Schwarzenegger: Let Same-Sex Weddings Resume Now

Arnold Schwarzenegger seems to be one of the few Republican office holders who remembers what the GOP used to be about - efficient and fiscally responsible government and the avoidance of interference with individual liberties. Most Republicans who followed that approach are now either dead or describe themselves as Independents or Democrats since they can no longer support a religion based political party. The GOP has become a sectarian party where only Christianist whack jobs are truly welcome. Arnold's latest move must be driving the Christiansts absolutely berserk - he's asking Judge Walker NOT to stay his ruling and stating that gay marriages should resume immediately. I can only imagine the apoplexy sweeping over professional Christians like Maggie Gallagher, Tony Perkins, Porno Pete LaBarbera, Tim Wildmon and Robert Knight (the latter is probably wetting himself at the moment) and theocrats like Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. In addition, the Registrar-Recorder/ County Clerk for Los Angeles County has stated that the office is prepared to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples. Obviously, I agree with Schwarzenegger completely. Karen Ocamb has related news at LGBT Pov, including the press releases from the Registrar's offices. Here are highlights from the Virginian Pilot:
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California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who twice vetoed legislation that would have legalized same-sex marriage, has surprised gay rights supporters by urging a federal judge to allow gay couples to resume marrying in the state without further delay.
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Lawyers for Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Jerry Brown, two gay couples and the city of San Francisco all filed legal motions Friday asking Chief U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker to implement his ruling striking California's voter-approved same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional.
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"The Administration believes the public interest is best served by permitting the court's judgment to go into effect, thereby restoring the right of same-sex couples to marry in California," the Republican governor's lawyers said on his behalf. "Doing so is consistent with California's long history of treating all people and their relationships with equal dignity and respect."
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The governor and attorney general almost always defend state laws when they are challenged, regardless of their personal views. But in this case, both Schwarzenegger and Brown refused to participate in fighting the lawsuit aimed at overturning the ban, even though they both were named as defendants. That left the job of defending Proposition 8 to its backers, a coalition of religious and conservative groups known as Protect Marriage.
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[Jerry] Brown, the Democratic nominee who is seeking to replace Schwarzenegger when he is termed out of office this year, was more active than Schwarzenegger in supporting the lawsuit that led Walker to invalidate Proposition 8, submitting legal papers calling the ban unconstitutional. He also said Friday that it's time for gays to begin marrying again.
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"While there is still the potential for limited administrative burdens should future marriages of same-sex couples be later declared invalid, these potential burdens are outweighed by this court's conclusion, based on the overwhelming evidence, that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional," Brown said in his legal filing.
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Santa Cruz County Clerk Gail Peelers, president of the California Association of Clerk and Elected Officials, said county agencies that issue marriage licenses will be ready to serve same-sex couples whenever they get the green light.
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I hope that the ruling is not stayed and that couples can quickly begin marrying. It would be yet another blow to the Christianists who seem most happy only when they are trampling on the rights and happiness of other citizens.