Comments on: Analysis: Centrism wins in Virginia, New Jersey

By: drewski

drewski — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:36:25 +0000

@Shawn–yes, and parliamentary government in Canada means that, although over 60% of votes in the last Federal election went to center, center-left or leftist parties (Liberals, NDP, Bloc Quebecois, Greens), the Conservatives are running the country with something like 37% of the vote.

Also might wanna consider that neither Canada nor the UK has any requirement that parliamentary ridings be of roughly equal population. Both major parties in the UK have been known to create new and very unpopulated ridings for political expediency, where Canada’s Federal government would have to either redraw ridings or create new ones to reflect the fact that the Golden Horseshoe (Toronto-Barrie-Niagara) has fewer ridings but more people than the entire province of Quebec. That isn’t happening, so it takes more voters in Toronto to support a candidate than it would in, say, the Central Nova riding in Nova Scotia. This isn’t much of an advance from where we are now in the US. Yes, US law requires population balance, but this is an illustration and (before somebody else says it) not a suggestion that transition to a parliamentary system would void that requirement.

Doesn’t Virginia still have a state law which specifically prohibits opening a gay public establishment with a liquor license, and that a license can be revoked if it’s found to be used in a gay bar? There was some provision like this several years ago. Seemed crazy as hell then, wondered if it was still in place.

By: John

John — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:37:06 +0000

I find it hilarious that the Associated Press thinks Harry Reid – a socially conservative Mormon – is an “extreme liberal.” It wasn’t the internet that killed off American journalism. It was laziness and outsourcing research to these wire news service jokers.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:32:39 +0000

So let me get this straight. When it comes to gay marriage the “moderate” position, the position of BOTH these “moderates” is NO gay marriage? The “moderate” Christie even supports an amendment to ban gay marriage. I’m not sure what Deeds’ position on Virginia’s amendment is.

If that’s the “moderate” position, what would the conservative position be?

By: shawn

shawn — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:55:37 +0000

Green Party folks. No more republicrats. No more “bi” partisanism. Time to stand up and SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND MEAN WHAT YOU SAY!! Any other approach is nothing more than political grandstanding and flip flopping like our illustrious GQ pathetic excuse of a “president”. Parliamentary government NOW!!!

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:45:17 +0000

Although his views on marriage equality are important, it’s important to note the writer of this article is the Associated Press, not 365Gay/Logo. So this article is more about the political landscape (and potential hardships in the future) than it is LGBT issues. I think they’re hoping that we as the readers will connect the dots.

By: Jay

Jay — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:07:08 +0000

Christie has also pledged to veto a marriage equality bill. Why don’t you report that? It seems to me that that is far more relevant to your readership here than his position on school vouchers.

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:05:22 +0000

Virginia is a pathetic state populated by narrow-minded dumb people, generally.
VA has a long history of sins that disenfranchised people for the last 400 years. Now it’s our turn here to be made scapegoats! When the housing market comes back, hopefully soon, we’re out of here!

By: Steve of Vermont

Steve of Vermont — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:27:02 +0000

Virginia – the state that BANS same-sex marriage, civil unions, domestic partnerships, receprical benefits or any other union between unmarried individuals!!!!!