tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7703913.post5683288932729971180..comments2023-10-02T04:41:34.722-04:00Comments on Marry in Massachusetts: Pliers and Screwdriver for Ballot Initiativesmassmarrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02358207247771711952noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7703913.post-44046102574336273372007-01-12T20:59:00.000-05:002007-01-12T20:59:00.000-05:00Thanks, PP. No doubt Mass Marrier was unaware that...Thanks, PP. No doubt Mass Marrier was unaware that the Governor is an absent figure.<br /><br />Know who else has no vote and no veto over the proceedings of the ConCon? The SJC. Seems as though they managed to have a bit of an impact, though.<br /><br />As always, your friendly advice is much appreciated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7703913.post-4909027758532061602007-01-08T23:47:00.000-05:002007-01-08T23:47:00.000-05:00"First, they could have clarified marriage laws in..."First, they could have clarified marriage laws in the six months following Goodridge."<br /><br />YESSS!!!!<br /><br />But Birmingham's quisling actions created this problem.<br /><br />One thing to keep in mind about the ConCon process - the Governor is an absent figure. He can hector, he can cajole - but he has no vote and no veto.<br /><br />You need to change a half dozen votes, or concentrate on the arguments you will prepare for the electorate.Peter Porcupinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03721530947712291966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7703913.post-64298442854319547902007-01-08T20:34:00.000-05:002007-01-08T20:34:00.000-05:00Agreed, the initiative process needs fixin, from p...Agreed, the initiative process needs fixin, from petition design and signature-gatherer accountability all the way to the points you raise here.<br /><br />In the mean time, my main concern is Travaglini's unwillingness to allow democratic debate at the last concon. This must not be allowed to happen again this spring. How do we forestall it? The only thing I can think of is the usual modes of public shame attempted by the public on gov't officials: calls, visits, letters, vilification in the press. I posted somethign about this over at BMG too. I hope folks who understand Sen. Trav. better than I do (that wou;d be virtually anyone) weigh in with thoughts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com