Comments on Advance Indiana™: Would-Be Successor To Bauer Co-Sponsors SJR-7

For the record, Rep. Pelath voted for SJR-7 two ye...

2007-03-08T18:33:00.000-05:00

For the record, Rep. Pelath voted for SJR-7 two years ago. There is no reason to believe his position has changed at this point.

Interested Observer, I would love to hear from Rep...

2007-03-08T18:29:00.000-05:00

Interested Observer, I would love to hear from Rep. Pelath. If Sen. Hershman could contact me to explain the situation from his standpoint, Rep. Pelath could do the same if he's concerned his co-sponsorship of the amendment is being misconstrued by this blog. If this were a budget bill, I would totally understand your point, but this is not a budget bill. It is an amendment to our state's constitution on one of the most controversial social issues of our time.

I've learned that it is not uncommon in the Genera...

2007-03-08T18:09:00.000-05:00

I've learned that it is not uncommon in the General Assembly that when a measure is passed by one house the "sending" manager names "receiving" managers in both parties, and that this may or may not say anything about how a "receiving" manager may feel or vote concerning the measure. I also understand that while as a matter of courtesy and common sense the "receiver" should be told in advance by the "sender", this doesn't always occur either, and I get vibes that in this case, Senator Hershman may not have observed that courtesy. Maybe your site ought to follow through with asking that question.

I also understand that the firm at which Representative Pilath is HR director has some pretty significant statements in it personnel policies and practices against discrimination based on sexual orientation. These are also reflected in collective bargaining agreements with the representing labor union. Given that, I would not be so quick to judgement as to his opinions and motives as you appear to do.

To contact us:450 St. John Rd.Michigan City, IN 46...

2007-03-08T15:43:00.000-05:00

To contact us:
450 St. John Rd.

Michigan City, IN 46360

E-mail: webmaster@swansoncenter.org

This is the information you'd need I'd think to get the employment criteria for his work.

anon 11:07, the original author of the bill select...

2007-03-08T14:02:00.000-05:00

anon 11:07, the original author of the bill selects legislator(s) in the other chamber to carry his or her bill. Of course, the legislator in the second chamber must consent after being named by the original author to have his or her name added to the legislation. I would be interested in knowing more about the non-discrimination policy Pelath instituted at his place of work. He should be duly credited if that is the case.

I understand that Pelath instituted employment pro...

2007-03-08T11:07:00.000-05:00

I understand that Pelath instituted employment protections for sexual orientation into the organization he runs in Michigan City many years ago. Seems that there may be more to the story-- and you would be the right one to dig it out, Gary.

Besides, maybe someone can explain to me how Hershman can claim he "SENT" it to Pelath? What does that mean?

Your conversation with Tanford is interesting as t...

2007-03-07T17:10:00.000-05:00

Your conversation with Tanford is interesting as to "permit versus require". Regardless of how this particular DP issue might come out, the language of SJR-7 is full of things that raise significant interpretational questions for courts to resolve. In formulating amendments language, legislators have a duty to minimize unintended results, especially where the Bill of Rights in our Indiana Constituion would be involved. We have to keep trying to impress upon them that any degree of known uncertainty is a very undesirable thing, whether one is for or against same sex marriage, civil unions, etc.

10001110101 said, "Sometimes legislators become sp...

2007-03-07T16:33:00.000-05:00

10001110101 said, "Sometimes legislators become sponsors of bills for the sole purpose of controlling them, and not necessarily because they believe in them."

When you're a part of the majority party, you already have the means to control the legislation by determining whether it gets a hearing, what amendments are allowed, etc. It hardly makes sense to put your name on a constitutional amendment in which you don't personally believe simply to claim to exercise some control over it.

Friends.. I know gay employees who work for Mr. Pe...

2007-03-07T15:41:00.000-05:00

Friends.. I know gay employees who work for Mr. Pelath in MC-- and they are appalled and scared.

Sometimes legislators become sponsors of bills for...

2007-03-07T15:24:00.000-05:00

Sometimes legislators become sponsors of bills for the sole purpose of controlling them, and not necessarily because they believe in them.

Thanks, Garvey. We need a BUNCH of Rep. Zwonitzer...

2007-03-07T13:03:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Garvey. We need a BUNCH of Rep. Zwonitzers in the Indiana General Assembly.

Why is it no one, not one single R, will step up ...

2007-03-07T12:41:00.000-05:00

Why is it no one, not one single R, will step up and make the kind of speech before the Indiana Legislature like Rep. Zwonitzer of Wyoming did?

Here is the text of his speech. Copy it & pass it along to everyone you know....

__________________

Thank you Mr. Speaker and Members of the Committee.

I am not going to speak of specifics regarding this bill, but rather talk about history and philosophy in regards to this issue.

It is an exciting time to be in the legislature while this issue is being debated. I believe this is the Civil Rights struggle of my generation.

Being a student of history, as many of you are, and going back through history, most of history has been driven by the struggle of man against government to endow him with more rights, privileges and liberties to be bestowed upon him.

In all of my high school courses, we only made it through history to World War 2. It wasn't until college that I really learned of the civil rights movement in the 60's. My American History professor was black, and we spent a week discussing civil rights. I watched video after video where people stood on the sidelines and yelled and threw things at black students walking into schools, I've read editorials and reports by both sides of the issue, and I would think, how could society feel this way, only 40 years ago.

Under a democracy the civil rights struggle continues today, where we have one segment of our society trying to restrict rights and privelges from another segment of our society. My parents raised me to know that this is wrong.

It is wrong for one segment of society to restrict rights and freedoms from another segment of society. I believe many of you have had this conversation with your children.

And children have listened, my generation, the twenty-somethings, and those younger than I understand this message of tolerance. And in 20 years, when they take the reigns of this government and all governments, society will see this issue overturned, and people will wonder why it took so long.

My kids and grandkids will ask me, why did it take so long? And I can say, hey, I was there, I discussed these issues, and I stood up for basic rights for all people.

I echo Representative Childers concerns, that testifying against this bill may cost me my seat. I have two of my precinct committee persons behind me today who are in favor of this bill, as I stand here opposed, and I understand that I may very well lose my election. It cost 4 moderate Republican Senators in Kansas their election last year for standing up on this same issue. But I tell myself that there are some issues that are greater than me, and I believe this is one of them. And if standing up for equal rights costs me my seat so be it. I will let history be my judge, and I can go back to my constituents and say I stood up for basic rights. I will tell my children that when this debate went on, I stood up for basic rights for people.

I can debate the specifics of this bill back and forth as everyone in this room can, but I won't because the overall theme is fairness, and you know it. I hope you will all let history be your judge with this vote. You all know in your hearts where this issue is going, that it will come to pass in the next 30 years. For that, I ask you to vote no today on the bill. Thank you.