Author Archive
Wednesday, May 6th, 2009, 12:10 pm
Maine becomes fifth state to make gay marriage legal
by Mario MorettoFrom the Bangor Daily News:
Gov. John Baldacci on Wednesday signed a gay marriage bill passed just hours before by the Maine Legislature. [Baldacci said,] “In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions,” Baldacci said in a written statement. “I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage.”
…The governor’s signature makes Maine the fifth state to allow gay marriage
I’m not sure I’ve ever been more excited to be a Mainer. The only thing I wish could have been done is the addition of an amendment to prevent this law from going to a public referendum. Is that even possible? I just can’t shake the belief that the equal rights of minorities secured through the legislative process should never go to a vote of the (possibly bigoted) majority.
Fifth out of 50 ain’t bad, Maine. Not bad at all.
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009, 10:50 am
Gay Marriage Legalized in Vermont
by Mario MorettoJust minutes ago, The New York Times (yup, it’s my go-to Web site for now) posted this brief:
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont has become the fourth state to legalize gay marriage — and the first to do so with a legislature’s vote.
The Legislature voted Tuesday to override Gov. Jim Douglas’ veto of a bill allowing gays and lesbians to marry. The vote was 23-5 to override in the state Senate and 100-49 to override in the House. Under Vermont law, two-thirds of each chamber had to vote for override.
The vote came nine years after Vermont adopted its first-in-the-nation civil unions law.
It’s now the fourth state to permit same-sex marriage. Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa are the others. Their approval of gay marriage came from the courts
Great news for advocates of equal-and-not-separate rights for LGBT couples. It’s about time states start recognizing that marriage is a right, regardless of what you’ve got between your legs. Keep an eye on Equality Maine for updates on the struggle for marriage rights in Maine.
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009, 10:43 am
U.S. Reps meet behind closed doors in Cuba
by Mario Moretto“Wouldn’t it be so wonderful if [the U.S. and Cuba] struck a dialogue and found the things that were mutually advantageous and mutually of interest to our two countries and stopped the historical divisions that have separated us (though we are) so close geographically?” That was a comment of Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.), one of seven members of the Congressional Black Caucus who visited Cuba and met with President Raul Castro recently, according to The New York Times.
The group of Congressmen also met with the head of parliament and the minister on foreign relation.
This news comes on the tail of talks in the Obama administration on lifting travel restrictions on those with family in Cuba.
While lips are sealed on the exact nature of the discussions, I hope this will be a step forward in establishing formal diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana. The U.S. and Cuba could benefit from normalizing relations after 47 years of posturing and stubbornness. With the Cold War long over, can anyone really think of a good reason not to have normal relations with Cuba?
Friday, January 30th, 2009, 2:38 pm
Israeli settlements in the West Bank
by Mario MorettoA classified database of construction compiled by the ministry was leaked to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
It suggests most construction took place without the right permits, and more than 30 settlements were built in part on land owned by Palestinians.
…
In more than 30 settlements, buildings including schools, synagogues and police stations, had been built on private Palestinian land.
The newspaper said Defence Minister Ehud Barak blocked publication of the data, arguing it could endanger state security or harm Israel’s foreign relations.
Yesh Din told the BBC the report showed that the Israeli government ignored its own distinction between settlements considered legal under Israeli law, and illegal outposts built on privately owned land.
Israel has long had stated a policy position of not allowing settlements to be built on private Palestinian land. A freeze on Israeli settlement on Palestinian land is critical to achieving peace in the region, as Special Middle East Envoy George Mitchell reported in 2001.
Mitchell is scheduled to be in Israel this week. Let’s hope that Obama’s promise of a “clean break” from Bush-era policy includes a tough line from Mitchell to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009, 5:34 pm
Obama’s first day
by Mario MorettoWell, no one will be able to say that Obama didn’t hit the ground running.
So far in his first day in office, he has contact four key Middle-East leaders, including Hosni Mubarak, Ehud Olmert, King Abdullah and Mahmoud Abbas of Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Palestine, respectively. As reported on BBC, the White Hous said Obama “… used this opportunity on his first day in office to communicate his commitment to active engagement in pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace.”
He’s also issued two executive orders — one banning his aides from lobbying the Obama administration after they leave office and banning White House officials from receiving gifts from lobbyists and another having to do with a pay freeze for some white house officials (more details later, when I have them).
This seems to be a good sign that Obama meant it when he said there would be dramatic change in government. If his first day in office is any indicator, maybe our new president is willing to put his money where his mouth is.
Let’s hope so.
EDIT: According to nytimes.com:
“Mr. Obama said no one would be given a job in any area where he or she had lobbied within the two preceding years, and if they left the White House before he did, they would have to agree not to work on those issues ‘as long as I am president.’ “
They also reported:
“Every governmental agency or department should know, Mr. Obama said, that his administration stands not ‘on the side of those who want to withhold information but those who seek to make it known.’ “
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009, 10:43 pm
Welcome to the SoapBox
by Mario MorettoWelcome to SoapBox, The Maine Campus opinion blog.
Opinion editor Mario Moretto will provide commentary for the days news — political, cultural and if you’re lucky, soccer.
Stay tuned.
