is that despite what the “people” may have said in 1998- which for the record is not defining marriage, but ALLOWING the legislature to define marriage- (cleverly worded, because if the legislature wanted to redefine marriage, it would be well within its power to do so) once again we are putting the fate of a community, of our neighbor’s families and even members of our own families at risk for gross tyranny of the majority.
And frankly, the religious right who supported this veto should be up in arms about the other veto that she signed. It’s a cause for celebration that same-sex couples will not receive the legal protections that HB 444 would provide their families, and guess what? Lingle vetoed the Human Trafficking Bill as well. So cases like that young lady from Pahoa who was addicted to a 12 different drugs or what-have-you can continue.
July 7th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Steve…Your post really drove home to me just how much danger our nation is in….As far the white house goes both Bush’s did a hell of job…not…You are one of the people being played here……sad part you don’t even know it……democrats against republicans, is nothing more than divide and conquer the people at this point……The corporate elite hedge their bet and have their hands so far up both parties asses that to really believe republicans will do any better than democrats is foolish and don’t take me as defending democrats I am not……The so called 2 party system has led us the the brink of economic collapse and they have thrown in a good dose of oppression along the way…..That anyone is so worried about 2 loving people wanting a union when our nation is going down in flames shows the dire straights we are truly in. This is what you are worried about really? Wasting time bickering, oppressing, and condemning other people for personal choices rather than putting people back to work, and finding a way to get along with the rest of the world. That my friend is ignorant at best. Majorities have oppressed minorities through out history, and is akin to than mob rule, it certainly doesn’t make them morale. For humanities sake as well the good of our nation worry about stopping the endless wars we have been fighting. A perpetual state of war has been brought about by the same mentality that would oppose this bill and oppress our own people for misguided morale purposes….Tens of millions dead, more people in prison by far than any other nation is what that kind of intolerance has created. There is no higher morale accomplishment there, evil has prevailed in all that death and suffering at our hands. In fact it may well lead to the end of the United States as we know it if we do not stop and work together…..Not only is it wrong we can’t afford it…..Get over it and worry about your own life and family…..The hypocrisy of religion has been laid bare by all those pedophile priest that the church keeps lying about and moving from place to place so they can continue their perverted crimes….The pope says their punishment is a life of prayer what a bunch of BS……Let the pot heads out of prison and lock up the child molesters that have hurt so many, the real wolves in sheep’s clothing plotting their next assault. You can have your religious self righteousness, I want no part of your fantasy….I will take my walk with god alone and in private, I do not need any organization of pedophiles or fanatics from any faith to give me morale guidance. To the religious fanatics opposed to this bill I challenge you to clean up your own damn house….And leave people that love each other and are contributing to the good of the nation alone…….Geeeez
July 7th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Really? I mean, REALLY? You guys actually believed Civil Unions were going to pass with LINGLE in office? C’mon. You guys are not that gullible are you?
Your best hope for civil unions will be Neil Abercrombie for Governor. Mufi will put it out for a vote…which is not good. Frankly, there are just more voting people who would vote “no.” Christians are quite powerful when it comes to voting. Civil Unions greatest hope is to see Neal get elected. Other than him being elected, we will continue to go through these same motions each season.
July 7th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Remember, a related vote was put out to the public a few years ago when the ballot asked “should the state have the right to define marriage as a union between man and a woman?” The measure passed quite easily. The vote wasn’t even that close.
This gave a lot of fuel to the anti-civil unions folks. They can basically “it went out for a vote and the PEOPLE of HAWAII decided.”
July 7th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Thomas,
Well said, sir!
July 7th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
TIFF! Please remove the tag “Gov. Duke Aiona” from this post. It is eerie and scary! He’s not getting my vote.
July 7th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Hey RJ -do ya still like Sarah Palin?
July 7th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Will of the people paramount? Slavery would never have ended if it was put to the will of the people.
I think there was more going on here with how it came up and the expected result. I think that this was to move it to the back burner so it wouldn’t be much of an issue during elections. Anti-incumbent feelings are running high at the moment and taking this off the table will be helpful to those seeking to keep their positions.
Just a thought.
July 7th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Ok I har nit said where I stand in this issue and I’m not gonna, it’s not about party or democrats or republicans. Lingle was always gonna veto unless there came overwhelming support for her not to. Calvin Say announced no veto over rides last week cause they don’t have the backbone to over ride this one.
Here is what has me worked up. 1. The representatives are elected to speak for us when we have not spoken for ourselves, but on this issue the people spoke, and that should be respected, or put on the ballott to see if the people have changed their minds
2. Don’t be hippocrites and say of the legislature did right down with lingle and then have the nerve to bitch when the “will of the people” is not followed on the two percent fund or the will of the people is not followed on the police going after the pot heads ITS THE SAME THING
so far lingles been attacked, Aiona has been attacked, the church has been attacked, of all you shocked disappointed people how many wrote the governors office asking fornher to sign it?
July 7th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
potheads? Steve, you sound like my dad.
July 7th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
oh, come on!
There are no attacks but the commentators voicing their disagreeing with Lingle’s lack of courage in voting for the civil union bills.
I am also a catholic and do not agree with the way the Catholic Church has handled the child molestation allegations. Those priests should be all put in prison for robbing those kids of their childhoods and innocence.
And don’tlet your holier than thou religious beliefs get in the way of doing 1) what is right for gays and 2)stopping the persecution of those enjoying the recreation of smoking a plant.
Fiscally conservative and socially liberal is the mantra of modern progressive politics.
July 7th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
I still love Sarah Palin! She’s some of the best stand-up I’ve ever seen. And the funnier part is that she’s oblivious to the fact that she’s doing stand-up. She’s so fun to have around to see how stupid politics can really get.
And Steve, honestly- I don’t want this up for a ballot measure. I don’t want you to have the power of my rights. Let the ACLU of Hawaii take them to court.
July 7th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
What would Gov. Lingle’s doppelganger, Tootsie, have to say about this decision. When you look like a crossdresser you should have more compassion for the alternative community and the gays and lesbians.
July 7th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Oppression of minorities is wrong. Persecution was why our country with all its faults attributes was founded as a republic and not a democracy….
Democracy has been used to subvert our republic….
It has been widely reported that just after the completion and signing of the Constitution, in reply to a woman’s inquiry as to the type of government the Founders had created, Benjamin Franklin said, “A Republic, if you can keep it.”
Not only have we failed to keep it, many don’t even know what it is.
A Republic is representative government ruled by law (the Constitution). A democracy is direct government ruled by the majority (mob rule). A Republic recognizes the inalienable rights of individuals while democracies are only concerned with group wants or needs (the public good).
In a democracy, the majority rule. Instead of natural rights, you have civil rights bestowed upon you as a “privilege” granted by the majority. If the majority, on any whim, decides to vote 51%-49% in favor of taking away any of your unalienable rights, so be it.
Lawmaking is a slow, deliberate process in our Constitutional Republic requiring approval from the three banches of government, the Supreme Court and individual jurors (jury-nullification). Lawmaking in our (what I see as unconstitutional) democracy occurs rapidly requiring approval from the whim of the majority as determined by polls and/or voter referendums. A good example of democracy in action is a lynch mob.
We have more laws created by our government than anyone could possibly know. They are used by majorities in many cases to oppress minorities inalienable rights, including at times life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness….
This is one of those times…………
July 7th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
where is the logic or authority for heterosexuals to decided how everyone who is not heterosexual, or strictly male or female gendered, shall live?
P.F., please pick a pseudonym and stick with it. This is not my first request. — tceh
July 7th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Thomas right on. So sorry to watch this country being taken down. Sadder even still is how very few know its being done. The heads that figured out how to drop this country are very very smart in human nature, this long range plan goes back a long way. Most of us who live here don’t see the forest. My kids were all born here, they just came back from the first overseas vacation. First thing out of all 4 was what there’s other nice places and what a crack head shithole this place is. Seems to be the impression that a lot of our world brothers have of us.
July 8th, 2010 at 6:20 am
Amen to that RJ….it should NOT be a decision of majority rules…this is a Constitutional question…Equal Protection…
If majority ruled in the South back in the day…there would still be separate everything….
Separation of Church and State…and the IRS needs to start yanking the tax exempt status of any church that violates that. It is just not right!!!
July 8th, 2010 at 6:57 am
The whole state to state, “choice” contest is a moot point. This “free” country is an embarassment to the world. Free? in some respects, equal? maybe in your coffee. Slow to do the right thing? always.
The Equal Rights Amendment, first proposed in 1923 to affirm that women and men have equal rights under the law, is still not part of the U.S. Constitution.
The ERA was passed out of Congress in 1972 and has been ratified by 35 of the necessary 38 states. When three more states vote yes, it is possible that the ERA could become the 28th Amendment.
The ERA could also be ratified by restarting the traditional process of passage by a two-thirds majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives, followed by ratification by legislatures in three-quarters (38) of the 50 states.
Still in 2010 these states are unratified. And you can see it’s mostly the south. Less educated, religious fundamentialism at it’s repressive best.
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Louisiana
Mississippi
Missouri
Nevada
North Carolina
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Utah
Virginia
Since Hawaii isn’t on the list, that would lead you to believe our Gov. is a hypocrite.
P.F., please pick a pseudonym and stick with it. This is not my first request. — tceh
July 8th, 2010 at 8:41 am
[...] See here: http://www.bigislandchronicle.com/?p=15868 [...]
July 11th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
@Steve Offenbaker:
Do you not grasp the concept that a ‘civil union’ is not a ‘marriage’?
The word ‘marriage’ was not in the bill Lingle vetoed.
Words mean something. Understanding what they mean is a prerequisite to debating them. You are debating an issue that came and went in 1998. The rest of us are firmly entrenched in July, 2010. Please update your calendar.
“Marriage” is not an issue in this discussion. Your entire series of comments are based upon what you imagine, but didn’t read in HB444 because it wasn’t there.
S.H.O.P.O., while fraternal in nature, is a civil union. Police officers join it because there is strength in numbers and that strength can provide benefits to them they might not otherwise be eligible for or might not be able to afford.
Parse these sentences for me and tell me why you think they are synonymous:
(1) Will you marry me?
(2) Would you like to join a union for the mutual benefits it can provide?
February 26th, 2011 at 8:22 am
[...] With the signing of Civil Union bill SB232, Governor Abercrombie wisely rights the wrong perpetuated by his short-sighted predecessor who avoidably prolonged entrenched intolerance. [...]