GOP Responds to LOLing at Civil Unions
Speaker of the House Mike Chenault says you just got it all wrong.
[A similar story is cross-posted at The Huffington Post HERE]
Well, that didn’t take long. Apparently, the House Majority Caucus got an earful, and learned that laughing out loud at the mere thought of Alaskans having legal recognition of same-sex partnerships was inappropriate. That’s what happened Friday during a press availability in Juneau.
Late this morning, a statement was released to the press by Majority Leader Lance Pruitt (R-Anchorage) and Speaker of the House Mike Chenault (R-Nikiski). Caucus leaders were asked for their position on providing legal recognition for same-sex partnerships, a position which 70% of Alaskans favor. The question drew uproarious laughter from members of the caucus.
Leader Pruitt
“I would like to make two things clear: laughter was not an appropriate response under any circumstances, and we regret and apologize for the reaction to that question. It was a serious question; it is a serious issue – and it is not something the Caucus has taken a position on.”
Pruitt had made clear during the press availability that the caucus only took positions on things that made life “great” like making money, and resource extraction. He added that they hadn’t discussed things that happen “in the home.” Pruitt apparently doesn’t realize that sometimes people remain married even when they’re not at home.
Speaker Chenault
“I completely agree: laughter was inappropriate. However, it’s clear from the totality of the response and circumstances the laughter was in reaction to which legislator had to field the difficult question, and did not go to the merits of the issue.
“Regardless, laughter was not appropriate and for that we sincerely apologize.”
It’s not him, it’s you! According to Chenault, they were all just having themselves a good laugh at Lance Pruitt’s expense, since he was the one forced to talk about gay stuff in public. Hahaha. Get it now? See why it was so doggone funny? You just have to look at the big picture and the totality of the response to understand why you’re actually wrong, and have no right to criticize Chenault for laughing.
There’s nothing like an apology followed by a “however” followed by someone thinking you’re that stupid.
And just so you’re really clear on the circumstances and the totality of the response, have another look.
Nice try.
This disrespectful, juvenile behavior is inexcusable, but not surprising.
Oh horsepunky, Mr Chenault.
What is clear from the totality and circumstances and all that is that the House majority is a bunch of immature twits posing as lawmakers.
Whether folks were guffawing over the-very-idea-of-civil-unions, Mr Pruitt letting a big one, or your ridiculous idea that it was a “reaction to which legislator had to field the difficult question” it was inexcusable. On multiple levels and multiple fronts- inexcusable.
We may be rubes but we ain’t the idiots you think we are.
Mr Pruitt-
You get 1/64th of a point for fessing up to the caucus not having taken a position on civil unions.
However, the -4,287,324 points you get for weaseling on “inappropriate” kinda wipes that out. It was not inappropriate, it was inexcusable.
Inexcusable.
Period.
And while you all are running around doing your lil your happy dance about happiness ( what does Jim Wright at Stonekettle call it? Something about unicorns farting rainbows ?) and money and happiness which flows from money and all that crap, I would suggest you look at what our LGBT neighbors would gain if civil unions were part of the landscape here:
http://civilunions.aclu-il.org/?page_id=2
I see all kinds of personal rights and responsibilities in IL law of the happiness-in -economic-advantage variety for individuals and couples here, hon. A whole buncha stuff you don’t even have to think about being your just due.
Pfft.
What kind of guiding principles propose to address state/citizen/community/individual “happiness” without considering that all means all?
Pffffttt!
Oops. Caught on tape again. Sometimes the cameras don’t need to be hidden. They just can’t help themselves.
1. Open Mouth
2. Remove Foot
3. Insert Other Foot.
They should have just said,
“Of course marriage is one of those things that make life great, and we were wrong to laugh at the question. Sorry.”
But no, they had to try to justify their own insensitivity. That is what always gets bigots in deeper trouble.