Are physical assaults all you consider attacks?Nope. But I don't see gays calling straight people degenerates, or saying that they'll burn in hell either. It seems to me that most of the attacks come from the right, but that may just be my bias. In either case, it's hypocritical to bitch about someone "attacking" your position when you feel free to do so yourself (and I mean that broadly, not personally).
But what do a few knuckle dragging morons have to do with a fundamental difference of opinion on marriage? Nothing. Tossing in isolated incidents of violence don?t make your case. Well, we're at war with Al-Qaeda over an "isolated incident of violence". OK City was an "isolated incident of violence". I'm sure that a lot of lynchings by the Klan were "isolated incidents of violence". It relates to my opinion on marriage (and in case you didn't know, I'm playing devil's advocate here, I'm generally receptive to civil unions) is that it shows how those "isolated incidences of violence" are the face of the problem, they are the logical extensions of certain lines of thought.
In fact, to me they weaken itThat's your opinion that you're entitled to.
I remember Falwell blaming homosexuals for Katrina, but not 9/11. What are you referring to?God Gave U.S. 'What We Deserve,' Falwell Says
By John F. Harris
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 14, 2001; Page C03
Television evangelists Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, two of the most prominent voices of the religious right, said liberal civil liberties groups, feminists, homosexuals and abortion rights supporters bear partial responsibility for Tuesday's terrorist attacks because their actions have turned God's anger against America. LinkPersonally I think homosexuals are degenerates, yup.That's another opinon.
I think it?s a mental health issue and still would be if leftists hadn?t forced it to be changedThe American Psychiatric Association removed it from the list of mental health disorders in the 1970's. I'll take the opinion of people who have made their lives and careers in the field of mental health over yours any day of the week. What is your evidence that this is a mental disease?
As for you?re complaints about name calling, maybe you should get some advice from Jill before you go any further.As I recall, and if you want I can drag up the posts to prove it, that was going on long before she entered the conversation.
I?m glad you don?t care. Because I couldn?t care less. I don?t ?dislike? homosexuals. I don?t really know many. When I meet them I usually find them very interesting people. I have a cousin in Detroit who?s as queer as a three dollar bill and I love him. He?s a great human being. Not to mention funny as hell. At his father?s funeral (my uncle) he played the organ at the service. One of my other cousins said it must be tough for him to play at his fathers funeral and he replied, ? He paid for the lessons.? Hilarious.I've never stated that you dislike homosexuals. That said, this story about your cousin is irrelevant, though I am sorry for the loss of your uncle.
I?m not sure what you mean by courtesy though. I?m not rude to homosexuals so I don?t know what you mean. They?re human beings and as such deserve respect, By courtesy, I'd just as soon not be associated with blame for 9/11, Katrina, or whatever other natural disaster comes down the pike. This wasn't directed at you personally, and I should have clarified that, but at a larger audience. I'd like to be able to be able to go out to a club and not have to worry about some dumb ignorant SOB trying to cause a problem. Those are what I mean by courtesy.
but if marriage is what you mean, sorry, I disagreeFeel free to disagree. It's like saying, "Why, I don't mind colored people at all, I just don't want them drinking from my water fountain, after all, they have their own".
I doubt that it?s illegal here in Ohio and will be in California. Just about everywhere it?s tried it?s been stopped by citizens.How many years was interracial marriage illegal in OH and CA? I think that it's pretty damn great that the CA Supremes based their decision on the precedent of interracial marriage. I think that more people will finally "get" this idea, that gay marriage vs. straight marriage is the modern version of separate but equal. And when that happens, well, the rest'll be history. As I said, it might be 50 years yet, but it's coming.
In 1948, California became the first state in the U.S. to allow interracial couples to marry. Another 19 years passed before the U.S. Supreme Court changed the definition of marriage in 1967 and made interracial marriage available to loving, committed couples across the entire country.LinkWhy do you need the States sanction anyway?What are some of the differences between Civil Unions and Gay Marriage?
Recognition in other states: Even though each state has its own laws around marriage, if someone is married in one state and moves to another, their marriage is legally recognized. For example, Oregon marriage law applies to people 17 and over. In Washington state, the couple must be 18 to wed. However, Washington will recognize the marriage of two 17 year olds from Oregon who move there. This is not the case with Civil Unions. If someone has a Civil Union in Vermont, that union is not recognized in any other state. As a matter of fact, two states, Connecticut and Georgia, have ruled that they do not have to recognize civil unions performed in Vermont, because their states have no such legal category. As gay marriages become legal in other states, this status may change.
Dissolving a Civil Union v. Divorce:
Vermont has no residency requirement for Civil Unions. That means two people from any other state or country can come there and have a civil union ceremony. If the couple breaks up and wishes to dissolve the union, one of them must be a resident of Vermont for one year before the Civil Union can be dissolved in family court. Married couples can divorce in any state they reside, no matter where they were married.
Immigration:
A United States citizen who is married can sponsor his or her non-American spouse for immigration into this country. Those with Civil Unions have no such privilege.
Taxes:
Civil Unions are not recognized by the federal government, so couples would not be able to file joint-tax returns or be eligible for tax breaks or protections the government affords to married couples.
Benefits:
The General Accounting Office in 1997 released a list of 1,049 benefits and protections available to heterosexual married couples. These benefits range from federal benefits, such as survivor benefits through Social Security, sick leave to care for ailing partner, tax breaks, veterans benefits and insurance breaks. They also include things like family discounts, obtaining family insurance through your employer, visiting your spouse in the hospital and making medical decisions if your partner is unable to. Civil Unions protect some of these rights, but not all of them.
But can?t a lawyer set all this up for gay and lesbian couples?
No. A lawyer can set up some things like durable power of attorney, wills and medical power of attorney. There are several problems with this, however.
1. It costs thousands of dollars in legal fees. A simple marriage license, which usually costs under $100 would cover all the same rights and benefits.
2. Any of these can be challenged in court. As a matter of fact, more wills are challenged than not. In the case of wills, legal spouses always have more legal power than any other family member.
3. Marriage laws are universal. If someone?s husband or wife is injured in an accident, all you need to do is show up and say you?re his or her spouse. You will not be questioned. If you show up at the hospital with your legal paperwork, the employees may not know what to do with you. If you simply say, "He's my husband," you will immediately be taken to your spouse's side.
Even with lesbian and gay marriages being performed and recognized in some states, the Federal Defense of Marriage Law prohibits the federal government from recognizing gay and lesbian relationships. This puts gay and lesbian couples who are married in a legal limbo. How do they file their tax returns? Do they have to pay the tax on their partner?s health insurance? How do they fill out legal and other forms, single or married?
Creating Civil Unions creates a separate and unequal status for some of America?s citizens. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial court ruled that creating a separate class for gay and lesbian citizens is not permissible and that is why they have voted that only marriage equals marriage.
The precedent was set with Brown v. The Board of Education regarding segregation in public education. Ironically, Massachusetts marriage law went into effect on the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education.
The United States Constitution guarantees equality for all. As you can see, marriage and civil unions are not the same. Creating equal access to marriage is the only fair way to ensure equality for gay and straight couples alike.LinkIt needs State sanction because it is separate but not equal.
