A while back:

Is Vicky Hartzler the Most Anti-Gay Candidate in America?

She’s hitting her Dem opponent-an architect of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell-for caving to the “extreme agenda” of the “gay movement.”

-By Nick Baumann

| Wed Oct. 20, 2010 4:30 PM EDT

….In 2004, Hartzler drew national and international attention for her work in the campaign for a constitutional amendment in Missouri to ban gay marriage. The amendment was the first of its kind and passed-by a huge margin-in August of that year. The Human Rights Campaign and other national gay rights groups had poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into the state to campaign against the amendment. Hartzler was quoted in national and international media celebrating her victory for “traditional marriage….”

[….]

“….Since the Missouri amendment’s passage, Hartzler’s been a go-to quote machine whenever there is national news about gay marriage rights….”

[….]

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) is none too pleased with the U.S. Supreme Court this week. Today via Twitter:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

#SCOTUS trampled the people’s voice. Judicial activism at its worst, impacting future generations.  12:00 PM – 26 Jun 2015

The times they are a changin’.

Representative Hartzler’s (r) statement:

Hartzler: Ruling is an affront to the states

Jun 26, 2015

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) released the following statement in regards to today’s Supreme Court ruling in the Obergefell v. Hodges case:

“I am disappointed in the Court’s decision to stifle the voices of Missouri’s voters.  Decisions on marriage policy should be left in the hands of the 50 states, allowing those who wish to define marriage as being between one man and one woman, as we did in Missouri, to do so.  Today’s ruling tramples on the voice of the people.  I will continue to champion marriage as the union between one man and one woman so every child has the opportunity to have both a mom and a dad.”

Actually, no, the status quo was an affront to the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

A few of the responses via Twitter:

HottyToddyAlum ‏@ADifferentRebel

@RepHartzler no ma’am you don’t know the people 12:09 PM – 26 Jun 2015

Alex Devlin ‏@_alexdevlin

@RepHartzler States rights are terminated when they become unconst. What makes you dislike = for all? Is it becuase they dont vote for you? 12:13 PM – 26 Jun 2015

Fake Vicky Hartzler ‏@VickiHartzler

.@RepHartzler THE HORROR!! Future generations might think that gay people deserve dignity and equality!! #LoveWins 12:22 PM – 26 Jun 2015

David Reichert ‏@dreichert1221

@RepHartzler This is why I won’t vote for you #LoveWins 12:32 PM – 26 Jun 2015

Dave ‏@303dk

@rephartzler when the “people’s voice” is wrong, that’s their job 12:41 PM – 26 Jun 2015

Representative Hartzler (r) via Facebook:

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler

With today’s ruling, five unelected judges in Washington, D.C., stole the voice from more than a million Missourians. Decisions on marriage policy should be left in the hands of the 50 states, allowing those who wish to define marriage as being between one man and one woman, as we did in Missouri, to do so.

A few of the Facebook responses:

[….] Well, you very quickly lost my vote.

[….] Marriage should not be in anyone’s hand. Who is anybody to say any two people cannot marry?

[….] It’s called checks and balances and it’s one of the safeguards against mob rule. I like rainbows.

[….] Now we have equality. Today freedom wins and love wins, which makes us a stronger citizenry and country. It is a great day.

Previously:

Are teh gay really so icky, Vicky? (March 24, 2011)

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) on DADT: it’s all about the plumbing (April 1, 2011)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): teh gay are so icky (June 5, 2011)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): Oops, who let those gay people into my town hall? (June 30, 2011)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): frankly, it’s all about wedge issues (November 22, 2011)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): one issue, and one issue only (January 23, 2012)

Vicky Hartzler’s 10 Gay Marriage Analogies (August 23, 2012)

Campaign Finance: Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r), teh gay, and the Family Research Council (November 9, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): really, it’s still all about the plumbing (February 13, 2013)

Marriage Equality in America (June 26, 2015)

Conversations like this are taking place today in courthouses across Missouri and America (June 26, 2015)

Recorders Association of Missouri: issuing marriage licenses for same sex couples in Missouri (June 26, 2015)

A statement from the president of the Recorders Association of Missouri:

June 26, 2015

Statement by the Recorders Association of Missouri Re: SCOTUS Ruling on same Sex Marriage

The primary function of the Recorder is to follow the statuatory duties for which they are entrusted as well as preserve documents with relation to property and other important events/transactions with the upmost care and consistency. One such responsibility is the issuance of marriage licenses. In recent years there have been a number of policy issues related to the function and Recorders ha[ve] consistently worked to comply with the standard at the time.

Immediately upon the ruling of the Supreme Court we requested clarification from our attorney to assess the applicability of the ruling, as well as the operational requirements such as time frame for compliance. The sum and substance of the ruling makes clear the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution requires a State to license marriage between two people of the same sex. Additionally, rulings of the Supreme Court take effect 25 days after the date of the ruling unless the court states otherwise, which is not the case in this decision. It is important to point out that there is no restriction with regard to implementing the ruling before 25 days.

While we recognize the issue of same sex marriage may be uncomfortable for some in our community, the Office of recorder has consistently held itself to the highest standard of professionalism and constituent responsiveness. Our responsibilities require us to follow the law expeditiously and with care. Therefore, we are recommending to all recorders they review their current procedures related to the issuance of marriage licenses in the context of the Supreme Court’s ruling and act accordingly.

Jan Jones

Recorder of Deeds

President, Recorders Association of Missouri

Johnson County Courthouse

[….]

Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds Jan Jones informed us that she issued the first marriage license for a same sex couple in Johnson County early this afternoon.

Previously:

Marriage Equality in America (June 26, 2015)

Conversations like this are taking place today in courthouses across Missouri and America (June 26, 2015)

A little under an hour after this morning’s marriage equality ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court we stopped by the courthouse in Warrensburg to speak with Jan Jones, Johnson County Recorder of Deeds about the immediate impact of the ruling. Marriage licenses are issued by county recorders. As we were waiting to speak with the recorder a patron entered the office to inquire about getting a marriage license.

The office of Recorder of Deeds in the courthouse in Johnson County, Missouri.

Show Me Progress: So, you, you’ve shown up here today for the Johnson County Courthouse in Missouri, uh, for the Recorder to see if you can get a marriage license for same sex marriage.

Patron at Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds office: Correct.

Show Me Progress: So, uh, you, you just heard about the Supreme Court ruling?

Patron: Yes.

Show Me Progress: And so you decided to come out here?

Patron: Right.

[….]

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  Good morning.

Patron: Good morning. I guess we have a popular question for you.

[….]

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  And what’s your question?

Patron: I know it’s just passed, but what’s Johnson County doing? Is it gonna be the same application process, everything’s gonna be the same as it always has?

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  What we do here in the office will be the same…

Patron:  Okay.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  …you know, as far as people coming in.

Patron: I was just making sure she was handing me the right brochure. I didn’t know if you guys were gonna change one or what.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  Well, I’m kind of glad you said something about changing it. As soon as, what we’re waiting for right now, it was just issued.

Patron: Okay. Right, right.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  Right.

Patron: I know things don’t happen [finger snap].

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  Right.

Patron: I know, I understand.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds:  Our, our association attorney is reviewing, um, the ruling…

Patron: Okay.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: And will have instructions for all Missouri recorders, uh, probably by noon today. That’s her goal.

Patron: Okay.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: That will tell us exactly when it’s effective, you know. We don’t think it’s immediate. Could be next business day, we think it’s going to be the twenty-five days, but we don’t know that.

[….]

We can take the application, have you all sign it, we hold it in the drawer, and then when the, the magic day happens then we can issue the license and you can leave here with the license and go to whomever’s going to marry you.

Patron: Okay.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: Okay?

Patron: Okay. That sounds like a plan. We’re gonna make that happen then.

[….]

I just didn’t know if anything was gonna change because I don’t.  You wouldn’t think and you wouldn’t think it would take ’em long due to the fact there’s other states that have, so.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: Right. We’re ready to go. We just need, you know, we have, things have changed, we just need the attorney to say this is the day that we can begin issuing. So, soon as I hear back I can give you a call, let you know what they’ve told me, and we’ll move from there.

Patron: Thank you very much.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: You’re welcome.

Patron: It’s a big day.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: Yes, it is.

Patron: Believe it or not, I actually cried when the news…

[….]

Show Me Progress: …there’s actually some states already that are issuing.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: Yes, I saw where Ohio…

Show Me Progress: Yeah, Ohio is issuing, so…

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: And we might be issuing on Monday…

[….]

Show Me Progress: And so you’re, you’re prepared to, um, once you get the directives that you can operate and you’re prepared to start issuing licenses.

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: Yes, yes, we’ve got our system ready to go. We’ve updated the system so that we can take gender and the gender, the system, won’t stop us from having two of the same.

Show Me Progress: So, So the system is already set so that you can…?

Jan Jones, Johnson County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds: Yeah. We’re ready to go.

[….]

Previously:

Marriage Equality in America (June 26, 2015)

This morning on the White House Facebook page.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled [pdf] 5-4 today that marriage equality is a 14th Amendment right and that same sex marriages in one state must be recognized in all other states.

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

Syllabus

OBERGEFELL ET AL. v. HODGES, DIRECTOR, OHIO

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ET AL.

CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT

No. 14-556. Argued April 28, 2015-Decided June 26, 2015

[….]

….The Constitution, however, does not permit the State to bar same-sex couples from marriage on the same terms as accorded to couples of the opposite sex….

[….]

The Court, in this decision, holds same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry in all States. It follows that the Court also must hold-and it now does hold-that there is no lawful basis for a State to refuse to recognize a lawful same-sex marriage performed in another State on the ground of its same-sex character.

No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed.

It is so ordered.

Some of the reactions via social media:

President Obama ‏@POTUS

Today is a big step in our march toward equality. Gay and lesbian couples now have the right to marry, just like anyone else. #LoveWins 9:10 AM – 26 Jun 2015

Patrick Miller ‏@pmiller1693

In other words, KS and MO have no legal ground to stand on to deny issuing and recognizing same sex marriage licenses. That fight is over. 9:07 AM – 26 Jun 2015

Hillary Clinton ‏@HillaryClinton

Proud to celebrate a historic victory for marriage equality-& the courage & determination of LGBT Americans who made it possible. H 9:05 AM – 26 Jun 2015

MrJM ‏@MisterJayEm

Take a moment to think about all the truly stupid and hateful people that you’ve known and how miserable they are right now. 9:20 AM – 26 Jun 2015

Nancy Pelosi ‏@NancyPelosi

SCOTUS has unequivocally affirmed that equal justice means marriage equality for LGBT Americans! [….]  #LoveCantWait 9:15 AM – 26 Jun 2015

Jason Rosenbaum ‏@jrosenbaum

Bet the people who were opposed to MO 2004 gay marriage ban amendment are feeling vindicated right now. #SCOTUSMarriage 9:25 AM – 26 Jun 2015

Yes.

Claire McCaskill ‏@clairecmc

It’s a good day. No more discrimination against folks based on who they love! I love my country. 9:29 AM – 26 Jun 2015

Yesterday at the Missouri Ethics Commission for Eric Greitens’ 2016 exploratory (yep, still) gubernatorial campaign:

C151053 06/25/2015 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Carl Bolm 2340 Verna Ave Maryland Heights MO 63043 Investa Management LLC Owner 6/25/2015 $25,000.00

C151053 06/25/2015 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Robert Kaplan 6 Arlington Street Unit 4 Boston MA 02116 Harvard Professor 6/25/2015 $5,001.00

C151053 06/25/2015 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Michael Lukacs PO Box 8020 Garden City NJ 11530 Retired Retired 6/25/2015 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

That’s for a total raised (via contributions over $5,000.00 which must be reported within forty-eight hours) of at least $975,021.00 from forty-five contributions since February 24, 2015.

Previously:  

Campaign Finance: There is another? (February 25, 2015)

Campaign Finance: a little bit more (February 26, 2015)

Campaign Finance: A new bandwagon? (March 6, 2015)

Campaign Finance: but wait, there’s more (March 10, 2015)

Campaign Finance: that’ll help finance a whole lot of exploring (March 12, 2015)

Campaign Finance: it’s going to be a good quarter (March 16, 2015)

Campaign Finance: still exploring (March 17, 2015)

Campaign Finance: gone quiet (March 21, 2015)

Campaign Finance: not quiet at all (March 25, 2015)

Campaign Finance: eat mor chikin (March 26, 2015)

The stenographer: Ah, for the good old days… (March 28, 2015)

Campaign Finance: in under the wire (April 1, 2015)

Campaign Finance: all in today (April 9, 2015)

Campaign Finance: far afield (April 13, 2015)

Eric Greitens (r) – quarterly campaign finance report – April 15, 2015 (April 18, 2015)

Campaign Finance: not to be outdone (April 21, 2015)

Campaign Finance: not exactly spare change (April 23, 2015)

Campaign Finance: also in increments of $5,001.00 (April 23, 2015)

Campaign Finance: That’s Entertainment! (April 27, 2015)

Campaign Finance: still more (May 2, 2015)

Campaign Finance: just another harbinger of a populist awakening in Missouri (May 5, 2015)

Campaign Finance: You were expecting anything less? (May 19, 2015)

Campaign Finance: still exploring (June 6, 2015)

Campaign Finance: running for Governor, may run for Governor, exploring a run for Governor (June 13, 2015)

Campaign Finance: alrighty then (June 16, 2015)

Campaign Finance: we’d venture to say that’s a lot of capital (June 23, 2015)

Campaign Finance: pretty soon you’re talkin’ serious money (June 24, 2015)

Campaign Finance: you don’t need to play chess when you have friends like this (June 25, 2015)

Charles P. Pierce of Esquire’s The Politics Blog [September 2014 file photo].

Jun 25, 2015 @ 3:21 PM

Here’s Some Stupid for Afternoon Tea

In which Claire McCaskill calls out Bernie Sanders’ socialism and forces us to compliment Mark Halperin.

….Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill, whose appeal to liberals beyond Not Being A Republican I never will understand, was there, and they were asking her about the mini-sensation that Bernie Sanders is causing out on the hustings these days….

….What came next was a real shock. Mark Halperin asked McCaskill for three policy positions held by Sanders that she would call Socialist positions. McCaskill’s gob was utterly smacked….

….Another reason not to like Claire McCaskill: She just made the staff at the Cafe compliment Mark Halperin.

Now you’ve gone and done it. That last one is beyond the pale.

“…I look forward to working with the General Assembly next session to finally bring our tax dollars home and provide affordable health coverage to hundreds of thousands of hard-working Missourians through Medicaid expansion.”

A statement released by the office of Governor Jay Nixon:

Gov. Nixon statement on ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in King v. Burwell

June 25, 2015

Jefferson City, MO

Gov. Jay Nixon today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in King v. Burwell.

“Today’s ruling is good news for hundreds of thousands of working Missourians who will continue to have access to affordable health coverage through the federal exchange,” said Gov. Nixon.  “However, it is important to note that there are hundreds of thousands more Missourians who continue to be denied access to affordable health care due to the Missouri legislature’s inaction on Medicaid.

“Today’s ruling by the Roberts Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act a second time removes all doubt that the ACA is and will remain the law of the land.  There are no more excuses for continuing to send our tax dollars to other states and denying 300,000 working Missourians the opportunity to access affordable health care coverage through Medicaid expansion.  I look forward to working with the General Assembly next session to finally bring our tax dollars home and provide affordable health coverage to hundreds of thousands of hard-working Missourians through Medicaid expansion.”

A guy can dream.

Previously:

* SCOTUScare! (June 25, 2015)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): has a SCOTUScare! sad (June 25, 2015)

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) today via Twitter:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

#KingvBurwell ruling only bolsters a bad law. [….] 8:24 AM – 25 Jun 2015

Representative Hartzler’s (r) statement:

[….]

“Obamacare has been a disaster since its inception.  This ruling does nothing to help the American people get out from underneath the clutch of an onerous federal mandate and bolsters a bad law, making it more difficult for Congress to work towards real, patient-centered reform to our broken health care system.  Moreover, it sets an extremely dangerous precedent that the executive can unilaterally alter laws – a job constitutionally delegated to the elected representatives in Congress.  I am extremely disappointed the Supreme Court failed to rebuke President Obama’s continued executive overreach of legislating from the Oval Office.”

[….]

Of course, it does give millions of Americans access to affordable health insurance. Fancy that.

Billmon ‏@billmon1

That chomping sound you hear this morning is from millions of wing nuts gnashing their teeth in frustration & rage. [….] 9:29 AM – 25 Jun 2015

Uh, yep.

Previously:

* SCOTUScare! (June 25, 2015)

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission there were a number of contributions for various 2016 (kind of) gubernatorial candidates.

A declared republican candidate:

C091129 06/25/2015 PARSON FOR GOVERNOR Howard Wood 203 NE Main Street Bonne Terre MO 63626 Wood Land and Cattle Owner 6/25/2015 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

A “maybe” republican candidate – Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder:

C091145 06/25/2015 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER James Henry Cooper 4411 E Farm Road 132 Springfield MO 65802 Harry Cooper Supply CEO 6/24/2015 $10,000.00

C091145 06/25/2015 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER W Bryan Magers 2342 E Fritts Lane Springfield MO 65804 Bryan Properties Owner 6/24/2015 $7,500.00

[emphasis added]

And a probable Democratic Party candidate – Attorney General Chris Koster:

C031159 06/25/2015 KOSTER FOR MISSOURI Lawrence Chapman 1600 S Brentwood Blvd Ste 770 Saint Louis MO 63144 Self Employed Real Estate Development 6/24/2015 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

The contributors are all from Missouri. Such a novel concept…

Update:

But wait, there’s more.

C031159 06/25/2015 KOSTER FOR MISSOURI MACO Development Company LLC 11 North Main PO Box 68 Clarkton MO 63837 6/25/2015 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

Previously:

Campaign Finance: running for Governor, may run for Governor, exploring a run for Governor (June 13, 2015)

Today, in a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld health insurance subsidies in states with federal exchanges. A lot of Missourians can breathe a little easier now.

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

Syllabus [pdf]

KING ET AL. v. BURWELL, SECRETARY OF HEALTH

AND HUMAN SERVICES, ET AL.

CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT

No. 14-114. Argued March 4, 2015-Decided June 25, 2015

….The combination of no tax credits and an ineffective coverage requirement could well push a State’s individual insurance market intoa death spiral. It is implausible that Congress meant the Act to operate in this manner. Congress made the guaranteed issue and community rating requirements applicable in every State in the Nation, but those requirements only work when combined with the coverage requirement and tax credits. It thus stands to reason that Congress meant for those provisions to apply in every State as well….

[….]

ROBERTS, C. J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which KENNEDY, GINSBURG, BREYER, SOTOMAYOR, and KAGAN, JJ., joined. SCALIA, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which THOMAS and ALITO, JJ., joined.

[….]

….Congress passed the Affordable Care Act to improve health insurance markets, not to destroy them….

….The judgment of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is

Affirmed.

[….]

* a reference to Justice Antonin Scalia’s dissent.

A few reactions via social media:

Hillary Clinton ‏@HillaryClinton

Yes! SCOTUS affirms what we know is true in our hearts & under the law: Health insurance should be affordable & available to all. H 9:37 AM – 25 Jun 2015

Claire McCaskill ‏@clairecmc

Supreme Court decision on healthcare law=common sense. Time for Rs to stop the bashing and start working w/us to make it better. 9:37 AM – 25 Jun 2015

Nancy Pelosi ‏@NancyPelosi

Today, for the second time, SCOTUS has upheld the ACA. A victory for common sense & for all Americans. [….]  #KingvBurwell 9:32 AM – 25 Jun 2015

Billmon ‏@billmon1

That chomping sound you hear this morning is from millions of wing nuts gnashing their teeth in frustration & rage. [….] 9:29 AM – 25 Jun 2015

Tony Messenger ‏@tonymess

Imagine, just imagine the jobs created, the lives saved, the economic elation in #STL today if the #moleg had chosen to expand #Medicaid. 9:27 AM – 25 Jun 2015

Imagine.

Martha Stevens ‏@Martha4MO

Over 200,000 Missourians get to keep their tax credits! Today is a WIN for 8 MIL Americans. #VICTORY #SCOTUS #MoLeg [….] 9:22 AM – 25 Jun 2015