Bush wants marriage reserved for heterosexuals

31 July, 2003 - 11:03am — adrian

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush said Wednesday he has government lawyers working on a law that would define marriage as a union between a woman and a man, casting aside calls to legalize gay marriages.

"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman and I believe we ought to codify that one way or the other and we have lawyers looking at the best way to do that," the president said a wide-ranging news conference at the White House Rose Garden.

Bush also urged, however, that America remain a "welcoming country" -- not polarized on the issue of homosexuality.

"I am mindful that we're all sinners and I caution those who may try to take a speck out of the neighbor's eye when they got a log in their own," the president said. "I think it is important for our society to respect each individual, to welcome those with good hearts."

"On the other hand, that does not mean that someone like me needs to compromise on the issue of marriage," he added.

Bush has long opposed gay marriage but as recently as earlier this month had said that a constitutional ban on gay marriage proposed in the House might not be needed despite a Supreme Court decision that some conservatives think opens the door to legalizing same-sex marriages.

The Supreme Court struck down a Texas law that made homosexual sex a crime, overturning an earlier ruling that said states could punish homosexuals for having sex.

Conservative Justice Antonin Scalia fired off a blistering dissent of the ruling.

The "opinion dismantles the structure of constitutional law that has permitted a distinction to be made between heterosexual and homosexual unions, insofar as formal recognition in marriage is concerned," Scalia wrote. The ruling specifically said that the court was not addressing that issue, but Scalia warned, "Do not believe it."

Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colorado, is the main sponsor of the proposal offered May 21 to amend the Constitution. It was referred on June 25 to the House Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution.

To be added to the Constitution, the proposal must be approved by two-thirds of the House and the Senate and ratified by three-fourths of the states.

http://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/07/30/bush.gay.marriage.ap/index...

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Comments

31 July, 2003 - 12:55pm — RoaG

I don't feel well...

31 July, 2003 - 2:04pm — Renfaerie

i just saw that

i just got up and saw that on. i used to think bush was ok until that. now i feel like doing something...arg...though i waqs just thinking, what if every state had legalized same-sex marraige, than there's nothing he can do about it right?

2 August, 2003 - 1:22pm — suffragettecity

No, because this would be fed

No, because this would be federal legislation, so states technically could make laws legalizing gay marriage, but they wouldn't have any effect, really.

31 July, 2003 - 4:01pm — Boygasm

hes

an ass obviously. Why are there always over christianized bible thumpers in office?!?!?!?!?!?

2 August, 2003 - 4:40am — transalex

Actually, it's not...

The founding fathers realized that having religion impose on govt was dangerous - hence the separation of church and state. It was also a predominately non-Christian region until whites slaughtered the natives and imposed their beliefs on the First Nations. And many of the people who did come over here, came here to escape the conflation of religion and government. Saying this is a Christian country is like saying this is a White country - inaccurate in the extreme. Saying this is a white nation denies the reality of Blacks, Latinos, Asian and Pacific Islanders, First Nations, and people of mixed heritage. Saying this is a Christian nation denies the reality of Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Pagans, agnostics, athiests, Buddhists, Deists, and everyone else here.

alex

Being a transgendered person who embarks upon transition is a jump off a cliff; you have no idea who you will be when you are done. All you know is that you can't stay where you are. ~ Patrick Califia
www.ressick.net

2 August, 2003 - 7:14am — transalex

Ah, well then you're quite co

Ah, well then you're quite correct. Shall we correct that then?

I can't wait till white Christian heterosexual men are OUT of power in this country.

alex

7 August, 2003 - 3:45am — Rachelle is sti...

!

Seperation from Church and State, my ass! The term "sodomy" itself comes from the God damned Bible!!!

3 August, 2003 - 3:10am — Leisa

Read Alan Dershowitz's new bo

Read Alan Dershowitz's new book, is all about the debate of whether or not the founding fathers created this country in a christian manner.

Chief Political Right Hand Woman to Ceo, Founder and First Member of The Movement to Free Oompa Loompa Land from the Tryanicall Capitalsitic Despot Willy Wonka

31 July, 2003 - 9:45pm — carger

America

Welcome to America, land of the free - but only if you're rich, white, heterosexual, and Republican. :(
_________________________________________________________________________
Help in the fight against prejudice. E-mail Corey and call him a bastard.

2 August, 2003 - 6:03am — Beryl

I think....

Im going to cry now.

2 August, 2003 - 7:01am — Beryl

Ok, Im better now.

Well, as much as I can be. Two non-over-emotional things. A) he refers to us all as sinners, and seeing as Im not christian that stuck in the back of my mind as adding insult to injury, and is there some sort of e-mail we can protest to or something? I mean, its not like it'll do any good or that anyone who matters will read it, but whats the point in being madly out if I don't at least try, ja?

2 August, 2003 - 1:11pm — suffragettecity

"Bush also urged, however, th

"Bush also urged, however, that America remain a 'welcoming country' -- not polarized on the issue of homosexuality."

Yes, because now that the marginalization of gay people will be legally defined, homosexuality won't be an "issue."

The above statement by the Shrub is complete and utter self-contradictory bullshit - it's like saying "I'm not racist, I just don't like black people."

One of the reasons why gay marriage was legalized in Canada, I read, was because their Supreme Court decided that to keep it illegal was to create inequality in society. Nevertheless, in our land of freedom and equality, legislation like that which Bush is trying to push through is...conceivable. It seems that a major difference between Canada and the US is that Canada doesn't have this extreme right-wing/Christian fundamentalist streak in its culture.

7 August, 2003 - 3:43am — Rachelle is sti...

...

The United States views all Canadian marriage as legitimate, so the whole situation should get rather interesting.

8 August, 2003 - 1:02pm — RoaG

Oh, Canada

... which is why I'm making my lover move with me to Canada, where we can hold hands and frolick through fields with the butterflies. That is, unless my lover happens to be a man, in which I still may move to Canada. They're so much more relaxed than we are - they've got it down, man.

The Ultimate Oompa Loompa Wannabe

31 August, 2003 - 5:41am — Jillie

Just watch out for...

Alberta 58%*
Saskatchewan 61%*
Manitoba 61%*
*% against allowing same-sex couples to marry.
The three evil prairie provinces. You wouldn't miss much. A whole lot of wheat, country music and flat horizons. Those stats were from Macleans.ca by the way, usually a reliable source. Oh, and try to avoid uptight conservative boarding schools such as my own, and Canadian Alliance Party Conventions.

4 August, 2003 - 9:40am — RoaG

Thoughts

Really now, though, do you guys think 3/4ths of the states will ratify this? Not that this doesn't scare me - because it most certainly makes me feel sick to my stomach - but after I calm down and sort through all I know about current politics, I don't believe it would be very possible. There are enough liberals in this country to prevent the crazy Christian Right from doing something so drastic - I think he's just talking it up to increase support from all those Right Winged Republicans. Ya know, so they don't think Ol' Bushy Boy is getting soft or anything.

On another note, I just have to say:

-and-

"On the other hand, that does not mean that someone like me needs to compromise on the issue of marriage," he added.
Oh that's right. I forgot that God blessed you with the Divine Right to fuck everyone else over.

Sorry, had to let that out. *returns to a more level-headed state of mind*

The Ultimate Oompa Loompa Wannabe

4 August, 2003 - 12:30pm — transalex

That's 38 states to ratify it

That's 38 states to ratify it. Think of the midwest/south bible belt. Think of the fact that conservatives statistically vote more than liberals (how else you think we got shrub in the white house).

It is a (granted) somewhat small possibility. But it is still a damn scary one.

I pray to all my gods, however, that you are right.

alex, the cynic

5 August, 2003 - 4:16am — guideingforce

www.millionformarriage.com S

www.millionformarriage.com
Sign le petition!

5 August, 2003 - 4:30am — Beryl

yay

Excellent.

5 August, 2003 - 8:08pm — adbak

One step ahead of you. :)

6 August, 2003 - 3:13am — Tiki

my dad says that it's unconst

my dad says that it's unconstitutional because states rights include exclusive decisions about education and marriage, and it's not a power the federal govt can have. he says it's totally illegal and bush saying he'll try and find a lawyer who'll like...'make' it legal is just him realising he's losing popularity and so he's grasping at straws to try and keep the bible-beater vote. what sucks is that i have one renegade aunt who probably agrees with gov bush. my dad's pretty cool, though.

Dreaming of the Blue Hawaiian Diner...

7 August, 2003 - 12:20am — Tiki

"e the people" commentary

check this link -
http://www.e-thepeople.org/article/23087/

Dreaming of the Blue Hawaiian Diner...

31 August, 2003 - 5:51am — Jillie

To quote our dear friend, the Plaid Adder (www.plaidder.com)

"I HATE GEORGE W! I HATE HIM I HATE HIM I HATE HIM! OH GOD DO I HATE HIM!!I HATE HIM! I HATE HATE HATE HATE HIM! IT'S UNBELIEVABLE HOW MUCH I JUST HATE THE SOUND OF THE BASTARD'S VOICE! AND THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN LISTENING TO HIM IS LOOKING AT HIM!"

George W. Bush is too dignified a name for this moronic, incompetent bigoted, selfish, homophobic steaming piece of garbage (notice the restraint). Dubya and Shrub are only mildly demeaning. Even planetsock's epitet of "Chimpy" does not do him justice. I have concentrated my blinding rage and indignation into an appropriate nickname. I deem George W. Bush to be called "Fart Cheese". I would appreciate feedback.