The Associated Press is reporting that the appeals court has ruled California’s voter-approved ban on gay marriage unconstitutional, so we know what the next big right wing freak-out will be.
I could care less, I just thought if the voters in Cali voted to change the law then they get to change the law. Actually this is why democracies are dangerous.
We don't live in a flat democracy, but a representative one that enshrines protection of the minority. The judicial branch's ability to override majority rule is important-- as we saw with integration.
They shouldn't. Regrettably when it comes to the SC, I am not sure it is any different. It is basically a vote, just one that was cast years earlier. I have little faith that this will get decided by the SC in any way other than on the partisan lines by which they were appointed.
Why bother holding elections at all, just let some judge decide.
Because this isn't a straight democracy you freaking dumbass we use a 3 branch system. Why do people like you just pretend you can't hear or understand this basic fact about our own government.
We use a 3 branch system and specifically the judicial branch to stop the majority from fucking the minority which is obviously something you aren't happy about.
Because this isn't a straight democracy you freaking dumbass we use a 3 branch system. Why do people like you just pretend you can't hear or understand this basic fact about our own government.
We use a 3 branch system and specifically the judicial branch to stop the majority from fucking the minority which is obviously something you aren't happy about.
Did you read what I said about democracies dumbass?
I could care less, I just thought if the voters in Cali voted to change the law then they get to change the law. Actually this is why democracies are dangerous.
The judiciary always gets a chance to review laws whether they be created by referendum or through the legislature. You obviously don't have a full grasp of this democracy.
The judiciary always gets a chance to review laws whether they be created by referendum or through the legislature. You obviously don't have a full grasp of this democracy.
Fuck it. Lets just go with a simple thumbs up or thumbs down, followed by the gladiator.
It isn't that Birtherism is resurgent amongst Republicans. It's that there are far, FAR fewer people now who are self-identifying as Republicans for the purposes of polling (at least, that's a guess, because the alternative is that people who believed the president was born here have suddenly decided he wasn't, which doesn't make any sense). So now, we're getting a more condensed version of crazy in polling.
No I think democracies are two wolves and a sheep voting on lunch.
It's funny how you bluster and demand everyone read what you said while you completely ignore all of the basic and common sense information being provided to you to correct your jacked up viewpoint.
Ignoring it to cause more drama makes you a troll... a willfully ignorant troll.
I could care less, I just thought if the voters in Cali voted to change the law then they get to change the law. Actually this is why democracies are dangerous.
So if a majority of people agree it's ok so say, break into houses and steal peoples stuff, then we should just let it go because hey, that's what the majority wants?
"A federal judge on Monday upheld the Texas law requiring women to have a sonogram before having an abortion, saying an appeals court had forced him to declare the law constitutional.
District Judge Sam Sparks had previously struck down parts of the law, but his latest ruling said he's bound to follow the direction of the New Orleans-based appeals court."
Actually yes, however I thought that the voters changed the Cal constitution.
Plz answer the question as to what political system is the best then.
Also, can you explain why you wrote in the first comment "Why bother holding elections at all, just let some judge decide.", which has obvious negative connotations, and now you write that you actually support the decision?
The courts do play a role in whether laws are unconstitutional. Prop 8 violates the 14th Amendment. There's no legitimate reason to treat gays differently than heterosexuals.
Prop 8 was an attempt to overturn the California Constitution, which permitted gay marriage.
The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behaviour, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services, a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.
Section 2.
The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority;--to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls;--to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction;--to controversies to which the United States shall be a party;--to controversies between two or more states;--between a state and citizens of another state;--between citizens of different states;--between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects.
Also, can you explain why you wrote in the first comment "Why bother holding elections at all, just let some judge decide.", which has obvious negative connotations, and now you write that you actually support the decision?
Plz answer the question as to what political system is the best then.
Also, can you explain why you wrote in the first comment "Why bother holding elections at all, just let some judge decide.", which has obvious negative connotations, and now you write that you actually support the decision?
The best political system would be the smallest. I see that my comment was negative but it seems capracious to overturn the election.
I could care less, I just thought if the voters in Cali voted to change the law then they get to change the law. Actually this is why democracies are dangerous.
No, this isn't why democracies are dangerous. Prop. 8 is why democracies are dangerous.
I'll re-ask Sergey's question: Why should civil rights be a matter of a vote?
Trolls don't answer questions or use logic. They just talk shit, smear strained pees in their hair and clap with delight at the disruption they cause. Ball gag works wonders.
Trolls don't answer questions or use logic. They just shit, smear strained pees in their hair and clap with delight at the disruption they cause. Ball gag works wonders.
Civil rights have been established and reinforced both by courts and by vote.
The 13th and 14th Amendments were legislatively created (and votes required to confirm as amendments to the US Constitution. States have amended their own constitutions similarly.
Other times, it has been up to the courts to protect civil rights - notably Brown and its progeny.
It doesn't work that way. The whole beauty of the Constitution is that it was designed by intent to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. When the mob votes to take away a right from a segment of society and compell them to second class citizenry there has to be a more compelling reason than "I don't like gays" or "it goes against my religion".
Civil rights have been established and reinforced both by courts and by vote.
The 13th and 14th Amendments were legislatively created (and votes required to confirm as amendments to the US Constitution. States have amended their own constitutions similarly.
Other times, it has been up to the courts to protect civil rights - notably Brown and its progeny.
Thanks for this. I'd rather be corrected than continue to sound ignorant.
Every several hundred years, the people of a nation need to rally together and drag all their judges and politicians into the street for a good old fashion thrashing......Think it's about time here!!
This court violated the Constitution of the United States. Not unusual territory for them, though. Actually READING the Constitution WOULD be unusual territory for this appeals court.
Its pretty sad when the will of the people is only obeyed when its convenient for liberals.
Our judicial system is out of control. Liberal appointments are ruining this country.
Its a real shame California has any impact on the rest of America!
Well, it's election year, those politicians want that phag vote, especially Obama, he wants all the low-life votes
This is another sign the democracy in usa is over.The voice of sovran is muzzled by 2 people????since when a court can decide against millions of people,especially in america,a common law country.probably these 2 judges are g#@y too
It takes time to frame something as dangerous that isn't. Probably trying to cue up video from the Stonewall riots and/or as offensive a pride parade attendee as they can find.
I could care less, I just thought if the voters in Cali voted to change the law then they get to change the law. Actually this is why democracies are dangerous.
No, civil rights issues are not up to a vote.
That's why black people can vote in Mississippi now, where they largely could not in my father's childhood.
Its a real shame California has any impact on the rest of America!
Yeah, why the hell should one of the most populous states, with a higher economic output than most of the rest of the country, which has a reputation for the arts and higher learning, plus having an enormous agricultural base have any affect on the country at all?
I think at this point in history the primary meaning of a democracy is the "majority rules, minority rights" type of a democracy. A liberal democracy. This is what is meant by the "spread of democracy" in political speeches etc. I.e. democracy is automatically tied to human rights.
The "direct democracy" AKA "mob rule" AKA ochlocracy is pretty much a secondary meaning, if that.
The best political system would be the smallest. I see that my comment was negative but it seems capracious to overturn the election.
I think the court would tell you that what would have been capricious is allowing a state proposition to enshrine inequality in the state constution. That's what we're on about here.
I could care less, I just thought if the voters in Cali voted to change the law then they get to change the law. Actually this is why democracies are dangerous.
There's this thing called The Constitution. It's the Law of our land.
I expect Newt Gingrich to use this ruling to bash judges he doesn't agree with yet again and to claim that this is religious persecution.
Yeah Newt has a slew of talking points in the last few days. I suspect he will have a mini surge on it. The Egypt -Iran / Obama- Carter thing, Prop 8, and Planned Parenthood. This is all manna to him.
Death porn. I'll just read about it if that's okay.
Normally I feel the same way, but this is an exception. It's needed to drive home the point that Putin is providing the weapons used to butcher civilians. And were it not for site policies, I would describe in graphic detail the "poetic justice" deserved by him and his chinless little buddy Assad.
First off, HOORAY for equality and congratulations to the gay community.
For the afterthought, this is all the more reason to ensure President Obama is re-elected. The next President is likely to nominate at least one - possibly more - Supreme Court judges. It is also a possibility that the Taliban folks will attempt to push this to the Supreme Court. We have to ensure that the Republican Party is not in a position to push more activist conservative judges in SCOTUS, who have already given us such disastrous decisions as Citizens United.
I could care less, I just thought if the voters in Cali voted to change the law then they get to change the law. Actually this is why democracies are dangerous.
And there was a vote a long time ago that led to prohibition, which was arguably wrong. There were votes in states that led to Jim Crow laws which were, undeniably wrong. Just because people vote for something doesn't make it right. In this case the judges found, initially, that the law being passed was in violation of the state constitution and now federal judges have found it to be in violation of the U.S. constitution making it....unconstitutional. In our system of government if something is found to be unconstitutional it is, by it's nature, invalid and does not stand to be law.
Ok, so I know we all don't like Fox News much, but I've been tracking the comments over there and I see a surprising number of people dropping in to defend the decision and slam the wingnuts upset about it. Far less one sided than other Fox comment threads have been.
Normally I feel the same way, but this is an exception. It's needed to drive home the point that Putin is providing the weapons used to butcher civilians. And were it not for site policies, I would describe in graphic detail the "poetic justice" deserved by him and his chinless little buddy Assad.
Putin wants the Syrian option open for dissent at home.
Actually yes, however I thought that the voters changed the Cal constitution.
They did. State Constitutions do not get to run athwart the US Constitution...and by first extending the right of marriage and then taking it away for no apparent purpose, the California voters ran afoul of equal protection guarantees.
I really don't know how that quote applies negatively to the decision to protect the rights of minorities in this decision, but there you go.
Whenever a libertarian uses that quote, it means 'whenever there's a policy decision I don't like, I'm going to get all upset and demand anarchy and revolution, and I can do it because I have a gun which makes me super tough'.
yes, let's do away with the referree here and just make Newt supreme leader and everything will be ok. Doing away with an independent judiciary is one of the steps down the path to totalitarianism,.
Gingrich has been saying that the President should just ignore any Supreme Court rulings he doesn't like: [Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]
Do as I say, just don't do as I do. And if President Obama were to comply with the court decision (let alone ignore one) with that same kind of attitude Newt says, Newt would be the first to bring the tar and feathers (and pitchforks).
Normally I feel the same way, but this is an exception. It's needed to drive home the point that Putin is providing the weapons used to butcher civilians..
Actually, he's doing more than that; Russia is apparently supplying weapons to both sides of the Syrian conflict - seems they don't care who's killing who, just so long as they make a profit off of it. And if those pesky rebels actually do win and Assad falls, then they'll be able to marginalize the involvement with Assad and portray themselves as having been on the rebel's side the whole time. Everything's legitimate for the sake of preserving economic (sales) and strategic (Tarsus port) interests in the region - human rights be damned...
It depends. Are dislike for injustice, pseudoscience, abrogation of civil rights - left-wing values in the US right now?
Or has the right in general (not every single individual, of course), by abandoning them, has made anybody concerned about them "left-wingers" in at least some sense? I guess, it could be argued to be so.
Two protesters interrupted Newt Gingrich at a campaign stop in Minnesota last night, challenging, “Why do you support discrimination against gays and lesbians all the time? Serial hypocrisy!” and “No hate in our state, why do you discriminate?” The crowd responded by booing the activists and chanting “Newt!” while Gingrich rebuffed the disruptions, saying, “My guess is it’s 407 to three.”
Conservativist media has successfully redefined the word in modern America, so successfully that essentially all forms of media now use their definition. Which is, anything that espouses total hatred of Democrats, liberals and wants to radically change the USA into a libertarian anarchy is 'conservative'. All other viewpoints are 'lefty'.
Obama himself would be chased out as a wingnut troll.
Well, let's see, you haven't been chased out, but Obama would be. The assumption is that he would be chased out from the far left blog. Ergo, you're to the left of Obama?
If the Dissidents do overthrow Al-Assad, I don't think they would be keeping the deals with Russia, not after this.
That makes me worried. What do the Russians know that we don't? How far is Assad going to go to protect his regime? The Russians wouldn't be siding with him if they didn't think he'll last.
I have to say though -- since the right wing has gone completely bonkers, and the right wing blogosphere is now dominated by people who are utterly blind with hatred of everything that isn't them, if I have to be classified I'd much rather be "left wing."
Well, let's see, you haven't been chased out, but Obama would be. The assumption is that he would be chased out from the far left blog. Ergo, you're to the left of Obama?
Or he is so far left, he's looped around right, and Kilgore is actually Karl Rove.
Well, let's see, you haven't been chased out, but Obama would be. The assumption is that he would be chased out from the far left blog. Ergo, you're to the left of Obama?
Actually by quite a bit. Gay Marriage for example. I'm a full on supporter of gay marriage and adoption. Obama, not so much.
Now that you brought it up, I worry too. How far are Russia and China willing to let Assad go?
I think it is safe to say that, after this, there is a more positive view of the US. We didn't veto on this, so our stock rises as compared to Russia and China's.
Now that you brought it up, I worry too. How far are Russia and China willing to let Assad go?
I think it is safe to say that, after this, there is a more positive view of the US. We didn't veto on this, so our stock rises as compared to Russia and China's.
It's a complicated situation. Russia and China are also probably going to stick with Iran. Things could get real complicated if they know what they're doing. I'm hoping they are making a mistake like they did with Libya.
If the Dissidents do overthrow Al-Assad, I don't think they would be keeping the deals with Russia, not after this.
Pretty much. There's nothing but hate coming from the dissidents and the civilians in the bombed cities when it comes to Putin. It was the case before the massacre over the weekend, and 1000x more the case after the Russian veto at the UN Security council.
Russia is still clinging to the illusion that they can pull this off without consequences, but if I were the Russian envoy visiting Syria this week to try and work a negotiation, I'd be fearful for my very life.
Israeli hackers took down a website run by Hamas on Tuesday, and warned that the web company which hosted the site will be their next target.
The 'IDF Team' hacker group took responsibility for the attack.
The affected website, [Link: www.qasssam.ps,...] is run by Hamas's Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades terrorist force, and often displays content celebrating rocket fire on Israeli civilians from Gaza.
The website was unavailable after IDF Team said it would take the site offline.
IDF Team added that it had first sent an email to the Nashirnet web hosting company asking them "to remove the Hamas terrorist site. But we got a negative answer."
Last night, my daughter comes up and asks me if I have $10. I respond "No, but I've got 2 fives." She immediately grabs both my wrists and says, "I know what you had in mind."
What do the Russians know that we don't? How far is Assad going to go to protect his regime?
In a nutshell, it seems Russia is planning for Assad to either leave voluntarily or run like hell if it comes to it. Sources seem to indicate that he's set up a safe haven in Moscow. Either way, the Russians have too much at stake (from their perspective) to risk losing Syria. As for Assad, the short answer is that he'll do anything and everything to protect his regime. It's more than just some leader trying to cling on to his rule by all means possible. He has the family "legacy" to maintain (which has been pressure enough over the years, as the son, in local eyes, doesn't even come close to the dead father), and the Allawite minority might suffer severe repercussions at the hands of the Sunni majority in the country if and when the regime collapses.
7000 killed is nothing as far as he's concerned. He'd risk slaughtering much if he'd think it would stabilize things (his father slaughtered more in the day). IMO, he'll stop at nothing until the very end.
If that were true, he might get a few Republican votes.
Seriously, though, Obama may not have come out in favor of gay marriage yet, but he's far to the left of any of the GOP's candidates on the overall issue of gay rights.
The main reason why Russian govt doesn't want to be neutral again in the SC is Putin's view of the wily US plans for the Middle East (or in the world in general; "Orangist threat" and such). I was very surprised, in fact, when we didn't vote "no" on Libya. Medvedev still had a lot of influence at the time, and even publicly squabbled a bit with Putin on the issue, and I guess Putin let him do his thing and see what comes next. What came next was absolutely not to his liking and was covered rather negatively in the state media.
With Medvedev basically castrated, pre-election-wise, it would be no longer possible for him to influence things on Syria, even if he wanted to, which he probably doesn't anyway, since the reaction to the Libyan vote has been negative. So it was straight out of question that the Russian envoy would not vote "no" in SC when the next batch of shit hit the fan. It's incompatible with the anti-Western views now being pushed in aftermath of Libya.
If that were true, he might get a few Republican votes.
Seriously, though, Obama may not have come out in favor of gay marriage yet, but he's far to the left of any of the GOP's candidates on the overall issue of gay rights.
I know - it's just such a standard right-wing desperation move: "Obama opposes gay marriage".
It's so obvious when you think about it - that's why he's doing nothing to avoid the spread of gay marriage throughout the US. It's all part of his tricky Mooslem stealthiness.
If that were true, he might get a few Republican votes.
Seriously, though, Obama may not have come out in favor of gay marriage yet, but he's far to the left of any of the GOP's candidates on the overall issue of gay rights.
That's true. Can't imagine any of them doing what Obama did with DADT. Obama does need to be better on this issue but he is better on these kind of issues than the Republican candidates who by and large try to outdo each other by seeing who can be most reactionary on gay rights issues.
If that were true, he might get a few Republican votes.
Seriously, though, Obama may not have come out in favor of gay marriage yet, but he's far to the left of any of the GOP's candidates on the overall issue of gay rights.
As I recall I think he's in favor of civil unions but not marriage.
Tuesday night sees GOP caucus contests in Colorado, Missouri and Minnesota. And it would seem the Romney campaign’s internal polling suggests things aren’t looking too great for the GOP frontrunner in any of them. His team is scrambling to submerge expectations to ocean-floor depths, sending out a memo downplaying the contests’ importance and stressing that the March 6 Super Tuesday states should be the real test of Romney’s momentum.
According to the memo, by Romney political director Rich Beeson, “we expect our opponents to notch a few wins” over the course of the race, but the campaign plans to win with its superior resources over the long haul. It also stressed that the caucuses Tuesday in Minnesota and Colorado don’t immediately award any delegates and the Missouri primary doesn’t award delegates period (Gingrich isn’t on the ballot either). The basic gist of the message: ignore everything that happens in February no matter what.
That's true. Can't imagine any of them doing what Obama did with DADT. Obama does need to be better on this issue but he is better on these kind of issues than the Republican candidates who by and large try to outdo each other by seeing who can be most reactionary on gay rights issues.
Politically a lot of this stuff is untouchable so he'd have to wait for a second term. Unfortunately, Dems lost congress and Republicans are going to block everything. I had hopes we might see a Federal decriminalization of weed but that's looking doubtful.
He's also probably going to leave office with Gitmo still open, indefinite detention laws and a whole bunch of other stuff still on the books.
I have slim hope that someday we might see publicly funded campaigns but that's also looking very doubtful.
I think the only truly sincerely anti gay Republican candidate is Santorum. Mitt and Gingrich see gay bashing as a means to get nominated and elected more than anything else.
Politically a lot of this stuff is untouchable so he'd have to wait for a second term. Unfortunately, Dems lost congress and Republicans are going to block everything. I had hopes we might see a Federal decriminalization of weed but that's looking doubtful.
He's also probably going to leave office with Gitmo still open, indefinite detention laws and a whole bunch of other stuff still on the books.
I have slim hope that someday we might see publicly funded campaigns but that's also looking very doubtful.
Yeah, political realities make a lot of this stuff hard. Hence why I have my disappointments with him but I don't feel "sold out" either.
Heh. Recently I got convinced that he is secretly pro-SSM, but talks the moderate talk for political convenience. (Shocka!)
MAybe, it's always hard to tell with these guys. Clinton and Dubya also governed as moderates. Some of it's practical, some of it political. We can only guess what they really believe in their hearts.
Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has announced plans for what local media are calling a major announcement Tuesday amid escalating tensions between Argentina and Great Britain over the Falkland Islands.
Kirchner is gathering ruling and opposition party politicians, diplomats and veterans from the 1982 war between Britain and Argentina over the South Atlantic islands, which Argentina calls Las Malvinas, the English-language Buenos Aires Herald reported. Her announcement is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time (5 p.m. ET).
Speculation in recent days has been that Kirchner will cut the Falklands air link to the South American mainland by banning the airline LAN Chile from using Argentinian airspace to fly to the islands from Chile. The Saturday flights are the only scheduled air service to the Falklands and carry fresh food as well as passengers, Britain's Sky News reports.
I think the only truly sincerely anti gay Republican candidate is Santorum. Mitt and Gingrich see gay bashing as a means to get nominated and elected more than anything else.
Once again, what politicians think in private is completely irrelevant. How they vote, and (secondarily, though importantly in the case of presidential candidates) what they say about how they will vote in the future, is what counts.
On that measure, there is absolutely no comparison between Obama and, essentially, any current mainstream Republican politician on the issue of gay rights.
Anyone who says they support gay marriage but won't vote for Obama against any of the Republican hopefuls is not being 100% serious.
I find that interesting given your earlier statements regarding people voting against their self interest. There are many fiscal conservatives who personally support the right of gays to marry but to be honest, may feel that the issue is of little relevance to their own life. They will vote with their pocketbook and hope for the best in the gay marriage debate.
During the last POTUS election, I seem to recall him coming out squarely against gay marriage.
I'm wrong?
If he had come out "squarely against gay marriage," he probably wouldn't have opposed Prop 8 in California. But he did oppose it, and has never supported anything along the lines of a fed. law or const. amendment defining marriage as between only man and woman.
Like I said, he hasn't endorsed SSM yet, but he's far to the left of any of the GOP candidates on the overall issues of gay rights. Am I wrong?
Yeah, political realities make a lot of this stuff hard. Hence why I have my disappointments with him but I don't feel "sold out" either.
I don't feel sold out at all. He's actually exceeded my expectations. Healthcare reform was a huge success that dems have been trying to pass for at least 20 years. I think he's ecxellent in the "war on terror" (or whatever they're calling it these days). He's also doing pretty damn well on foreign policy.
Yeah, political realities make a lot of this stuff hard. Hence why I have my disappointments with him but I don't feel "sold out" either.
In retrospect, he has accomplished some amazing things, what with all the opposition from all the R's and stupid centrist D's.
And he's been taking a lot of flak for being slow on DADT, for having his lawyers defend it in courts, etc. At the time it was very annoying. But in retrospect? He did everything right, by the book, and made the policy iron-clad, and the reversal of the policy a political suicide (IMHO). Well played, Mr. President!
I think the only truly sincerely anti gay Republican candidate is Santorum. Mitt and Gingrich see gay bashing as a means to get nominated and elected more than anything else.
Mitt will say anything to get elected. Newt on the other hand is just an equal-opportunity hater.
I find that interesting given your earlier statements regarding people voting against their self interest. There are many fiscal conservatives who personally support the right of gays to marry but to be honest, may feel that the issue is of little relevance to their own life. They will vote with their pocketbook and hope for the best in the gay marriage debate.
OK, let me rephrase that to include the sub-clause that a "fiscal conservative" who will vote for a homophobe because he thinks he'll get a tax cut is a special kind of shitbag not covered by the main "not 100% serious" clause.
That's true. Can't imagine any of them doing what Obama did with DADT. Obama does need to be better on this issue but he is better on these kind of issues than the Republican candidates who by and large try to outdo each other by seeing who can be most reactionary on gay rights issues.
Indeed many GOP politicians, including most of the presidential circus boys, want to reinstate DADT.
I don't feel sold out at all. He's actually exceeded my expectations. Healthcare reform was a huge success that dems have been trying to pass for at least 20 years. I think he's ecxellent in the "war on terror" (or whatever they're calling it these days. He's also doing pretty damn well on foreign policy.
I have to agree in many ways. Still have some disappointments but HCR was as the veep put it a big fucking deal and getting Bin Laden and Qaddafi knocked out was huge. I wasn't surprised by his toughness on foreign policy. He was never a dove.
As I recall I think he's in favor of civil unions but not marriage.
But Obama opposes taking away marriage rights in states that already have it. (Thus his opposition to Prop 8). His statements that "my position is evolving" is something of a dodge. But it's still far more progressive than anything you'll find in the GOP, since it involves the concept of evolution (even if not necessarily the Darwinian type).
As to where Obama stands on gay marriage, there was a greal SNL bit after the VP debate where the the Joe Biden character did all but french kiss the idea of gay marriage, and then when asked "So you support gay marriage?" He said "No! Not at all."
That has pretty much been Obama's position all along. Civil Unions that act in all ways as marriage. Yeah, a politicians cop out, but essentially supporting the ideas of gay marriage without wanting to call it that.
He voted against FMA, so I really don't see how he's done anything to actually oppose gay marriage except that say he prefers full-right civil unions. It's a dumb position, but voting against FMA is the important vote, so is instruction the DOJ not to defend DOMA, etc.
Once again, what politicians think in private is completely irrelevant. How they vote, and (secondarily, though importantly in the case of presidential candidates) what they say about how they will vote in the future, is what counts.
On that measure, there is absolutely no comparison between Obama and, essentially, any current mainstream Republican politician on the issue of gay rights.
I don't disagree with you. I am just saying that I think Romney and Gingrich play the anti gay card to get political points and honestly I think that's scum. And I don't think they're identical to Obama on gay rights issues just to clear up my position. I'd like Obama to be more progressive on this issue but he has been better than McCain would be or any of the Republicans running against him. That alone is a huge plus for him in my book.
MAybe, it's always hard to tell with these guys. Clinton and Dubya also governed as moderates. Some of it's practical, some of it political. We can only guess what they really believe in their hearts.
It seems the day to day job reality of that high office has a rather severe centrist bias. Especially when things are being run with less deliberate manufactured drama than the past 12 years or so.
I don't disagree with you. I am just saying that I think Romney and Gingrich play the anti gay card to get political points and honestly I think that's scum. And I don't think they're identical to Obama on gay rights issues just to clear up my position. I'd like Obama to be more progressive on this issue but he has been better than McCain would be or any of the Republicans running against him. That alone is a huge plus for him in my book.
Yeah, I realized you weren't really disagreeing with me.
I'm not sure that being anti-gay for votes is necessarily worse than being anti-gay because you're a bit slow*, but I can see where you're coming from there.
Yeah, I realized you weren't really disagreeing with me.
I'm not sure that being anti-gay for votes is necessarily worse than being anti-gay because you're a bit slow*, but I can see where you're coming from there.
I don't know what's worse to be honest with you-being sincerely bigoted i.e. Santorum or being a pandering jerk like Romney. I liken it to what happened during the Civil Rights era where there were sincere hardcore racists but also panderers like George Wallace. Anyhow, I think the country is moving forward on this issue and that's a great thing.
OK, let me rephrase that to include the sub-clause that a "fiscal conservative" who will vote for a homophobe because he thinks he'll get a tax cut is a special kind of shitbag not covered by the main "not 100% serious" clause.
I think you are way off base here. Asking a fiscal conservative 60 year old man - who may not know or socialize with any (out) gay people and who is on the verge of retirement - to vote on the issue of gay marriage rather than on the issue of whether his capital gains income (which may end up being 100% of his income in a year or so) should be taxed at 15%, 25% or 50% is truly confused and short sighted. I don't think it makes that person a shitbag. Right or wrong is a discussion you can have. Shitbag?
Why should it take knowing someone personally to be able to understand they deserve equal civil rights?
It most certainly does not. But asking someone to vote against their perceived economic interests over one particular issue that may seem pretty remote to them, is deserving of a reality check.
Why should it take knowing someone personally to be able to understand they deserve equal civil rights?
People don't like to think of old people as being bigoted, I think is the issue.
On a somewhat related note, I think that one of the worst outcomes of the past 30 years has been the transferral of retirement financial security from a social obligation to a private one, in that it raises exactly the kinds of issue that we see here: the tying of one's personal comfort in retirement to the espousal of radical right-wing bigotry.
I'm not at all in support of the amendment, but it seems to me that a voter-approved amendment would pass judicial muster. It is a bit different than the government acting on its own. We shall see as no doubt it's heading to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court may very well overrule the Ninth Circuit on Prop 8 - don't forget that they're dominated by conservatives now, as a result of W's appointments.
The best political system would be the smallest. I see that my comment was negative but it seems capracious to overturn the election.
I agree that the smaller the better, but that line of thinking has been twisted into the Grover Norquist notion that the best government is the one so small that you can drown it in a bathtub.
People don't like to think of old people as being bigoted, I think is the issue.
On a somewhat related note, I think that one of the worst outcomes of the past 30 years has been the transferral of retirement financial security from a social obligation to a private one, in that it raises exactly the kinds of issue that we see here: the tying of one's personal comfort in retirement to the espousal of radical right-wing bigotry.
No I was trying to set out an example of a person that believes he "has no dog in the fight". The perception may be, Sure gays can marry, what do I care, or what is the big difference in gay marriage and civil unions. They may not be bigots at all and may be in favor of gay unions and or marriage. BUT, that is not the basis on which they vote. They vote with their pocketbook. And if you said to them are you willing to give up 30% of your retirement income so Jon and Jack can get married, they might say, you know I wish the best for Jon and Jack, but I am not going to eat saltines and spam for the next 20 years so they can get hitched.
And if you said to them are you willing to give up 30% of your retirement income so Jon and Jack can get married, they might say, you know I wish the best for Jon and Jack, but I am not going to eat saltines and spam for the next 20 years so they can get hitched.
That isn't a realistic scenario, though. No part of it. And there is benefit to him to having gay people get married.
Thomas just "calls balls and strikes". I'm sure he'll go with the Constitution.
/
STRICT CONSTRUCTIONIST! Except he's really not. Anyhow, speaking of the USSC- I've been reading The Brethren by Woodward for the last few weeks. Seems to me that the judicial activist meme started in the Warren Court years. I still contend that this adage: that a judicial activist is a judge that rules against your beliefs and a strict construction is one who affirms yours to be true. You never hear Republican candidates complaining about judges ruling activist like on issues favorably to them.
No I was trying to set out an example of a person that believes he "has no dog in the fight". The perception may be, Sure gays can marry, what do I care, or what is the big difference in gay marriage and civil unions. They may not be bigots at all and may be in favor of gay unions and or marriage. BUT, that is not the basis on which they vote. They vote with their pocketbook. And if you said to them are you willing to give up 30% of your retirement income so Jon and Jack can get married, they might say, you know I wish the best for Jon and Jack, but I am not going to eat saltines and spam for the next 20 years so they can get hitched.
Well, I find it really hard to believe that there are people about to retire who would be both:
A) 30% worse off in net income under the Democrats and
B) in a low enough income bracket that they would be forced to eat saltines and spam as a result
I agree that the smaller the better, but that line of thinking has been twisted into the Grover Norquist notion that the best government is the one so small that you can drown it in a bathtub.
In this as in... yanno, other things... it isn't the size, it's the effectiveness. The size of government is meaningless and the idiots who scream about "smaller government" are just showing their ignorance and willingness to be led by entirely empty rhetoric.
The Supreme Court may very well overrule the Ninth Circuit on Prop 8 - don't forget that they're dominated by conservatives now, as a result of W's appointments.
This is why elections really do matter.
And why the GOP is so dead-set on winning this year, as two seats are expected to be up for grabs in the next 4 years and even winning a majority in the Senate would be enough to swing the court solidly conservative.
I'm not convinced that he even pays attention to the cases being argued before the Court. He has to be one of the worst legal thinkers I've ever had the displeasure of reading.
I'm not convinced that he even pays attention to the cases being argued before the Court. He has to be one of the worst legal thinkers I've ever had the displeasure of reading.
The Supreme Court may very well overrule the Ninth Circuit on Prop 8 - don't forget that they're dominated by conservatives now, as a result of W's appointments.
Romer v. Evans, 517 U.S. 620 (1996), is a landmark United States Supreme Court case dealing with civil rights and state laws. It was the first Supreme Court case to deal with LGBT rights since Bowers v. Hardwick (1986), when the Court had ruled that a law criminalizing homosexual sex was constitutional.[1]
An amendment to the Colorado state constitution ("Amendment 2") that would have prevented any city, town or county in the state from taking any legislative, executive, or judicial action to recognize gay and lesbian citizens as a protected class was passed by Colorado voters in a referendum. A state trial court issued a permanent injunction against the amendment, and upon appeal, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that the amendment was subject to "strict scrutiny" under the Equal Protection Clause. The state trial court, upon remand, concluded that the amendment could not pass strict scrutiny, which the Colorado Supreme Court agreed with upon review. Upon appeal to the United States Supreme Court, the Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that the amendment did not even pass the rational basis test, let alone strict scrutiny.[2] The decision in Romer set the stage for Lawrence v. Texas (2003), where the Court overruled its decision in Bowers.[1]
Well, I find it really hard to believe that there are people about to retire who would be both:
A) 30% worse off in net income under the Democrats and
B) in a low enough income bracket that they would be forced to eat saltines and spam as a result
But as a hypothetical I suppose it works.
Again, I know these are exaggerated. But my point is that to many, gay marriage is a fringe issue. I don't think it is, you don't think it is. But even to some that have no problem with gays marrying and would be happy to see it, the right to marry may seem fringe (and they may not even appreciate all the facts about what is entailed in that right).
a)Newt is pushing for a 0 cap gain rate, and democrats would like to see a 25% rate, so there is a 25% swing right there.
b) Stock market being as unpredictable as it is, I think people heading into retirement don't feel all that secure.
That isn't a realistic scenario, though. No part of it. And there is benefit to him to having gay people get married.
It is realistic in the thought process. The numbers and impact are exaggerated. But if you think there aren't many people who support gay marriage or at least do not oppose it but vote with their pocketbook for real and defensible reasons you are not being realistic.
By the way, what is the benefit to that hypothetical man of having gay people get married? How do you think that benefit ranks in the priorities of such a person.
I figure: Scalia, Thomas, Alito, Roberts to vote to overturn
Sotomayor, Kagan, Ginsberg, Breyer to confirm.
Kennedy is the one that's up in the air.
Roberts may join a majority to confirm. Scalia can be a hard one to predict based on the particulars of this case where a right that existed was actually taken away.
I agree. Mitt just panders at a dumber level. I don;t think either Mitt or Newt are dangerous ideologues. They're campaign promises are pretty hollow.
But Socon pandering to win elections without actually delivering anything once in office has been GOP boilerplate for years. Which is one of the things that triggered the Socon grassroots movement in the GOP that the current candidates are being forced to reap.
It is realistic in the thought process. The numbers and impact are exaggerated.
How is it realistic, then, if you're dealing with an exagerrated situation? The real one would be someone decided that a small fraction of his income was more important than the civil rights of another.
And so what's your point? How can you reach someone who's that short-sighted?
By the way, what is the benefit to that hypothetical man of having gay people get married? How do you think that benefit ranks in the priorities of such a person.
It's the benefit of more stable families, fewer people depending on government assistance. A two-person household unit is more robust.
I'm not interested in figuring out the priorities of a completely bullshit hypothetical person. Because it's a hypothetical person. So, imagine whatever the hell you want as how important that benefit is to them.
If society were actually composed of people that can only see short-sighted self-interest, we'd already be in anarchy.
Roberts may join a majority to confirm. Scalia can be a hard one to predict based on the particulars of this case where a right that existed was actually taken away.
True Scalia is capable of surprising here and I'd say the most of the court's "conservative" bloc of doing so.
How is it realistic, then, if you're dealing with an exagerrated situation? The real one would be someone decided that a small fraction of his income was more important than the civil rights of another.
No that would take it in the opposite direction. The real one would be someone who put a substantial impact on their economic prospects ahead of what they perceive as a fringe civil rights issue.
I'm not interested in figuring out the priorities of a completely bullshit hypothetical person. Because it's a hypothetical person. So, imagine whatever the hell you want as how important that benefit is to them.
Ideological bs. These people are independents. Not hypothetical at all. In good times that have lots of time for social causes, and civil rights. In tough times, when they are scared, they retreat to pocketbook politics. You may believe they are hypothetical and irrelevant. I completely disagree.
That's nice. If what you're saying is "How do you appeal to the self-interest of someone on an issue where they don't have a self-interest", the answer is, you don't. You can't create a self-interest when there isn't one.
The Supreme Court may very well overrule the Ninth Circuit on Prop 8 - don't forget that they're dominated by conservatives now, as a result of W's appointments.
This is why elections really do matter.
I keep telling that to the nutjobs who want to nader Mittens into the White House.
That's nice. If what you're saying is "How do you appeal to the self-interest of someone on an issue where they don't have a self-interest", the answer is, you don't. You can't create a self-interest when there isn't one.
What's your point? That some people are assholes?
Actually my point is exactly the opposite. They are not assholes (well some of them likely are). They are rational actors. Issue remoteness and issue sensitivity are real. I don't label everyone who votes Republican a bigot or shitbag as the op did, because they may in fact be neither. They may be someone for whom the gay marriage issue seems remote, whereas they may have real pocketbook issues to vote on. I don't buy into the you don't agree with me you are a shitbag routine from the right, nor do I buy it from the left.
True Scalia is capable of surprising here and I'd say the most of the court's "conservative" bloc of doing so.
I doubt that very much, for it was Scalia in the first place who, in Lawrence v. Texas, argued that striking down the anti-sodomy laws would lead to striking down the laws against bigamy, same-sex marriage, adult incest, prostitution, masturbation, adultery, fornication, bestiality and obscenity. I don't expect him to rule for SSM any time soon.
Why the hell do you think those are opposed terms?
Do you think people who are okay with black people having fewer rights than white people are ethically okay?
That is a faulty syllogism. As I said, someone may vote republican and believe in the rights of gays to marry. End of story. You may be happy to go through life feeling the opposite. I believe is is a sophomoric attitude.
I'm laughing at some of the wingnut fail I've seen around the 'net today, starting with this genius from Free Republic:
I have actually read the Constitution and the Federalist papers. I don’t remember marriage being discussed. Maybe they’re talking about the equal protection clause. If that is the case then that doesn’t make any sense either. All homosexuals of adult age are allowed to get married with very few exceptions. They cannot presently be married, and they have to marry someone of the opposite sex. We have the exact same privledges.
Dear moran -- if a gay or lesbian person can't marry who they love and they have to marry someone of the opposite sex, they don't have the same rights under the law. How hard is that to understand?
I have argued that someone may in fact put their own economic interest ahead of a social issue that they may in fact even believe in especially when it may seem remote to them. That they are not shitbags for doing so.
You have argued that that is akin to thinking it is ok for black people to have fewer rights than white.
I do not think that at all. There is nothing in any of my posts to suggest that I support or believe it is ethical to believe straight people are more entitled to marriage than gays. I don't.
My point is that people are rational actors, that weigh priorities. The more remote an issue (or the perception of it), the less likely it is to impact their voting behavior. I do not believe that someone is by virtue of voting Republican on pocketbook issues that impact their lives necessarily a bigot and shitbag, or unethical. They may in fact be all those things, but one would need to dig a little deeper to figure that out.
My point is that people are rational actors, that weigh priorities.
Why do you think people are rational actors, anyway?
. I do not believe that someone is by virtue of voting Republican on pocketbook issues that impact their lives necessarily a bigot and shitbag, or unethical.
So someone who actively votes for someone who will deny civil rights to someone else is not unethical, even though you think that denying those civil rights is, in fact, unethical.
Why do you think people are rational actors, anyway?
So someone who actively votes for someone who will deny civil rights to someone else is not unethical, even though you think that denying those civil rights is, in fact, unethical.
Or to put it another way, I believe one can ethically vote for a candidate whom on the balance one agrees with, even where one of their positions is not one you agree with, and view as unethical. And you may in fact say as much, as in the case of pro life democrats and log cabin republicans.
Or to put it another way, I believe one can ethically vote for a candidate whom on the balance one agrees with, even where one of their positions is not one you agree with, and view as unethical.
Sure. But that's not what we're talking about. We're talking about someone deciding between civil rights or a small short-term economic benefit. That's what you set up. Now you're expanding it.
Sure. But that's not what we're talking about. We're talking about someone deciding between civil rights or a small short-term economic benefit. That's what you set up. Now you're expanding it.
They are birds of the same feather. You rank priorities. That is how it works. One is merely an end of the spectrum you are comfortable with, the other is not. Who are you to rank people's priorities for them. My point has been from the very start that people rank these priorities for themselves with regard to their impact or perceived impact on their own situation. And that one can be in favour of gay marriage and vote Republican. That has always been my point and if you read the thread you will see that it has always been my point. The fact that you believe 10 or 15% difference in someone's tax rate is a "small short term benefit" is irrelevant to how they perceive it or to their reality. Maybe it is the difference between their child or grandchild going to community college or Harvard.
So basically, your position is that voting to deny someone their civil rights so that you can afford to send a child to college is not, in fact, unethical behavior?
10 or 15% is a very defensible number if someone takes the swing between a Gingrich vs Obama on cap gains debate.
You are right. It might be life or death. My guess is a person weighs this out. Do they view opposition to gay marriage in the same way they would view rounding up homosexuals into work camps? I would seriously doubt it. Are they right? or wrong? That was never my point. Just that I don't think they are by definition assholes for voting with their pocketbook.
So basically, your position is that voting to deny someone their civil rights so that you can afford to send a child to college is not, in fact, unethical behavior?
No what I am saying is voting to put one's own child or grandchild through College may rank higher than ensuring gays can marry for some people, even though that person may believe gays should have the right to marry. And in fact that person may participate in efforts to gain that right. That person my put their faith in a Judicial system that they expect will protect that right, that person may even know what is implicit in that right. And that said person is not by definition an asshole. You may disagree. It is your right.
No what I am saying is voting to put one's own child or grandchild through College may rank higher than ensuring gays can marry for some people, even though that person may believe gays should have the right to marry.
Yes. Or that it may rank higher than blacks being able to go to the same school as whites, or any number of other things.
So if someone voted for a candidate who would strip you of the right to marry your wife, and explained they did so so that they could have extra income, you wouldn't feel that person had acted in any wrong way?
So, if you had been prevented from marrying, would that have had a large effect on your life?
Well, in so far as the rights that go along with it, those being related to income tax, death benefits etc, it likely would. Otherwise, not really important for me to have the paper. My Mother was very happy though.
Not sure your point though. I have reiterated numerous times my absolute support for gay marriage. Not even an issue of discussion for me.
And are you going to back up your claim that there's a lot of retirees depending mainly on capital gains income that'd be highly affected by any of the changes proposed by Obama et al?
And are you going to back up your claim that there's a lot of retirees depending mainly on capital gains income that'd be highly affected by any of the changes proposed by Obama et al?
I have to run, and I have beat this thing to death, while I should have been working, but let me say this to respond to you:
I don't need to defend it. People retiring, no more working income. They have investments that they live off. Those investments generate primarily capital gains. a 10 or 15 or 25 point swing in cap gain, will impact their disposable income. Maybe they benefit from the Bush tax cuts, don't want to lose them either. Maybe they have a fear of a value added tax down the road and view some of this as the thin edge of the wedge. Whatever it is. It is their issue. It is not mine and I don't need to defend it. The fact that they have that belief is sufficient.
As for your question about what if the right was denied to me, that is essentially the crux of the point. Voter's weigh impacts. The impact of right to marry for gays is measured against some other interests. It is not about right or wrong. assholes or not assholes. Ethical vs unethical. It is about where this issue sits in the perception of the voter. I can tell you, there are a great many people in the US, that spend exactly a second thinking about gay marriage as a factor in this election. Not because they hate gays, but because the issue is remote for them. Not because they want to deny gays that right, but because they vote on issues that are immediate to them. Not because they are assholes, though they may in fact be.
You may believe that the only ethical course for a voter to take is to vote only for a candidate whose every position is one you are in lockstep with philosophically. I disagree and have voted in enough elections to know otherwise. You may believe that some issues are so big, that even if you are willing to believe a candidate can differ from you on some things, they cannot on others. To that I say, welcome to politics. Not everyone has those same grail issues. You may believe that there is no personal situation that might cause you to vote in a way that contradicts a belief you had only a few years earlier. I disagree.
You may certainly respond, and I will likely read it, but I am not going to continue, as I have to do some other things and am pretty certain we are unlikely to convince each other.
Why bother holding elections at all, just let some judge decide.
allow me to quote from slacktivist's article on the topic:
And you’re not allowed to have a law that “serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity” of a given minority. It’s easy to pass such laws, given that minorities, being in the minority, are easily outnumbered. But this is what the Constitution and equal protection and the rule of law are for — making sure that the majority can’t pull stunts like that just because there happen to be more of them.
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