Patters

It's no secret that the majority of Senators don't feel there should be a constitutional amendment to address this issue, but the Republican leadership has elected to pander to the bigots in its party.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060605/..._congress_dc_2

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Urged on by President George W. Bush, the U.S. Senate on Monday debated a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage that both backers and opponents say has little chance of passage.

Bush, speaking out again on the hot-button election-year issue, and other advocates said the amendment would prevent "activist judges" from striking down existing state laws that prohibit same-sex marriage.

Opponents said the measure was a transparent attempt to shore up support among social conservatives before November's congressional election, in a similar manner to 2004, at a time when Congress should be dealing with issues like high gasoline prices and the war in Iraq.

"The reason for this debate is to divide our society, to pit one against another," Minority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said.

BelichickFan

Like it or not, Patters, most Americans don't want gay marriage. It's just the way it is. There won't be an ammendment but don't pretend Americans look at this like they do discrimination against blacks or something. For a variety of reasons we don't like it. For me it's because I don't want gays to get the same adoption rights, nor do I want the government to suggest it as an equal lifestyle. The government does this all the time, it "discriminates" against non home owners with the tax deduction on the interest. It does this to influence behavior and not having gay marriage is another one that the population as a whole favors.

Patters

It's still pandering, BF. It's not like this is an issue that the government has been hard at work on. It's simply throwing this out there, like it did for the last election cycle. If they were sincere, I could see your point, but they're not even sincere about the constitutional amendment. They made no effort to line up a majority.

BelichickFan

Well they pandered to the left with the medicare giveaway so why not a little pandering to the right ?

Personally I wish they'd get rid of all the behavioral incentives, including the mortgage deduction.

Commander Shears

I hardly think anyone is so naive to think that this is anything but election-year politics. Even the most ardent supporters of the amendment must realize that they are being played like a fiddle.

Pats726

Actually that is not true...MOST is far from where the country is on this..those fot it may be up by a few points, but MOST?? not at all..take a look at polls....
Just say you favor discrimination...admit it, it is true...and bottom line is I do NOT think there is a large majority who want that.
As for why now, it is obvious...ot is a political plot pure and simple. A friend of Bush was quoted in either the Time or Newsweek basically saying he never talks about it and does not give a ****** about it...

BelichickFan

The polls say a clear majority are against gay marriage. They are NOT for an ammendment, though.

BelichickFan

It's not discrimination, it's just the government trying to influence behavior. Gays are allowed to live together, hug, kiss and screw like the rest of us. It's not illegal it just doesn't get special priviliges. Again, much like the tax benefits of home ownership it's the government trying to tweak behavior.

Patters

Of course it's discrimination. The rights that marriage affords are special rights for heterosexuals. Home ownership is a completely different issue. Anyone can be a homeowner and get that benefit. But, though some people might tell you otherwise, not anyone can be gay. It's the way one is, and the right to deprive gays of equal rights is as as indefensible as depriving women or people of color of equal rights under the law.

BelichickFan

I'll reply to this later if I can get my wording right. Most likely I'll have to leave it at "I disagree", though.