Why haven't we heard about California Proposals 10 and 7, intarwub?

[highlyeccentric]

While hunting down the complete breakdown of results from California, I discovered that while Prop 8 has been passed, two measures relating to clean energy- Prop 10, for alternative fuel cars, and Prop 7, for renewable energy- have been knocked back. WTF, California?

Granted, I can't see from the brief description what *sort* of proposals they were, they might be godawful stupid propsoals, like Morris Iemma's desalination monstrosity. But still.

ETA: see Rymenhild's comment below. Apparently the proposals in question were foolish.

Speaking of Prop 8, how about we appoint the FRENCH Leaders of the Free World? They let you get a Pacte Civil de Solidarite with anyone, regardless of gender or relationship, with whom you live and share a partnership. You can pacser with your sibling or your mother or anyone at all, if you want them to be recognised as your Next of Kin and to benefit from your social security and so forth. No one gives a stuff who you sleep with: my French textbook had a happy profile of a middle-aged fellow who had got a PACS with his elderly mother when they were living together and both suffering from ill-health. The PACS is voided when one party marries, and/or by a statement on the part of the persons concerned.

According to my textbook, at least, the PACS isn't just a token measure, it's publicly recognised as a legitimate partnership; it's apparently popular with secular heterosexual couples; there are lines of 'PACS' cards and department stores have PACS gift registries. The French govt, as well as instituting the legal set-up for a civil union, went out of its way to advertise them as something attractive to everyone, not just gay couples.

Comments

[goblinpaladin.livejournal.com]

Wilkins made this point (http://scienceblogs.com/evolvingthoughts/2006/10/a_modest_solution_to_gay_marri.php). It is a good one.

[highlyeccentric.livejournal.com]

This is what the Dutch do. It is a good idea.

I thought it was a good idea when I was *in* the church. For one thing, parts of the UCA would happily issue a church marriage to gay couples, but can't, because of state law.