The Big Dummy

It's disingenuous for Gov. Chet Culver to say Democrats stood firm on civil rights by not allowing debate on gay marriage and then assert a belief that marriage should only be between one man and one woman. Culver has avoided a lot of distasteful things, though: speaking against any faction (pro-gay marriage or anti-gay marriage), challenging the court's gay marriage decision, adding discriminatory amendments to the constitution that he claims to personally believe in, and pursuing a more nuanced policy that would protect the civil rights of homosexuals (including acknowledgement of monogamous gay relationships) without giving short-shrift to his (and many other people's) belief about marriage. That last one, if done the right way, would deprive Republicans of an important wedge issue. Those who opposed equal rights for homosexuals after the marriage issue had been stripped away would be shown as driven by hate and prejudice. To read the story containing Culver's comments in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier follow this link: http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_94f81826-3cfd-11df-a4b1-001cc4c03286.html

Kerry's rocky road to re-election

After a drunken driving arrest and being identified as dodging Price Laboratory School tuition payments, freshman Rep. Kerry Burt could find a lack of support for running in the Democratic primary. Sen. Bill Dotzler warned that he could be a distraction for other Cedar Valley Democrats seeking re-election. Burt responded to Dotzler's concerns, but has generally been scarce and quiet since the scandals began pelting him. He wouldn't want to start an avalanche. Dotzler's comments and Burt's response can be found in the Jan. 13 Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.