Kathleen Sebelius signed an executive order on Friday that prohibited any kind of discrimination in hiring or other employment matters for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and 'transgendered' by the State of Kansas. After she signed the order she said "I'm sorry it took us so long."
Sorry?
Really?
Sebelius has been in office almost five years. She could have signed this executive order on her first day in office if it was important to her. So why the sudden interest five years later? Maybe it just slipped her mind. More likely, she smells a political opportunity.
Along with the executive order, she has proposed a Senate bill that would prohibit discrimination against homosexuals in the private sector. The City of Lawrence has begun an official 'registry' of gay marriages. Democrats repeatedly accuse Republicans of using wedge issues but this is obviously a fight they are trying to start as a run up to 2008.
By putting Republican legislators in a position where they have to vote on gay rights legislation Democrats think they will marginalize Conservatives and force Moderates even further away from the Republican party. They might believe that they can force Senator Nick Jordan to take a stand that won't be popular in parts of the 3rd District. So suddenly, after five years of dormancy, the gay rights issue has sprung to life.
No doubt the Mark Foley and Larry Craig scandals have provided some short term cover for the Democrats to move on their gay rights agenda. There's an inherent conflict and dishonesty when a so called Conservative Republican engages in that type of conduct (never mind that it's OK for liberal Democrats) but that's no reason for some Republicans to try avoiding the issue all together.
Kansas Democrats should remember that the Marriage Amendment passed in 104 out of 105 counties in Kansas. One scandal does not make an election. Sebelius, Moore, Boyda and friends are going to have their hands full as it is, this may be a fight they live to regret.
Kansas Republicans should also remember that the Marriage Amendment passed in 104 out of 105 counties in Kansas and not be afraid to take a principled stand.
24 comments:
Sebelius isn't going to use gay rights as a wedge. That would be stupid. Why bring up social conservative issues? Considering that the GOP is in total meltdown ... with the most unpopular Prez in modern history, a losing war and an endless assortment of Republican sex scandals ... there's no reason to spark controversy. Right now the Democrats have the edge just because they're not Republicans. Sebelius doesn't need to create issues to use against the GOP. She just needs to sit back and watch while the GOP destroys itself.
You clearly believe that discrimination should exist in the workplace?
Why is that?
The GOP does not discriminate against gays. The Republican Party platform simply says that homosexuality is wicked immoral, condemable, criminal, unconstitutional and sinful. The Republican Party DOES NOT discriminate against gay ... it just damns them to burn in hell.
Of course, certain type of gays escape the scorn of the GOP.
First, the GOP has no problem with the occassional same-sex handjob/meth transaction ... so long as those involved are prolife and support traditional family values. Such an act is not really considered homosexual conduct because people who have taken Jesus Christ as their personal savior cannot possibly be gay.
Second, homo relations that occur in the airport men's room or at the YR convention are okay provided you don't get caught. Same is true for confidential Congressman/Page or Priest/Choirboy couplings. Cowboy Brokeback Mountain gays are also okay because they are likely to be NRA members, who by definition are not homos.
Third, although homosexuality must be condemned, a quick trip to "Jesus Camp" can erase any past indiscretion. The Republican Party recognizes that the disease of gayness is quickly cured by espousing rabid anti-gay rhetoric or accepting a staff position in US Senator Sam Brownback's office.
The gays that are NOT acceptable to the Republican Party are, of course, those people from New York, Hollywood, San Francisco or Lawrence (east of Iowa St). An actual homosexual orientation is not necessary in order for people from these locales to be considered gays. Butch lesbianism are also immoral, condemable, unconstitutional. Hot lesbianism, of course, is encouraged.
Under no circumstance will a Republican support same-sex marriage, because it's icky. Republican men are expected to fully embrace the sacred institution of marriage. With the availability of manwhores and confused teenage boys, there's absolutely no reason to depart from traditional marriage.
Haven't some R's pandered to the very same constituency our Guv just serviced? What, no log cabiners in KS?
KS has small log cabin GOP group. I don't think that they are recognized by state party.
We don't have a Kansas log cabin group. There's a chapter in Kansas City, but they focus on MO politics.
KANSAS TRADITIONAL REPUBLICAN MAJORITY
A chapter of the Republican Main Street Partnership
MEDIA STATEMENT
AUGUST 31, 2007
RESPONSE TO “EMBRACING DIVERSITY AND PREVENTING
DISCRIMINATION” EXECUTIVE ORDER
TOPEKA — Kansas Traditional Republican Majority Chairman Andy Wollen issued the following statement regarding the signing of the Executive Order entitled, “Embracing Diversity and Preventing Discrimination.”
“It’s about time,” said Andy Wollen.
# # #
Isn't there an active LGBT group in Lawrence that lobbies statewides pretty actively? If not loggers, what do they call themselves?
Jim Yonally is a former GOP legislator who lobbies on behalf of gay groups. He's not affiliated with log cabins. His group is nonpartisan.
The group the previous poster is referring to is Kansas Equality Coalition. They hired Yonally last session as their lobbyist.
Still waiting for one of the self-righteous to explain why Sebelius waited five years to do something she could have handled the first day in office.
Wow. Another blog full of spin and drivel. How original.
"Kansas Republicans should also remember that the Marriage Amendment passed in 104 out of 105 counties in Kansas and not be afraid to take a principled stand."
Whatever.
Work place protections are very different then a "Marriage Amendment" vote. Don't be so quick to speak for all Republicans - or - be so quick to celebrate discrimination.
if ktrm is supposedly a republican organization, then why are they standing with this democratic governor?
a partisan organization is just that, partisan.
it should not be in support, especially vocally or visually, of something this governor does.
saying "it's about time" for sebelius to grow a pair and do the right thing isnt exactly standing with her. more like a slap in the face imo
KTRM continues to marginalize itself with this kind of stuff.
They really do have a political tin ear.
KTRM's statement reaffirms that it was the right thing to do and takes the shot at Sebilius for taking so long. The right wing homophobes on this blog better take a closer look at some of their own before throwing stones. Might there be any local unmarried conservatives who show up at events with special "friends?"
Being against discrimination and promoting the gay lifestyle are not the same thing.
My name is John and I work on the Congresspedia.org wiki - a non-partisan wiki reporting project on Congress. I saw that you have been covering Kansas politics and stories on members of Congress from Kansas (among other things) and we'd like to put you on our blogroll for that state. Can you email me at SunlightUser2 [at] Sunlightfoundation.com?
Thanks,
John
Wow, this blog has reached all new lows. No wonder why Democrats continue to win elections.
Ron Paul to WIN!!!
Or at least for America, if the R party still gives a damn about such patriotism.
www.bjbrownsblog.blogspot.com
Bryan,
How can we miss you if you won't go away?
I wish Ron Paul could win.
He can if all persons of good will end their faith in pragmatism and all pull together at once.
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