Category Archives: Sedition Watch

2016: Politics “When The Sky Darkens”

Most years, I put up with politics: it’s as necessary as taking out the trash, but only about as interesting.
Sure I have my preferences, and occasionally a candidate is exciting, for awhile. But usually I’m eager to get it over with, and go back to what feels like real life.
This year is different. I’m following the campaigns as closely as I can, with a morbid, horrified fascination.
The NY Times’s Roger Cohen gets at the reason why: Democracies can die.
Many parts of our former republic, including civil liberties, are already close to catatonic; and profoundly anti-democratic forces (the secret security state, the war machine) are already loose and beyond our control (which is why we mostly prefer not to think about them).

But all this could get much, much worse, depending on how this political year turns out.
Cohen comes at the 2016 campaign from the BTDT (“Been There, Done That”) perspective, of those who have seen — and lived– this movie before. It’s also a movie which is being remade in more and more corners of their continent. And What about Ours?

Anti-Disestablishmentarianism: The Word for Southern Marriage Holdouts

Anti-Disestablishmentarianism: The Word for Southern Marriage HoldoutsDo kids still joke about learning to spell “anti-disestablishentarianism”? I used to think it was a fake, something made up, like Mary Poppins’s “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” But no! It was real. And in fact, I just realized that TODAY, for the very first time ever, I can use the term in … Continue reading Anti-Disestablishmentarianism: The Word for Southern Marriage Holdouts →

Conscience in Mississippi; Grandstanding In Alabama

A Circuit Clerk in Mississippi resigned her post rather than issue marriage licenses to same sex couples.
Linda Barnette said in a letter of resignation, effective on June 30, 2015, that

“The Supreme Court’s decision violates my core values as a Christian,” she wrote. “My final authority is the Bible. I cannot in all good conscience issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples under my name because the Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is contrary to God’s plan and purpose for marriage and family. . . .”
Acquaintances said Barnette’s husband is a pastor who worked with Billy Graham Ministries for many years.
“I choose to obey God rather than man,” Barnette wrote.

Linda-Barnette
Linda Barnette, former Circuit Clerk of Grenada County, Mississippi.

I cite this letter to pay Barnette public respect. She had been Circuit Clerk, for 24 years. But she followed her conscience, peacefully but clearly, out the door.
That’s what Christians and Quakers are supposed to do.

Her witness is honorable. It is also rare. And it won’t slow the issuance of same sex marriage licenses in the state by much, if at all.

After Gay Marriage: No, The END Is NOT Near

Yes, the Same sex marriage forces in Massachusetts and elsewhere have deployed a secret weapon that is proving irresistible. And it does not involve locking opponents up, burning their churches, banning their books and movies — none of that paranoid silliness.

Even so, it’s real, and it works. I’ve seen it in operation close up, and am ready to to spill the beans:

It’s NORMALITY.

Legal same sex marriage expands the realm of day to day family life, with all its routines: juggling work & child care; homework, dentists, soccer, adolescence; fix the dinner and clean up that room. Plus the usual conflicts, which sometimes lead to divorce. Which is sad, but also NORMAL.

That’s what life is for legal same sex families. Flagrant, flamboyant, in-your-face NORMAL.

And over time, I haven’t seen anything that can beat it.

The Supreme Court: Lighting the Fuse of Revolution?

Lighting the Fuse of Revolution? There’s a grimly fascinating update from “Rightwing Watch” (RW) detailing how the harder core of the religious right is throwing down the gauntlet to the U.S. Supreme Court, to wit:Legalize same sex marriage nationwide, and you’ll face an armed insurrection. A new Civil War. A Boom-Boom-Bonhoeffer Moment.Your Honors, You Have … Continue reading The Supreme Court: Lighting the Fuse of Revolution? →