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Gay Marriage Ban Overturned in California
As you can imagine, talk radio and the blogosphere are buzzing out here in California after this morning's decision by the state Supreme Court to overturn the ban on gay marriage. That ban was approved by voters but then challenged in a lawsuit:The city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples and gay rights groups sued in March 2004 after the court halted the monthlong wedding march that took place when Mayor Gavin Newsom opened the doors of City Hall to same-sex marriages.The decision opens the door for gay couples to tie the knot legally in the Golden State. But it's not a sure thing yet. This being California it could go before voters as a ballot initiative... yet again. A group of religious and social conservatives are hoping to bring a measure that would amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage. If that passes it would trump today's court decision.
"Today the California Supreme Court took a giant leap to ensure that everybody - not just in the state of California, but throughout the country - will have equal treatment under the law," said City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who argued the case for San Francisco.
The amendment initiative could end up on the ballot in November, basically ensuring that gay marriage will be an issue debated by Barack Obama and John McCain this fall.
What do you think? Did California's Supreme Court make the right decision?
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 2)Eakarach8:26PMMay 15th 2008
I think is a give for the republican party for the fall again,just like when Kerry in 2004.
Vote Hillary or McCain only folk! No Obama!
BJ12779:08PMMay 15th 2008
HEY SUSAN SAY WHAT YOU WILL....CALLING US PEOPLE BIBLE THUMPERS....JUST WAIT UNTIL ITS TIME FOR YOU TO BE JUDGE....THIS IS JUST ANOTHER REASON WHY WE AS GOD PEOPLE SHOULD NOT VOTE FOR FAGS TO PUBLIC OFFICE...THANK YOU T. J. VERY WELL SAID......
BJ12779:08PMMay 15th 2008
JUST ASK YOURSELF ONE QUESTION.....DO I BELIEVE IN THE BIBLE????--GOD.....THERE WAS ADAM AND EVE...I DON"T THINK THERE WAS A BILL AND BILL....OR A LINDA AND LINDA....WE AS HUMANS BETTER GET OUR ACT TOGETHER....AND YOU ALMIGHTY DING BATS THAT SET ON THE SUPREME COURT...I WOULD TRULY BE ASHAME TO ASK GOD FOR ANYTHING...YOU ALMIGHTY DINGBATS BETTER LET GOD GIVE US HUMANS EQUAL RIGHTS...OR HAVE ALL YOU DINGBATS FORGOTTEN WHEN YOU WERE ELECTED DID'T YOU PLACE YOUR HAND ON THE BIBLE?....WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE THINKING?
Meg10:26PMMay 15th 2008
Just what we want, queer nation.. What the hell has happened to my country!!! Freaks in San Francisco, I hope it falls into the ocean one day..
yousername10:33PMMay 15th 2008
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER REASON WHY WE AS GOD PEOPLE SHOULD NOT VOTE FOR FAGS TO PUBLIC OFFICE...
__________________________
Well said BJ1277....I'm sure God is beaming with pride and grateful to have you spreading His message and being a positive example of how Christians should conduct themselves. Your behavior is sure to invoke non-Christians and non-church goers with an overwhelming desire to rush down and join their local church.
bonbon11:52PMMay 15th 2008
funny the very people saying we should all learn to live together, will say no to gay marriage.
they referring to the gay community, are entitled to the very way of life, as straight people are entitled to.
I've given up trying to explain I am not against Obama's color, it is not the color of his skin but the color of his heart I do not like.
the one, the only one who needs to worry about gay people is god, not man nor woman.
our educational system stinks, our teenagers are out of control. our economy is in the sewer, gas, food, etc, etc etc. and we need a candidate ready to be our president on day one.
lets worry about getting Hillary to the White House, and keeping Obama and his buddy Wright out of it.
VOTE FOR HILLARY ALL THE WAY YES WE WILL.
Shirley1:16AMMay 16th 2008
Yuk!!!!!!!! Can't even imagine. Wonder why God made man and woman if he just needed man and man or woman and woman? Everything's a go now days, even morals.
Libralism at its best. Next thing you know, animals will be a go. Sick nation, and getting sicker!!!
patricia1:19AMMay 16th 2008
I have friends that are Gay, I want them to be happy but I hate the sin, not the sinner. God will judge what they do in their personal lives. Yes, I tell them to repent of the ways of the devil but I still hold them close to my heart. Man/man nor woman/woman should have carnal knowledge with each other. But to shun them is wrong as well, if we turn our backs how can we show our love. let those w/o sin be first to cast stones, judge not lest you be judged.
Mr. Clark1:37AMMay 16th 2008
Christopher Weber,
It's time for this country to move forward. A woman is capable of being President of the United State and so is a black man. Why shouldn't two women or two men be able to get married?
Marriage, for me, has never been something I have personally aspired to do. But, for some people it is very important. If two people want to be together, far be it from me to stand in their way.
I think everyone in America should be treated equally and have the same opportunities. Why people are afraid or even interested in what another couple does is beyond me. I simply do not profess to know what is best for others.
I have to say, I am concerned with the economy and Iraq more than anything else. I don't really care where Sen. Obama, Sen. Clinton (she is still in the race whether you acknowledge her or not) or Sen. McCain stand on gay marriage. It will be fun to watch them all weigh in on it the next few days.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Mr. Clark
patricia1:38AMMay 16th 2008
Bonbon I agree with you, Hillary must be our next President. If the DNC keeps her off the ballot then we must start a write in ballot for her. Do not throw our votes away, don't vote for GOP McCain. The GOP in Florida knew what it was doing when it pushed & got our FL primary scheduled on January 29th. The people of FL did not vote to change or Primary day, a Republican Representative pushed the bill through & attached so much pork to it, of course it slid through & Republican Gov. Charles Crist signed it into law. The GOP figured Hillary & Obama would be our front runners. They also counted on America to continue being closet racists that would rather vote Republican that put a black man in the White House. A write in vote for Hillary is what will stop 4 more years of Bush Sh**. AMERICA stay strong & write in Hillary R. Clinton on your ballot in November. When this election is over we must start the fight to have our President elected by popular vote, & rid ourselves of the ancient, archaic Electoral College!
EXISTENTIAL BEING2:06AMMay 16th 2008
OBAMA/SEBELIUS
Kathleen Gilligan Sebelius (born May 15, 1948) OLDER POPULATION VOTERS
2 Term Governor of Kansas PULL IN A RED STATE WHICH COULD POSSIBLY SWAY REPUBLICANS TO THE PARTY
Roman Catholic POSSIBLE INFLUENCE ON THE CATHOLIC POPULATION
A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR GUN OWNERS
STRONG RECORD WHICH ALSO SUPPORTS WORKING CLASS
SUPPORTS WOMENS RIGHTS
ABILITY TO REACH ACROSS PARTY LINES
OWNS A VACATION HOME IN MICHIGAN AND HER FATHER ONCE SERVED AS OHIO GOVERNOR! JUDGE SEBELIUS'S FATHER SERVED 6 TERMS IN THE HOUSE BEFORE PASSING AWAY
In 2001 Sebelius was named as one of Governing Magazine's Public Officials of the Year while she was serving as Kansas Insurance Commissioner.[27]
In November 2005 Time named Sebelius as one of the five best governors in America, praising her for eliminating a $1.1 billion debt she inherited, ferreting out waste in state government, and strongly supporting public education — all without raising taxes. Also praised was her bipartisan approach to governing, a useful trait in a state where Republicans have usually controlled the Legislature.[28]
In February 2006, the White House Project named Sebelius one of its "8 in '08", a group of eight female politicians who could possibly run and/or be elected president in 2008.[29]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathleen_Sebelius
http://usliberals.about.com/od/stategovernors/p/Sebelius.htm
Popular Two-Term Governor of Kansas:
Democrat Kathleen Sebelius was elected Governor of red-state Kansas in 2002, and reelected by wide margin in 2006. Gov. Sebelius has held state elective office since 1986.
A moderate with pro-business, pro-military leanings known for her bipartisan leadership, Sebelius is the daughter of former Ohio Gov. John Gilligan, and are the first father-daughter governors in U.S. history.
Gov. Sebelius served in 2007 as Chair of the Democratic Governors Association. In 2005, Time named her as one of the five best governors in America, for eliminating a $1.1 billion debt she inherited when she took office.
Special Notability:
In 2004, Kathleen Sebelius was reportedly a candidate to be John Kerry's vice-presidential running mate, and is considered a strong VP candidate for the 2008 Democratic ticket. Others speculate that Gov. Sebelius may run for the U.S. Senate in 2010, to replace Republican Sen. Sam Brownback.
On January 28, 2008, Kathleen Sebelius delivered the Democratic party's response to the State of the Union address. And on January 29, 2008, Gov. Sebelius endorsed Sen. Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential race.
Experience Prior to Governor:
* 1995-2003 - Kansas State Insurance Commissioner
* 1987-94 - Kansas House of Representatives
* 1974-1987 - a number of appointed statewide offices, including the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Prison Overcrowding, the Kansas Children's Commission and the Kansas Natural Resources Council.
Gov. Sebelius on Issues & Priorities:
Regarded as pro-business, pro-military and fiscally conservative, Kathleen Sebelius, nonetheless, holds certain liberal views not always seen as mainstream in the Midwest, including firm pro-choice beliefs.
Owing to her Catholicism, Sebelius is opposed to capital punishment. And after she famously vetoed a 2006 concealed weapon bill, her veto was decisively overriden by the both houses of the Kansas legislature. As governor, she's faced a myriad of difficult educational funding issues.
(For more, see Gary and Kathleen Sebelius Marriage Profile.)
Federal Magistrate Judge Gary Sebelius, Married to Gov. Sebelius:
Federal magistrate judge Gary Sebelius was appointed to an eight-term term to the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in 2002. He was formerly a partner in a Topeka law firm. Born in Kansas, he earned his law degree from Georgetown University in 1974.
Judge Sebelius is reported to have a wonderful sense of humor and a great love of music. His record/CD collection is among the finest in Kansas. He downplays his role as advisor to his governor-wife, and prefers the title "First Dude" of Kansas.
The Governor's Father, Father-in-Law in Politics:
The governor's father is Democratic Gov. John Gilligan, who served on term as Ohio governor before his defeat by a Republican in 1975, a party that generally dominates Ohio politics. Judge Sebelius' father was the late Rep. Keith Sebelius (R-KS), who served six terms in the House before passing away in 1982.
The couple worried about how their fathers (one anti-war liberal, one pro-war conservative) would get along. Per Gary Sebelius, though, "They hit it off famously."
Memorable Quotes:
About Lobbyists
"I don’t mind standing up to the big powerful lobbies, I think that is the role you play in public office. A lot of the consumers don’t have an organized lobby to advocate on their behalf. Those of us who are elected need to have that voice, and that is really what I have tried to do as insurance commissioner.
"There will always be well paid, very articulate lobbyists for industries that make money. What needs to happen is that the other side needs to be brought in, we need to bring that viewpoint to the table."
----- to Trinity Washington University magazine, during 2002 campaign to be Governor of Kansas
About Her Endorsement of Barack Obama
"I am especially pleased to announce my enthusiastic endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States - because Barack Obama represents exactly the kind of change Kansans can believe in...
"Senator Obama demonstrates a unique ability to reach across party lines - a quality we need now, right now, to unite our leaders and meet the serious challenges our country faces at home and abroad...
"And, on an especially personal note - I admire the way Senator Obama has inspired a younger generation of Americans, my own children included. For months now, my two sons have implored me to make my admiration for Senator Obama public. To offer him my endorsement, and join this fight for change all of us can believe in. I am proud to do so today."
---- public statement, January 29, 2008
://marriage.about.com/od/politics/p/ksebelius.htm
Gary: Federal magistrate judge, attorney, author, lecturer.
Residences:
Kathleen and Gary have a vacation home in Leland, Michigan.
In her role as governor of Kansas, Kathleen and Gary reside in the Governor's residence at Cedar Crest near Topeka, Kansas.
Quotes about the Marriage of Kathleen and Gary Sebelius:
Kathleen about balance in their marriage: "“We’ve really tried hard to balance family issues and political issues ... I have always wanted to be at home and be available to the kids, and I’ve been very lucky to have had jobs where I could work on issues that I thought were important and yet not have to give up time with the kids and family. Both Gary and I felt that it was very important that their lives were as normal as possible, that they participate only when they wanted to, and that this was my job, not their job ...”
Source: Elizabeth Palmer, "Profile: Kathleen Sebelius", TrinityDC.edu
Kathleen about their political differences: "I'm converting Republicans one at a time. First my husband, Gary..."
Source: Nadia Pflaum, "Kansas Republicans evolve -- into Democrats", Salon.com, 9/5/2006.
Kathleen about Gary's adjustment to being the husband of a governor: "He seems to have made it through the first year unscathed."
source: Scott Rothschild, "First-ever online chat with governor provides forum for curious Kansans", LJWorld.com, 2/6/2004.
Gary downplaying "his role as adviser to his high-profile wife": "She might have borrowed a few ideas from me, but she got her counsel from other folks and followed her own good instincts."
Source: Jim McLean, "Call him 'first dude'", CJOnline.com, 1/20/2003.
Speech Text: Democratic Response By Gov. Kathleen Sebelius
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/28/speech-text-democratic-r_n_83726.html
Remarks as prepared for delivery by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius:
An American Call to Action
I'm Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of the State of Kansas.
And I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with you tonight.
I'm a Democrat, but tonight, it really doesn't matter whether you think of yourself as a Democrat...or a Republican...or an Independent. Or...none-of-the-above.
Instead, the fact you're tuning in this evening tells me each of you is, above all...
...an American, first.
You are mothers, and fathers. Grandparents, and grandchildren. Working people, and business-owners. Americans, all.
And the American people - folks like you, and me - are not nearly as divided as our rancorous politics might suggest.
In fact, right now, tonight, as political pundits discuss the President's speech - chances are, they'll obsess over the reactions of Members of Congress.
"How many times was the President interrupted by applause? Did Republicans stand? Did Democrats sit?"
And the rest of us will roll our eyes and think, "What in the world does any of that have to do with me?"
And, so, I want to take a slight detour from tradition on this State of the Union night.
In this time, normally reserved for the partisan response, I hope to offer you something more:
An American Response.
A national call to action on behalf of the struggling families in the heartland, and across this great country. A wakeup call to Washington, on behalf of a new American majority, that time is running out on our opportunities to meet our challenges and solve our problems.
Our struggling economy requires urgent and immediate action, and then sustained attention. Families can't pay their bills. They are losing their jobs, and now are threatened with losing their homes.
We heard last week and again tonight that Congress and the President are acting quickly, on a temporary, targeted stimulus package. That is encouraging. But you and I know that a temporary fix is only the first step toward meeting our challenges and solving our problems.
There is a chance Mr. President, in the next 357 Days, to get real results, and give the American people renewed optimism that their challenges are the top priority. Working together, working hard, committing to results, we can get the job done.
In fact, over the last year, the Democratic majority in Congress has begun to move us in the right direction-- with bipartisan action to strengthen our national security, raise the minimum wage, and reduce the costs of college loans.
These are encouraging first steps. But there is still more to be done.
And, so we ask you, Mr. President -- will you join us? Let's get to work.
We know that we are stronger as a nation when our people have access to the highest-quality, most-affordable health care. When our businesses can compete in the global marketplace without the burden of rising health care costs here at home.
We know that caring for our children, so they have a healthy and better start in life, is what grownups do. Governors in both parties, and a large majority of the Congress are ready, right now, to provide health care to 10 million American children, as a first step in overhauling our health care system.
Join us, Mr. President, sign the bill and let's get to work.
Sitting with the First Lady tonight was Steve Hewitt, the city manager of Greensburg, Kansas. Many of you remember Greensburg - our town nearly destroyed by a tornado last year.
Thanks to Steve's efforts, and hundreds of others in our state, and across the country, Greensburg will recover. Folks rolled up their sleeves and got to work, and local, state and federal governments assisted in the effort.
But more than just recover - the Kansans who live in Greensburg are building green - rebuilding a better community for their children and grandchildren; making shared sacrifices, and investments for the next generation.
Greensburg is not alone. You and I - stand ready - ready to protect our environment for future generations, and stay economically competitive. Mayors have committed their cities to going green; governors have joined together, leading efforts for energy security and independence; and the majority in Congress is ready to tackle the challenge of reducing global warming and creating a new energy future for America.
So we ask you, Mr. President, will you join us? It's time to get to work.
Here in the heartland, we honor and respect military service. We appreciate the enormous sacrifices made by soldiers and their families.
As Governor of Kansas, I am the Commander in Chief of our National Guard. Over the past five years, I have seen thousands of soldiers deployed from Kansas. I've visited our troops in Iraq; attended funerals and comforted families; and seen the impact at home of the war being waged.
We stand ready in the heartland and across this country, to join forces with peace-loving nations across the globe and to fight the war against terrorists, wherever they may strike. But our capable and dedicated soldiers can't solve the political disputes where they are, and can't focus on the real enemies elsewhere.
The new Democratic majority of Congress and the vast majority of Americans are ready - ready to chart a new course. If more Republicans in Congress stand with us this year, we won't have to wait for a new President to restore America's role in the world, and fight a more effective war on terror.
The last five years have cost us dearly - in lives lost; in thousands of wounded warriors whose futures may never be the same; in challenges not met here at home because our resources were committed elsewhere. America's foreign policy has left us with fewer allies and more enemies.
Join us, Mr. President, and working together with Congress to make tough, smart decisions, we will regain our standing in the world and protect our people and our interests.
I know government can work to benefit the people we serve, because I see it every day, not only here in Kansas, but in states across the country. I know government can work, Mr. President, because like you, I grew up in a family committed to public service. My father and my father in law both served in Congress - one a Republican and one a Democrat. They had far more in common than the issues that divided them - a love for their country that led them from military service to public service. A lifetime of working for the common good, making sacrifices so their children and grandchildren could have a better future.
They are called "the greatest generation". But I believe, like parents across America, that our greatest generations are still to come. That we must chart a new course, at home and abroad, to give our future greatest generations all the opportunities our parents gave us.
These are uncertain times, but with strength and determination, we can meet the challenges together. If Washington can work together, so quickly, on a short-term fix for families caught in the financial squeeze, then we can work together to transform America.
In these difficult times - the American people aren't afraid to face difficult choices.
But, we have no more patience for divisive politics.
Tonight's address begins the final year of this presidency, with new leaders on the horizon and uncertainty throughout our land. Conditions we face, at home and abroad, are results of choices made and challenges unmet.
In spite of the attempts to convince us that we are divided as a people, a new American majority has come together. We are tired of leaders who rather than asking what we can do for our country, ask nothing of us at all.
We are Americans sharing a belief in something greater than ourselves, a nation coming together to meet challenges and find solutions; to share sacrifices and share prosperity; and focus, once again, not only on the individual good but on the common good.
On behalf of the new American majority - the majority of elected officials at the national, state and local level, and the majority of Americans, we ask you, Mr. President, to join us. We are ready to work together, to be the America we have been-- and can be once again.
Thank you for listening. God bless and sleep well. And in the morning, let's get to work.
OBAMA/SEBELIUS
w82l82:46AMMay 16th 2008
The thing is if this does indeed get passed without the people voting on it then it will be even more prevalent in our childrens school books. Our children are already losing their innocence with all the sex in the media. So now little Johnny and Suzy have to learn about anal sex. And I would probably have a little more sympathy for them if they didnt have parades or street faires with them dressed obscenely and practicly having sex in public. When black folks were fighting for civil rights they were dressed in suits and dresses locked arm-in-arm with dignity, singing church hyms and praying that God would intervene.
Brad8:41AMMay 16th 2008
Contrary to their Supreme Egos the Supreme Court is not the Supreme Decision.......Members of the Supreme Courts have reached the level of being Supreme Idoits.
Davidg9:53AMMay 16th 2008
I have the solution.
There should be no more marriage as we know it. Every union should be a civil union, with clear parameters. Only a civil union will be recognized by the government, and will be available to any two consenting adults. Other arrangements polygamy, etc. would not be allowed under civil unions. Those would fall under a different category.
Obviously, marriage as defined today does not work. If it did then half would not end in divorce. The definition is so broad as to not be understood by most entering into the union. There is too much implied by marriage. It's too simple to get in and too simple to get out. People can marry for any reason they wish, any time they wish, anywhere they wish, no questions asked, as long as they are the opposite sex of each other. It's ridiculous.
Why are some people allowed complete freedom, no matter how irresponsibly they will use it, and other people are completely denied the same freedom?
Any consenting adults, of sound mind, should be able to enter into any kind of legal arrangement they wish, but for the purpose of replacing traditional marriage, it should be "civil unions" for all.
Dadu10:14AMMay 16th 2008
THIS IS GREAT. NOW ALL THE FAGS WILL MOVE TO CALIFORNIA!
LF10:24AMMay 16th 2008
BJ I am a christian and I do not agree with the slang term FAGS I do not feel that displays a christian attitude God loves the world so much He gave His son for it and that means every one in it He has set aside ond day for judgement until then we are under the dispesation of Grace and Mercy if God has set aside one day and one day onlyto judge the world who do you think you are to set in judgement every day do you place youself above God ?? Heaaven forbid ,vote your concience and forgo the name calling and don't give all christians a black eye with you ignorance pray for the sinner and leave the judgeing to God
Incumbentsout0810:58AMMay 16th 2008
Most who oppose Gay marriage say they do so because of their religious beliefs, if this is the case, please answer the following 2 questions.
1. When you take into consideration that the Bible FORBIDS Adultery at least 46 times including in the 10 Commandments, and are at no time debatable, but only references Same sex relations directly only 1 time directly (see Leviticus) and two other times which are ambiguous and debatable (see Romans and Paul). Likewise, Leviticus prescribes the same punishment for Adultery as it does for same sex relations. I have to ask would any of our leaders/candidates be willing to ban marriage to Adulterers? I would dare say that Adultery has had much more damaging effects on families and family values than two gay people who love each other.
2. Will you tell me why millions of law abiding, tax paying, hard working, caring citizens of this country are not allowed the same basic intrinsic right that a murderer, rapist, adulterer, or anyone else this country is allowed, just because of who they love. If common prisoners can are allowed that basic right, why can’t good honest citizens?
Freda11:50AMMay 16th 2008
JUST PLAIN SICK!!!!
Davidg12:23PMMay 16th 2008
Anybody want to take bets on how long Ellen and Portia will last?
Is there a pre-nup?
They have both been in "married" relationships before...Ellen with Ann Heche! I bet she's glad she wasn't legally married to that one!
TJ is right, the straight people can't get it right so let's just add to the problem with more marriages.
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TJ8:15PMMay 15th 2008
JUST WHAT WE NEED. THE STRAIGHT MARRIAGES AREN'T WORKING OUT, SO, LETS ADD ON THE GAY DISASTER TO IT..