In the completely tone-deaf category, we have a group of conservative faith leaders following through on a pledge to file a referendum to overturn legislation extending to same-sex couples state-offered benefits of marriage previously allowed for heterosexual couples.
Here's an idea whose time has not come. Yes, yes, I know that conservative leaders fear that Senate Bill 5688 is a prelude to a full-on gay marriage bill in Washington. One can only hope!
But the main point is: Are these people completely clueless?
A culture war in the middle of the worst recession in seven decades seems a tad ridiculous.
People are upset these days, deeply worried, too, but not about gay marriage. They are worried about losing their jobs, about not being able to stay in their homes, about not having health care coverage.
To be fair, not all conservative leaders feel this is the right time or place to wage this war. They have the same reservations I have about timing and tone and message.

Citizens have the right to file referenda whenever they please. But this one at this time is completely off-putting to people who have greater problems that affect them every single day.
Dump this ill-considered referenda, and citizens, decline to sign the petitions which will be out in several weeks.