Angilbert (fl. ca. 840/50), On the Battle Which was Fought at Fontenoy

The Law of Christians is broken,
Blood by the hands of hell profusely shed like rain,
And the throat of Cerberus bellows songs of joy.

Angelbertus, Versus de Bella que fuit acta Fontaneto

Fracta est lex christianorum
Sanguinis proluvio, unde manus inferorum,
gaudet gula Cerberi.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

On Anagnorisis and Ephors: Post Scriptum

As a postscript, it is worth noting that the Texas anti-sodomy statute under which Lawrence and Garner were convicted resulted in a class C misdemeanor, the absolute lowest level of criminal fault. Upon conviction under the Texas sodomy statute, Lawrence and Garner were each assessed a $200 fine, plus court costs. A class C misdemeanor does not impose any legal disability or disadvantage. The law was hardly oppressive.

Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a mess of pottage. To prevent two gay men from having to pay a relatively trival fine of $200, the ephors of the Supreme Court, in the Spirit of Esau, traded on our heritage as if it were a mess of pottage. Cui bono?

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