Delaware Liberal

There are now more than 70 lawsuits involving same-sex marriage pending in courts around the country. A dozen federal district courts have issued opinions in favor of same-sex marriage since last summer’s Supreme Court decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act in United States v. Windsor. Five federal appellate courts are now considering the issue.

Today, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond will hear arguments in the case challenging the constitutionality of Virginia's ban. No matter who wins, and no matter who wins in similar cases like it across the country, I expect that we are going to get a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on the unconstitutionality of these bans by June 2015.

I hope all of you enjoyed the weekend and the mothers among us enjoyed their special day. This is exactly the point I keep making about scientific fact. I don't give a shit if you don't BELIEVE in a fact. A fact is a fact is a fact no matter if your feeble mind cannot comprehend it. And a fact does not need your validation or approval to exist. Creationists and Bible Literalists say the Earth is only 6,000 years old. That is a falsehood, disproven by scientific fact. The Earth is in fact 4.54 billion years. Our climate has changed due to global warming. That is a fact. Our weather (i.e. climate) has already been affected. More brutal winters, more brutal summers, historic flooding, deadlier hurricanes and tornadoes, more severe and long lasting droughts, landslides, you name it. The media needs to start ignoring all of those who deny facts. You are not allowed to have an opinion on whether a fact exists. Well, you are allowed, but it is required that you be treated as a nutcase if you offer your opinion that snakes are flurry animals that love to cuddle with you. No, they are not. The sun is not blue. Water does not boil at -18 degrees C, and it does not freeze at 100 degrees F. Two plus two does not equal 20. The universe does not revolve around the Earth.

"A comprehensive, single piece of legislation on any topic, but especially on immigration, is going to be very difficult to achieve ... We keep talking about the same issue now for 15 years, and everybody is doing this all-or-nothing approach. And all-or-nothing is going to leave you with nothing."

-- Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), quoted by Politico, on the prospects for immigration reform. This quote reveals what is fundamentally wrong with the understanding of the legislative process among Republicans. The reason you have comprehensive big bills on subjects like immigration is BECAUSE there is a divide of opinion on the issue. So a bill becomes comprehensive in order to accommodate compromise.