Bill Nelson reverses opposition to gay marriage

[JackBeck]

Source: Tampa Bay Times

It is generally accepted in American law and U.S. society today "... that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. I believe that. The civil rights and responsibilities for one must pertain to all.

Thus, to discriminate against one class and not another is wrong for me.

If we are endowed by our Creator with rights, then why shouldn't those be attainable by Gays and Lesbians?

Simply put, if The Lord made homosexuals as well as heterosexuals, why should I discriminate against their civil marriage? I shouldn't, and I won't.

Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/bill-nelson-reverses-opposition-to-gay-marriage/2113223

[shenmue]

1. Thank you Senator! :)

Freedom marches on.

[Warpy]

2. I'm not terribly surprised

I've always considered him one of the more reachable and teachable of the hidebound conservatives.

Some of the others, not so much, especially if they're rabidly religious.

[Fuddnik]

8. I am.

Nelson can be a first class asshat. He's been lucky to have drawn nothing but stark-raving certifiable morons for opponents.

I'm glad he finally made a right decision for a change. But, he's safe for another 6 years.

[closeupready]

3. There's hope for this country maybe after all.

K&R

[iandhr]

4. It seems that no Democrat wants to be the last to sign on.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

7. Manchin does.

Bet he'll be the last one if he doesn't switch parties.

[HockeyMom]

5. Unfortunately, 4 years ago

a Religious Organization got enough votes to put up a ballot to amendment the Florida State Constitution banning gay marriage, civil unions, domestic partnerships, and any recognition of them. People married in another state and moving to Florida cannot even get Driver's Licenses in their married names because Florida will not recognize them. I suppose these married gay couples better get a good attorney and draw up Health Proxy, POW, etc., if they plan to move, or VISIT, the state of Florida because their marriages will not be recognized.

I wonder if that vote were held TODAY would it have passed? I doubt it. This is a MAJOR problem with leaving the issue of Marriage Equality to the states. People don't just stay permanently or travel to other states.

[behrstar]

6. Well, Bless His Heart!

Next he will admit that the earth might be round. I this supposed to pass for progress?

[steve2470]

9. Brave decision for Florida and the right one

Way too many religious NJ's in our state.

[daybranch]

10. The really brave decision

will be if he stands up for the Seniors in his state and voices opposition to cuts in Social Security and Medicare via chained CPI.
Yes there are a lot of battles being fault and most apparently are being won by those who favor a more progressive society, but these are just bones being thrown to the masses to distract them from the need to engage in an economic war of tax increases versus cuts in human services. So we make same sex marriage legal and at the same time,cut money used to feed our senior citizens, while I support same sex marriage, I suspect this is being used as a distraction to try to reduce distaste for republicans as they necessarily shed their evangelical supporters.
Let us hope democrats and the beneficiaries of these social reforms remember who brought them to the dance and continue their fight for equal rights and democracy.
We have not won the battle. Are we going to be split by appeals to some of our number or are we going to march on towards restoration of democracy in our states and in Congress. Let us let these victories remind us of the myriad of things we still must fight for and remind us of our value of community.

















.

[steve2470]

11. agreed ! nt

[PolitFreak]

12. And we're gonna kidnap an asteroid

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/05/nasa-asteroid-landing_n_3023489.html

[pangaia]

13. Well, that IS good.. another one.

BUT.. I have to laugh at all these pompous proclamations of personal purity.