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Bush stops short on Constitution gay marriage ban
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| hardstyle |
Bush stops short on Constitution gay marriage ban
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Tuesday a constitutional ban on gay marriage may be needed if "activist judges" ignored public will, but he stopped short of immediately urging an amendment as sought by many of his conservative backers.
"Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage," Bush said in his election-year State of the Union address.
"If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process," he said.
Socially conservative groups at the core of Bush's political base have placed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriages at the top of their agenda for this year, while gay rights groups have sought to enlist conservatives who favor limited government in opposing the ban.
Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, said Bush's comments failed to recognize the need for an immediate amendment.
"I would have to say we're disappointed," he said.
But the Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays organization accused Bush of promoting a "partisan, homophobic agenda" demoralizing to gay people.
"For all the president's rhetoric about the 'sanctity of marriage' he staunchly refuses to make a commitment to protecting the pursuit of happiness for all American families," said David Tseng, executive director of the group.
Bush said Congress had already taken a stand by passing the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. The law, signed by President Bill Clinton defines marriage as between a man and a woman for the purposes of federal law, and allows states to refuse to recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere.
"Activist judges, however, have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives. On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard," Bush said in the State of the Union address to Congress.
He said America must value the institution of marriage, but "we should respect individuals" in the process.
"The outcome of this debate is important, and so is the way we conduct it," he said. "The same moral tradition that defines marriage also teaches that each individual has dignity and value in God's sight."
Bush had used similar language in a television interview last month, suggesting he would back constitutional amendment if judicial rulings "undermine the sanctity of marriage."
But he also left the door open to same-sex unions that stopped short of marriage, saying people should be able to make "whatever legal arrangements" they want as long as a state recognizes them. He appeared to be drawing a line between legislative action and judicial decisions.
Vermont, under then Gov. Howard Dean, who is now seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, in 2000 adopted the nation's first state law recognizing civil unions between same-sex couples.
The issue was pushed higher on the political agenda by a Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling in November which effectively ordered the state legislature to change state laws against gay marriage, drawing a swift condemnation by Bush. "
There goes peoples freedom.
Why can't Americans worry about crime and drugz ? Its everybody's own private life who they are. Im not gay , but im not against gay marriage becouse it doesn't effect my life if gays get married. Also its the same thing what happened when they didn't let blacks vote or work in 1920's
Bush is just ed up and he going to lose lots of votes |
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| rizen |
Thank you Bush for trying to introduce bigotry in the Constitution 
"Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage,"
I'm guessing Bush will deal with the half the people who get divorce, maybe even engrave a huge A on people who have affairs. If so he should start with his brother-in-law and Rush.
Hopefully this fails like the other simular tries that have happen in Alaska, Hawaii and Massachusetts.
Also the mayor of SF called Bush a coward for doing this  |
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| Galapidate |
| This is just what we need to get Bush out of office :D |
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| DaveSZ |
| quote: | Originally posted by Galapidate
This is just what we need to get Bush out of office :D |
Think so?
We can paint him as an extremist now.
Historically, those candidates who have pushed the gay issue either way have been hurt by doing so. |
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| Nadi |
| quote: | Originally posted by DaveSZ
Think so?
We can paint him as an extremist now.
Historically, those candidates who have pushed the gay issue either way have been hurt by doing so. |
Im not sure about that for 2 reasons. 1 I think the majority of people do think that marriage is man+women only, and 2 because even if you don't agree with him, its not the issue thats going to be at the top of your agenda in most cases. |
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| trancepixie17 |
"Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage," Bush said in his election-year State of the Union address.
** There is no true marriage anymore. If you are inlove and you can even be married, then our country is messed up. Personally, I feel that if you are inlove with someone, you should be able to show that you love them. Other people should not care what you do. If you are really inlove, why would you care what other people say. Anywho, to stay on subject, we had a thread similar previously. I feel that haveing homosexuality is not wrong. Yet, it is wrong in the Bible, still, here on earth, there should be no disreguards. No one should be able to tell someone who they can and can't marry! |
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| ahlamalek |
I support Bush on this issue...
wow, me supporting Bush, its truley the end of the world :D |
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| DaveSZ |
I'm still opposed to government being involved in "marriage" anyways, but oh well.
In Mexico, a very religious country by any measure, marriage is separate from church and state. They have religious marriages, and civil unions. |
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| LouisLaBelle |
Wow I'm surpriesd all the commis here dont soppurt gay marriege.
Cyrus does he dreams of che quevverez and him making love |
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| hardstyle |
| So you tell me that bible is against gay people. Let me tell you something, being gay is just a birth defect just like being born blind, deaf, mentaly retarded. Gay people are god's child. God is not against gay people, god made gay people just like god made deaf, blind , mentaly retarded people . Ok if we are against gays then lets be against blinds and deafs too. Is not like you going to wake up one day and decide that you want to be gay . Heard about x and y chromosomes ? I think x is a male and y is a female chromosome. Some male was born with more female chrmosomes thats why they are attractive to guys and thats goes in the other way. |
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