For those of you who don’t have amnesia (see below), you probably recall our posting yesterday on how politicians in Massachusetts were again trying to put the smackdown on the state’s gay-marriage laws. If not, click here before reading on.
Despite soon-to-be ex-Governor Mitt Romney‘s objections (and 170,000 signatures), the legislature decided that they needed a bit of recess and went on their merry way before the vote could be called. We’ll let The Boston Globe do the talking:
The House and Senate, meeting in a special joint session, voted to recess before taking up a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would limit the legal definition of marriage to the union of one man and one woman. Lawmakers voted to adjourn the session until Jan. 2, the last official day of the session.
The 109-87 vote to recess dealt a crushing blow to opponents of same-sex marriage looking to override the landmark court decision three years ago that put Massachusetts on the vanguard of gay rights.
What do Globe staffers Andrea Estes and Scott Helman mean when they say “crushing blow”? They mean that by state law, a vote can only be put up three times. If none of the suggested votes take, said law goes to legislative heaven (although, we think that this particular vote may have gone to legislative hell…if such a thing exists).
Estes and Helman elaborate:
How about we take this to the next level?
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Shortly after the vote, Romney called a press conference and blasted the 109 lawmakers who voted to recess, saying “we have witnessed the triumph of arrogance over democracy.”
“Today, by effectively avoiding the constitutionally required vote on same-sex marriage, 109 legislators disgraced their oath of office,” Romney said, adding that it was clear the intent was to kill the measure altogether.
Um, yeah, it would seem that way, Mitt.
David Goulart
Mitt Romney (my governor) is a homo-phobic ass. BTW, we elected a pro-gay liberal governor Deval Patrick who takes office in January! Woo Hoo!
I am thrilled this was stalled. All the gay-haters were on local Boston talk radio this AM blasting the GAYS!
David
Jason
Its obvioous the pro-gay movement knows that when it comes to democracy they loose. They have to do things like this because they know they stand no chance if gay marriage is put to a vote.
One thing should be mentioned, marriage is not a protected right under the constitution, rather it’s something that society decides based on what society deems to be an appropriate relationship. Gay marriage fails this test, that is why many gays and lesbians have to resort to the means listed above.
Call it homophobic or whatever you want, I would call you constitutionphobic.
Lee
Hey David,
By voting to recess instead of adjourning till Jan 2nd, Guvner Hairdo can’t call the Con Con back into special session because they have intent to vote. They killed it procedurally. The Homo Bigots and Mass Family are having a conniption. And now got a wicked cool new Gov. Way Cool!!
And Jason,
I guess you’re just at this gay web site doing ‘research’ on confused closet case republicans eh? Got a little crush there on Mitt? Be careful, you might get a glimpse of some naked boys kissing or worse!
tsk tsk
Jason
Lee,
That was really clever, but it’s a typical response. No substance only some cute little digs. How about you address the issue? There is no consititutional right to marriage, and gay marriage looses in the public arena.
But no one has ever given left wing liberals any credit for reason and following the consititution.
You may feel that you are protectivting rights, but by forcing the elecotorate to accept your views you are slowly eroding our democracy which many still hold to be a wonderful thing.
Joseph
Jason,
Actually, gay marriage doesn’t lose (only one ‘o’) in the public arena. Recent polls suggest that the majority of Americans don’t have a problem with it. Granted, not the vast majority, but GW Bush didn’t need a vast majority, did he?
And if there’s no constitutional right to marriage, then there’s no constitutional grounds to define marriage, or the right to a certain group of people to deny another group the rights ALL Americans (should) enjoy.
And I would say it’s people like you who are trying to erode democracy. To create a “second class” of citizens is the antithesis of democracy. Since I don’t know you, I don’t know if you’re a Bush supporter, but people with your point of view tend to be, so … GWB and his supporters are the proverbial people who live in glass houses and throws stones. Bush is the greatest threat to democracy and the US Constitution we’ve faced in a long time. He and his people have worked tirelessly to chip away at one of the greatest living documents in history. So please stop saying that it’s gays who want the same righhts–not special rights or extra rights–that are eroding democracy, because it’s simply not true.
Oh, and if you keep haning around here, you WILL turn gay, and we don’t want hateful people like you on our team! 🙂
J R Brown
I stumbled across this site due to the responses posted about a landscaping company in Texas, but in navigating the different pages and forum, I find that same old tired “gay” rhetoric. Jason has a point…the responses are typical…not much substance, but a lot of name calling and inuendo.
Those who support gay marriage might wish to read the posts I made in the other forum and then I will be glad to debate it with you. But, at least have a reasonable, intelligent and rational argument ready for me instead of the lame quips and jibes.
By the way, I do not believe that gay marriage is justified or deserving of recognition. The idea that polls of Americans “have no problem with it” validates gay marriage is stupid and irrational.
For those who think that a democracy means that everyone is treated equally, take a government class for crying out loud. A democracy is a system of government where majority rules…by definition…and it would be prudent if you want to extol the virtues of democracy that you know what you are talking about. A republic is a government designed to protect the rights and interests of all the citizens through representation. Our country may have started out as a mix of a republic and democracy, but what we have now is nothing like what was intended. What we have now is “minority rule”: the majority is so complacent and fearful that they acquiesse to the minority who makes the loudest proverbial “squeak”.
As a society, we have lost the character and backbone possessed by the founding fathers and are descending into the abyss of a “me first” society.
WTF? STR8s here?
I would just like to say thankyou all for your comments. And congratulations! You live in a country where your constitution actually MEANS something. Where your vote, although it may not be counted at all, is still worth more than the paper it’s written on.
You want to talk about eroding democracy, come to Australia! We welcome bigotted arseholes with open arms, and try to vote them in as often a possible! We lay down and take it when a country like the USA decides to rape us over and over again!
Every day, I am treated more like a third class citizen. (First class is straight men, second is straight women, third is lesbians and foreigners, I forget the rest…)
So, at least be happy your screaming, shouting and protesting actually does something, even if it is only a few politicians who notice. At least they pay you attention.
Yours,
Disgruntled Lesbian Aussie Voter.