I was sorry to see opponents of sensible legislation giving gay and lesbian partners most of the rights of married couples turning in what might be a sufficient number of signatures to overturn the new law. Just what we need: a fall campaign that reignites the social wars in Washington - not!
Obviously with our citizen intiative and referendum process, opponents have every right to bring this issue to voters. But just because citizens have a right to challenge a law doesn't mean it is good for the overall well-being of the state.
With the recession and so many other problems, Referendum 71 is exactly what we don't need.
For one thing, the legislation expanding the law on gay partnerships is really complicated. It doesn't lend itself to bumper stickers and slogans, which is exactly what happens in a campaign like this.

There is a slim chance the 138,000 signatures turned in won't be sufficient to force the November vote if a significant number are invalid. The required number of valid signatures is 120,577 and 17,000 is not a huge pad to overcome erroneous signatures. The traditional error rate is 18 percent. Ref 71 supporters turned in a batch of signatures with less than 15 percent to spare.
The real truth is the citizens of Washington are pretty progressive. Maybe not as progressive as the legislation but the change in attitude toward rights for gay and lesbian couples is dramatic among younger voters.
This is one fight our state, which is grappling with so many other more pertinent issues, could live without.