Monday, June 27, 2005

Waiting for the Falling Rock

The same-sex-marriage politics seem to drag on in Ottawa. The Conservatives now admit it will pass, they've lost, everyone hates the extended legislative session, and they will flog it more regardless. So there.

Like a little kid who's birthday party didn't suit her, the Tories want to express their petulance. While Parliament could easily pass the bill today, Conservative House Leader Jay Hill said his group jolly well won't let that happen. The delay may be a few days or up to two weeks.

In a TV interview, he said, "I don't know how many speakers we'll want to put up (this time) but it will be quite a number I'm sure, because this is a highly controversial piece of legislation."

Liberal House Leader Tony Valeri said he would let the Tories carry on, for awhile at least. He might resort to cloture to force the vote if they are too long-winded.

Same-sex-marriage support, NDP Leader Jack Layton agreed that the Tories could vent a bit. "The key thing is that we get to a vote. If that means it takes a number of days, or a couple of weeks, for anyone who wants to speak to do so, I don't have a big problem with that."

From the lower 48, the ironic angle is that the Conservatives know they are beaten. They just want to make their point, and make their point, and make their point. By the time they finish, all Canadians should be aware they oppose gay marriage.

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