Well Nebraska continues to drag its feet in coming out of the dark ages on gay marriage and joining the other the other 37 states and District of Columbia where it has been legalized.
Quotes today from both the Asst Atty General and the Atty General of Nebraska
Dave Lopez, representing the state, made his argument around the definition of marriage. He said marriage in Nebraska is meant to "promote procreation and to promote stable relationships."
My response is that you are saying the only reason to marry is to have children? And when in comes to promoting stable relationship, should there then be a fine or penalty for the roughly 50% of marriages that end in divorce.
The Nebraska Attorney General's Office has said it will appeal any decision blocking or overturning the voter-approved ban on gay marriage.
"I don't buy into this notion that all the states are going to eventually end up going there and we should just join them," Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson said. "This is an institution that has been limited to a man and a woman recognized for 2,500 years."
I can't even respond to this one - I thought our former Atty General was simple minded - this guy replaced him with even less grey matter.
A couple notes for both of you directly from the Nebraska State Laws category.
Nebraska Revised Statute 42-101
Revised Statutes» Chapter 42» 42-101
42-101. Marriage a civil contract.
In law, marriage is considered a civil contract, to which the consent of the parties capable of contracting is essential
Note on this one - civil contract - not a word about religious ceremony, procreation, man and woman, etc.
The issue at hand is the following item that was implemented into the Nebraska Constituion in 2000. Nebraska State Constitution» I-29
I-29. Marriage; same-sex relationships not valid or recognized.
Only marriage between a man and a woman shall be valid or recognized in Nebraska. The uniting of two persons of the same sex in a civil union, domestic partnership, or other similar same-sex relationship shall not be valid or recognized in Nebraska.
It is a violation of rights to enact a law that establishes the removal or separation of rights based on bias to a specific party. This would be no different than enacting a law saying women can not have a driver's license.
For those of you that agree with our state's laws and our current State Government position - one quick reminder. A gay couple that is already together, living in your home town, who work, pay taxes, and have kids in your kid's school, will continue to be together and live in your community regardless of whether they are married. Their marriage simply gives them rights like other people to estate situations, medical planning, retirement planning, tax benefits, etc. that we already have. Their marriage will in no way, shape, or form affect you and your day to day life. So your denial of their rights is a bias and is no different from the bias against an ethnic group, another religion, etc.
I have never been able to figure out the fear of this. I think for the most part it is just red meat for the base. Hate and fear are always crowd pleasers. I always laugh about the procreation argument , as my uncle got remarried at the age of 75 to a 73 year old. If they have kids that's going to be a hell of a shock. We need to get together soon! Carter
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