I sent this to the Austin American-Statesman today:
I received a letter from Senator Cornyn in response to contact I had initiated regarding his efforts to “uphold traditional marriage”. I was seriously disappointed in his response, for several reasons.
He took the opportunity to remind me that over three-fourths of both houses of Congress passed — and former President Clinton signed — the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. A law that defines marriage as “only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife”. He also pointed out that under the laws, traditions and customs of all fifty states, marriage has historically been defined as the union of a man and a woman.
As a former Texas Supreme Court Justice, he should know, and I should not have to remind him that history, tradition and majority support are not sufficient or valid reasons for laws to violate an individuals right to equal protection. He only has to look to the recent past to see examples of laws steeped in tradition, which enjoyed the support of the majority, which trampled on individual rights. In the early 1950′s, racial segregation in public schools was the norm across America. Yet in 1953, the Supreme Court ruled that it deprived children of minority groups equal educational opportunities.
He clearly understands this, as he promotes a constitutional amendment to strip me of my rights. He knows that current marriage laws would not stand up to judicial review, because they clearly deprive the gay minority of equal access to the legal benefits of marriage. So he has resorted to changing the playing field by modifying the US Constitution to align with his own ideology.
The Federal Marriage Amendment does nothing to “protect” marriage. Instead, it singles out a group of people for discrimination in the United States Constitution. Further, this amendment would do real harm to same-sex couples and their children, who already do not enjoy the vast majority of benefits and protections that married couples enjoy.
Cornyn needs to listen to how these discriminatory laws, and his actions impact real Texas families, like mine, and stop his efforts to alter our Constitution. Cornyn and his colleagues in the Senate need to focus on other issues that are real priorities.
U.S. Case of Mad Cow Traced to Texas
By BETSY BLANEY, Associated Press Writer Thu Jun 30, 4:57 AM ET
LUBBOCK, Texas – The nation’s first domestic case of mad cow disease has been traced to a 12-year-old Texas-born cow destined to become pet food until the federal government’s testing program kicked in.
more…
Why am I not surprised? 
I get a letter from Senator Cornyn telling me how come gay folks in the US can’t enjoy the same rights as straight folks. This is the same guy who apparently thinks lynching is OK.
California’s new domestic partner law, which gave thousands of gay and lesbian couples most of the rights of spouses under state law, survived a legal challenge Wednesday when the state Supreme Court denied a hearing to conservative religious groups seeking to overturn it.
more…
Spain Legalizes Same-Sex Marriages
By MAR ROMAN, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 10 minutes ago
MADRID, Spain – Parliament legalized gay marriage Thursday, defying conservatives and clergy who opposed making traditionally Roman Catholic Spain the third country to allow same-sex unions nationwide. Jubilant gay activists blew kisses to lawmakers after the vote.
The measure passed the 350-seat Congress of Deputies by a vote of 187 to 147. The bill, part of the ruling Socialists’ aggressive agenda for social reform, also lets gay couples adopt children and inherit each others’ property.
The bill is now law. The Senate, where conservatives hold the largest number of seats, rejected the bill last week. But it is an advisory body and final say on legislation rests with the Congress of Deputies.
After the final tally was announced, gay and lesbian activists watching from the spectator section of the ornate chamber cried, cheered, hugged, waved to lawmakers and blew them kisses.
more…
OTTAWA, Ontario (Reuters) — Canada’s Parliament Tuesday approved legislation to allow same sex-marriages across the country, despite fierce opposition from conservative politicians and religious groups.
Legislators voted by 158-133 to support the bill, which makes Canada only the third country in the world after Belgium and the Netherlands to permit gay marriages.
Most Canadian provinces already allow same-sex marriages, and Canada has become a popular destination for gay and lesbian couples from countries where these unions are banned.
The minority Liberal government said it had to draw up the legislation after courts in eight of the country’s 10 provinces ruled that a ban same-sex marriages was unconstitutional because it violated Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Canada’s relaxed stance on gay marriage, and on other social issues, stands in contrast to that of the United States, where President George W. Bush wants Congress to back a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.
“We are a nation of minorities and in a nation of minorities, it is important that you don’t cherry pick rights. A right is a right and that is what this vote tonight is all about,” Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin said shortly before the vote.
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Why can’t our government understand equal rights?
What tragic national disaster will pull these numbers out of the basement?
Poll: Disapproval of Bush at high point
BREAKING NEWS
The Associated Press
Updated: 10:22 a.m. ET June 27, 2005
WASHINGTON – A split Supreme Court struck down Ten Commandments displays in courthouses Monday, ruling that two exhibits in Kentucky cross the line between separation of church and state because they promote a religious message.
more…
Young Republicans support Iraq war, but not all are willing to join the fight
By Adam Smeltz
Knight Ridder Newspapers
NEW YORK – Young Republicans gathered here for their party’s national convention are united in applauding the war in Iraq, supporting the U.S. troops there and calling the U.S. mission a noble cause.
But there’s no such unanimity when they’re asked a more personal question: Would you be willing to put on the uniform and go to fight in Iraq?
In more than a dozen interviews, Republicans in their teens and 20s offered a range of answers. Some have friends in the military in Iraq and are considering enlisting; others said they can better support the war by working politically in the United States; and still others said they think the military doesn’t need them because the U.S. presence in Iraq is sufficient.
“Frankly, I want to be a politician. I’d like to survive to see that,” said Vivian Lee, 17, a war supporter visiting the convention from Los Angeles,
more…
Not really new news, but…
I’ll be heading home to NY tomorrow:
Route 17 car crash kills two
Derek John Dorozynski
(Glenn, Derek, Brett, Mike, me)
GOP Frets Over Bush’s Political Standing
By RON FOURNIER, AP Political Writer 1 hour, 42 minutes ago
WASHINGTON – Fearing that President Bush’s political problems may become their own, Republicans in Congress and elsewhere are beginning to yearn for the good old days of seven months ago, when he had somebody to run against.
Voters were worried in November about the economy and the war in Iraq, but they didn’t take it out on the incumbent on Election Day. They are now.
Bush’s poll ratings are among the worst since he took office, declining in virtually every category since his win over Democratic Sen. John Kerry. From his handling of the economy, foreign policy and the war in Iraq to his job approval rating and voters’ assessment of the country’s direction, the president’s political scores are in serious decline.
Read it and weep.
