Maine joins the emerging consensus

"I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage." - Gov. John Baldacci on Wednesday (from a prepared statement), when signing the gay marriage bill passed by both houses of Maine's Legislature.

On days like this, and when Vermont passed their marriage equality law, I feel hopeful for our nation.

All I have to do is read a bit more about torture, and the hope gets dimmer, but there is reason to believe that our better selves are emerging from 8 (or 30) years of darkness.

Peace.