From Sea to Shining Sea...One State at a Time

     Well, this week was certainly a wonderful one for Colorado. The state signed a law granting civil-unions to same-sex couples.  Within the past two years, the subject of LGBT rights has really been at the front of American politics. Just to remember some of these events, let's name some:

1) "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" got repealed;

2) Four states put measures on their state ballots and won (Minnesota, Maine, Washington, Maryland);

3) The United States Supreme Court will hear the arguments to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act AND Proposition Eight;

4) President Obama (finally) comes out in support of Same-sex marriage;

5) Colorado has passed civil unions;

6) Tammy Baldwin becomes the first Openly Gay Senator in US History (representing Wisconsin);

7) Nebraska is considering granting Same-sex couples the right of marriage; and

8) Rhode Island will be the next state to allow Same-sex marriage once it gets past in the state senate.

     Notice I end the list with Rhode Island.  This is because I have some news; for the next three months, I'll be in the state of Rhode Island advocating for the state to pass Same-sex marriage!  This is really exciting as I haven't lived in Rhode Island since 1994. I will be helping a state extend the basic right of happiness to all its citizens.  I truly believe within the next 15-20 years, this issue will no longer be an issue.  This same "Separate but equal" mindset regarding the LGBT community is just silly and will be yet another period in American history where we will not be proud of the way we handle change.  in fact, there is at least one other state considering Same-sex marriage in their own boundaries [and that state being Illinois].

    Disclaimer:  As I continue writing, the song "No llores por mí Argentina" :-D 

     Another major thing that has happened this week is the election of a new Pope.  Now, it is wonderful that he is the first Pope from Latin America; I wish him well.  However, even this is a setback for the church.  I suppose I could also argue that this strengthens the "Separation of Church & State" argument, but I won't. :)  

      Now, Pope Francis I (former Archbishop of Buenos Aires Jorge Mario Bergoglio) comes from  Argentina.  This is the same country that gave us Evita Perón and that WONDERFUL play that was on

Broadway that I did NOT get to see even though Ricky Martin was Che (no hard feelings of course…but I will see it soon enough).  Anyway, I digress. Now Argentina has allowed same-sex Marriage since July 2010.  The newly-elected Pope was a strong critic and the most vocal opponent against Argentina's position regarding the extension of marriage to same-sex couples.  I respect the establishment of religion, I truly do, but in the United States we have a separation of the two.  I think that when a rather high number of your congregation interprets the holy texts in a different manner that disagree with the official interpretation, it might be time to review the official stance on the matter.  I think the Catholic Church has done a remarkable thing while at the same time standing resolute.  I salute them for recognizing other minorities such as Hispanics being able to lead; but, I also think they are proving that just because a high number of their congregation don't follow their official word on the issue, they will not give into temptation to change their ways (and by the way, that pun was not exactly in my head at the time I wrote that).  There should be some sort of adoration for the Church, but since they don't dictate my life, then I really don't concern myself with what their position is regarding the matter. As I've stated before, within the next 15-20 years, this will be a moot point.

     Until then, I will be fighting to bring Marriage Equality to Same-sex couples in the state of Rhode Island & the Providence Plantations!

     By the way, I'm officially a UNC Tarheel fan. After living in North Carolina for the past 15 years, I've made my decision regarding the whole Duke/UNC rivalry thing.  For me, it's Public Vs. Private and I went with public. :)

A Potential Moment of Truth for the Politically Weak & Athletically Fit

     Well, we have finally come around to another primary day! This time, it is down south and it involves two states: Alabama and Mississippi.  It will be an interesting outcome indeed; however, I would like to briefly discuss the past weekend that endured within the GOP primary race.
     The past weekend involved four different caucuses with three of them having nine delegates awarded to the winner (the forth had 40 delegates).  Those four caucuses were: Guam, Kansas, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands - guess which one has 40 delegates [it is Kansas]. Rick Santorum won the Kansas caucus with over 50%, whereas Mitt Romney won the other three caucuses.  It should be noted that Ron Paul won the popular vote in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but because it is a...unique system it had Mitt Romney win the actual caucus.  Personally, it doesn't really matter because, like Puerto Rico, residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands are not able to vote in the general election...just the primaries and caucus (and yes, this makes no sense what-so-ever). Speaking as someone who actually knows people in Puerto Rico - hahaha - they have more important things to consider like statehood, independence, hurricanes, being home to the only rain forest in the United States (take that Hawaii!), and promoting tourism to help the economy of the country that they can't elect a leader to govern over them. Anyway, I digress...
     Okay, let's fast forward to today.  It is primary day in the deep south! I actually think Hawaii and the American Samoa hold caucuses today as well.  I guess we've had enough of caucus talk for the moment so we are only looking at primaries (Ron Paul would not be happy as his outlook is the exact opposite).    I always enjoy watching politics in the southern states...even though I never took Southern Politics in undergrad.  Anyway,  here are my predictions:

     2012 Primary (and Caucus) Predictions for the States of Alabama & Mississippi, Hawaii, and the United States Territory of the American Samoa:

Primaries ~

Alabama - 50 Delegates - Mitt Romney
Mississippi - 40 Delegates - Rick Santorum

Caucuses ~

Hawaii - 20 Delegates - Mitt Romney
American Samoa - 9 Delegates - Mitt Romney

***I know Gingrich has stated that he vows to stay in the race, but at some point he has to drop out because he can't win with two states.  If he doesn't drop out, then maybe Ron Paul will (I'm sorry Ron Paul supporters, but seriously....I'm not sold on him yet).

     Now before I get glares by the Ron Paul supporters, I am not saying he is a bad candidate or that he can't get elected....ok, I will say that much but I can defend that statement (at a later date). I am simply saying that he is true to his beliefs and he is very consistent when it comes to his voting records and positions.  Personally, I wish more people would read the Constitution.  Also, as a side note, he is a Duke graduate so that is always a plus - and now I'll be getting the glares from all my UNC friends, ha-ha!  I think he would make a more dramatic impact on policies, etc if he just stayed in Congress. I will continue to read up on his efforts and maybe, just maybe, I would consider voting for him.....but at the current time I am endorsing President Barack Obama for re-election.


     On a positive note, MARCH MADNESS is here!! All I'm going to say, at this point, is I hope Western Kentucky wins tonight's game! I still have to print, and fill out, my brackets! I want Syracuse to win (go figure and surprise, surprise.....give me a break I was BORN THERE!!!), but they have to face the University of North Carolina at Asheville. I have vowed to my UNC-A friends that I will remain neutral during their match-up on Friday afternoon. I do feel obligated to cheer for a North Carolina Public institution of higher education (and also was my back-up school if I didn't get into Western Carolina University). So for now.... GO SYRACUSE ORANGE[MEN] & GOOO UNCA BULLDOGS!!!!! The battle of the Bigs: Big East Vs. Big South!
     Oh,by the way, did anyone else see MY ALMA MATER on ESPN2 as they fought hard against Davidson on Monday night in the Southern Conference Championship game??? Two words - Double Overtime (and yes, I was on TV at least twice)!!! I am so proud to be a Western Carolina University Catamount Alumnus!  In fact, I've decided to forgo some of my other choices for graduate school and return to Western for my master's degree in.....Public Administration (not teaching as I once thought I was going to do; I'm too political).

If you want to contact me and discuss any political issues - or thoughts - then feel free:

E-mail: timoteohines@gmail.com
Facebook: Tim Hines
Twitter: @timoteohines