11D

The Politics of Gay Marriage

Along with Sulu, an old friend got married to his long time partner this week in California. Congratulations to everyone.

I don't write much about gay marriage, because it's a no brainer for me. The arguments against gay marriage are too weak -- the bible, paperwork hassle, commitment, what about the children -- to hold much interest. The politics is much more fascinating. Of course, I have no direct stake in the decision, so I have the luxury of looking coolly on the politics without getting too hot and bothered. It's a cool topic with lots of fun angles and a bevy of opportunities for great classroom debate.

Voter ID Laws

On Monday, the Supreme Court upheld Indiana's voter identification law, concluding that the challengers failed to prove that the law’s photo ID requirement placed an unconstitutional burden on the right to vote.

Voter IDs have been pushed by Republicans in several states, in addition to Indiana.

Next year, they'll bring back poll taxes and literacy requirements. Good news!

Paterson

Paterson's inaugural speech  was remarkable, because there was enormous media attention, a who's who of the world of politics in the audience, and a hearty applause at every step. (Here's his press conference from a few days ago.) His warm references to his family got standing ovations. New York is done with pervs.

More Speculation on Silda

Spitzer resigned this morning. Silda stood by his side again with bags under her eyes and her hands behind her back. As I watched the speech, my eyes were on her, more than him.

I'm fascinated by her reaction, mostly because I'm quite sure that I wouldn't be so cool. I would react emotionally in a Donna Hanover style. It would be unbecoming and loud. Perhaps her decision to stand by her men was motivated by an interest in protecting the children. If that's the case, then I admire her. I'm not sure that I would be so rational and cool.

Others have had their own spin on Silda. Hirshman sees it as a morality tale for opt-out moms.

I agree that staying at home is risky behavior (and so does Allison). I also think that staying at home is worth the risk for some women.

But in this particular case, Hirshman's opting out lecture doesn't work. Silda's problem is the dissolution of her marriage and public humiliation, not poverty. Silda could have her pick of paid positions in politics or in law in a second. Paid employment would not shelter her from the public humiliation that she now faces.

My mom had still another take on events. She stopped by today with some chicken soup for my sore throat.

I asked her if she watched the speech. She said yes.

"How about Silda?", I said. She said, "women are stronger than men."

Dr. Manhattan says that political families have their own rules of behavior that forces them to keep up the public face at all times.

What's With the Wives?

Why do political wives stand by their man? Why do they stoically stand next to their husbands at the podium as the dirtbags admit to sleeping with prostitutes and young men? Most women I know would morph into Loretta Bobbitt in a similar situation rather than Silda Spitzer.

Silda is urging Eliot to stay in office. At this point, I would be throwing his clothes out of the window of their 5th Avenue apartment and letting them rain down on the reporters below.

Silda must have known about the hookers. She must be getting off on the photo spreads for the Governor's green mansion. She must be loving the dinners with Martha Stewart and New York City big shots. She is willing to put up with a creepy husband for all that. Sad.

The View was talking about this yesterday.

The female hosts on “The View” have also had their share of tabloid stories, but most of those scandals followed catfights behind the scenes, not lapses in morality or professional probity. Certainly there were no tears shed for Mr. Spitzer on Tuesday on “The View,” where for once all five women agreed emphatically on almost everything about the scandal.

“Aren’t you sick of men?” Joy Behar, one of the hosts, said. “Viagra is destroying our government.”

Dina Matos McGreevey says that we shouldn't be wondering what the heck is going in the mind of the poor wives.

Why not? We're wondering about the motivations of these women, because their behavior is just bizarre and unthinkable for most women. I'm wondering why Dina still uses her ex-husband's last name.

The New Eliot Mess Post

The last post was getting too long. Here's more stuff about Spitzer that I'm finding as I compulsively gorge myself at this table of trashy treats.

Great post by Lindsay about Spitzer's hubris.

Regardless of what you think of the morality of paying for sex, and irrespective of whatever understanding Mr. and Mrs. Spitzer might have had... Eliot Spitzer was a self-indulgent fool to think that he could arrange for sex over the telephone and move his money around to cover it! (...in an election year, as the Dems were poised to take back the State Senate, on the heels of the State police intel scandal...)

Spitzer displayed a Nixonian level of hubris. If he thinks the rules don't apply to him, he shouldn't be in power.

More to follow...

Louisiana: Politics Cajun Style

The new governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal is trying to clean up state politics. He pushed for a $50 per meal cap on lobbyists and legislators. Many state legislators are whining that they'll be forced to discuss important state matters over Nacho Grandes rather than a proper cajun meal.

Effectiveness of State Government

The Pew Center grades the 50 states on their effectiveness. New Jersey gets a C. Guess which state is the worst and which is the best.

Weird State Laws

I'm on a state politics kick today, so I was delighted to read about Montana's marriage by proxy law. (Thanks to Harry B).

The Seamy Side of State Politics

I'm in the midst of reading The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption. It's written by a couple of seasoned reporters from Gannett who have covered politics in Trenton for years. The book does an excellent job of describing the dirty dealings in Jersey from McGreevey's appointment of an unqualified boytoy to the head of Homeland Defense to the behind-the-scenes political bosses who pull the strings to Corzine's soft spot for Carla Katz, the head of the largest state union.