Donnelly (D-IN) changes stance on gay marriage

[Myrina]

Source: WISH TV Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Friday, Democrat Senator Joe Donnelly announced he has changed his stance on gay marriage.

Donnelly posted on his Facebook page:

In recent years, our country has been involved in an important discussion on the issue of marriage equality. While serving in the House of Representatives, I had the opportunity to act on a core belief of mine: we are a stronger country when we draw on the strengths of all Americans. I voted to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell' and was an original supporter of the bill that would make it illegal to ...discriminate against someone in the workplace because of their sexual orientation. It is also for that reason that I oppose amending either Indiana's or our nation's constitution to enshrine in those documents an 'us' and a 'them,' instead of a 'we.' With the recent Supreme Court arguments and accompanying public discussion of same-sex marriage, I have been thinking about my past positions and votes. In doing so, I have concluded that the right thing to do is to support marriage equality for all. - Joe

Back in March, Donnelly said he is against legalizing same-sex marriage , but he does agree that gay people should have certain rights.



Read more: http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/politics/donnelly-changes-stance-on-gay-marriage

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Welcome to the party, Joe ...

[Orsino]

1. More "personal reflection" song and dance.

I guess that's what civil rights are made of, but the stench is overpowering.

[murielm99]

2. People can change their positions over time.

They can change after being exposed to people or ideas they had not had contact with previously. They can change after a personal revelation, or after seeing that their previous positions were unfair. That is why we educate people and provide them with information.

I know many former repubbies. If, after personal reflection, they vote and work with us, I will take them!

[Orsino]

3. And I could believe that one or two such conversions have occurred.

Just not all at once, at exactly the politically viable moment.

They would like me to believe that it's raining civil rights, but they're just pissing on my leg. I'm insulted, disillusioned, and I already have a federally-recognized marriage license. My brothers and sisters who are still waiting on these overpaid panderers are entitled to at least as much outrage.

All I can do is say, " I'll take it," and try to vote next time for someone who has demonstrated courage and beneficence.

[demwing]

4. And when education doesn't work,

we scare them with the threat of becoming obsolete or irrelevant.

Whatever works.

[murielm99]

5. We can ridicule them, too.

Ridicule and humor work better than outrage in many cases. Why are Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert so effective? People would rather laugh. Humor can be very effective.

[demwing]

6. +100%

as I said..whatever works, and humor is an excellent tool.

[iandhr]

7. There was an article in The Onion

where God announces He supports gay marriage because Jesus came out to him as gay.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/i-feel-very-strongly-about-the-issue-of-same-sex-m,31820/

Here is a quote from the article.

"It is okay to change your mind. It is okay to grow as a person. It is okay to say, “I was wrong.”

The struggle for equal rights and progress as always been unfortunately slow.


The women's suffrage movement, the civil rights movement were won after long protracted fights.

Same is true for the gay rights movement. It has been 44 years since stonewall. But the fight will be won and this country will be a better place.

[LittleGirl]

8. I wrote to him yesterday

but because my address was out of state, I got a form letter response about not being able to find my address in the state, blah blah blah. I think the Democratic Hoosiers finally took him to task. I mentioned in my note that I was sick of seeing his face on Huff Po not coming forward to support same sex marriage. hee hee

[silvershadow]

9. He reminds me a lot of Evan Bayh, so far. Luke warm, tepid. But at least he got there. Bayh

probably wouldn't have. So there I shall leave the comparison. Happy he got there.

[blkmusclmachine]

10. I don't trust him.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

11. When public opinion changes, as should the representatives of the public... nt

[alarimer]

12. They're just following the herd now at this point.

They've seen the way the wind's blowing and they have to get ahead of it if they expect to be reelected.

I mean, it's a good thing, but it smacks of "me too".

[Doctor_J]

13. "Now that Karl Rove has decided he's for it, so am I"