Politics...
- Thread starter Waldorf
- Start date
PerfectHandle
Active Member
- Joined
- May 25, 2006
- Messages
- 230
- Reaction score
- 27
Statler...just go away. Everyone here hates you, and your opinions on politics are all stupid, stupid, STUPID!
DudeUrSistersHot
Banned
- Joined
- May 25, 2006
- Messages
- 315
- Reaction score
- 0
im wicked right about everything
ahh, finally a place where it's appropriate to say that.
ahh, finally a place where it's appropriate to say that.
P
Patrick
Guest
What be politics?
P
Patrick
Guest
statler said:
It all boils down to values, which are practically unchangeable for most people, and which, unfortunately, differ markedly across the country, causing perpetual discord over just about everything. So, while I cannot tell if you are being sarcastic with a hint of truth in there somewhere, regardless, I almost agree with you, my B.A. in politics aside. Politics is ALMOST stupid, and ALMOST pointless, but ultimately it boils down to what is referred to in Game Theory as the prisoner's dilemma. That is, both sides continuously bicker and try to convince the other side of the spectrum they have the right idea (even though it is essentially an exercise in futility) because if they didn't, and both sides tried to cooperate, one side would likely take advantage and the consequences could be great (regardless of which side succeeded in persuading others to hop on board). Its the same reason all night grocery stores exist. if one store stays open til ten and the other stays open until 11, store one either goes out of business or stays open until 11 as well. the end result, both stores are open all night when they could have chosen to cooperate and have all employees go home at a reasonable hour, and still earned the same profits (more when operating costs are factored in). politics is the same way, in a way. ask dude, he's always right, and seeing as how I am right here, he will concur. Politics is stupid, I don't disagree, but I think everything that goes along with it, the push, the pull, is absolutely necessary, even if exhausting. now, statler, I know this was not the type of response you counted on, but I figured I'd use your humorous comment as a launch pad for further discussion.
DudeUrSistersHot
Banned
- Joined
- May 25, 2006
- Messages
- 315
- Reaction score
- 0
go away
P
Patrick
Guest
Do you know what the U.S. shares in common with Afghanistan, Cuba, China, North Korea, Pakistan and Sierra Leone?
Ron Newman
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 30, 2006
- Messages
- 8,395
- Reaction score
- 12
Stolen national elections?
P
Patrick
Guest
Ask Justin.
P
Patrick
Guest
New Hampshire legalizes civil unions
The governor calls the law a 'matter of conscience,' but one group vows to push for repeal.
E-mail this page
Reader Comments (below)
June 1, 2007
? By BEVERLEY WANG
The Associated Press
CONCORD, N.H. — They packed the room with cameras in hand to record the moment. And when Gov. John Lynch put down his pen, they broke into applause.
Lynch's signature Thursday morning completed a long-awaited step toward equality for New Hampshire's gay couples: civil unions.
"Sometimes you've just got to live long enough. I never thought I'd see the day," said Dawn Touzin, a board member of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, as she wiped away tears.
"It's just been such a struggle. It shouldn't be this hard just to want to be in a relationship. This is a huge step and I'm just so proud of New Hampshire today," she said.
New Hampshire will be the fourth state to offer civil unions, and the first to do so without a court order or threat of one.
"How could any one of us look into the eyes of our neighbors, our friends, or our loved ones if we continued to deny them these basic legal protections?" Lynch said.
"I've listened and I've heard all the arguments. I do not believe that this bill threatens marriage. I believe that this is a matter of conscience and fairness."
Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson was in the crowd. Although his consecration in 2003 as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church divided the worldwide Anglican Communion, Robinson and his longtime partner plan to enter a civil union.
"This is not a radical departure," he said of the bill. "This is a real confirmation of what New Hampshire has always been about: the freedom of its own citizens and fairness for everyone."
Robinson said he will not direct Episcopal priests in the state to bless same-sex unions, letting priests decide that individually. Such blessings have been another divisive issue for Episcopalians and Anglicans.
Lynch's staff arranged the signing swiftly, waiting until after 8 a.m. to announce the 9:45 a.m. ceremony. It drew a supportive crowd of Democratic lawmakers already in the Statehouse for sessions; any opponents in the room did not make themselves known.
The group Conserve N.H. later criticized the quick scheduling and vowed to push for repeal.
"We, along with the majority of our fellow citizens, are disappointed that Governor Lynch has agreed to rewrite New Hampshire's marriage laws with this unpublicized signing of the civil unions bill," said Paul Nagy, the group's chairman. "Every New Hampshire voter will be made aware of this unpopular payoff to liberal special interests."
Connecticut, Vermont, California, New Jersey, Maine and Washington have laws allowing either civil unions or domestic partnerships, and Oregon will join the list in January. Connecticut adopted civil unions without a court order two years ago, though a lawsuit was pending.
Hawaii extends certain spousal rights to same-sex couples and cohabiting heterosexual pairs. Only Massachusetts allows same-sex couples to marry.
Couples entering civil unions will have the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as married couples. Same-sex unions from other states will be recognized if they are legal in the state where they were performed.
The bill's success was a turnabout from two years ago, when a study panel recommended against any meaningful consideration of marriage and civil unions and endorsed a constitutional ban on gay marriage. Two years in a row lawmakers defeated bills for a such a ban.
Democrats won control of the Legislature last fall for the first time in more than a century, dramatically changing the equation. Civil unions passed both Houses last month largely along party lines, and Lynch, a Democrat, promised to sign it.
The speedy progress surprised even staunch supporters.
"In the fall when the bill came through I thought, we'll start to, you know, make some headway," said state Rep. Bette Lasky of Nashua, who shepherded civil unions through the House. "I really didn't think we'd be here. I can't believe it. This to me is not routine. I do believe we made history."
The governor calls the law a 'matter of conscience,' but one group vows to push for repeal.
E-mail this page
Reader Comments (below)
June 1, 2007
? By BEVERLEY WANG
The Associated Press
CONCORD, N.H. — They packed the room with cameras in hand to record the moment. And when Gov. John Lynch put down his pen, they broke into applause.
Lynch's signature Thursday morning completed a long-awaited step toward equality for New Hampshire's gay couples: civil unions.
"Sometimes you've just got to live long enough. I never thought I'd see the day," said Dawn Touzin, a board member of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, as she wiped away tears.
"It's just been such a struggle. It shouldn't be this hard just to want to be in a relationship. This is a huge step and I'm just so proud of New Hampshire today," she said.
New Hampshire will be the fourth state to offer civil unions, and the first to do so without a court order or threat of one.
"How could any one of us look into the eyes of our neighbors, our friends, or our loved ones if we continued to deny them these basic legal protections?" Lynch said.
"I've listened and I've heard all the arguments. I do not believe that this bill threatens marriage. I believe that this is a matter of conscience and fairness."
Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson was in the crowd. Although his consecration in 2003 as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church divided the worldwide Anglican Communion, Robinson and his longtime partner plan to enter a civil union.
"This is not a radical departure," he said of the bill. "This is a real confirmation of what New Hampshire has always been about: the freedom of its own citizens and fairness for everyone."
Robinson said he will not direct Episcopal priests in the state to bless same-sex unions, letting priests decide that individually. Such blessings have been another divisive issue for Episcopalians and Anglicans.
Lynch's staff arranged the signing swiftly, waiting until after 8 a.m. to announce the 9:45 a.m. ceremony. It drew a supportive crowd of Democratic lawmakers already in the Statehouse for sessions; any opponents in the room did not make themselves known.
The group Conserve N.H. later criticized the quick scheduling and vowed to push for repeal.
"We, along with the majority of our fellow citizens, are disappointed that Governor Lynch has agreed to rewrite New Hampshire's marriage laws with this unpublicized signing of the civil unions bill," said Paul Nagy, the group's chairman. "Every New Hampshire voter will be made aware of this unpopular payoff to liberal special interests."
Connecticut, Vermont, California, New Jersey, Maine and Washington have laws allowing either civil unions or domestic partnerships, and Oregon will join the list in January. Connecticut adopted civil unions without a court order two years ago, though a lawsuit was pending.
Hawaii extends certain spousal rights to same-sex couples and cohabiting heterosexual pairs. Only Massachusetts allows same-sex couples to marry.
Couples entering civil unions will have the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as married couples. Same-sex unions from other states will be recognized if they are legal in the state where they were performed.
The bill's success was a turnabout from two years ago, when a study panel recommended against any meaningful consideration of marriage and civil unions and endorsed a constitutional ban on gay marriage. Two years in a row lawmakers defeated bills for a such a ban.
Democrats won control of the Legislature last fall for the first time in more than a century, dramatically changing the equation. Civil unions passed both Houses last month largely along party lines, and Lynch, a Democrat, promised to sign it.
The speedy progress surprised even staunch supporters.
"In the fall when the bill came through I thought, we'll start to, you know, make some headway," said state Rep. Bette Lasky of Nashua, who shepherded civil unions through the House. "I really didn't think we'd be here. I can't believe it. This to me is not routine. I do believe we made history."
Piecemeal extension of marriage rights is a blatant snub to polygamists, incestuous couples and other non-traditional family units. Should a loving union of three men and two women not have the same right to privileges and obligations of marriage?
A wealthy and influential minority has stormed the castle and immediately pulled the drawbridge back up, others be damned.
justin
A wealthy and influential minority has stormed the castle and immediately pulled the drawbridge back up, others be damned.
justin
P
Patrick
Guest
justin said:
This is a joke, right?
statler
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 25, 2006
- Messages
- 7,927
- Reaction score
- 525
At least the small minority (which is neither as wealthy or as 'influential' as you imagine) left a road map to the castle and documented all the weak spots in the defenses.
If polygamy is your bag, go for it. Fight the good fight. Work hard to get the political, popular and legal support you need. Hammer away at the hearts and minds of people for decades. The path has been cleared, now you just have to follow it.
Just don't expect to ride in on the coat-tails of those who did all the heavy lifting. They are still too busy trying to get the rest of their family safely into the castle (and making sure not get themselves kicked back out.)
If polygamy is your bag, go for it. Fight the good fight. Work hard to get the political, popular and legal support you need. Hammer away at the hearts and minds of people for decades. The path has been cleared, now you just have to follow it.
Just don't expect to ride in on the coat-tails of those who did all the heavy lifting. They are still too busy trying to get the rest of their family safely into the castle (and making sure not get themselves kicked back out.)