It's not like the Alabama Legislature has anything important to do these days. Why shouldn't they
wade into the controversy over what the California entrant into the Miss USA pageant
said about gay marriage? Rep. Jay Love (R-Pratville) introduced a resolution praising the beauty queen for saying -- in answer to a question -- that she thinks marriage should be only between a man and a women. [Actually you need to
listen to the answer yourself. I'm still not sure what she was saying!] That prompted a spirited defense by Rep. Alvin Holmes (D-Montgomery). And yes, that was Miss
California speaking, not Miss Alabama, and no, Alabama is not exactly ground-zero for the marriage debate (unlike Iowa and Vermont and New York and, uh, California), but perhaps it really is a critical issue demanding immediate attention from our lawmakers in Montgomery. Remember what U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-6th District) said two years ago this month, according to a story in the Birmingham News:"
We could lose Iraq and survive; we lost Vietnam a
nd survived, but if we lose this battle over gay marriage, we are doomed." So there. No wonder legislators are knee-deep in the comments of a beauty contestant. It's not like the Alabama's 9% unemployment rate is a 22 year high, or our Education Budget is facing more proration next year, or the state's rate of high-school dropouts and sexually transmitted diseases and teen traffic deaths are so much higher than the U.S. average or anything. We have our priorities.
It's not like the Alabama Legislature has anything important to do these days. Why shouldn't they wade into the controversy over what the California entrant into the Miss USA pageant said about gay marriage? Rep. Jay Love (R-Pratville) introduced a resolution praising the beauty queen for saying -- in answer to a question -- that she thinks marriage should be only between a man and a women. [Actually you need to listen to the answer yourself. I'm still not sure what she was saying!] That prompted a spirited defense by Rep. Alvin Holmes (D-Montgomery). And yes, that was Miss California speaking, not Miss Alabama, and no, Alabama is not exactly ground-zero for the marriage debate (unlike Iowa and Vermont and New York and, uh, California), but perhaps it really is a critical issue demanding immediate attention from our lawmakers in Montgomery. Remember what U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-6th District) said two years ago this month, according to a story in the Birmingham News:"We could lose Iraq and survive; we lost Vietnam a
nd survived, but if we lose this battle over gay marriage, we are doomed." So there. No wonder legislators are knee-deep in the comments of a beauty contestant. It's not like the Alabama's 9% unemployment rate is a 22 year high, or our Education Budget is facing more proration next year, or the state's rate of high-school dropouts and sexually transmitted diseases and teen traffic deaths are so much higher than the U.S. average or anything. We have our priorities.
"Marriage" is a sacrament of the church.
ReplyDeleteThe state, however, has authority to grant civil marriage (more properly called civil union), which is different than a religious sacrament.
As well, the state (meaning government) has a vested interest in promoting and assisting in maintaining good human relationships and families.
Regarding the terminology used in this issue, I oppose "marriage," while I think that "civil union" might be more appropriate terminology in this case.
There exists, however, data suggesting that such same-sex "civil unions" suffer from much of the same issues that heterosexual marriages do, and in fact, some have already divorced.
Further, data exists demonstrating that those whom practice homosexuality and lesbianism are at far greater risk for depression, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, abuse (from partners), drug and alcohol abuse, and a host of other mental illness-related issues.
But that's a freebie.
"Civil union" for same sex partners yes - "marriage," no.
Kevin...google the following: ""city hall" "marriage license" Alabama.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of suddenly calling what municipalities do a "civil union" ignores the facts. City Halls, even in Alabama, issue marriage licenses, not civil union licenses. But the bottom line is what is recognized by the state for legal purposes (taxes, inheritence etc)
Just when I thought it couldn't get any stupider in the Alabama State House Jay Love proves me wrong.
ReplyDeleteThis is all about election year next year. This is Love's first volley of God, Guns and Gays in an attempt to attract all the mindless 'Christian' extremist voters who care more about what two consenting adults might be doing in their bedroom than they do about the real important issues you mentioned in your post Tim.
I hope Love gets SACKED in the election. Does he have an announced opponent yet? I want to volunteer for their campaign.
VOTE STUPID OUT!!!!