http://www.bbspot.com/News/2004/04/different_sex.html
Tuesday, April 6 12:00 AM EST
Massachusetts Legislature Debates Different-Sex Marriage Ban
By Seth Brown
Boston, MA - After weeks of fevered debates, the Massachusetts
Legislature has yet to rule on the different-sex marriage ban. Various
forms of the ban have proposed, but Representatives have yet to reach an
agreement.
House Speaker Thomas Finneran, an openly straight Democrat, spoke
passionately against the amendment. "This debate shouldn't be about what
religion or political group people may think is right. I love the woman
who has been my partner and helped me to raise our two daughters, and I
hardly think it's the government's place to tell me that our partnership
is invalid."
"I almost lost a member of my family last night when I voted for the
ban," said State Senator Jarrett T. Barrios, "But just because one of my
family members is straight doesn't mean that I won't do what I think is
right.
Statistically, nearly half of all different-sex marriages end in
divorce. Divorce has a deep negative effects on children, which has led
some critics to insist that dissolving different-sex marriages is
essential to promoting effective child-welfare.
As Democratic Senator Brian Joyce explains, "We are more likely to
achieve peace in the Middle East this century than we are to have men
and women understand one another in any substantial way."
Many arguments were made that the sanctity of marriage would be
threatened if different-sex marriage is allowed to continue. Besides the
high divorce rates, domestic violence commonly occurs in different-sex
marriages.
Representative Philip Travis argues the ban is unfair. "You may have
straight friends," warns Travis, "you may have straight colleagues, you
may even have straight family members. They just want the same legal
rights as you and I. History has shown that 'Together but Unequal' does
not work."
Unfortunately, for Travis, George W. Bush announced last month his
intent to support a constitutional amendment to ban different-sex
marriage.
"After more than two millenniums of human experience, we know that men
and women cannot, will not get along," said the president. "We have seen
too much domestic violence, divorce, and angry discussions over the
positions of toilet seats. We must set a clear policy by stopping it
once and for all."
House Speaker Finneran believes that Bush's comments may be the result
of a misguided heterophobia. Says Finneran, "I never imagined this would
happen two weeks ago when Bush announced that he was gay."
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Stoney
"Designated Rascal and Rapscallion
and
SCAMPERMEISTER!"
When in doubt, SCAMPER about!
When things are fair, SCAMPER everywhere!
When things are rough, can't SCAMPER enough!
/end humour alert
alt.atheism military veteran #11
{so much for the 'no atheists in foxholes' rubbish}
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