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Aquarian
B.V. Info-a-holic


Joined: Oct 25, 2003
Posts: 9838
Location: Miami, Florida 305!
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 3:25 am Post subject: Bad News: Bigotry Reigns: CA and FLA |
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California voters approve Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriages
A measure to once again ban gay marriage in California was passed by voters in Tuesday's election, throwing into doubt the u.nions of an estimated 18,000 same-sex couples who wed during the last 4 1/2 months.
As Proposition 8, the most divisive and emotionally fraught issue on the state ballot this year, took a lead in early returns, supporters gathered at a hotel ballroom in Sacramento and cheered.
"We caused Californians to rethink this issue," Proposition 8 strategist Jeff Flint said.
Early in the campaign, he noted, polls showed the measure trailing by 17 points.
"I think the voters were thinking, well, if it makes them happy, why shouldn't we let gay couples get married. And I think we made them realize that there are broader implications to society and particularly the children when you make that fundamental change that's at the core of how society is organized, which is marriage," he said.
In San Francisco on Tuesday night at the packed headquarters of the "No on 8" campaign party in the Westin St. Francis Hotel, supporters heard from San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, whose decision to issue same-sex wedding licenses in his city led to the court ruling that made gay marriage briefly legal in the state. .
"You decided to live your life out loud. You fell in love and you said, 'I do.' Tonight, we await a verdict," Newsom said, speaking to a roaring crowd before final returns were in.
Elsewhere in the country, two other gay-marriage bans, in Florida and Arizona, also won. In both states, laws already defined marriage as a heterosexual institution. But backers pushed to amend the state constitutions, saying that doing so would protect the institution from legal challenges.
Proposition 8 was the most expensive proposition on any ballot in the nation this year, with more than $74 million spent by both sides.
The measure's most fervent proponents believed that nothing less than the future of traditional families was at stake, while opponents believed that they were fighting for the fundamental right of gay people to be treated equally under the law.
"This has been a moral battle," said Ellen Smedley, 34, a member of the Mormon Church and a mother of five who worked on the campaign. "We aren't trying to change anything that homosexual couples believe or want -- it doesn't change anything that they're allowed to do already. It's defining marriage. . . . Marriage is a man and a woman establishing a family unit."
On the other side were people like John Lewis, 50, and Stuart Gaffney, 46, who were married in June. They were at the San Francisco party holding a little sign in the shape of pink heart that said, "John and Stuart 21 years." They spent the day campaigning against Proposition 8 with family members across the Bay Area.
"Our relationship, our marriage, after 21 years together has been put up for a popular vote," Lewis said. "We have done what anyone would do in this situation: stand up for our family."
The battle was closely watched across the nation because California is considered a harbinger of cultural change and because this is the first time voters have weighed in on gay marriage in a state where it was legal.
Campaign contributions came from every state in the nation in opposition to the measure and every state but Vermont to its supporters.
And as far away as Washington, D.C., gay rights organizations hosted gatherings Tuesday night to watch voting results on Proposition 8.
"This is the biggest civil rights struggle for our movement in decades. . . ." said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solomonese, speaking from a Proposition 8 gathering at a brewery in the nation's capital. "The outcome weighs incredibly heavily on the minds of every single person in the room."
Eight years ago, Californians voted 61% to define marriage as being only between a man and a woman.
The California Supreme Court overturned that measure, Proposition 22, in its May 15 decision legalizing same-sex marriage on the grounds that the state Constitution required equal treatment of gay and lesbian couples.
Opponents of Proposition 8 faced a difficult challenge. Bob Stern, president of the Center for Governmental Studies, said California voters "very, very rarely reverse themselves" especially in such a short time. Both sides waged a passionate -- and at times bitter -- fight over whether to allow same-sex marriages to continue. The campaigns spent tens of millions of dollars in dueling television and radio commercials that blanketed the airwaves for weeks.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gaymarriage6-2008nov06,0,2331815.story
Florida Amendment 2 Passes; Officially Banning Gay Marriage
Voters support ban on gay marriage, but not money for community colleges.
A ban on gay marriage, which is already illegal in Florida, looks like it will be enshrined in the state constitution.
The Florida Marriage Protection Amendment is one of four constitutional changes that appeared headed for approval with more than half of the counties reporting. The others are tax breaks for land conservation, working waterfronts and homeowners who install hurricane shutters or solar panels.
An amendment that would have allowed community colleges to raise tax money locally, and another that would have removed archaic language from state law prohibiting foreigners from owning property in Florida, look like they won’t muster the 60 percent vote needed for approval.
The marriage protection amendment defines marriage as a bond between straight couples and renders invalid any other u.nion that is “treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent.”
Opponents view that language as a threat to domestic partnerships, arrangements recognized by some local governments in Florida which ensure access to shared health insurance benefits and hospital visitation rights for gay couples and unmarried heterosexuals.
”The master plan of our opposition is social engineering to make sure homosexuals have no rights,” said C.J. Ortuño, Executive Director of SAVE, Miami-Dade’s largest gay rights group.
http://blueherald.com/2008/11/floridas-amendment-2-passes/
Terrible day when there are still people who prefer to hold on to their bumpkin-like convictions. |
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_________________ I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend? ~Robert Redford, Yosemite National Park dedication, 1985 |
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lashmar
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Joined: Aug 13, 2008
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Location: england
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 3:30 am Post subject: |
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Does it matter? No. You can be together for the rest of your life without the law saying it’s all right can’t you.
I just don’t see the problem. |
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_________________ The sixtheenth commandment “And when asked why, thy in power, shall do, Bugger all to help the general public, yea must answer `don’t worry sheep, lessons have been learned” and if thy sheep are still pissed, say `sorry`” |
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Aquarian
B.V. Info-a-holic


Joined: Oct 25, 2003
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Location: Miami, Florida 305!
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 3:34 am Post subject: |
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#1) You do not live in the United States, so I understand the ignorance you display with comments like that.
#2) Everyone should be treated equal under the law. If this country was truly a democracy (which is not), then the Equal Protection Clause would apply to everyone, not just the heterosexual community. Marriage provides more benefits than civil u.nions, since there is more of a likelihood of accepting that marital status in not just your state, but other states. Not to mention, the benefits associated with a marriage license outweigh the benefits of a civil u.nion status. It's right there for everyone to see:
Assumption of Spouse’s Pension
Automatic Inheritance
Automatic Housing Lease Transfer
Bereavement Leave
Burial Determination
Child Custody
Crime Victim’s Recovery Benefits
Divorce Protections
Domestic Violence Protection
Exemption from Property Tax on Partner’s Death
Immunity from Testifying Against Spouse
Insurance Breaks
Joint Adoption and Foster Care
Joint Bankruptcy
Joint Parenting (Insurance Coverage, School Records)
Medical Decisions on Behalf of Partner
Certain Property Rights
Reduced Rate Memberships
Sick Leave to Care for Partner
Visitation of Partner’s Children
Visitation of Partner in Hospital or Prison
Wrongful Death (Loss of Consort) Benefits
And that's just a few...
Here, education time:
http://gaylife.about.com/od/samesexmarriage/a/benefits.htm |
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_________________ I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend? ~Robert Redford, Yosemite National Park dedication, 1985 |
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lashmar
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Joined: Aug 13, 2008
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 4:36 am Post subject: |
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I’m having a real bad day, so you can consider yourself lucky I’m not tacking your first statement further.
I agree everyone should be treated equal under the law but why does it matter. You should be happy together and not worry about a piece of paper. |
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_________________ The sixtheenth commandment “And when asked why, thy in power, shall do, Bugger all to help the general public, yea must answer `don’t worry sheep, lessons have been learned” and if thy sheep are still pissed, say `sorry`” |
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BloodStone
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Joined: Apr 29, 2005
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Location: Poconos, USSA
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:17 am Post subject: |
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Hey you got you're animal rights passed, so why so sad?
can't have everything right ?
BloodStone... |
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_________________ If it were raining hookers, I'd get hit by a fag. |
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Jaack
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Joined: Feb 20, 2008
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 6:30 am Post subject: |
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| It's not bigotry you blinded by hate individual. It's EQUALITY! |
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_________________ "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." - JFK |
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SRO
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Joined: Jul 25, 2004
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 6:34 am Post subject: |
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Equality?
Explain your reasoning, I'm sure I'll find it interesting.  |
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_________________ "Victis honor"
"I'm not arrogant, I'm just the **it."
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Jaack
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 7:37 am Post subject: |
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| SRO wrote: |
Equality?
Explain your reasoning, I'm sure I'll find it interesting.  |
I'm equally barred from marrying a man. |
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_________________ "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." - JFK |
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SRO
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 7:44 am Post subject: |
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_________________ "Victis honor"
"I'm not arrogant, I'm just the **it."
~Brother. |
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Aquarian
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Joined: Oct 25, 2003
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 8:09 am Post subject: |
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| You're barred, Jaack, by your sexuality, not by government constraints. |
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_________________ I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend? ~Robert Redford, Yosemite National Park dedication, 1985 |
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Sparty77
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Joined: Sep 25, 2002
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 8:21 am Post subject: |
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Well, the fact is, the voters voted. If it is the will of the people that such laws pass, so be it. That is what the system is supposed to do. Here in MI they passed a medical marijuana act and opened up embryonic stem cell research (with limits). The people have spoken and that is the answer.
Zounds!
Sparty |
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_________________ Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table because he only recognizes the element of surprise |
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Aquarian
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Joined: Oct 25, 2003
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 8:25 am Post subject: |
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| But Sparty, is it not true that if the people had their way back in Jim Crow era to permanently segregate every facet of societal life, that it would pass just as well? Does a majority pass constitute justice? NO! |
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_________________ I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend? ~Robert Redford, Yosemite National Park dedication, 1985 |
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Aquarian
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Joined: Oct 25, 2003
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 8:51 am Post subject: |
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I hope the Legislative Body can interpret the wording of this amendment in a way that will nullify it. Or some really good judges get a case concerning this.
The Florida amendment will also scrap recognition of unions that are treated as marriage or substantially equivalent to marriage. Domestic partnerships and unmarried couples—homosexual or straight—will be at risk. Benefits extended to domestic partners could be lost. According to a letter signed by 154 lawyers, there could be serious implications for the rights to share property or pass on assets, establish trusts or other legal arrangements or even remarry. Senior citizens who often cohabitate without remarrying in order to retain benefits of deceased spouses stand to lose a great deal. |
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_________________ I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend? ~Robert Redford, Yosemite National Park dedication, 1985 |
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Jaack
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Joined: Feb 20, 2008
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:26 am Post subject: |
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| Aquarian wrote: |
| You're barred, Jaack, by your sexuality, not by government constraints. |
So now we're equal as it should be. You are asking for special rights due to a perceived condition.
IF
Homersexuality is natural where's the scientific test? Plus what about all the Chuck and Larry's |
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_________________ "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." - JFK |
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screamzero
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Joined: Feb 08, 2008
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:36 am Post subject: |
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...your workin' it bass ackards; the People should make the government stay out...OUT... of the private sector in ALL cases. Business; private; educational; health-open markets; all driven by their relative resurrects and reactions, be it civic; business or love- I.E. the pursuit of happiness or other wise you get this sh^t we have now. If this were so, you would not suffer the agony you now feel. LIVE & LET LIVE mO fO'S.THE GOVERNMENT'S ONLY JOB IS TO STOP THOSE THAT WOULD DAMAGE THIS INA LIABLE F-R-E-E-D-O-M ON THE MICRO AND MACRO LEVEL AND IT'S INEVITABLE PROCESS INTERNALLY OR EXTERNALLY; THIS DEFINITELY INCLUDES GREEDY AND SELFISH SELF SERVING PIGS OF ALL 'RANCOR' ; TO PREVENT CIVIL AND PREDATORY CHAOS. PERIOD! THAT IS IT DAMNIT!!!!!!! ..AND THEY DO NOT DO THEIR FRIGIN' JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!-WE the People should be working this out....some clown gave the government permission to step in. Wonder who the blunder prick was? ...a few social science bastard "experts" w/ some self-righteous fart monger from all sections of this society. Live and let live and do not flaunt your **it in peoples faces whoever the fug you are and you won't piss any body off. Dumb Bastards. There should be no contest by the government for the peoples rights of ownership; worship/ cherishing and peaceable behavior-whomever they might be. The trick is:do not flaunt or oblige your sh^t in peoples faces whoever the fug you are and you won't piss any body off....but n-o-o-o-o-o...someone some where wants to be yo Daddy. 
Last edited by screamzero on Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:37 am; edited 1 time in total |
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