Happy Marriage Equality Day!

From a press release I just got,

BOSTON—Thursday, May 17, 2007—In honor of the third anniversary of marriage equality in Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick today proclaimed May 17, 2007 Marriage Equality Day.

More from our Governor, who's pledged to do all that he can to protect marriage equality.

“Marriage equality has been a part of life in Massachusetts for three years now. We can see clearly that the sky hasn’t fallen,” Governor Patrick said. “People, I think, have moved past this debate. And I want very much to avoid the divisive, circus-like atmosphere that will accompany this referendum.

It's time to take a second away from studying to THANK the Governor. He seems to be working his ass off on this cause, in preparation for the upcoming ConCon - so here's a big time thank you. It's great to finally have a Governor who cares about everyone in Massachusetts - he's proven that politics really isn't "just words." No, his actions are speaking far louder.

Jon Keller's Arrogance: the People Don't Matter

That's essentially what he says. Deval Patrick can't possibly get his issues passed, because the legislature just doesn't care about people anymore.

I have news for the Patrick organization: if they think that rallies on the state house steps or global e-mail barrages are going to influence votes on Beacon Hill, they’re in for a nasty shock. The legislature has made it clear in recent years that they’re growing impervious to general public feedback.

Referendum questions approved by the voters are routinely ignored. Incumbents almost never lose. Why SHOULD they worry?

Keller's mad - just angry - that Deval Patrick's team won't be naming names on their website. While it may be helpful if his team did, it could just spark the kind of nasty battle that would be counterproductive. Patrick's supporters will know the names, rest assured Mr. Keller, they'll just get them from bloggers, friends and individual supporters on the website. After all, that's what the website is all about: the people. The people can easily name names. Right now, I'm naming Keller - a talking head who was very wrong yet again.

Update: David disagrees with much of my assessment - and he does have a point. Naming names could have a tremendous impact, but there is some risk. If Deval Patrick changes his mind, I'll run with it, though he risks further alienating people he is going to need to work with. It's a tough choice - that's why we put him in office. Ultimately, he's accountable for whatever he chooses. If Jon Keller were slightly less condescending toward democracy and focused more on that point, he may have convinced me.

Join the LeftyBlog Coalition on Deval's New Website

I've been testing around Deval Patrick's new website - having loads of fun. Seriously, it's FUN.

Anyway, I realized it makes perfect sense to have a coalition on the site with members who read, write and otherwise contribute to leftyblogs in Massachusetts. So, I started a group and ask that you all join! It takes about 20 seconds and can help us bring a new level of power to our messages to the Governor. I already know he cares about what we have to say, but this is just one way to make sure he's pushing our issues as hard as we expect him to do so.

Join up and help decide what exactly will be our issues!