You'll be glad to know Indiana isn't being left behind in the great cultural battle of the moment:
SOUTH BEND — Every time a car honked, they cheered. A group of about 20 people stood at the corner of Main Street and Jefferson Boulevard in downtown South Bend on Saturday, waving signs in support of same-sex marriage.
Wow, 20 people -- that's some rally. Honk if you love gays, then let's go burn a Mormon church!
The number probably reflects an acknowledgement of reality by the gay and lesbian community -- none of them are ever going to be married legally unless they leave the state to do it. The General Assembly will never act on same-sex marriage, unless it's to introduce another bill to ban it in the state constitution. A judge isn't likely to impose it, and if that ever did happen, the state Supreme Court would probably overturn it. Barring something startling from the U.S. Supreme Court, Indiana will be one of the last states in the union to abandon "marriage between one man and one woman."
I've never understood the "take to the streets" mentality -- the right to peaceably assemble has to be one of the most overrated rights in the Constitution. When I was a young'un, I was frequently asked to march in protest of the Vietnam War, and my reaction was, "Are you nuts?" Honk if you love peace, then let's burn a draft card! The war wouldn't end, and I'd be exhausted. I did sign a petition or two, though, if some enterprising blograker wants to dig them up and embarrass me.
Comments
"embarrass me" ?
Not sure that's possible, Leo, tho God knows I've tried, ...
Leo, I can't honestly think of any protests in history that actually did a damn bit of good for the cause. The only possible exception may have been during the Civil Rights Movement, but I think what brought about the change there were Dr. Kings eloquent and insightful speeches and the awful images of how badly law enforcement actually handled those marches & protests.
I think the ones that work tend to be immediate and local. The property tax protesters who picketed the governor's mansion in Indy probably had an impact. And one reason (probably) the state stays away from motorcycle helmet laws is that legislators don't want to be stormed by thousands of angry bikers.