Remember this crazy lady at last week's Lincoln City Council meeting? Well, fortunately her twisted views (and those of Husker assistant football coach Ron Brown) have not stopped Nebraska's two largest cities from joining the nationwide march towards equality for all citizens.
First, Omaha passed an anti-discrimination ordinance in March. Today, the Lincoln City Council passed a similar ordinance (5 for, 0 against, 2 abstaining including a former classmate of mine) that bans discrimination in the workplace and housing based on a person's sexual preference.
According to the linked article above, a couple right-wing organizations will try to get the measure on the ballot in November. They are citing an Attorney General opinion stating that city civil rights law can only be expanded by vote or through legislation of the state Unicameral. The AG who authored that opinion is none other than John Brunning, a teahadist who likely will be nominated tomorrow to be Bob Kerrey's opponent for Ben Nelson's Senate seat. Nevertheless, I am confident that my fellow Lincolnites will uphold this ordinance if it is placed on the ballot. Lincoln is a fairly liberal island (with the University and state government both located here) in a sea of conservatism.
Here's to progress in Nebraska and the successful return of Bob Kerrey to the Senate!