…where jack sometimes does stuff, but mostly not

Here’s what I wrote to my state senator (with variations to my state rep, speaker of the house, governor, etc):

Hi Senator Dvorsky,

I’m writing to tell you how pleased I am at today’s Supreme Court ruling affirming the rights of Iowans to marry regardless of their sexual orientation. I am happy for my gay and lesbian friends and neighbors, and proud that Iowa continues its long tradition of bravery and leadership on civil rights issues.

Please work with your Senate colleagues to ensure that this civil rights gain is not overturned. I know that opponents of this important decision are once again pushing a state constitutional amendment banning state recognition of marriages between same-sex partners. As was the case with the recent Proposition 8 fight in California, the legislative battle is likely to attract attention and money from organizations that would seek to restrict the rights of Iowans. Such organizations have proven their willingness to abuse civil law to impose their religious beliefs on others, against their will.

Unlike California, Iowa has had the good sense to set a relatively high barrier to constitutional amendment. This policy recognizes that constitutional rights should not be subject to political whim. The personal rights defined in the Iowa Constitution include such bedrock principles as the right to life, property rights, freedom of speech and press, religious liberty, and equal protection under the law. I am glad to live in a state where the whim of 51% of the populace may not deprive the other 49% of these rights.

High barriers notwithstanding, I hope and expect that you will oppose any attempt to pass a Proposition 8-style amendment through the state legislature. I do not want to see such a measure pass even one step in the process toward constitutional amendment.

Today the Supreme Court has considered a difficult and divisive question and has come down squarely on the side of justice and liberty. Please know that this constituent appreciates that and hopes that you will help to protect it.

Thanks,
(my address and contact info)

This doesn’t count deliberate reposts. This, I’m gonna repost everywhere. Just ‘cuz.

Some of the silly ironies of the American political landscape have been well known: that the red states survive on federal largesse far more than the blue states, that southern evangelical christians are more likely to get divorced, etc.

Recently we got to hear from the Republican governor of Louisiana about how volcano monitoring (which is to say: disaster preparedness) is wasteful government pork almost in the same breath that he complained about the government’s failures during Katrina. This is maybe part of a jobs program for satirists, I dunno.

Anyway, one new data point, offered without commentary: guess who buys the most porn online? States that voted for McCain, places with anti-gay-marriage laws, and Utah. Yep.

It snows and melts and snows and melts and my deer has two new friends. Two!

I see fresh kills along this road almost every day; we’ve been calling it Deerbuque for years. It’s really Dubuque Road, but it threads its way along the lakeside and between massive cornfields, now empty save the stubble that is apparently good eating for vast, unbelievable numbers of deer. I have never been brave or foolhardy enough to count while whizzing by, but I’m sure I saw 50 or 75 of them spread out across one of the fields last week.

My deer is still there.

Her ribcage is open to the sky, and the receding snow has left her exposed, like a friend who drinks too much at a party and falls asleep in a chair with her skirt hiked up. I am embarrassed and feel vaguely responsible. I don’t know how to help.

Friend One is laid out just off the shoulder at the end of a red-slick trail from the center of the road. Two days ago Friend One was bloated, but yesterday a trio of buzzards came by to open her up and relieve the pressure. One of them inspects her dourly, slump-shouldered, while the other two stand guard.

Friend Two is receiving the greater attention as she is attended today by a pair of bald eagles. The prince and princess tear strips from Friend Two’s belly at their leisure, while an honor guard of crows wait nearby. I am reminded that bald eagles are not only regal but also desperately insane. Do not hold a staring contest with a raptor.

Just a few steps down the road, a young hawk stands right on the grass, staring down at his feet like he was caught sneaking cookies from the jar. No dessert for you, young man!

Previous deer updates are over here.