a bit apprehensive to post this

mikepegg44mikepegg44 Posts: 3,353
edited February 2012 in A Moving Train
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46294255/ns ... zF3ncUS1WI

let's keep the conversation civil. This is an FYI mostly. If you want to argue and banter insults at each other please start a different thread. you can entitle it "too immature to have a rational discussion on personal vs government vs state's rights"
that’s right! Can’t we all just get together and focus on our real enemies: monogamous gays and stem cells… - Ned Flanders
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  • It'll be interesting to see if this ruling is appealed. I don't think gay marriage should be illegal anywhere. I'm generally in favor of states' rights, but not when it comes at the expense of civil rights.
  • fifefife Posts: 3,327
    I still don't understand how a vote can take place on something that has to do with equal rights.

    speaking as a Canadian who has had same sex marriage legal for many years, i hope Americans follows suit.
  • It'll be interesting to see if this ruling is appealed. I don't think gay marriage should be illegal anywhere. I'm generally in favor of states' rights, but not when it comes at the expense of civil rights.
    This. That and I haven't heard a single logical argument AGAINST gay marriage.
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • mikepegg44mikepegg44 Posts: 3,353
    It'll be interesting to see if this ruling is appealed. I don't think gay marriage should be illegal anywhere. I'm generally in favor of states' rights, but not when it comes at the expense of civil rights.


    I think the judge's ruling said it best:
    "Although the Constitution permits communities to enact most laws they believe to be desirable, it requires that there be at least a legitimate reason for the passage of a law that treats different classes of people differently. There was no such reason that Proposition 8 could have been enacted"
    that’s right! Can’t we all just get together and focus on our real enemies: monogamous gays and stem cells… - Ned Flanders
    It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
    - Joe Rogan
  • JonnyPistachioJonnyPistachio Florida Posts: 10,219
    It'll be interesting to see if this ruling is appealed. I don't think gay marriage should be illegal anywhere. I'm generally in favor of states' rights, but not when it comes at the expense of civil rights.

    I agree.
    Why not just let it go already? Isnt it obvious that its going to be legal everywhere one day? As long as there are gay people, they will fight for this until they get it. And its becoming easier for gays to comfortable with people knowing they're gay, so they will come out in full force in the future.

    this was interesting:
    "Although the Constitution permits communities to enact most laws they believe to be desirable, it requires that there be at least a legitimate reason for the passage of a law that treats different classes of people differently. There was no such reason that Proposition 8 could have been enacted," the ruling states."
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  • fifefife Posts: 3,327
    just to quote something that was also written in teh article.

    "The panel also said there was no evidence that former Chief U.S. Judge Vaughn Walker was biased and should have disclosed before he issued his lower-court decision that he was gay and in a long-term relationship with another man. Walker publicly revealed he was gay after he retired.

    Proposition 8 backers had asked the 9th Circuit to set aside Walker's ruling on constitutional grounds and because of the judge's personal life. It was the first instance of an American jurist's sexual orientation being cited as grounds for overturning a court decision. "

    that last line just pisses me off.
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,495
    Good deal. States rights should not overrule civil rights.

    Plus, it will be good to get this behind us so people actually focus on issues that are actually debateable.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • gimmesometruth27gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 23,303
    i don't think that the land of the free should be passing laws that make a certain group of people unequal in the eyes of the law than the other groups of people.
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

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  • Go BeaversGo Beavers Posts: 9,191
    I wonder how much of Romney's money funded the push for Prop 8? Woot?
  • puremagicpuremagic Posts: 1,907
    I would really like to see how much local, State and Federal money has been spent on the legal challenge of the word ‘marriage’.

    I'd like to know if Church funds donated for the legal defense of marriage is tax deductible as marriages are a State function and does necessarily have to be performed in a church or by a priest or church official.
    SIN EATERS--We take the moral excrement we find in this equation and we bury it down deep inside of us so that the rest of our case can stay pure. That is the job. We are morally indefensible and absolutely necessary.
  • WaveRyderWaveRyder Posts: 1,128
    It'll be interesting to see if this ruling is appealed. I don't think gay marriage should be illegal anywhere. I'm generally in favor of states' rights, but not when it comes at the expense of civil rights.


    this^

    i hope courts start ruling with consistency and understand that just because a majority think something is ok, doesnt make it Ok.

    We could apply the same standard to property rights and we wouldnt have things like smoking bans.
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  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    ultimately in canada ... gay marriage was made legal NOT because of some debate or vote ... it was made legal because if it wasn't - it would have violated our Canadian Charter of Rights ...
  • WaveRyderWaveRyder Posts: 1,128
    The US Constitution doesnt define marriage and state constitutions dont either. This idea that gays shouldnt marry is an overreach by moral demogogues. Gay marriage is fine with me. It has nothing to do with me. Like Ron Paul says, gay marriage might not live up to my standard, but who am i to tell you what standard to live by. I certainly wouldnt want you forcing me to live by your standard.

    I think the issue gets cloudy when you start talking about tax breaks for married couples and stuff. I personally dont think married couples of any sex should get tax breaks simply for tieing the knot anymore.

    If you look back at why the tax breaks were offered in the first place, it has to do with producing tomorrow's tax payer.
    So, we should give tax breaks for raising kids, not for being married. And yes, give those tax breaks to gay couples raising kids, too!
    RC, SoDak 1998 - KC 2000 - Council Bluffs IA 2003 - Fargo ND 2003 - St. Paul MN 2003 - Alpine Valley 2003 - St Louis MO 2004 - Kissimmee FLA 2004 - Winnipeg 2005 - Thunder Bay 2005 - Chicago 2006 - Grand Rapids MI 2006 - Denver CO 2006 - Lollapalooza 2007 - Bonnaroo 2008 - Austin City Limits 2009 - Los Angeles 2009 - KC 2010 - St Louis MO 2010 - PJ20 Night 1 - PJ20 Night 2
  • If I understand the judgement correctly,the Appeals Court held that Proposition 8 violated the equality rights of a specific group of American citizens (gays and lesbians) by constructing a definition of the word "marriage" that unfairly limited the rights of the aforementioned group. The court's statement that Proposition 8 "served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California." really suggests the possibility that this could redefine marriage for all of the US if it eventually reaches the Supreme Court.

    Still, as a Canadian I'm not that clear on how equality rights are defined under your constitution. In Canada, our Charter of Rights clearly defines what constitutes a violation of a person's equality rights. Is there a similar provision in the US Constitution or are equality rights defined by case law? If it's the latter, does anybody have the test which the courts apply to determine whether a person's right to equality has been violated? I'm really curious as to how this might play out in the higher courts.
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,430
    mikepegg44 wrote:

    let's keep the conversation civil. This is an FYI mostly. If you want to argue and banter insults at each other please start a different thread. you can entitle it "too immature to have a rational discussion on personal vs government vs state's rights"

    So far, so good, Mike!

    If it weren't for that fact that I have to get back to work, I'd invite you all to the Lounge for a drink! Nice to see some civility here on the train. Catch you all later. :)
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  • If I understand the judgement correctly,the Appeals Court held that Proposition 8 violated the equality rights of a specific group of American citizens (gays and lesbians) by constructing a definition of the word "marriage" that unfairly limited the rights of the aforementioned group. The court's statement that Proposition 8 "served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California." really suggests the possibility that this could redefine marriage for all of the US if it eventually reaches the Supreme Court.

    Still, as a Canadian I'm not that clear on how equality rights are defined under your constitution. In Canada, our Charter of Rights clearly defines what constitutes a violation of a person's equality rights. Is there a similar provision in the US Constitution or are equality rights defined by case law? If it's the latter, does anybody have the test which the courts apply to determine whether a person's right to equality has been violated? I'm really curious as to how this might play out in the higher courts.

    the only thing in the US Constitution that even mentions "equality" is the 14th Amendment, Section 1, which puts the following limitations on state power:
    No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

    That would be the sum total of direct from the horses mouth (Supreme Law of the Land) opining on gay marriage rights. From there, you start inferring and legalizing.

    There is some interesting parallel here between the current ruling and the actual passage of the 14th Amendment itself, as follows:

    First This Happened:
    Dred Scott Decision ----> Supreme Court ruled that Blacks were not Citizens
    -- BUT The "Free States" Had Allowed Them Citizenship
    OR
    Proposition 8 - made a rule saying "Sec. 7.5. Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
    -- BUT The State of California Had Allowed Them Marriage (4 months prior when the State Supreme Court struck down two previous ruling that had for ages previously limited marriage to man and woman)

    Then This Happened:
    14th Amendment ----Overturns----> Dred Scott Decision by Supreme Court
    OR
    US Circuit Court ---- Overturns ----> Proposition 8 - Popular Ballot

    Its an odd yet fitting parallel. A replication for gays in California what it was for former African slaves in all of America by almost the same legal back and forths.

    1. Old racist\bigoted long held ruling on the books
    a. black are not citizens (in fact, were slaves)
    b. marriage - man & woman (gays denied equal legal standing under law)

    2. Renegade State Overturns Bigoted Ruling
    a. Free States allowed black citizenship
    b. California Supreme Court briefly upheld gay marriage rights

    3. Some sort of Rescinding or Reversal of #2
    a. US Supreme Court - Dred Scott Decision - Blacks Not Citizens
    b. Proposition 8 - No Gay Marriage

    4. Constitutionality of #3 Called In To Question & Reversed
    a. Constitutional Amendment 14
    b. US Circuit Court Strikes Down Prop. 8

    I dunno.
    Interesting how history SORT OF repeats itself
    ?
    If I was to smile and I held out my hand
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  • I dunno.
    Interesting how history SORT OF repeats itself
    ?

    Thanks for posting that. It's interesting to note that with the Dred Scott case it was the Court that overturned the legislative will of the Free States, whereas in this case it's the California Court of Appeals overturning a legislative proposition. If the Circuit Court upholds this judgement I wonder if it would open the possibility of a true Equal Rights Amendment.

    Whether the resolution comes through the judiciary or the legislature, hopefully the final outcome is a positive one.
  • I dunno.
    Interesting how history SORT OF repeats itself
    ?

    Thanks for posting that. It's interesting to note that with the Dred Scott case it was the Court that overturned the legislative will of the Free States, whereas in this case it's the California Court of Appeals overturning a legislative proposition. If the Circuit Court upholds this judgement I wonder if it would open the possibility of a true Equal Rights Amendment.

    Whether the resolution comes through the judiciary or the legislature, hopefully the final outcome is a positive one.


    Yes.
    That was part of what i found "interesting", because it shows there are several paths both to and from these differing states of equality.

    Just to clarify though (i think you said you were from Canada), the 9th Circuit Court is a Federal court.
    look at the map for 9 on the right ... these are broad districts that hear the appellate cases for all federal district\trial courts in their geographic area. They are the intermediary step between the trial court and the supreme court.

    In my opinion the Appeals Court is used as a tool by the establishment to deny direct access of appeal to the Supreme Court ... but I'm not a lawyer, and I don't have a deep understanding of our legal system.

    Anywho...
    If I was to smile and I held out my hand
    If I opened it now would you not understand?
  • I've been legally married almost 4 years and with my husband for 20.

    Kim Kardashian and Britney spears have been married for two years total to four different men.

    Who is more of a threat to marriage?
  • I've been legally married almost 4 years and with my husband for 20.

    Kim Kardashian and Britney spears have been married for two years total to four different men.

    Who is more of a threat to marriage?

    Exactly
    People treating marriage as something to promote their careers is bad
    Meanwhile two people who love each other are barred because they are of the same sex
    AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
  • I've been legally married almost 4 years and with my husband for 20.

    Kim Kardashian and Britney spears have been married for two years total to four different men.

    Who is more of a threat to marriage?

    Exactly
    People treating marriage as something to promote their careers is bad
    Meanwhile two people who love each other are barred because they are of the same sex
    I agree.

    They rid my state of common law marriages also, out of fear of "gay marriage."
  • I've been legally married almost 4 years and with my husband for 20.

    Kim Kardashian and Britney spears have been married for two years total to four different men.

    Who is more of a threat to marriage?

    but but but your filthy, successful, loving gay marriage means that my hetero REAL marriage that lasted only four years and was the absolute worst time of my life... it means that it wasn't... something... what was the question again? ;)
    Everything not forbidden is compulsory and eveything not compulsory is forbidden. You are free... free to do what the government says you can do.
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,495
    I've been legally married almost 4 years and with my husband for 20.

    Kim Kardashian and Britney spears have been married for two years total to four different men.

    Who is more of a threat to marriage?

    Actually, neither.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • Marriage is just a piece of legal paper.
  • puremagicpuremagic Posts: 1,907

    Yes.
    That was part of what i found "interesting", because it shows there are several paths both to and from these differing states of equality.

    Just to clarify though (i think you said you were from Canada), the 9th Circuit Court is a Federal court.
    look at the map for 9 on the right ... these are broad districts that hear the appellate cases for all federal district\trial courts in their geographic area. They are the intermediary step between the trial court and the supreme court.

    In my opinion the Appeals Court is used as a tool by the establishment to deny direct access of appeal to the Supreme Court ... but I'm not a lawyer, and I don't have a deep understanding of our legal system.

    Anywho...


    You are on point about the Circuit Courts being used for tactical political gain. If you look at most of the cases that impact women’s reproductive rights, education, and basic equal or civil rights, you will see that Circuit 8 and Circuit 11 handle most of the rulings in these matters. These are also the two regional areas where Congress has stalled President Obama’s nominations for replacement of judges.
    SIN EATERS--We take the moral excrement we find in this equation and we bury it down deep inside of us so that the rest of our case can stay pure. That is the job. We are morally indefensible and absolutely necessary.
  • Thank you for mentioning these political obstacles which includes the stall of placing judges.
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    First off - I'm basically for people doing what they want. If they want to be married, I don't really care. I actually wish the government would get out of the business of sanctioning any types of marriages and let people live their lives.

    However, for the SAKE OF ARGUMENT, one could say that there already exists a state of equal rights on this issue. Currently, all people have the option of marrying someone from the opposite sex. We're all equal in that regard.

    It gets to be a slippery slope when you say that it's not equal simply because you desire to marry someone of the same sex.
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  • mikepegg44mikepegg44 Posts: 3,353
    know1 wrote:
    First off - I'm basically for people doing what they want. If they want to be married, I don't really care. I actually wish the government would get out of the business of sanctioning any types of marriages and let people live their lives.

    However, for the SAKE OF ARGUMENT, one could say that there already exists a state of equal rights on this issue. Currently, all people have the option of marrying someone from the opposite sex. We're all equal in that regard.

    It gets to be a slippery slope when you say that it's not equal simply because you desire to marry someone of the same sex.


    hey pandora, your box is open.

    :lol:

    I love a good slippery slope argument. and I would say that it is a slippery slope...but probably in the other way than you (for argument's sake) were meaning. Denying someone a legal marriage due to same sex status now could possibly turn into denying someone a marriage due to age, race, not having a high enough IQ, looking weird, having 6 fingers, giant foreheads, not being able to roll your tongue, or any other number of biological factors...all of these things...don't matter in the long run.
    If someone wants to marry a carrot, a piece of celery, and a tutu...what is the problem...how does this hurt anyone who is in a loving, stable marriage? That is the part of the slippery slope here that I worry about. Marry 50 people if you want...if you are all happy and living your life the way you want...then it shouldn't be anyone else's worry what you do with your own life.
    that’s right! Can’t we all just get together and focus on our real enemies: monogamous gays and stem cells… - Ned Flanders
    It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
    - Joe Rogan
  • ShawshankShawshank Posts: 1,018
    These fools are so wrapped up in what they think is morally right or wrong, and in reality it's no one's business. They are so scared all of their kids are going to become gay, that they will do anything to stop it at every level. For a country that is touted as being "land of the free", we are one of the most enslaved groups of human beings on the planet, and most of it is self-inflicted. You can hardly take a piss without getting approval first. I'm a Christian, and don't care if gays marry. It doesn't apply to me. I'd much rather have them be married, and set the example of a loving, monogamous, and faithful couple...that is the example I want for my kids.
  • I just can't wrap my head around "debates" like this... The amount of money spent on this "fight" has got to be astronomical.

    And the crazier, is that the majority of it has been spent by the people against gay marriage. Imaging spending billions of dollars on something that will in no way ever affect your life? Don't these people have hobbies or their own families to worry about?
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