Culver finally weighs in

After four days of reflection, Gov. Chet Culver has a statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Varnum v. Brien:

GOVERNOR CULVER ISSUES STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT’S DECISION

DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver today issued the following statement after reviewing the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision in Varnum v. Brien:

“I have carefully reviewed the Iowa Supreme Court’s unanimous decision on civil marriage and discussed it with the Attorney General.

“Let me begin by saying that I recognize that the issue of same-gender civil marriage is one that evokes strongly held beliefs and strong emotions both for and against. These beliefs and feelings need to be respected. I hope that the views of those on all sides will be treated respectfully and will not be subjected to name-calling or fear-mongering, but instead will lead to rational discussion.

“At the outset, I want to emphasize that the question before the Iowa Supreme Court was one of civil marriage only – a state-recognized legal status constituting a civil contract. Civil marriage always has been, and will continue to be, separate from religious marriage that takes place in churches and places of worship.

“As I have stated before, I personally believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. This is a tenet of my personal faith. The Iowa Supreme Court’s decision has, in fact, reaffirmed that churches across Iowa will continue to have the right to recognize the sanctity of religious marriage in accordance with their own traditions and church doctrines. The Supreme Court’s decision does not require that churches recognize marriages between persons of the same gender or officiate over such unions. The Court does not have, nor should any court ever have, that kind of power over our religious lives. Our churches and places of worship are free to decide for themselves, as they were before, who may enter the sacred covenant of marriage. As the Supreme Court’s decision states, ‘The sanctity of all religious marriages celebrated in the future will have the same meaning as those celebrated in the past.’

“Yet, the Supreme Court of Iowa, in a unanimous decision, has clearly stated that the Constitution of our state, which guarantees equal protection of the law to all Iowans, requires the State of Iowa to recognize the civil marriage contract of two people of the same gender. The Court also concluded that the denial of this right constitutes discrimination. Therefore, after careful consideration and a thorough reading of the Court’s decision, I am reluctant to support amending the Iowa Constitution to add a provision that our Supreme Court has said is unlawful and discriminatory.

“As Governor, I must respect the authority of the Iowa Supreme Court, and have a duty to uphold the Constitution of the State of Iowa. I also fully respect the right of all Iowans to live under the full protection of Iowa’s Constitution.

“I urge Iowans who hold beliefs on all sides of this issue to exhibit respect and good will. Our state faces many serious challenges. We are in the midst of a serious economic recession. Tens of thousands of our fellow Iowans are without work. We have suffered the worst natural disasters and most difficult recovery our state has ever faced. We must join together and redouble our efforts to work toward solutions that will help Iowans in this time of uncertainty. That is where, I believe, my focus and energies should lie.

“Let us not lose sight of the fact that we are all Iowans, all neighbors, united in the promise and faith of a brighter future for our state. Let us all work together toward that common goal.”

I  appreciate how the governor articulates a separation between his personal beliefs and the content of laws that impact all Iowans. I’m just not sure why it took several days for his folks to think that up. It’s the very same concept that lies at the core of the Supreme Court ruling.

Of course, Culver will be ripped up and down by many for not trying to impose his personal beliefs on the state constitution, but none of his harshest critics would vote for him even if he supported a ban. 

He also has no formal role in the amendment process, at least no more than any other Iowan who shows up to vote. But he’s up for re-election next year, and that’s what makes his oh-so-carefully chosen words important.

Some of the criticism he gets will be fair. In campaign settings, he clearly said he opposed same-sex marriages and didn’t add qualifiers. Culver dodges lots of issues by taking positions (favoring local control of hog lots, opposing English only, no new taxes) only to sidestep them later. It feeds the persistent notion that he’s all weather-vane, no bedrock.

At face value, I can’t disagree what Culver is saying. But nothing in politics gets taken at face value.

I see this as a fairly thoughtful position, that took too much time to think up, from a governor who wouldn’t have to go through this sort of thing if he didn’t always allow politics to tie him up in knots.

Let the parsing and shredding begin.

Column — Detroit’s Secret Car Memo

Sure, we’ve still got baseball, hot dogs and apple pie. But Chevrolet is looking a little iffy. In fact, all of our once-beloved Detroit car brands are in trouble.

That’s why President Obama stepped in last week to grab the wheel and turn General Motors into Government Motors. He told Chrysler to merge with Italy’s Fiat, or say arrivederci. Ford, too, is sputtering.

Bottom line, the president is insisting that the Shrunken Three figure out how to produce cars Americans want to buy.

Now, a secret memo has been leaked detailing some of the new cars being considered. Here’s a sampling:

The Saturn Socialist – Nationalize your ride with this no-nonsense, nofrills and sturdy car of the people. Its cozy, Spartan cardboard-appointed interior has enough room to carry your pint-size proletariat to soccer practice or your comrades to the co-op. If the car dies for any reason, the radio automatically plays patriotic music. And best of all, the government will pay you to take one off their hands.

The Ford Furlough – Americans are going to have some time on their hands. And whether you’re on an unpaid vacation, eluding creditors or just taking a drive to think, you’ll need a dependable and affordable car to drive your crushed soul across a bleak country. Comes equipped with a revolutionary cellulosic 4cylinder engine that runs on shredded, “borrowed” office supplies and seats five unshaven adults in bathrobes.

Expandable “ForeclosureFlex” panels and pop-up cots allow the 2010 Furlough to sleep three in anxiety-free comfort. Colors include Pink Slip, Buyout Berry, Out-ToPasture Puce, Angst, Denial and Joad.

The Buick Bonus – After driving a company into the economic ditch, a busy captain of finance like you shouldn’t have to worry how you’ll haul yourself and a hefty severance back to the estate. Settle into the 2010 Buick Bonus, with a smooth ride that will make you forget all about that unpleasantness you’re putting in the rearview mirror. Whether you’re headed to Capitol Hill for a grilling or trying to outrun an angry mob, the Bonus has the get up and go to get you there in style.

The Madoff, by Mercury – You simply can’t resist the gorgeous Madoff by Mercury. You have to order one now, and pay for it in advance. It will be delivered. Eventually. You bet it will.

The Pontiac Pitchfork – There’s a lot of outrage out there, but only one car is equipped to handle it. The Pitchfork demands attention with loudspeakers mounted on the roof, flameo-matic, propane-powered torches and a front-end “Execu-Catch” system that grabs and secures fleeing corporate robber barrons. So get mad. Get moving. Get a Pitchfork.

The Freedom Car – A joint venture by the Big Three will give Americans the ultimate in green technology. Underneath this splendid shell of polished Detroit titanium there is no fuel-guzzling engine, no drivetrain and no seats. Now, you’ll have the freedom to walk, ride a bike, hitchhike or just stay home while still enjoying the little perks of car ownership, like washing, waxing and buying clever vanity plates.

Tuesday Reads — Keep Away

So the Iowa Supreme Court dropped a bomb on the Legislature last week. That’ll teach lawmakers to think twice next time they want to cut the courts budget.

Now, everybody’s playing the hot new game — Gay Marriage keep away.

Most Republicans want a vote on a constitutional amendment resolution that would let voters decide whether to ban same-sex marriages. Some Democrats also want a resolution, with hopes that taking away some people’s rights will save their own skins in competitive districts. Courageous.

But, darn it,  there’s no consensus. Oh, and then there’s the fact that we want to adjourn and haven’t passed a budget or a massive bonding plan or federal deductibility or, well, most of their agenda.

One cooler head is prevailing. The Gazette and others report that Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal will not allow a vote on a resolution this year and maybe not next year:

“I have no intention of taking it up,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs. “I’m not going to put discrimination in the state Constitution. It’s just a horrible idea.

Gronstal has been in this spot before, when he blocked a death penalty debate a few years back. Republicans vowed to take it to him. He now has a 14-seat majority.

The Des Moines Register points out another option. In 2010 voters will get their once-each-decade shot to call for a constitutional convention. Delegates could approve a gay marriage ban that could be ready for a vote in 2011. But it’s the Legislature that sets the rules on how a convention is structured.

The Register story also talks about how House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiwatha, have talked about co-sponsoring a marriage ban amendment resolution in the session’s final days. But again, Gronstal says no dice in the Senate.

Opponents of gay marriage are desperate to get things moving because they know once a bunch of couples get hitched and the sun keeps rising and setting and nobody turns into a pillar of salt that chances for a constitutional ban dwindle. So it’s hurry, hurry, hurry. Except, in any event, it will be two years before anyone votes.

Speaking of being in a hurry, I promised my kids muffins for breakfast. You know little kids, no patience.