Deep GOP Divisions On Anti-Gay Amendment

[Cannikin]

(Washington) As the US Senate prepares to vote in two weeks on a proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage deep divisions are emerging within the Republican Party on the need for the measure. Today the Senate Judiciary Committee saw just how much some of the nation's most strident conservatives oppose amending the Constitution even though they are equally opposed to same-sex unions.

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, whose state is the only one to recognize gay marriages, told senators that unless the amendment is passed gay marriages will spread like a “wildfire” across the country, eroding traditional marriage and voiding more restrictive laws in other states.

"The real threat to the states is not the constitutional amendment process, in which the states participate, but activist judges who disregard the law and redefine marriage in order to impose their will on the states, and on the whole nation," Romney said in a written statement.

Romney continued, "Same-sex marriage doesn't hurt my marriage, or yours. The sky's not going to fall. But it may affect the development of children and thereby future society as a whole. Until we understand the implications for human development of a different definition of marriage, I believe we should preserve that which has endured over thousands of years," Romney said.

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/06/062204Amend.htm

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5270230/

[LuminousX]

1. Can they at least give me an idea of the worst case scenario?

Give me an example or two of how allowing people of the same gender marry might have a negative affect on society as a whole? I think this "we shouldn't do it because something bad might happen" was more appropriate when it was thought that a nuclear explosion might ignite all the oxygen in the atmospher, incinerating the planet... but that didn't stop the first atomic test.

[LittleApple81]

2. They can't. Remember when the Pope wanted to maintain the fiction

that the earth is the center of the universe? This is similar. There is no REASONABLE reason for this crap. It is protecting their dogma.

[comradebillyboy]

16. but the pope knew it was a fiction

and the church's position was based on the politics of the reformation. by the way martin Luther also condemned the heliocentric model as anti-biblical and heretical.

[Bluebear]

3. I was just in Massachusetts....

Funny thing, it was still there. No wildfires. Everything seemed serene. Why is Mr. Romney spending so much time on this and not lowering prescription drug costs for Massachusetts citizens? Why is he not trying to bring jobs to Massachusetts?

[amjsjc]

4. Why did Mass. elect this guy?

How did a Republican wind up as the governor of arguably the most liberal state in the Union?

[WilliamPitt]

7. Because the state-level Democratic leadership in Massachusetts

is arguably the most embarassing collection of misfits, rogues, fools and outright scoundrels ever produced in the American body poilitic.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/04/18/in_finnerans_district_questions_abound/

In Finneran's district, questions abound

By Michael Levenson, Globe Correspondent
April 18, 2004

Residents of House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran's 12th Suffolk District already know him as an outspoken social and fiscal conservative with a reputation as one of the most controversial figures in state politics. Now, constituents are grappling with a report that Finneran's name appears on a subpoena seeking documents that would demonstrate his involvement in the 2001 House redistricting process.

On the streets of his racially and economically diverse district, which covers parts of Mattapan, Milton, and Dorchester, the news has caused a buzz -- with polarizing results.

Some constituents are rushing to the speaker's defense, saying the Democratic leader appears to have done nothing wrong, or at least should be considered innocent until proven guilty.

Others, including some voters who support Finneran, say they have been shaken by the news and are paying closer attention to the longtime speaker.

...more...

[Justice]

9. Not sure I agree with that comment at all

[WilliamPitt]

13. Care to elaborate?

[Bluebear]

10. So William who are Dems going to run in Mass. next time?

Any clue?

[Justice]

8. Because...

1. There are more voters in MA registered as Independents than Democrats. In MA, an independent voter is in many cases a closet republican. In any other state the independents might actually be registered republicans.

2. The last debate for governor was hosted by Tim Russert. Son of Big Russ. No other questioners. Tim asked Shannon O'Brien, the candidate for the democrats, two sucessive questions - why did she support abortion rights for 16 year olds and then another equally devisive question. All pressing issues for a state with no jobs, money etc.

3. Mitt won big in the suburbs west of Boston, where all the independents live in large homes and lovely schools and green grass.

I could go on...

[apnu]

5. and they should be divided.

one of the "pillars" for the GOP is less governmental involvement in personal, private life. This amendment is an affront to that.

I think the GOP is just about ready for a split now. I keep hearing all kinds of things about disintegration in the ranks of the normally tight-lipped GOP. I take it as a good sign. The people have met and exceeded their bullsh*t quota and are starting to turn on the master.

It makes me feel all warm and gooey inside when people stop drinking the kool-aid.

[Cannikin]

6. I love the 'Do it for the children' plea.

[Bertha Venation]

11. I am sick to DEATH of this "eroding traditional marriage" garbage!

SICK OF IT!

"But it may affect the development of children and thereby future society as a whole."

BULLSHIT, Romney!

My god, the man has no clue about the thousands upon thousands of definitions of marriage in as many societies across the globe and across the eons, has he?!

[Q3JR4]

12. ....

If him or his people do, they don't care. Another red meat issue to toss to the voters who actually vote on this issue.

[Terran]

14. Romney is either a liar or an idiot

"The real threat to the states is not the constitutional amendment process, in which the states participate, but activist judges who disregard the law and redefine marriage in order to impose their will on the states, and on the whole nation," Romney said in a written statement.

Activist judges my ass. The US Supreme Court provided the legal basis for same-sex marriage when they struck dow the Texas sodomy law. If someone challenges hetero restrictions on marriage in their state, a competent judge need only look at that decision to find the basis for declaring that same sex marriage is legal. That is not "activism." That's called applying precedent in common law. The SCOTUS is the highest precedent there is. This is, in the end, the ONLY reason for wanting to amend the US Constitution--because all those lawyers in the US Congress understand this simple fact.

[kiahzero]

15. Damn those activist judges...

They actually want to enforce the Constitution, rather than letting legislatures do whatever they want!

:cry:

[2Design]

17. yes activists judges gave us interracial marriages... this is what

frightens mitt and the rest of the rw

they are against equal rights.....

[Cannikin]

18. kick