Fein's Gold

By Creature

Today intolerance made it out of committee. In a disgraceful display of pandering to the religious-right the Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Arlen Specter, approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. If that weren't bad enough Sen. Specter, I assume due to his embarrassment over GOP bigotry, moved the vote from their usual public room to a private one. The good news is that Sen. Russ Feingold would have none of it. The fine senator from Wisconsin left the committee meeting in a huff after expressing his concern that the meeting had been moved.

"I don't need to be lectured by you. You are no more a protector of the Constitution than am I," Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., shouted after Sen. Russ Feingold declared his opposition to the amendment, his affinity for the Constitution and his intention to leave the meeting.

"If you want to leave, good riddance," Specter finished.

"I've enjoyed your lecture, too, Mr. Chairman," replied Feingold, D-Wis., who is considering a run for president in 2008. "See ya."

See ya, indeed. After the meeting Senator Feingold issued this statement:

"Today's markup of the constitutional amendment concerning marriage, in a small room off the Senate floor with only a handful of people other than Senators and their staffs present, was an affront to the Constitution. I objected to its consideration in such an inappropriate setting and refused to help make a quorum. I am deeply disappointed that the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee [Specter] went forward with the markup over my objection." [Read More]

The amendment passed 10-8 and now will go to the floor of the Senate for debate. But wait, this story isn't over yet. In typical Specter fashion, he flipped, without even a chance to flop.

Not all those who voted "yes" support the amendment, however. Specter said he is "totally opposed" to it, but felt it deserved a debate in the Senate.

Now, maybe I'm naive in the ways of politics? But wouldn't it be best to vote your beliefs, not your politics. This is why Sen. Specter is dangerous, because when push comes to politics, he always chooses politics. At least Sen. Feingold has the balls to stand strong for what he believes in. Senator Feingold speaks for me.

Read more.

Update: Crooks & Liars has the Cafferty outrage over the committee vote. Thankfully someone in the media has the time for outrage.

(Cross-posted at State of the Day.)