It certainly didn't take long for the jolt of joy and tears from seeing the SCOTUS marriage for all ruling on the Internet to be replaced, or displaced, by the doomsayers. "The rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers, and me," as Kermit sang it, disappeared, or at least faded fairly quickly. From the Right (at least they think they are) ...apocalypse, end times, secession, rapture (the being transported kind). I am overjoyed for TNT (in case they'd not want their names used) my step daughter and her spouse who are legally married because they live in a state that permits LGBT marriage. But they started, this very day, their journey to a state where their marriage until today would not have been legal. Despite the happiness and rainbows, we, and I'm sure they, feel relieved yet still worried. You see, the Supreme Court acted supremely, that is, in conservatives' minds, despotically, ignoring the will of the millions of people of 30 states who oppose equal marriage (never mind the equally large numbers who support it, nationally, and internationally). I'd guess other nations that have approved marriage equality--the UK, Canada, Ireland and more--are wondering what the fuss is about here. More below the fold.
The conservatives were prepared, I'll give them that. The Right Wing Watch reports predictions that this decision would bring about the end times, and, if the rapture didn't take them first, they are prepared to fight for their violated rights. In the Bible, the rainbow was a promise that the world would not be destroyed again by water and flood. But the fire? They're ready to burn cars if not crosses and churches (5 churches at the last count). They will resist, possibly even secede (with their confederate flags?), creating a nation called Reagan. The devil is dancing, and good Christians (their kind, the stand up and hate kind, certainly not the kind of Christians who are open and affirming in Boston's Old South Church where TNT married) could be "marching as to war" as the "Onward Christian Soldiers" hymn goes. A new not-so-civil war? When I read that someone suggested replacing the confederate flag with the rainbow flag... Well, you can imagine the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. I don't think that would be a wise move. I just heard from my husband that TNT are safe in DC. Gee, they could go join the party in front of the Supreme Court. Maybe they'll see the clip posted by diarist Walter Einenkell of the Washington's Gay Men's Chorus singing the Star Spangled Banner in front of the Supreme Court building, and be moved, as I was. Or maybe they'll see the clip of the tea party Marine singing the second (fourth?) verse of the Star Spangled Banner, full of civil religion and exceptionalism, and be very afraid. Which side is the dark side? I guess it depends from which side, the rainbow or the clouds, you see the world. I prefer rainbows, myself. Let's keep away from rose colored glasses, though. I hope that TNT will see bright colored rainbows when they arrive at their new home, legally married. Or... Well, I'm not a prophet. Amidst the celebration, the shadows are disturbing. President Obama has lived TNT's journey in one day, from speaking movingly of the SCOTUS decision, to delivering the eulogy at the funeral of Rev./Sen. Clementa Pinckney, whose talent, compassion and bright prospects were killed at Mother Emmanuel. "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." (Dickens) Apocalypse now?