3/2/2004
THE WAR BEGINS
A new phase in the gay marriage debate began in earnest today, when Jason West, the mayor of New Paltz, New York, was charged with 19 counts of solemnizing marriages without a license, based on West’s performance of wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples. The phrase “media circus” was coined to describe what’s about to happen in Ulster County, NY.
But elsewhere in the Empire State, another front has opened (pay attention to the last line of this quote):
The New York city of Ithaca also weighed in on the gay marriage issue on Tuesday. Officials there said they have received seven marriage applications from same-sex couples and will forward them to state officials — a move that could open the way for gays to sue if denied marriage licenses.
OK, all you conservatives who think that the New York Supreme Court (which, let’s face it, would ultimately hear any case resulting from a marriage-license denial) is likely to deny the right of same-sex couples to marry, raise your hands. Remember, New York is one of those states which did not pass a “Defense of Marriage” act.
And need I even mention that the US Supreme Court probably wouldn’t even hear this matter without some sort of relevant federal question at stake?
That’s why I say, ultimately, the right of same-sex couples to marry in civil ceremonies will be made official. Maybe not everywhere, and maybe not instantly, but like I’ve said before, the ultimate outcome of this debate is not really in doubt. And, while I respect the opinion and perspective of one of this blog’s first readers, the majority of Americans who are unsure about this turn of events are the same majority of Americans who keep re-electing the same judges and local politicians, year after year, because those same Americans can’t be bothered to turn off “Survivor” long enough to educate themselves about what’s happening amongst the judiciary or down at City Hall.
OK, you all got that? I think gay civil marriage is inevitable. I’ve tried to point out the social reasons why, and the theological/historical reasons why the church has last the ability to speak on the issue. I’ve even mentioned that the church is probably wasting its time trying to fight the battle to prevent gays and lesbians from gaining the right to legal recognition of their relationships. If you want, I can even give you a case why it could be considered immoral to oppose that recognition.
Do you notice anything I haven’t said?
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“DIET” IS A RELATIVE TERM
Say goodbye to those supersize fries; McDonalds, in a move sure to be copied throughout the fast-food industry, is revamping its menu and dumping megaportions.
“Supersizing,” to my recollection, began somewhere in the late 80s or early 90s, and was met with trepidation at first. Even back in those unenlightened days, we all knew fast food was bad for you and fries would make you fat. But that didn’t stop us from trying out the new megameals, and finding them to our liking.
The next step on the primrose path was the “2 for $2″ promotions that flourished everywhere in the early 90s–2 Quarter Pounders, Whoppers, whatevers, for $2. Could’ve been a good opportunity for us all to save money, right?
Well, let’s be honest, folks, how many of us just took this as an excuse to eat two sandwiches when one would’ve been enough?
(The blogger raises his hand.)
And now we are where we are, a nation of people reeling from the health consequences of a horrible diet, but too busy and unimaginative to stop eating it. It’s fair to say that McDonald’s isn’t making this move out of genuine, altruistic concern for its customers. Rather, it’s largely a response to the actions of pressure groups. But there’s an irony in all of this. You see, fast-food places have kept pushing the envelope over the past decade, but consumers have never felt that they’d pushed too far. Name a fast-food excess of the past few years–the Monster Burger at Hardee’s, one-pound burritos, pizzas with three layers of cheese–and the odds are good that it was a marketplace success. You can’t fault a business–any business–for giving its customers more of what they wanted. But now, McDonald’s is deciding not to sell you bucket-sized portions of fries and soda anymore. Whatever the motivation, one thing remains true:
McDonald’s is now more nutritionally responsible than its customers.
TOP REFERRALSESERS
Forthwith, the top referrers to this site for the elongated month of February:
Most popular search phrase leading someone to this site: 80s cars
Most disturbing search phrase leading multiple persons to this site: superbowl horse fart
Searcher who probably left here the most disappointed: new orleans male bodywork