As it turns out, Republicans in North Carolina just can’t stop trying to fuck themselves. (And by extension, the state, their constituents, the rest of us, etc.). Which seems odd, because that also seems like something they’d probably be against. After the public outcry, as well as the business and financial impact over their last big hit, HB2 (The Bathroom Bill), they’re back at it again. But this time, I think they have a plan.
On April 11, 2017, North Carolina Representatives Larry Pittman, Michael Speciale and Carl Ford were the primary sponsors of HOUSE BILL DRH10214-MM-60, “AN ACT TO AFFIRM THAT SECTION 6 OF ARTICLE XIV OF THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION IS THE LAW OF THE STATE.” Or, the Uphold Historical Marriage Act.
Let’s peruse the Bill:
“Whereas, the People of the State of North Carolina approved the Marriage Amendment of 2012, which is now included as Section 6 of Article XIV of the North Carolina Constitution, with a 61% affirmative vote…”
We’re super not down with the Gays.
“…the United States Supreme Court overstepped its constitutional bounds when it struck down Section 6 of Article XIV of the North Carolina Constitution in its Obergefell v. Hodges decision of 2015.”
The Supreme Court was not meant to rule on decisions of lower courts, we guess. Or, at least, not if we don’t like their decision.
“Whereas, the ruling of the United States Supreme Court not only exceeds the authority of the Court relative to the State of North Carolina and a vote of the People of the State on an issue pertaining solely to the State of North Carolina and the People of North Carolina but also exceeds the authority of the Court relative to the decree of Almighty God that ‘a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24, ESV) and abrogates the clear meaning and understanding of marriage in all societies throughout prior history;”
You know who else didn’t get down with the Gays? Almighty God, that’s who, motherfucker!
“SECTION 1. G.S. 51-1.2 reads as rewritten:
Ҥ 51-1.2. Marriages between persons of the same gender not valid.
(a) The General Assembly of the State of North Carolina declares that the Obergefell v. Hodges decision of the United States Supreme Court of 2015 is null and void in the State of North Carolina, and that the State of North Carolina shall henceforth uphold and enforce Section 6 of Article XIV of the North Carolina Constitution, the opinion and objection of the United States Supreme Court notwithstanding.”
Whatever – we do what we want.
“(b) Marriages, whether created by common law, contracted, or performed outside of North Carolina, between individuals of the same gender are not valid in North Carolina.”
Full faith and credit is for pussies.
Who are the upright citizen’s that sponsored this bill, you ask?
Larry Pittman is a Pastor. His campaign website states that he is Pro-Family Values and, hand to God, Anti-Monkey Business.
From his campaign website:
“As a minister of the Gospel, I am committed to protecting the freedom of religious expression. Everyone must be free to express their beliefs, or no one is free. Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship with the risen and living Lord Jesus. It must be entered into voluntarily to be genuine. Therefore, everyone must be free to choose either to accept Christ or to reject him. They must be free to be a Christian or to choose some other belief or no belief at all. So I am in favor of people who choose not to be Christians having the freedom to express their beliefs; but at the same time, Christians also have the same right to express our beliefs. I will oppose any attempt to take that freedom away from anyone, Christian or not.”
This seems tolerant and level-headed. Until you get to the part where he insinuates that you don’t have to serve pizza to the LGBT community.
On Family Values:
“The most basic unit of human society is the family. Family is based on marriage between one man and one woman, as God ordained it to be. Marriage is nothing other than that. That is why I support the Marriage Amendment. Parents should be recognized as the first authority, with the first responsibility over their children’s education and discipline. To regain the former greatness of our society, we must do all we can to encourage and strengthen the institution of the traditional family, BECAUSE THE PEOPLE MATTER.”
So, I guess there are no surprises on his stance here. Also, I think he forgot to add “straight” before “people” in that last sentence.
Before running for office, our friend Carl worked as an Assistant Manager at Skateland USA. He also spent time as Mr. Manager at Fryes Roller Rink in Concord, NC! (Presumably this was before the roller-skating industry got so gay). In 1982, he found his calling in Radio at WRKB in Kannapolis (where he went from part time to full time in just two weeks, you guys!). Just two short years later he became a manager at WRNA, and eventually bought both radio stations.
Carl is also a member of the Rowan Tea Party Patriots, and still LOVES roller skating in his spare time! (Ok, the last part of that sentence is just speculation on my part.)
Mr. Ford was endorsed by the American Family Association. You may remember the AFA for their calls to boycott Target, due to their icky bathroom policies. They also spend their time being very concerned about the LGBT community’s “cultural appropriation” of God’s Rainbow.
So, we’re on solid ideological ground here. Also, totally balanced.
Michael Speciale is a special little riddle wrapped in an enigma. What are the issues that he’s passionate about? He has some feelings about the economy (Remove regulations! Lower corporate tax rate! Reduce spending!), but, otherwise, his website doesn’t list any. No worries, though – just give him a call and ask! Putting stuff in writing is for squares! “If you would like to know where I stand on other issues, please feel free to call or email me.”
Michael is also almost definitely the author of this bill, based solely on his love of the word “abrogation.” Here is a line from his All About Me/What Makes Me So Speciale page:
“I am loyal to the Constitution, and any abrogation of this document is an affront on our liberties. I will continue to oppose any legislation that I believe contradicts the State and US Constitutions.”
Nobody uses that word. But he seems to love it.
Michael also has some feelings about the Bathroom Bill, which you’re all obviously too stupid to understand:
“Fact 9: H2 ensures that women and children will not be discriminated against by putting them in danger by allowing men into their private spaces.
Fact 10: There is nothing in this bill that discriminates against anyone.”
So there!
Michael Speciale is where we take a turn for the dangerous, though. As a lover of the Constitution, there’s something that he is undoubtedly aware of: a Supreme Court decision can be overturned by a Constitutional Convention called for by two-thirds of the State Legislatures within the country. That’s 34 states. Let’s take a peek at state Governors for a sec:
Democrats – 16
Republicans – 33
Independents – 1
Holy shit.
Ok…what about control of State Legislatures?
Democrats – 12
Republicans – 32
Split – 6
Holy shit.
There are also currently 25 states with a Republican controlled Legislature and Governorship.
This is mildly terrifying. If enough State Legislatures begin introducing bills like this, they could potentially call for a Constitutional Convention to overturn Marriage Equality by Amending the US Constitution to recognize only marriages between a man and a woman. North Carolina appears to have the numbers to overturn the veto of the Democratic Governor. Other states do, as well.
If the GOP can pick up a couple of additional governorships in the 2018 elections, they would also have enough to not only call for a Constitutional Convention, but to also ratify an Amendment to the US Constitution. They have 33. 34 are needed to ratify at a Convention.
At this point, the only question that I have is whether they’re first strike will be against Marriage Equality or Roe v Wade. Since removing rights from people seems to be significantly more important than actually doing anything productive (Hey, Trump Care!), this seems to be the way we’re headed.
So, what can we do?
We need to take action. Get out and Vote in every election. Get Out the Vote in every election. Volunteer. Make phone calls. Consult your handy Indivisible Guide daily. Be vocal about your support.
If we’re complacent for a second or get caught up with in-group squabbles, we are fucking lost.
Also, in the meantime, please feel free to contact these fine gentlemen from North Carolina directly. Michael requested it personally, and I’m sure the other two won’t mind. Their contact information is included below. There are also links to a couple of items that I in no way endorse sending to them embedded in this sentence.
Keep resisting. Don’t sleep on this. This is how it starts.
Contact:
Representative Carl Ford
N.C. House of Representatives
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 608
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
919-733-5881
Representative Larry G. Pittman
N.C. House of Representatives
16 W. Jones Street, Room 1010
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096
919-715-2009
704-782-3528
Representative Michael Speciale
N.C. House of Representatives
16 W. Jones Street, Room 1008
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096
919-733-5853
252-635-5326