| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"stoney" |
| Date: |
30 Dec 2005 06:35:58 PM |
| Object: |
More Xtian 'honesty' in Massachusetts :\ |
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/12/22/petition_vs_gay_marriage_advances/
Petition vs. gay marriage advances
Number of signers breaks state record
By Raphael Lewis, Globe Staff | December 22, 2005
Backers of a constitutional ban on gay marriage in Massachusetts have
shattered a 20-year-old record for the most certified signatures ever
gathered in support of a proposed ballot question.
Secretary of State William F. Galvin this week certified the
signatures of 123,356 registered voters, nearly twice as many as the
number required to get on the ballot.
Supporters of the ban said their effort shows that gay marriage is
still a burning issue among thousands of voters, and legislators
should pay heed.
''The people have not just spoken, they have shouted to let the people
vote on the definition of marriage," said Kristian Mineau, president
of the Massachusetts Family Institute, which spearheaded the signature
drive.
The petition drew the signatures of Governor Mitt Romney and his wife,
Ann; former House speaker Thomas M. Finneran, now the president of the
Massachusetts Biotechnology Council; and former Boston mayor Raymond
L. Flynn. If the petition receives the support of at least 25 percent
of the Legislature in two successive sessions, it would appear on the
ballot in November 2008.
Opponents of the ballot question say the eye-popping number of
signatories does not reflect a tidal wave of support for overturning
the Supreme Judicial Court's landmark 2003 ruling that declared
same-sex matrimony legal. Rather, they said, it shows that paid
signature-gatherers were particularly effective at tricking
unsuspecting voters into signing a petition they didn't support.
''This is a groundswell of fraud and deceit, not of voter insistence,"
said Arline Isaacson, cochairwoman of the Massachusetts Gay and
Lesbian Political Caucus.
Hundreds of Bay State residents complained to gay organizations and
state officials this fall that they were duped into signing the
antigay marriage measure when they thought they were backing a
proposal to allow supermarkets to sell wine. The state Senate this
year passed a bill outlawing paid signature-gathering, but the measure
sits in the House with little prospect of success.
Marc Solomon, political director of MassEquality, a coalition of local
and national gay rights groups, said he has no question that the
amendment will survive challenges, given the sheer number of names
gathered.
''But we want people to know if their name was posted illegitimately,"
he said.
In order to qualify for the ballot, questions needed to attract at
least 65,825 signatures, or 3 percent of the number of those who voted
for governor in 2002. Prior to the gay marriage question, the most
signatures ever gathered were in support of a 1985 question calling
for the end of a surtax on the state personal income tax. That
question got 110,645 certified signatures, Galvin's office said.
Late yesterday, the pro-gay marriage website, Knowthyneighbor.org,
posted all 123,356 names of those who signed the petition, as well as
their home addresses. The database is searchable by first name, last
name, home town, and ZIP code, and offers visitors a ''fraud
affidavit" to use ''if your name is listed and you believe you were a
victim of petition fraud."
''Judging by the history-making number of signatures collected, it's
obvious the people are demanding to be heard," said Romney's
communications director, Eric Fehrnstrom.
Tom Lang, a spokesman for Knowthyneighbor.org, said his organization
also plans to post the signers' political party affiliation by weeks'
end, and later, other data such as home sale prices.
Mineau, of the Massachusetts Family Institute, said the Internet tool
will mostly be used to harass those who backed the ballot question.
His name and address has been posted on the website for months as an
original sponsor of the question.
Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey's name does not appear in the
database, though Healey has denounced gay marriage.
Tim O'Brien, a campaign spokesman for Healey -- who is running to
succeed Romney when he leaves office next year -- said voters should
not confuse the absence of her signature on the petition with any lack
of zeal about the issue.
The name of Boston Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley, who called on all
pastors and communicants in the church to back the ballot question,
was not on the list. Nor was that of Worcester Bishop Robert J.
McManus, who temporarily pulled a Westborough pastor from the altar
after the priest wrote in the parish bulletin that the amendment was
an attack on homosexuals.
Fall River Bishop George V. Coleman and Springfield Bishop Timothy A.
McDonnell did sign, however.
Terry Donilon, O'Malley's spokesman, said that O'Malley's endorsement
of the ballot question has not wavered.
© Copyright 2005 The New York Times Company
--
Contempt of Congress meter reading-offscale.
Hello, theocracy with a fundamentalist US Supreme
Court who will ensure church and state are joined
at the hip like clergy and altar boys.
America 1776-Jan 2001 RIP
"As democracy is perfected, the office of president
represents, more and more closely, the inner soul
of the people. On some great and glorious day the
plain folks of the land will reach their heart's
desire at last and the White House will be adorned
by a downright moron." --- H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
Religion is the original war crime.
-Michelle Malkin (Feb 26, 2005)
.
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: More Xtian 'honesty' in Massachusetts :\ |
30 Dec 2005 09:32:08 PM |
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stoney wrote:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/12/22/petition_vs_gay_marriage_advances/
Petition vs. gay marriage advances
Number of signers breaks state record
By Raphael Lewis, Globe Staff | December 22, 2005
Backers of a constitutional ban on gay marriage in Massachusetts have
shattered a 20-year-old record for the most certified signatures ever
gathered in support of a proposed ballot question.
Secretary of State William F. Galvin this week certified the
signatures of 123,356 registered voters, nearly twice as many as the
number required to get on the ballot.
I'm sure one could get that many signatures in Talibama and
Maddrasassippi to take the vote away from blacks. It doesn't
mean they represent the majority.
Supporters of the ban said their effort shows that gay marriage is
still a burning issue among thousands of voters, and legislators
should pay heed.
''The people have not just spoken, they have shouted to let the people
vote on the definition of marriage," said Kristian Mineau, president
of the Massachusetts Family Institute, which spearheaded the signature
drive.
Boston's catholic, so the divorce rate is lower than normal and
the paedophilia rate is higher. Think 'cardinal law'.
Hundreds of Bay State residents complained to gay organizations and
state officials this fall that they were duped into signing the
antigay marriage measure when they thought they were backing a
proposal to allow supermarkets to sell wine. The state Senate this
year passed a bill outlawing paid signature-gathering, but the measure
sits in the House with little prospect of success.
Marc Solomon, political director of MassEquality, a coalition of local
and national gay rights groups, said he has no question that the
amendment will survive challenges, given the sheer number of names
gathered.
''But we want people to know if their name was posted illegitimately,"
he said.
Gay-baiting and switching, how xian of them.
''Judging by the history-making number of signatures collected, it's
obvious the people are demanding to be heard," said Romney's
communications director, Eric Fehrnstrom.
As I recall, Boston was the last holdout against school busing
to mix black and white kids. And it wasn't about the money.
Bob Dog
Atheist #153 = 1^3 + 5^3 + 3^3
EAC's chief cook and brainwasher
-----
"Stop throwing the Constitution in my face,
it's just a goddamned piece of paper!"
- George W. Bush, US President
From 1945 to 2003, the United States attempted to overthrow
more than 40 foreign governments, and to crush more than 30
populist-nationalist movements fighting against intolerable
regimes. In the process, the US bombed some 25 countries,
caused the end of life for several million people, and
condemned many millions more to a life of agony and despair.
- William Blum
"The best thing about the Left Behind books is the way the
non-Christians get their guts pulled out by God."
- 15-year-old fundamentalist fan of the books
.
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| User: "duke" |
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| Title: Re: More Xtian 'honesty' in Massachusetts :\ |
31 Dec 2005 07:39:07 AM |
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On 30 Dec 2005 19:32:08 -0800, wrote:
I'm sure one could get that many signatures in Talibama and
Maddrasassippi to take the vote away from blacks. It doesn't
mean they represent the majority.
Let the vote take place. Then you'll know what state's rights mean.
duke
*****
"The Mass is the most perfect form of Prayer."
Pope Paul VI
*****
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: More Xtian 'honesty' in Massachusetts :\ |
01 Jan 2006 01:03:49 PM |
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On 30 Dec 2005 19:32:08 -0800, wrote:
stoney wrote:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/12/22/petition_vs_gay_marriage_advances/
Petition vs. gay marriage advances
Number of signers breaks state record
By Raphael Lewis, Globe Staff | December 22, 2005
Backers of a constitutional ban on gay marriage in Massachusetts have
shattered a 20-year-old record for the most certified signatures ever
gathered in support of a proposed ballot question.
Secretary of State William F. Galvin this week certified the
signatures of 123,356 registered voters, nearly twice as many as the
number required to get on the ballot.
I'm sure one could get that many signatures in Talibama and
Maddrasassippi to take the vote away from blacks. It doesn't
mean they represent the majority.
Indeed.
Supporters of the ban said their effort shows that gay marriage is
still a burning issue among thousands of voters, and legislators
should pay heed.
''The people have not just spoken, they have shouted to let the people
vote on the definition of marriage," said Kristian Mineau, president
of the Massachusetts Family Institute, which spearheaded the signature
drive.
Boston's catholic, so the divorce rate is lower than normal and
the paedophilia rate is higher. Think 'cardinal law'.
You mean Cardinal LawBreaker.
Hundreds of Bay State residents complained to gay organizations and
state officials this fall that they were duped into signing the
antigay marriage measure when they thought they were backing a
proposal to allow supermarkets to sell wine. The state Senate this
year passed a bill outlawing paid signature-gathering, but the measure
sits in the House with little prospect of success.
Marc Solomon, political director of MassEquality, a coalition of local
and national gay rights groups, said he has no question that the
amendment will survive challenges, given the sheer number of names
gathered.
''But we want people to know if their name was posted illegitimately,"
he said.
Gay-baiting and switching, how xian of them.
Of course!
''Judging by the history-making number of signatures collected, it's
obvious the people are demanding to be heard," said Romney's
communications director, Eric Fehrnstrom.
As I recall, Boston was the last holdout against school busing
to mix black and white kids. And it wasn't about the money.
--
Contempt of Congress meter reading-offscale.
Hello, theocracy with a fundamentalist US Supreme
Court who will ensure church and state are joined
at the hip like clergy and altar boys.
America 1776-Jan 2001 RIP
"As democracy is perfected, the office of president
represents, more and more closely, the inner soul
of the people. On some great and glorious day the
plain folks of the land will reach their heart's
desire at last and the White House will be adorned
by a downright moron." --- H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
Religion is the original war crime.
-Michelle Malkin (Feb 26, 2005)
.
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