Bush calls for gay marriage ban

[TC]

Saturday, 3 June 2006, 14:14 GMT 15:14 UK
Bush calls for gay marriage ban

Mr Bush criticised rulings on the issue by "activist courts"
US President George W Bush has called for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages.
Mr Bush used his weekly radio address to deliver a plea for the US Senate to formally define marriage as the union of man and woman.

He said the measure was needed because "activist courts" left no alternative.

An amendment stands little chance of being passed but analysts say Republicans see the issue as a vote winner in November's mid-term polls.

They say the president is seeking to switch the spotlight onto positive issues for his party in the wake of his slumping popularity - particularly over Iraq.

Opinion polls

Mr Bush said: "Ages of experience have taught us that the commitment of a husband and a wife to love and to serve one another promotes the welfare of children and the stability of society."

Judges have recently rejected laws on traditional marriages in states such as Washington, California and New York.

"An amendment to the constitution is necessary because activist courts have left our nation with no other choice," Mr Bush said.

However, an amendment would require two-thirds support in the House and Senate. A similar measure was defeated in 2004.

Republicans are hoping their stance on an issue that opinion polls suggest is shared by the public will boost votes in November, when they fear losing control of Congress.

A recent Gallup poll suggested 59% of Americans were opposed to validating gay marriage in law.

The Democrats accuse their rivals of applying a smokescreen.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said: "Bush Republicans would rather focus on purely divisive manoeuvres than real solutions that address the growing energy crisis."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/5044428.stm

Poll Numbers Down? Gay bash!
By accidentalactivist
06/03/2006 04:34:53 PM EST

Ongoing mayhem in Iraq, ENRON buddies waiting to learn how many years they'll spend in jail, VP Cheney's former Leaker in Chief awaiting trial, gas prices soaring, hurricane season starting, and what does President Bush decide to speak out about?

You guessed it boys and girls.... the gay-bashing amendment to the Constitution. Those nasty "activist" judges, Bush claims, are causing the institution of marriage to be in mortal peril.
My only hope is that everyone who reads or hears or sees Bush saying anything about this will remember that it is all about appealing to the base of gay-bashers in the hopes that the Republicans can maintain a grip on both houses in the November elections.

Tax cuts, bombing Iran, banning abortion, and bashing gays. Right out of the good old play book. But, aren't people getting tired of that game yet?

I hope so!

http://www.politicalcortex.com/story.../3/163453/6216

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Whats really awful is that a federal constitutional amendement baring gay marriage would invalidate existing same-sex marriages in massachuetts and might effect civil unions/domestic partnerships in california and new england...where no one voted for him anyways.

[Little brother]

Grrrr......Bush......grrrrr.....senseless, stupid....grrrrr... He makes me sick. Gay marriage. Who cares? You like men, you learn to love one who cares if you marry. I sure don't. Why should other people have opinions about it and have to make stupid laws banning it? grrrrr.....bush..... senseless prick.....grrr...i gotta stop reading comments about him. it only fuels my hate.

[midnight marauder]

I think the title of this thread, besides being hilarious, is a spot-on analysis. It's a sad fact that american politicians use the denial of gay rights as a political tool to gain support for them, much akin to black rights during the civil war period, etc. At least I don't think we should expect a national ban any time soon.

[OneBrickOneVoice]

Gay marriage, Illegal Immigration, and etc... are all hot button issues aimed at getting the christian right up on it's feet yelling. So far it's worked for Bush and co.

[TC]

the fact that people hate gays and immigrants (and women who like sex, and muslims, and atheists, and young people in general and everyone else that the Republicans like to pick on) enough to actually vote against their own economic interests for someone who shares their particular brand of prejudice, i think should show that social issues are still politically relevant.

[Nicky Scarfo]

Yep, the title of the thread pretty much sums up what's happening here.

[Ander]

What is wrong with this hateful man?

[overthrowthebeast726]

Originally posted by Jello@Jun 4 2006, 03:04 PM
What is wrong with this hateful man?

Christianity.

[Body Count]

Democrats don't have that great of a track record on this issue either.

The bottom line is that hardly any of them will get up and say that they believe in gay marraige and that they find nothing wrong with being queer.

"While I don't agree with that lifestyle, I do believe that gays should have the same rights as everyone else" ---- Typical Democrat

I know more then a few democrats thats are outright against gays, there reasons are usually fascist-esque SHIT like "We can't promote that lifestyle" or "It will damage our childrens minds".

They are both in the dark on this issue (Just as they are on many issues).

(Not to defend republicans of course, just saying, I don't know of hardly any politicians that have taken a correct stance on this).

[Nicky Scarfo]

Originally posted by Body Count@Jun 5 2006, 05:11 AM
Democrats don't have that great of a track record on this issue either.

The bottom line is that hardly any of them will get up and say that they believe in gay marraige and that they find nothing wrong with being queer.

"While I don't agree with that lifestyle, I do believe that gays should have the same rights as everyone else" ---- Typical Democrat

I know more then a few democrats thats are outright against gays, there reasons are usually fascist-esque SHIT like "We can't promote that lifestyle" or "It will damage our childrens minds".

They are both in the dark on this issue (Just as they are on many issues).

(Not to defend republicans of course, just saying, I don't know of hardly any politicians that have taken a correct stance on this).

As far as I know, Russ Feingold is the sole member of the Senate to actually come out in favor of gay marriage (par for the course as he was also the only Senator to vote against PATRIOT). Every other Dem seems like opposes the Marriage Amendment on the wishy-washy grounds that it would "usurp states' rights". But at least most are fighting against the repression the GOP wishes to impose. They are simply fighting in an ineffective and unprincipled manner. Like Durruti said "No government fights fascism to the death-- not in Spain or anywhere else. Who knows? The government might yet need these rebellious forces to crush the workers movement". You can just substitute "ruling class political party" for "government" and there ya go.

[Herman]

I think a homosexual should beat him up.