Ehrlich Vetoes Gay Rights Bill

[bertha katzenengel]

By John Wagner, Friday, May 20, 2005; 2:50 PM

Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has decided to veto emotionally charged legislation that would grant unmarried couples, including gay partners, certain rights if they register with the state.

~snip~

"Phone calls are pouring into our office from people across the state who are shocked, hurt and dismayed at how such a moderate piece of legislation conferring basic human rights could be rejected by a supposedly moderate governor," said Dan Furmansky, executive director of Equality Maryland, a gay-rights group that lobbied for the legislation, known as the Medical Decision Making Act of 2005.

Ehrlich won praise from a leading Republican lawmaker for making a "principled decision."

~snip~

A group of conservative activists had launched a petition drive in recent weeks that sought to repeal the bill if it became law. They argued it was part of a "homosexual agenda" advancing in Annapolis.

~snip~

"I'm sympathetic to certain situations, particularly end-of-life situations," Ehrlich said during a radio interview on Baltimore's WBAL. But he said that the bill had flaws and that letting it become law "is just something I have to weigh."

~end~

SONOFABITCH! Just who the fuck does this asshole think he is?!

HOW DARE HE?! Motherfucker is playing politics with OUR LIVES.

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

[kaygore]

1. Either he changes parties or his career is over

These guys just don't get it.

[Frances]

10. Ehrlich is a Repub

so I don't get your post.

[Auntie Bush]

2. Isn't there a single Representative out there who dares to vote against

bush* and the Christian Coalition? Nope...no one with guts in that party...all a bunch of smelly fish! They gotta go in 06.

[thrift_store_angel]

3. First of All.......

It isn't just our republican gov we have to blame for this..... In the house of delegates where we really needed the votes to ensure an override there were at least 7 dems who voted AGAINST this bill, and there were at least that many more who just did not vote on the bill. Someone please show these representatives their party platform!! As for Ehrlich I will say that I am disappointed but not terribly surprised. In a message posted to a Md L/G/B/T message board even Dan Furmansky said he thought Ehrlich might sign the Medical Decision Making Act (follow by a "but don't quote me on that" LOL) and I would have thought that Furmansky might have a good inkling as to what the future this bill was, so apparently they was some thought that this bill might be passed. I am hoping that if nothing else Ehrlich's veto will help motivate supporters of equal rights in this state to stand up against Ehrlich and his kind and help push this bill through in the next session and put candidates in office next year that truly believe that Md can be better than all the hate and negativity that has infested that rest of the country. I for one have no intention of letting my state be taken over by right-wing ideology, and I plan to make as much noise about this as I possibly can!

Melissa

[undergroundpanther]

4. I hate HATE Ehrlich

And his helmut hair. Impeach him.And his silly wife make her fade into obscurity too. Grrrrr..

[OnBackground]

5. Veto Bob

Democrats across the state received a key tool with which to rally their base and a broad swathe of Maryland for next year’s elections. With the Governor’s rejection of these measures, as well as efforts to reform transportation, juvenile justice, and voting problems, pretty much every group outside of large corporations and religious fundamentalists will be offended and will recognize that it does matter who holds sway in Annapolis.

[aintitfunny]

6. You are right and we must not just take it

lying down. Do you know who the "at least 7" democrats are who voted against this bill?

[thrift_store_angel]

7. The easiest way to find them......

is here: http://www.actwin.com/eatonohio/gay/marylandh.html that is where I counted them at. The only one I know right off hand is Roy Dyson.

[thrift_store_angel]

8. Ooops

I was talking about delegates when I said 7 wasn't I? LOL Ok well whoever the democratic delegate from st mary's county is voted against it. I think his name is John Wood? (Note the recurring theme, if it is from St. Mary's County and it claims to be a democrat, it voted against this bill LOL)

[aintitfunny]

9. Thanks for the info

[freestyle]

11. Ehrlich is showing his right wing colors and must go

Ehrlich has completely destroyed whatever facade of moderation he was attempting to maintain and we must destroy his career. Ehrlich must be defeated and so must Steele when he runs for Senate. They are just basic hateful evil republicans. Their only true constituency is the large corporations and the extremely rich with sacrifices of GLBT people on the bloody altars of the religious right.

[OnBackground]

12. Kreseski

And on one blog discussion of this topic, <a href="http://americablog.blogspot.com/2005/05/steven-l-kreseski-why-is-your-boss-bob.html">AMERICAblog.com</a>, talk is of the hypocrisy of a governor with what the blog says is an openly gay chief of staff attacking gay rights.