Union Leader, June 3, 2009
Legislators vote today on amending the same-sex marriage bill so it meets Gov. John Lynch's approval and can become law. It's telling, however, that Senate President Sylvia Larsen had to violate Senate rules to get this language passed.
Senate rules require that all committee of conference votes be unanimous. They also require that committees of conference contain senators from each party. When Sen. Sheila Roberge, R-Bedford, refused to sign the conference report approving the amendment to the same-sex marriage bill, Sen. Larsen removed her from the committee and replaced her with Sen. Matthew Houde, D-Plainfield. Voila! The language was passed.
Supporters of same-sex marriage talk all day long about fairness. But to get their bill through, they intentionally violated Senate rules written to guarantee minority approval of controversial legislation. Gov. John Lynch ought to veto the bill for that reason alone. A matter as divisive as this should pass into law by force of persuasion, not by sleight of hand.
13 Comments
Typical! Just like in New Hampshire. The arm twisting, rule-bending, intimidation continues. How is this representative of true democracy or even republic representation?
Sadly, I'm not surprised. We now live in a political culture of corruption that goes all the way to the President.
Do post here-A Declaration On Marriage-it's at the Website williamgairdner.com / William D. Gairdner has a earned Ph.d-degrees in philosophy and literature,is a former Olympic Athlete and a best selling author of several books in Canada. At the Website check the Essays section for-A Declaration On Marriage!!.
That situation drives me so crazy. The senator removed introduced two ideas, one was a call for a voter referendum which was dismissed without discussion.
I love how the opposition is so afraid of discussion. Using "rights" as a reason to silence voices, even though marriage has always been exclusive tons of classes of people including siblings, cousins, business partnerships are already denied their "right" to marry.
How can the governor sign that legislation?
What do you think of NOM's argument that civil unions tend to be stepping stones. I for one am for rights. But then I got to looking back at the record and I think NOM has a point. Things like accepting gays marriages from other states, divorces gay marriage and cases like that are catapaults to gay marriage. I believe that is why NOM is trying not to give an inch because it will turn into alot more space. So to be fair, you have to agree that this isn't the end. I doubt that the religious protections will last. Gay marriage will eventually I believe over take the religious freedoms. Just look at the pattern. First gay marriage overcame sodomy laws. then got civil unions, then adoption, now gay marriage. Whats next? Religious Freedom is my bet.
Adam, the anti religious vitriol from the activist gay movement is staggering. I can't imagine religious freedom is held in high esteem in these circles. Lie, Cheat, Steal, what is next?
Rand, it makes sense to attack religion. If you read the bible, it reads like a crystal ball as much as a history book. After digesting a few of these threads, it really hits home, especially the common sense part:
"although they claimed to be wise, they became fools... Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a ... lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator... Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. in the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion... Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." - Romans 1:22-32
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools....that's the only way to explain the rejection of common sense. If the writer of this verse saw our day clearly he couldn't have written more truly. That's got to be intimidating to the opposition, and yet they claim that the bible endorses homosexuality. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.... justifying their actions.
Marie Lennae,
Last time I checked half of the characters in the Bible (Solomon, for example) married their sisters, raped women and then married them, married more than one wife, married a slave, and married concubines.
Are they all "fools" as well?
Perry,
I take issue with your statement. "Half". Come on, not even close. If so then show the numbers please. Being listed in the Bible doesn't make one perfect. Many great leaders have risen and fallen. I believe that current marriage laws do not apply to bible times. If you want to apply law in past times. then go hide because the sodomy laws would have you locked up.
I am curious though if you do believe in the bible. What is your take on the Sodom and Gomorrah? If you don't believe in the Bible then just dismiss the question.
Perry, when was the last time you checked? And please describe the manner in which you did this supposed checking. Thanks.
From letters to NH paper:
Even a mildly informed State House observer would be aware that every NH senate president has done exactly the same for the past two dozen years including the UL's candidate for mayor of Manchester, Ted Gatsas. Removal of a member unwilling to support the senate position in a committee of conference is nothing unusual or special to this particular legislation.
The readers of the UL deserve factual information, not manufactured talking points from out of state operatives.
An apology to Senator Larsen is in order.
- Ray Buckley, Manchester
She didn't break the rules. One of her powers as senate president is to freely appoint and remove members from committees for any reason she wants. Is this unfair? Sure is. Is it against the rules? Nope.
- John, Plymouth
“Supporters of same-sex marriage talk all day long about fairness. But to get their bill through, they intentionally violated Senate rules written to guarantee minority approval of controversial legislation. Gov. John Lynch ought to veto the bill for that reason alone. A matter as divisive as this should pass into law by force of persuasion, not by sleight of hand.”
That’s the best quote I’ve heard in this thing yet. That’s right. If we’re going to make a change in social policy, let’s do it above board. All the way.
I don't think he did check, I think he just heard it somewhere and thought it sounded good, because if he actually read the holy word, he'd know better what it was about. Using the old testament to bash Christians is an old old game Jeffrey. Older than you. It hasn't worked yet.
Thanks NOM for all you're doing! Keep it up!