8.1.2003
The gay summer
Worldwide Pablo leaves town for a few days, and the whole world, it seems, has turned upside down in a frenzy over gay marriage. Goodness, where to begin?
On Wednesday, GWB was finally coaxed out of his closet on the subject of gay marriage. But what did he really say? Does the president support a federal marriage amendment? If the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) doesn't already "codify" marriage as being between opposite-sex couples, what does? What are the boundaries of his "compassion"?
GWB is no dummy, and WWP thinks he is being coy for a deliberate, and political, reason. His statement allows him to appear to be high-minded about fairness to gays, yet without alienating his base of political and religious conservatives. But by not mentioning the federal marriage amendment, he succeeds in placating, to some questionable degree, the middle-ground, soccer-mom, suburban vote, where nearly all elections are decided. WWP thinks the president is signaling the GOP, and Senate Majority Leader and über-moralist Bill Frist in particular, to go ahead with the federal marriage amendment push – but without having to get his own hands dirtied in the process.
What did GWB really mean? We may never know. His comments came as he was on his way out the door for a one-month vacation in Texas. He must be praying that in 30 days time, no will remember, or that other headlines will make the issue go away.
And then today, newspapers report the Vatican's condemnation of gay marriage. To which WWP can only respond: So what? The papal announcement really covers no new territory, and in WWP's estimation, comes across as the kind of strident, "we'll never surrender" screed typical of those who know the argument is lost. On gay marriage, the Catholic church has already lost the hearts and minds of "Christian Europe," and North America appears poised to follow suit. And honestly: Is there anyplace on earth where the Vatican holds less sway over its flock than the U.S., where the church's moral authority has been squandered over decades of mishandling clergy sexual abuse?
And finally, the Episcopal church is on the brink of a schism, over two related issues, gay marriage and the appointment of an openly gay bishop. Nothing said so far, not even the reported shifts in public opinion polls (click here or here for differing views) convinces WWP from believing that gay marriage is only a matter of time in the U.S.
But you never know. WWP is not Sybil the Soothsayer. But in the spirit of foretelling of fortunes, WWP casts these odds for possible coming events:
Singing the tourism blues. As he mentioned above, WWP was out of blogging commission for most of this week, spending three days with The Siblings in the annual family reunion. This year's venue, Kahneeta, provided no shortage of recreation and other activities – and some record temperatures, as well (106 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, 110 degrees on Monday – but it was a "dry heat," as they say).
The setting is truly world class: a beautiful and well-maintained lodge and village, located in the picturesque high desert of central Oregon. Nothing else can match it. The magnificence of the experience is marred only by Kahneeta's somewhat inconsistent customer service, a problem that has nagged the resort for the better part of the last 20 years. WWP thinks the traveling public has figured this out: The parking lot was not even one-third full. What a pity.
A note: Blogger problems on Friday prevented Worldwide Pable from being updated. Grrrrr. Apologies for the delay.
On Wednesday, GWB was finally coaxed out of his closet on the subject of gay marriage. But what did he really say? Does the president support a federal marriage amendment? If the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) doesn't already "codify" marriage as being between opposite-sex couples, what does? What are the boundaries of his "compassion"?
GWB is no dummy, and WWP thinks he is being coy for a deliberate, and political, reason. His statement allows him to appear to be high-minded about fairness to gays, yet without alienating his base of political and religious conservatives. But by not mentioning the federal marriage amendment, he succeeds in placating, to some questionable degree, the middle-ground, soccer-mom, suburban vote, where nearly all elections are decided. WWP thinks the president is signaling the GOP, and Senate Majority Leader and über-moralist Bill Frist in particular, to go ahead with the federal marriage amendment push – but without having to get his own hands dirtied in the process.
What did GWB really mean? We may never know. His comments came as he was on his way out the door for a one-month vacation in Texas. He must be praying that in 30 days time, no will remember, or that other headlines will make the issue go away.
And then today, newspapers report the Vatican's condemnation of gay marriage. To which WWP can only respond: So what? The papal announcement really covers no new territory, and in WWP's estimation, comes across as the kind of strident, "we'll never surrender" screed typical of those who know the argument is lost. On gay marriage, the Catholic church has already lost the hearts and minds of "Christian Europe," and North America appears poised to follow suit. And honestly: Is there anyplace on earth where the Vatican holds less sway over its flock than the U.S., where the church's moral authority has been squandered over decades of mishandling clergy sexual abuse?
And finally, the Episcopal church is on the brink of a schism, over two related issues, gay marriage and the appointment of an openly gay bishop. Nothing said so far, not even the reported shifts in public opinion polls (click here or here for differing views) convinces WWP from believing that gay marriage is only a matter of time in the U.S.
But you never know. WWP is not Sybil the Soothsayer. But in the spirit of foretelling of fortunes, WWP casts these odds for possible coming events:
Episcopal Church (USA) will appoint a gay bishop: 3 to 2.[Disclaimer: Odds are provided for entertainment value only and are not intended for actual wagering. You actual results may vary.]
Episcopal Church will split over gay issues: 4 to 1.
Marc and Floyd will appear in the Oregonian yet again: 5 to 1.
Massachusetts courts will allow gay marriage: 2 to 1.
Bill Frist will introduce Federal Marriage Amendment the next day: 3 to 2.
Federal Marriage Amendment will clear the Senate: 10 to 1.
Federal Marriage Amendment will clear the House: 5 to 1.
GWB will endorse Federal Marriage Amendment: 2 to 1.
Federal Marriage Amendment will become a part of the U.S. Constitution: 100 to 1.
Worldwide Pablo will get married: 1,000 to 1.
Chances that WWP's predictions will hold true: 1 million to 1.
Singing the tourism blues. As he mentioned above, WWP was out of blogging commission for most of this week, spending three days with The Siblings in the annual family reunion. This year's venue, Kahneeta, provided no shortage of recreation and other activities – and some record temperatures, as well (106 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, 110 degrees on Monday – but it was a "dry heat," as they say).
The setting is truly world class: a beautiful and well-maintained lodge and village, located in the picturesque high desert of central Oregon. Nothing else can match it. The magnificence of the experience is marred only by Kahneeta's somewhat inconsistent customer service, a problem that has nagged the resort for the better part of the last 20 years. WWP thinks the traveling public has figured this out: The parking lot was not even one-third full. What a pity.
A note: Blogger problems on Friday prevented Worldwide Pable from being updated. Grrrrr. Apologies for the delay.
7.28.2003
And God smiled
Yesterday, Worldwide Pablo joined the hundreds of friends, family and colleagues of Aaron and David Douglas for the occasion of their wedding at NW Portland's Congregation Beth Israel. The beauty of the warm summer day was surpassed only by the sense of history and the splendor of the occasion – the first ever Brit Ahavah (or covenant of love) at Beth Israel for two men. Though the circumstances were new, it was an otherwise completely traditional affair: Aaron and David presented themselves as a Jewish couple and pronounced the creation of a Jewish home that will work with family and community to foster the traditions of faith, learning, tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Rabbi Kim Stoloff, who co-officiated, encouraged to the couple to claim the "rainbow that God has placed in your heart" and to redeem it for a life of lovingkindness and faith. Cantor Judith Shiff sang sweetly and beautifully, in particular the V'eirastich Li ("I Will Betroth Thee"), binding the couple "in righteousness and justice, with goodness and mercy." She was joined by the venerable Rabbi Emanuel Rose in pronouncing the traditional seven blessings (the Sheva B'rachot). At the ceremony's conclusion, Rabbi Rose nobly and movingly offered the traditional prayer of the other Aaron, the patriarch of Israel ("The Lord bless you and keep you…" Numbers 6:24).
There was no shortage of memorable moments. Early on, after the wedding party arrived and the organ music (John Strege playing at the console) swelled to announce the couple's entrance, Rabbi Rose could be seen wiping away what looked to be a tear. The moment of the breaking of glass was combustible, with Mazel Tovs and vigorous applause filling the sanctuary. Later, at the reception that followed, a small ensemble entertained the 300 or so well-wishers with swing music and other musical standards. A highlight came when Aaron himself took the microphone and crooned, "It Had To Be You." The room swooned.
At WWP's table, where a handful of other non-Jewish friends joined to take in this tableaux, there was a feeling that this was, on one hand, an unremarkable and common moment, yet at the same time also an extraordinary and rare instant, the likes of which we'd never seen before, hope to see again, and pray will become one day so ordinary that we won't ever feel the need to comment on it again. All agreed with the assessment of Jennifer B.: "God has smiled on this day."
Indeed.
Marc and Floyd tie the knot: Aaron and David aren't the only Friends of WWP to wed. The irrepressible Marc Acito and Floyd Sklaver traveled to British Columbia last week to take advantage of the newly deregulated marriage laws in Canada. By the way, it turns out B.C. officials haven't yet changed the wedding forms from listing "Groom" and "Bride." If you have to know, Marc volunteers, "I was the bride."
[Why is WWP not surprised?]
Worldwide Pablo tied up in a knot: Seems everyone but WWP is in the marrying mode these days. Perhaps WWP should reconsider his date-making technique. Here's an interesting, alternative matchmaking method.
Light at the end of the tunnel: Increasingly, opinion polls demonstrate that opposition to gay marriage is on the decline. Here's yet more evidence, courtesy the Pew Research Center, that it's only a matter of time when gay marriage stigma will be behind us. WWP Memo to Bill Frist: Tick, tock.
There was no shortage of memorable moments. Early on, after the wedding party arrived and the organ music (John Strege playing at the console) swelled to announce the couple's entrance, Rabbi Rose could be seen wiping away what looked to be a tear. The moment of the breaking of glass was combustible, with Mazel Tovs and vigorous applause filling the sanctuary. Later, at the reception that followed, a small ensemble entertained the 300 or so well-wishers with swing music and other musical standards. A highlight came when Aaron himself took the microphone and crooned, "It Had To Be You." The room swooned.
At WWP's table, where a handful of other non-Jewish friends joined to take in this tableaux, there was a feeling that this was, on one hand, an unremarkable and common moment, yet at the same time also an extraordinary and rare instant, the likes of which we'd never seen before, hope to see again, and pray will become one day so ordinary that we won't ever feel the need to comment on it again. All agreed with the assessment of Jennifer B.: "God has smiled on this day."
Indeed.
Marc and Floyd tie the knot: Aaron and David aren't the only Friends of WWP to wed. The irrepressible Marc Acito and Floyd Sklaver traveled to British Columbia last week to take advantage of the newly deregulated marriage laws in Canada. By the way, it turns out B.C. officials haven't yet changed the wedding forms from listing "Groom" and "Bride." If you have to know, Marc volunteers, "I was the bride."
[Why is WWP not surprised?]
Worldwide Pablo tied up in a knot: Seems everyone but WWP is in the marrying mode these days. Perhaps WWP should reconsider his date-making technique. Here's an interesting, alternative matchmaking method.
Light at the end of the tunnel: Increasingly, opinion polls demonstrate that opposition to gay marriage is on the decline. Here's yet more evidence, courtesy the Pew Research Center, that it's only a matter of time when gay marriage stigma will be behind us. WWP Memo to Bill Frist: Tick, tock.
The mayor and the medium
Vera Katz's decision last Wednesday not to seek a fourth term as mayor yielded an embarrassing bounty of back-slapping and the usual self-aggrandizement that exit announcements are so prone to proffer. If you have the stomach for it, you can read the mayor's pirouette at one of WWP's daily reads, Portland Communique, where "The One True b!X" holds forth on all matters local.
One of the more interesting moments in Vera's state-of-herself address came at the end, when she acknowledged reporters. Reports b!X:
But how do youreally feel about the Tribune? As her comments above demonstrate, Vera Katz has an uneasy and sometimes prickly relationship with reporters – more and more the case, WWP believes, as the public (and the media) grew impatient with her designs on reinventing the city in ways only a Californian could love [think Berkeley].
A post on Wednesday here in Worldwide Pablo caught the eye of a few readers. WWP wrote:
A note: WWP is taking a few days off, to join the Siblings for the annual family reunion. Commentary will resume Thursday, or depending on whether the Siblings get to his nerves, Wednesday. Stay cool.
One of the more interesting moments in Vera's state-of-herself address came at the end, when she acknowledged reporters. Reports b!X:
She concluded by taking a moment (which seemed to transpire somewhat awkwardly, to my perception anyway) to thank the press. "You don't always get it right," she said, "but you care."That's as good a tribute she could come up with? One could say the same thing about the mayor. Read the rest of b!X's report here.
But how do you
A post on Wednesday here in Worldwide Pablo caught the eye of a few readers. WWP wrote:
Anyone else notice the odd, midweek timing of Vera's decision? Word is that she announced it on Wednesday to intentionally snub the Tuesday/Friday-only Portland Tribune, which she is said to loathe…Question is: Does Vera really hate the Tribune? That much? WWP rechecked his sources, and turns out it's probably a mixed bag. Say they:
Original source: "Her lips purse at the mention" of the Tribune. The conversation always comes to an end at the mention of it."You decide. Personally, WWP thinks it very odd the decision came squarely on a day the Tribune would be the only major media organization in town unable to report the event in the next news cycle (usually 24 hours). Coincidence? Only if you believe in the Tooth Fairy.
Source #2: "I've seen her reading it... I assumed she liked it." Says #2: There is no evidence to the contrary.
Source #3: The mayor has a "glare we all recognize" and it happens whenever the Tribune is mentioned. But, she's "never said anything negative, we just assumed" she disliked the paper. However, #3 adds: "...on the other hand she doesn't ever give a break [to the Tribune], does she?"
A note: WWP is taking a few days off, to join the Siblings for the annual family reunion. Commentary will resume Thursday, or depending on whether the Siblings get to his nerves, Wednesday. Stay cool.
