This story's a couple of days old, but I've finally decided to comment on it.
New Hampshire lawmakers unexpectedly rejected a bill on Wednesday that would have made the state the sixth in the United States to authorize gay marriage.
The state's Democrat-controlled House of Representatives voted down the bill in a 188-186 vote, hours after its Senate approved the legislation 14-10 along party lines. An earlier version of the bill passed the lower chamber on March 26.
The legislature had been asked to approve language that would give legal protections, including the right to decline to marry same-sex couples, to clergy and others affiliated with religious organizations.
That wording was added by Governor John Lynch, a Democrat who promised to sign the bill if those changes were made.
The House vote against the governor's amendment means the bill will be sent to a committee that will try to resolve the differences between the two chambers. It remains unclear how the governor would respond to any changes to his wording.
It's interesting to me that the sticking point is the religious exception wording the governor insisted on, which I would have expected to be swallowed whole, flawed as it is. In a way I'm sort of glad to see the NH House balking at that: Lynch's intereference in the intent of the bill is reflective of a trend in this country over the past few years, which is the attempt -- so far successful, unfortunately -- by the religious right (and forgive me, but I think I have ample cause to doubt their sincerity) to make their warped and arrogant concept of "religious freedom" the trump card. Following their logic, any other fundamental right is secondary, and I think if you look carefully, "religious freedom" only applies to those who espouse the sick version of Christianity being touted by the Dobson Gang.
Sorry, that's not the way the country works, nor should it be. Once again, class, there are limits on all rights and freedoms. There have to be, otherwise you can't come up with a society that's actually going to function. I'm not real enthusiastic about living in a religious dictatorship.
I'm also happy to see the NH legislature telling the governor to stick it. Let's face it, Lynch's move was pure CYA, and he doesn't deserve to get away with it.
2 comments:
Exactly, who cares if he's a Catholic, thinks gays shouldn't be married, and thinks its an offense against god.
You should have the right to force him to marry you and your boyfriend, or sue him if he fails to do so.
If the photographer you want doesn't want to work for you? Sue him too. Sue everyone, why not.
They should have to do what you wan,t not what they want. Why? because you're the one who knows best; and we can't let people decide for themselves; we need to control them.
If that means clearly violating the text of the Constitution of the U.S., so be it. you have to have your way, right? Screw the Constitution.
Or did I miss something there?
You missed pretty much everything. Maybe you can try again. And actually read it this time.
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