Third Way Dispatch

This week was a “coming out” of sorts for Third Way. We released our first public paper marking our support for increased protections for gay and lesbian Americans. The strategy paper in support of civil unions – Four Steps to Winning Same-Sex Relationship Recognition – is meant to fill a vast hole. A large majority of progressive leaders in Congress and in State Houses support civil unions, but no group is really bent on providing the support, messaging, and guidance they need.

It really must be the 21st century, because at last we have in our hands the first-of-its kind vaccine against cancer. But at times it seems like the political debate over the vaccine – yes, there is actually a DEBATE over a cancer vaccine – is rooted firmly in centuries past.

Before they start popping the champagne corks over on Waples Mill Road, Wayne LaPierre and his fellow couch potatoes at the NRA better carefully read the DC Circuit’s decision striking down the District of Columbia’s gun ban. You see, the NRA has been fighting hammer and tongs to overturn the DC ban on handguns. As a resident of the 4th Ward of DC – yes, right near the infamous Walter Reed outpatient clinic, which actually looks worse in person than on TV – let me express my gratitude for the NRA’s sincere concerns about my freedoms.

When was the last time you heard the word “faggot”? For me – at least until this weekend – I think it must have been about 25 years ago, listening to some mean kid on the playground rant at a classmate. It was offensive and preposterous at the time, and that was when it was coming from the mouth of a 13-year old punk.

A little-noticed oddity of the 2008 presidential election field is that the three leading candidates for the Republican nomination have, at one time or another, gone to war with the NRA and its allies on the gun issue.

After six years of thumb-twiddling boredom – the issue has been off the radar in elections and in Congress – the gun lobby must have been a bit shocked when they realized what they faced: John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney, all once proud champions of sensible gun laws, are the odds-on favorites to carry the GOP banner.

Today is Groundhog Day – which always reminds me of that fabulous but freakish flick in which Bill Murray wakes up again and again to the exact same day.

Today, though my alarm clock didn’t play “I Got You Babe,” I still feel a lot like that guy in the movie.

Remember last year, when South Dakota passed a ban on abortions with a jail sentence for doctors in non-compliance? Governor Rounds signed it into law, but the pro-choice community challenged it through a 2006 ballot initiative, and the voters struck it down 56%-44%.

Well it’s back.