Thy Heart of Darkness

The DC city council is poised to pass a same-sex marriage law in Washington. That's a big step, yes, but that really doesn't mean anything when in comes to the law of the land that says DC will let Congress decide their fate. So this is up to Congress (spineless and/or two-faced Democrats with a side of Draconian, knuckle-dragging and /or greed-driven Republicans) to ultimately pass.

One guy instrumental in the effort for a similar to pass earlier this year: Freshman Representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah. Yes, Utah, that big, beautiful empty state. Here's Mr. Chaffetz this time around (from the Post ... the whole thing is worth a read to re-acqaint yourself with our government's posture on gay marriage):

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), who tried to derail a bill passed by the council this year recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, also expressed doubts that he or other Republicans could be major obstacles.

"Given the gravity of health care and other tumultuous debate, it hasn't got much attention," said Chaffetz, the ranking member of the House subcommittee that oversees the District. "You couple that with the Democrats' stranglehold on the rules, and the minority is left somewhat impotent."

Chaffetz said he plans to fight the council's bill, but he also said the issue could become entangled in a debate among Republicans on Capitol Hill over how far the party should go in speaking out against same-sex marriage.

"It's going to be a big symbolic issue, and the question is, are conservatives really going to make a stand?" said Linda McClain, a law professor at Boston University who is studying the same-sex marriage debate.

Come up with your own cynical joke on how the new guy from Morman Town became the "ranking member of the House subcommittee that oversees the District." Good stuff.

But look at the language he uses. He says not only is Congress busy with health care and "other debate," but "with the Democrats' stranglehold on the rules ... the minority is left somewhat impotent."

Impotent, Jason? Nice one. You are new, aren't you?

But really, he's saying "We're too damn busy trying to block health care (what should be a human right) to pull our usual shenanigans on gay marriage. It just USED TO BE our go-to issue (Something tells me it will come back in the next election year). We've moved on."


But that resignation in that last paragraph is a good sign. Less resistance. Maybe even changing attitudes? Or am I letting a moment of optimism creep in?