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Governor Gregoire told Nicole Brodeur at the Seattle Times, "My agenda really was just set aside."
How so?
"You're told, 'always stay focused, always stay on your agenda'. That works on little bumps," Gregoire told Brodeur, "it doesn't work when you're overtaken by a tsunami economic crises like we have been."
Has the Governor simply given up? Is this related to why the Senate Ways and Means Committee canceled or rescheduled 4 important budget meetings this week to work on the redefining of marriage? Is it in the void of failure that the Governor has turned to a substitute agenda? Some believe it is.
"I think I have gone through some form of grieving process," the Governor said.
Failure in education, as pointed out by a recent study which concluded that there is a "policy leadership vacuum" in the state and the inability to lead effectively during this present economic down turn, is certainly reason to be discouraged. And perhaps to grieve.
But has this period of grief in the Governor's life also caused her to come to some wrong conclusions about marriage? About the teachings of her childhood, in her home and her church?
Her church, the Catholic Church, released a letter this week, strongly condemning the move to redefine marriage, saying it would "undermine family life" in the state. The Catholic bishops in the state are urging people to reject the bill and Gregoire's attempt to push it through.
Sen. Ed Murray, who introduced the bill this past Monday said regarding the letter, "My first reaction, as a practicing Catholic, is that this is very hurtful."
While Murray is focused on himself, perhaps the Governor really is trying to do what she thinks is right. Who knows?
She says after 7 years of struggle with the issue, she now feels good about it.
If she, Murray, and other sponsors of the bill are able to redefine marriage, forever altering historic, core societal norms regarding both marriage and family, will she feel good about leaving that legacy and its consequences to her own children and grandchildren? Or will she regret walking away from the teaching of her parents and her church?
She told Brodeur it took her "three months to write a speech explaining her decision to support same-sex marriage."
That does not sound like someone who holds deep convictions on the issue.
Governor Gregoire told Brodeur that she and her husband plan to leave town for an RV road trip after she completes her term. Let's hope and pray that she reconsiders this assault on marriage and the family before leaving town.
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.