U.S. Senate to act on gay marriage

[stevedeshazer]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has expressed concern that gay marriages will spread like "wildfire" and says the Senate will take up the issue this year.

Frist gave no specifics but conservatives expect President George W. Bush to soon endorse a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. That bill has already been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

<snip>

"The wildfire will truly begin," Frist said on Thursday, predicting same-sex marriages would spread to all 50 states.

"It is becoming increasingly clear that Congress must act and must act soon," Frist said in a speech on the Senate floor before lawmakers started a weeklong recess.

source: http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=457422§ion=news
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We certainly can't have people who love each other and are committed to a long-term relationship ruining the "sanctity" of marriage.... :eyes:

[scarface2004]

1. wildfire??!!!

isn t that word used exclusively by the gay community...especially by those who were married in massachusetts recently??

well??

[asjr]

2. I will be thrown off the board

if I use the language I want. We are being governed by a cult of fanatics who want to tell everyone how to live. How can we have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness with people like Bill Frist, my intolerant senator, spouting off such words. No one is equal in this country anymore.

[nolabels]

45. Are you talking about the same Bill Frist that took poor helpless.........

Felines from animal shelters under false pretense to subject them to experiments where they suffered before finally having their life extinguished. Surely this guy has reasons for being the humane person he is, has anyone figured out what they are yet?

I mean for the sake of goodness he does hold the title of Leader of United States Senate. He must have some redeemable qualities other than being a card carrying member of the GOP, one would think any way.

[adamblast]

3. They're too late: we're already flaming!! :)

87 marriages today, 95 additional licenses!!

I'm willing to bet that gay couples from all over the West Coast get married in San Francisco this weekend!! It's one hell of a Valentine's Day!!!

[tedzbear]

19. Hey, I'm available!!!!!!!!

I'm queer and I say, burn, baby, burn!!!!! I've got the ring, who's got the smoochies?


I'd like to apply a flamethrower to Frist's a------.


:kick:

[Red State Rebel]

39. ROFL!!

I have quite a few gay friends because of a volunteer activity I'm involved in and I cannot believe people would deny them the right to marry.

What ticks me off is I know this cannot pass without Democratic support. Politicians will vote with their re-election in mind instead of doing what is right.

[bluestateguy]

4. Yes Congress must act soon

it's much more important than the 45 million people without health insurance.

The first thing the next Democratic president should do is issue an executive order dissolving that misguided body, just like Emperor Palpatine did in Star Wars.

[wuushew]

65. But how will the emperor maintain control with without the bureaucracy?

Will the regional governors have direct control?

[emanymton]

5. "U.S. Senate to act on equal rights" will not get much attention

Don't fight the fight on "their" terms. Use a winner's term, equal rights.

[DuctapeFatwa]

7. This is soooo not about either gay people, or marriage, any more than my

credit card is about sliding up under the latch on your door to get in your house.

[TeeYiYi]

60. Is that what that sound was?! . . . .......n/t

TYY :7

[dusty64]

35. Totally agree, when

are the Democrats gonna stop playing by their rules and allowing extremists to define the debate and the terms. It wouldn't hurt to point out if these fundy fuc$s REALLY wanted to preserve the "sanctity" of marriage under their terms they would have to ban divorce and disallow any heteros to marry if they are unable or unwilling to reproduce.

[SemperEadem]

44. well, if sanctity of marriage is the issue

"Frist said he wanted to reject intolerance against gays while making sure marriage remains a union between a man and a woman."

then he needs to explain Jeb Bush being all up in the middle of the Schiavo marriage.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=363269

February 13, 2004, 12:47 PM EST

TAMPA, Fla. -- Gov. Jeb Bush and the parents of a severely brain-damaged woman won appellate court rulings in their favor Friday on two legal issues in their quest to keep the woman alive against her husband's wishes.

Florida's 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled that Pinellas Circuit Court Judge W. Douglas Baird did not follow judicial rules when he denied Terri Schiavo's parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, the ability to intervene in the constitutional challenge to a law aimed at keeping their 40-year-old woman alive.

more...................

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-brain-damag..

[Calico4000]

6. Get ready Frist

Because in under 100 days full faith and credit comes in to play.

Oh by the way - good luck passing an amendment with practically a 50/50 split.

[David Dunham]

8. gay marriage i am afraid may lead to bush's election. not worth it.

[emanymton]

23. Equal Rights Will Lead The Shrub To Unemployment

Equal Rights are always worth it!

[kayell]

41. Yeah, right, and defending blacks civil rights lost the Dems the

redneck vote, so obviously that wasn't worth it either. :eyes:

[transeo]

61. Yeah, better to do the politcially expedient thing than the right thing

Screw that B.S. I'd rather lose knowing I had fought for what is right than win by trampling on the backs of the oppressed.

[foreigncorrespondent]

66. No equality really isn't worth it, is it?

Give me a fucking break! I am sick to death of hanging on a progressive board and seeing this kind of shit.

If the time isn't now, then when? Guess what? After the FMA passes it will be too damned late to do anything, because queers will be second class citizens, having been robbed of their to their own lives.

[Damn Ann the Man]

78. Time for some fundie-bashing...

Get me the clubs...

[Damn Ann the Man]

77. Neither are you...

How about getting your bigoted ass to the GOP where it belongs.

[blackcat77]

9. Don't count on that helping

With polling so strong against gay unions, Democrats in competitive races would be liable to vote in favour of such a measure because to vote against it would just put a weapon in their opponent's hand.

[adamblast]

10. Democrats who pander to bigotry don't deserve to win.

And equality under the consitution is not a matter of politics.

It's *never* the convenient time to fight for equality. Unpopular causes are often the most important ones. Civil rights are not a matter meant for the polls.

The genie's out of the bottle on this one. The fight has picked *us*. It's time for Democrats to stand for equality.

[countmyvote4real]

18. You nailed it. Those types are no better than the repukes

they run against.

Watch the C-SPAN coverage of Mass debates. The speakers against their constitutional amendment are great.

[Dookus]

11. polling is NOT strong

in favor of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

[emanymton]

24. Democrats Must Vote FOR Equal Rights

keep the issue straight. Equal Rights are a winner's issue!

[Occulus]

26. The key is polling.

How do they do it?

I never, ever, ever, ever believe any poll. Polls are simply unreliable.

[dusty64]

36. Most polls show

a majority opposed to gay marriage as defined by the extreme corporate theocracy BUT also against tinkering with the Constitution. So a majority is in fact against an amendment to codify offical discrimination and political pandering to fear and hatred.

[baby_bear]

12. This is about the economic & political power of the middle class...

and Frist and Company know it clearly; their aim is to destroy, certainly not empower, the middle class.

They used to need a middle class for production and consumption, but it has become obvious that those needs will be fulfilled, if Republicans have their way, through third world countries. Heck, it's already happening, and we are seeing it extend to white collar service jobs, and we are seeing the Bush administration commend it.

What is amazing is that middle class Americans would ever consider voting for this Bush administration, which is not just about a man, but about a philosophy that would have those same voters become extinct in a matter of a few years. He is the consummate privileged son, a man with little brain matter, and as such is the perfect puppet for his masterminds to manipulate not just him, but the masses who prefer to avoid thinking about what this administration means to humanity, in a profound and terrifying sense.

The emperoror has no clothes, but within this Bush empire, not enough people have admitted it, at least not yet. At least not in the U.S. population likely to vote (or have their votes count).

We have to keep trying though, or they have won.

s_m

[keopeli]

15. Bravo! A hui ho! Let's keep trying, and let's believe that there IS hope!

Keo

[SemperEadem]

46. those who've said something were in the "Free Speech Zone"

[keopeli]

13. Woo-hoo!

First, I'm a gay 37 year old in Seattle. I believe that anything Bush* touches between now and his removal in a few months willbe jinxed by the "kiss of Bush", which means it will whither on the vine. His credibility is sunk, and there ain't no coming back.

You know why? Our entire military and reserve and guard is DEPLOYED!!! To regain credibility, he must demonstrate that he has taken care of them. There is no way for him to do this, because if he brings them home, Iraq will fall apart. But, if he leaves them there, they are sitting ducks. An intervention by the UN will make him loose face (though he may do this), and there is no time to recover now before the election. He'd have to get the whole military home first! Of course, he could give a rousing speech...which I believe to be highly unlikely. Truthfully, I think that Rove believes that offering the nation (i.e. Repubs and the military) another round of tax cuts will inspire them to continue the fight for freedom fries!

Of course, this is all a guess. The only evidence I have is that my mom, a Texas Bush advocate extraordinaire, and not fond of my sexual identity, thinks an ammendment would be a huge mistake. That's worth somethin', ain't it?

Keo

[murielm99]

30. I think anything could happen in Iraq over the next months.

The Iraqis really want "one man, one vote." The UN seems to think this is a good idea.

But, it may backfire, if it ignores minorities. The Kurds will never settle for anything less than autonomy. I think we may see the beginnings of a civil war there before the election.

Yes, everything he touches turns to shit...we see it...but does anyone else?

I know they are going to have a very dirty campaign. It has already started. But I think there will be more shrub screw-ups than anyone has yet envisioned.

I hate to be paranoid....but I wonder if he will give up power, if defeated. I am worried that the election will be anything but honest. He stole it once, he will at least try to steal it again.

[dawn]

14. spread like wildfire?

What exactly are these people afraid of? I don't get it.

[Dookus]

16. They're afraid of this

Two lesbians around 80 who got married today in San Francisco. They've been together 51 years.


on edit: They're also icons of the SF gay community. They've been famous for decades.

[Avalon Sparks]

22. How beautiful they are....

What is more beautiful then love?

[Occulus]

28. A truly heartwarming photo.

51 years, huh? That's a long, long time regardless of how you feel about sexual orientation. I bet those two have some stories.

[murielm99]

32. I love that picture.

It makes me cry.:thumbsup:

[laylah]

33. Well God/dess love 'em...

may they enjoy many more years together! :toast:

Jenn

[LeftHander]

37. One Community

Together.

[JoFerret]

81. Those are just two outstanding

heroic women. they deserve whatever awards the govt. hands out. What heroes of civil rights!

[keopeli]

17. Spread like wildfire

My preacher in Texas, where I grew up, used to use language like this to talk about evil, or sin, or malice, or satan. It's a corruption that spreads like wildfire!...

This type of language resonates with many Americans.

Keo

[countmyvote4real]

20. So does that AWFUL song from the 70's by Michael Murphy.

"She kept calling wi----ldfire."

Perhaps it can be used as a neutralizing antidote.

[adamblast]

21. Ok. Now you've done it.

She comes down
From Yellow Mountain
On a dark, flat land she rides...

:silly:

[tedzbear]

62. Isn't that "Yellowcake Mountain?"

In Niger?

[TeeYiYi]

59. I know. 10% . . . even 15% is NOT a wildfire . . .

. . . and that's assuming that all "15%" choose to tie the knot. Which they won't (or can't) since of that "15%" there is only a small percentage that are in committed relationships. Sheesh. :shrug:

TYY

[MidwestTransplant]

25. These signals are so confusing

I dont' know whether to be more fearful of terrorism or gay marriage. Yikes!!

[Crachet2004]

40. I know whatcha mean...

Doesn't anyone here realize what a polarizing issue this is? And that the republicans are setting the agenda by forcing us to defend it? Do gays realize that were a constitutional amendment offered to the states banning gay and lesbian marriage it would almost surely be ratified? You think it wouldn't?


This is an issue that is best pursued under our existing constitution, through the courts...and quietly. Remember: that spotlight the gay community is enjoying right now as it scans back and forth from San Francisco to Massachusetts has a corporate-media/republican finger on the trigger.


Most Americans are probably willing to live and let live on this issue...me included. But I can already tell it is being handled in such a fashion by the media, so as to do maximum damage to the Democrat Party. We have recent experience with this type of thing: It takes a lot to make WV vote republican, but gun control did it last time. This is potentially worse. Don't fall for it.

[stevedeshazer]

43. Bullcrap

Do you understand what it takes to amend the US Constitution?

Article V

<snip>

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress....

-------------------------------------------------------------------
This means that the legislatures of thirty-eight states would have to ratify such an amendment.

Or, put another way, if only 13 states DO NOT ratify this, it will not become part of the law.

There is NO WAY this will happen. None.

[Crachet2004]

52. Depends on how shrill the debate becomes...

and how polarizing. The point is, that we are even having this debate at this time, is a GOP trap. They scripted this. We saw it coming months ago. And while I am sure we all support equal protection under the law, how does picking up the guantlet they have thrown down on this issue increase our chances of winning this fall? They wouldn't have thrown it down unless it was radioactive or poison.

And I know the process is purposefully difficult to change the constitution, as it should be. But it has happened in the past and it can happen again-but the real point is, we will lose election after election the whole time this particular issue is pumped in the press; and in the end the entire thing will be decided in the courts.

So why not chill out just a little, win the presidency and the congress, appoint some decent judges and speed the whole thing up? Why let the GOP hand us the issues we have to run on? And the timing? That this is coming to a head in Mass. and CA just when we have a frontrunner from the former and a bunch of killer issues to run on seems just a little convenient...for the GOP. I have had all the convenient coincidences I can take from one administration, that always seem to work out in their favor!

If I must I shall tilt the lists on this, but I would rather ride as Ikenhoe than Don Quixote.

[adamblast]

53. You think we don't know how we are hated?

Your presumption is apalling, although I understand most of it is unintended.

You think we don't know how polarizing gay rights issues are? You think we don't live every day knowing how much of this country--you included--are willing to sell us out for a few votes?

There is *NEVER* a good tactical time for fight for the civil rights of the underdog. You would have us wait until the *NEXT* election forever.

Either the Democratic party stands on principle or it doesn't. I understand your frustration and fear that this issue can hurt us. But you cannot seriously suggest that we accept 2nd class status. That's not compromise, that's subordination. I will not sit on the back of the bus until the election is over.

If Gay Marriage helps the Republicans to win, it will because of the straight Democrats who have given up the fight to the homophobes and bigots. *ANYTHING* is a losing issue until you fight the fight. And it stays that way. And chances are, you probably don't care.

[tedzbear]

64. Right on adamblast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the late 50s and early 60s LBJ (a bigoted Texan btw) decided that "equal rights for all" was the right thing to do and he used his considerable back room power in Congress to advance the civil rights of Blacks.

So If LBJ of all people was willing to risk losing an election to do what's right, then what the heck is wrong with people like Crachet2004? Sometimes in life we must fight the fight even when we are expecting doom (read Lord of the Rings) because we believe in helping people to not be trampled. Crachet2004 better worry about what will happen to Kerry if all of us queers and lesbos become so alienated by the Democrats deserting us that we all vote Green Party instead. That's truly what I will do if our Democratic congressmen betray me to win their goddamn election. Mr. Crachet might also take a lesson from To Kill A Mockingbird and try wearing my queer shoes for a few months before he's so willing to condemn queers to second class status. We will not wait another year! It's time to fight!

:kick:

[Crachet2004]

67. It is a simple chain of logic:

Your best chance for advancement of your cause is through the courts. If we regain both Houses of Congress and the Presidency, we also regain the power to appoint judges who can facilitate this. For you, it is the only way, unless as one responder said, you all decide to vote Green and burn the whole house down. Or why not just vote for Bush? This is only a difference in principle, not in outcome-Bush would win. Then Jeb will win, and so on. There is a great danger of exactly this happening-and you know it. If it were to happen, you won't have to worry about where you sit on the bus, because you will not be on the bus...and neither will unions, minorities, or anyone else under our "Big Tent".

You know, the thing about Jeb? They say he's the smart one. That's what scares me. And you know what? He is smart. All those shenanigans that went down in his state...they must have broken the law a thousand times and didn't get caught once. I wonder what Jeb thinks about Gay and Lesbian marriage? Or rather, that is what you should be wondering, before you so casually threaten to undermine the efforts of everyone else in this party.

Finally, I am sure this party has no intention of abandoning anyone, But I think many of us are sick of dancing like marionettes to the tune of GOP puppetmasters in these national elections and being saddled (to be blunt) with issues that are net vote nongetters! Issues (again to be blunt) that will someday be decided in the courts! If we are not in office, we can't change anything. Votes do matter and the media attention being given this issue is not helpful in getting them.
Oh. I read "The Hobbit" and the Trilogy over 30 years ago... And my take is different than yours: Bush, Cheney and the rest of that crowd are far worse than any mere Ringwraith ever thought about being!

[dbt]

27. Rome is fiddling while Nero burns!

The clothes have no Emperor...

:evilgrin:
dbt

[Occulus]

29. Bingo!

* is, to all appearances, an empty suit.

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[dusty64]

34. Well this should

be interesting. Lets see who defends equality and the basic principles this Country was founded under and who doesn't and who shows up and who doesn't. This really could be easily turned around by clearly pointing it out as the diversion it is and an ugly attempt to play to base emotions like hate and fear cause its all the rightwing has ever had to offer.

Afterall, didn't we have a quick "inquiry" into Janet's "boobygate" and now this, glad to see Washington is trying to do something about the BIG problems of our Country. Honestly though, now that this nasty genie is out of the bottle I think this will have to be the final litmus test for me. Are Democrats willing to stand up for something or continue to pander to this theocratic bullshit in the quest for votes they are NEVER going to receive? After being sold out for years I am NOT willing to be stabbed in the back any further.

[indepat]

38. With a jobless recovery, burgeoning annual budget deficits, an

ongoing occupation of another sovereign nation following a pre-emptive war, its good to know Senator Frist has his priorities straight, knows where the Senate needs to be focusing its time and energies.

[David__77]

42. Democrats can and must defeat it.

It only takes 34 senators or 146 representatives to defeat any amendment. This is possible and even practical from an electoral perspective. I think the house is the place to stop it. We have more than 146 "safe" Democratic and progressive districts.

[trogdor]

47. We also have to NOT demonize people...

...in competitive districts from doing the "safe" thing. If we only need 146 NAY votes in the House, the Minority Leader should get everyone together and decide in advance which ones should vote YEA. That's her job.

[NewJerseyDem]

63. It will be defeated

Already Chuck Hagel, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins and Lincoln Chafee have publicly announced their opposition to a constitutional amendment on gay marriage. So, that means that at least 20 democrats would have to support it. That is not going to happen. Also, other republican senators like George Voinovich, Mike DeWine, Gordon Smith, Arlen Specter, Lisa Murkowski, and John McCain could potentially oppose it due to their mixed records on gay rights issues. I think they would have a problem with the current one but if it was changed to definitely permit civil unions or to turn DOMA into amendment form then they would probably vote for it. Also, Orrin Hatch says he opposing amending the constitution unless DOMA is struck down. The House is more likely to pass it but it may be stopped there. The amendment in its current form may not even get majority support in the Senate because it is so extreme.

[0rganism]

79. Gordon Smith will HAVE to oppose it, if he wants re-election in 2008

The main reason he won in 2002 was his apparent support of gay rights issues. He was perceived as a social liberal. If he goes along with such an ammendment, he loses that talking point in his next bid.

[yellowcanine]

48. There are times when politicians must stand on principle.

This is one of those. There must be no anti gay marriage amendment - even if it does mean 4 more years of Bush. If this passes, it would be the first time since the amendment giving the vote to women that bigotry was part of the U.S. Constitution. I can sort of "understand" Kerry's position of civil unions but not same sex marriage but I don't think preserving the term marriage for heterosexuals is worth the impression that it leaves that same sex couples are being confined to some kind of second class status. My preference would be for states to use the term civil union for all couples, hetero or same sex, and let individual churches figure out whether they want to use the term marriage or not.

[WhereIsMyFreedom]

56. I agree

If 'marriage' is such a loaded term, then the state should use the term 'civil union' for both heterosexual and homosexual couples and afford them the same status and associated rights. That's equality and it should be guaranteed to all people. Let the fight over 'marriage' happen outside of our government and Constitution.

[skypilot]

49. Yeah, uh huh.

I'm going to become part of this gay marriage "wildfire" just a soon as I can even find a fucking boyfriend. We gays are just coupling up and picking out china patterns left and right.:eyes:

[adamblast]

51. I feel your pain, skypilot.

Marriage?? I can't get laid to save my life!! :D

[mike1963]

54. Well, you could always join the Log Cabin boys........

:D
:bounce:

[adamblast]

55. Hey, I may be desperate, but...

...I'm not getting fucked by a Republican again. :D :D

[mike1963]

58. LOL

I've known a few who know how to suc....uh...well, you know...
:evilgrin:

[KansDem]

50. The first 10 Amendments to the US Constitution...

place limitations on the State.

Why is it whenever Repubs want to amend the Constitution, they want to restrict what the individual can do???

[kenny blankenship]

72. excellent point!

also I'd like to point out that none of the amendments which protect our rights grant a right to only some people, and require them to give up a right (possessed by others) in order to get their right.

There are no dirty deals in the Bill of Rights!

[mac2]

74. Why restrict what we want to do?

Because, they are control freaks. Their lives are a mess so they want to control others. They want society to live and act in a certain manner..which they never have.

Thus in our private lives...Republicans can do not wrong because they are human. Democrats can do no right because all of them are corrupt(by Clinton).

I have noticed many of these RW extremists are men or woman who probably never attracted the opposite sex. They are angry and hateful. There is no love there...for themselves or others.

This from a group whose slogan was keep out of my home and private business...big government!!!

[mike1963]

57. Just sent this to cat-killer

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/userletter/?id=540&letter_id=71059621

[tedzbear]

80. Looks like he removed it...

Why don't you post it here and we all can send it. Keep them busy for awhile.

:kick:

[teryang]

68. repuke hypocrisy

...this is a state matter. Posturing by federal officials is pure demogoguery in a matter that is none of their concern.

[leesa]

69. Shame on our Senate. Shame on their foolish, foolish priorities

The insurers don't want to cover gay spouses so they pretend it is their fake christianity calling for it. These pretend christians have absolutely no scruples. Won't this take the focus off their murder of brown skinned people the world over?
Same mentality as the Nazis these people.

[mac2]

70. Distraction while Rome burns....

Senate would rather address the gay marriage issue than the real problems. It's their agenda to do so.

[kenny blankenship]

71. well he's right about the wildfire thing

I was planning to get married at least 6 or 7 times in the next month or so.

[mac2]

73. This group of Republican treats people like......

they have no morals or intelligence when it is the other way around.

[nibbana]

75. GOP says..No Hate Crime Bill-We Need anti-love bill

GOP says "murder is murder" and we don't need a hate crime bill...but "love is not love" and we need to legislate love..

So as long as they define love and we all accept thier defination of love we are ok.

[Damn Ann the Man]

76. I think we should stick an inanimate object up Frist's ass...

And make the bastard bleed.