North Carolina Chamber of Commerce leaders aren't saying much about if or how a possible legislative push to ban same-sex marriage would affect the state's business climate.
House GOP leaders want to consider a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage when lawmakers return to session Sept. 12. A proposed constitutional amendment must be decided by voters. To get on next year's ballot, as GOP leaders want, a proposed amendment would need three-fifths majorities of the House and Senate.
... "We haven't heard a lot from our members on this issue - this isn't one of their big concerns," said Erica Baldwin, director of marketing for the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce. "We focused on jobs and jobs creation this session, things to make our state more competitive."
Monthly Archives: September 2011
NC Chamber of Commerce Mum on Gay Marriage
Video: MN Activist Proves Same-Sex Marriage About Fundamentally Changing What Marriage Is
While Denny Smith, Executive Director of Winning Marriage Equality, lists plenty of nice things that happen to be part of marriage (and other deep friendships as well), he is passionately convinced that "marriage is not about sex ... it's not about sex":
Marriage isn't about sex at all? We wonder what married people would think about that claim.
Denny's claim that marriage isn't about sex proves the point our President Brian Brown made in this week's Marriage News:
"Gay marriage is a radical proposal because it cuts marriage off at the root, separating it from its roots in human nature."
Rick Santorum Versus Piers Morgan!
Rick appeared on CNN. Naturally, following the new script Byron York points out, Piers wants to talk about homosexuality.
Making religion and religious people a "wedge" issue in the campaign is the new script and boy is Piers on message.
Rick's finish is particularly strong--when Piers wants to say 'I'm a Catholic," and I'm with the times' he comes back with this magnificent counter-punch:
"Santorum: Piers, Piers, I don’t think the truth changes. I don’t think right and wrong change based on different eras of time. There are some truths that are in fact eternal and are truth and based on nature and nature’s law. And that’s what the church teaches, that’s what the Bible teaches, and that’s what reason dictates. And if you look at it from all of those perspectives, I think it’s a legitimate point of view. I certainly respect people who disagree with it. But I don’t call them bigoted because they disagree with me."
Rick Santorum is one of the best men in American politics, or America.
Rick Santorum Fights Back!
Pier Morgan tries to get Rick Santorum to say he's embarrassed by the Catholic Church's teachings on sexuality:
MORGAN: ...I have to say that your views you espoused on this issue are bordering on bigotry, aren't they?
SANTORUM: No. I think just because we disagree on public policy, which is what the debate has been about which is marriage, doesn't mean that it's bigotry. Just because you follow a moral code that teaches something wrong doesn't mean that -- are you suggesting that the Bible and that the Catholic Church is bigoted? Well, if that's what you believe, fine.
I think that -- I shouldn't say fine. I don't think it's fine at all. I think that is -- that's contrary to both what we've seen in 2,000 years of human history and Western civilization and trying to redefine something that has been -- that is seen as wrong from the standpoint of the church and saying a church is bigoted because it holds that opinion that is biblically based I think is in itself an act of bigotry.
MORGAN: Well, I'm a Catholic, too. I just think, unfortunately, we're in a different era. We're in a modern world. And the fact --
SANTORUM: I don't think -- Piers, I don't think the truth changes. I don't think right and wrong change based on different eras of time. Things are -- there are some truths that are in fact eternal and are truth and based on nature and nature's law. And that's what the church teaches and that's what the Bible teaches and that's what reason dictates.
And if you look at it from all of those perspectives, I think it's a legitimate point of view. I certainly respect people who disagree with it. But I don't call them bigoted because they disagree with me. --CNN transcript
Go Rick!
Turner Tied with Weprin in Latest NY-9 Poll!
A new Republican-commissioned poll showed the race to replace ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner (D) in New York’s 9th district to be a dead heat.
A McLaughlin & Associates poll of 300 likely voters found 42 percent would vote for state Assemblyman David Weprin (D) while 42 percent said they would vote for retired businessman Bob Turner (R).
Sixteen percent of those polled said they were undecided with less than two weeks to go before the Sept. 13 special election.
Jewish Voice Endorses Catholic Bob Turner in NY-9
And the editors frame their support of Turner as a protest vote over Weprin's positions, including his choice to vote for same-sex marriage as in the NY Assembly:
Hot-button issues such as the recently passed Marriage Equality Act in the New York State legislature do not escape voters either. Having voted for the law allowing same-sex couples to marry, Assemblyman Weprin, ostensibly an Orthodox Jew, said ”this is not a religious issue” and, taking the separation of church and state line, likened opposition to the bill to those who would seek to outlaw marriages between interracial couples or Jews and non-Jews. Never acknowledging the fact that moral depravity will have egregious effects on the society as a while, Weprin relegates his purported allegiance to his religious beliefs on the altar of political correctness and dances to the zeitgeist of “tolerance and diversity.” Turner, on the other hand, supports the Clinton-initiated Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage as a union of a man and a woman.
On SSM, Professor Araujo v. Professor Tribe
Prof. John Araujo, SJ at the Loyola University School of Law in Mirror of Justice:
Professor Tribe also makes passionate arguments [in his SCOTUSblog symposium contribution] for the “constitutional inevitability of same-sex marriage,” and some of them are based on polls, evolving consensus, and the transformation of culture. In this context, he asserts that arguments contrary to his on these points necessitate “the Court to cut this baby in half.” I wonder if he would employ this phrase in the arguments he has made in defense of abortion (for there, the baby—millions of them—has been and is plainly cut in half)? He also derides the use arguments against same-sex marriage that rely on what he labels “pseudo-scientific claims.”
He does not identify the reasoning underlying these claims, but I wonder how he would consider this argument: Let us assume that two planets which have not yet been inhabited by humans are to be colonized by them; on Planet Alpha, heterosexual couples only are assigned; on Planet Beta, only homosexual couples. In one hundred years, will both islands be populated assuming that reproductive technologies are not available to either group? I suggest that Planet Alpha will be; but Planet Beta will not. Why? The basic answer is to be found in the biological complementarity of the heterosexual couple necessary for procreation that is absent in same-sex couple. This is a scientific argument, but perhaps it is, in Tribe’s estimation, counterfeit.
John Stossel's Marriage Debate – NOM Marriage News, September 1, 2011
Dear Marriage Supporter,
Gay marriage is a radical proposal because it cuts marriage off at the root, separating it from its roots in human nature.
After gay marriage, every single feature of marriage becomes questionable and therefore will be questioned anew: Why just two? Why not sisters? Why fidelity?
We've seen the polygamists and the polyamorists attempt to leap on board the gay marriage train.
Perhaps the most difficult question to answer, after gay marriage, is: Why is the government involved in marriage at all?
Why not abolish "civil marriage" altogether?
Back in the seventies, this was a radical left-wing feminist idea.
Now, under pressure from the gay marriage debate, it's being embraced by some conservative libertarians.
I went on John Stossel's show on the Fox Business network last week and we had a spirited debate:
This week John Stossel has published his own view of our debate, in a piece called "The Gay Marriage Debate."
Now don't get me wrong: I love John Stossel, and he's a voice for sanity on fiscal issues in TV Land.
But what do you say to a man who, when you point out that the reason the government is involved in marriage is that taxpayers and society have a key interest in bringing together mothers and fathers to raise their children together, responds this way:
"Again, so what? I don't care if there are three fathers and six mothers. If it's a stable relationship and the kids are connected with their parents, that's great."
That's a fantasy, not a proposal to take children's needs for their mom and dad seriously.
David Haryansi, a libertarian columnist on Glenn Beck's "The Blaze" who was on the show with me and John, has a fantasy of his own: Private contracts can replace marriage.
"Within five minutes of my idea coming to fruition, a whole industry would be formed with prefab legal documents that would just allow you to have the sort of relationship you want with the parameters you want legally," Harsanyi said.
There are a lot of practical problems with this argument. Marriage is a status, not just a private contract: The government obligates third parties to respect and recognize your marriage, it does not merely enforce your private and personal agreements.
But the problem with this view go deeper than the practical.
In Harsanyi's view, marriage can be anything any adult wants.
The one thing it cannot be, under those circumstances, is an authoritative public institution with enough power to change the way men and women behave toward each other and toward their children.
And that institution is the only thing standing between children and a whole lot of heartache.
Mark Sanford has been making the rounds on TV this month, pushing a new book, and perhaps testing the waters for the next phase of his career.
I don't want to be hard on the man: We've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God
But do we all have to go on TV afterwards and talk like this?
Mark Sanford says he knows and regrets that he has harmed his boys, and gestures to the breaking up of the "sacred" family unit. But in the end he says that the one lesson he has learned is not to judge?
If marriage is going to matter, society needs to acknowledge that adultery is wrong, that having children without marriage hurts them, that children long for their mom and dad in one home rather than a fragmented family, and that adults have a serious obligation to conduct their lives--including their sex lives--in such a way that their children are not deprived of this great good.
As Maggie wrote in her column this week, "The restless search for soul mates is not really compatible with making your child feel he or she is the center of your world, infinitely beloved."
Government got involved in marriage because the well-being of children is intimately connected to marriage. Our marriage culture is under profound challenge from multiple sources, and privatizing marriage is not a serious answer to this challenge. Redefining marriage so it is whatever adults want is not the answer either.
"I still don't get his argument," Stossel confesses at the end. That's okay, John, millions of Americans have shown repeatedly at the ballot box that they do!
One person who does get the argument is Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, president of the Ruth Institute (which is a project of NOM).
The Ruth Institute's mission is getting the word out to the next generation: Lifelong, life-giving married love is possible!
One of the latest in a series of creative projects to develop emerging marriage leaders is "I commit!"
Rep. Dale Folwell of Forsyth County, Speaker of the North Carolina House, also gets it. He writes in the Winston-Salem Journal that the people, not the politicians, should decide the future of marriage in this country:
"Elected officials have lost the public's trust. Voters are fed up with business as usual in politics. Pushing the decision and power to constitutionally define marriage out of Raleigh and into the voters' hands will help restore confidence in our political system and our society.
"The 120 members of the N.C. House of Representatives and 50 members of the N.C. Senate have two choices. They can either trust the state's 6 million voters to define marriage, or they can abdicate the decision to one activist judge. It will be a vote over who our elected officials think are more important, themselves or the voters of North Carolina."
Contrast that to Iowa's Senate majority leader, Sen. Mike Gronstal, who has just reiterated in an interview with the Associated Press that he will never ever permit the people of Iowa to decide for themselves what marriage is and should remain.
Throwing your body between voters and the ballot box is strange behavior for a politician dedicated to "civil rights."
Bob Vander Plaats, who heads the conservative group The Family Leader, responded this way:
"I think my political assessment of his decision is it will lead to his defeat in 2012," said Vander Plaats, who led the campaign to remove the three Iowa Supreme Court justices. "Obviously he'll be a top target of ours."
"Anytime you stifle the people's voice, people are going to hold you accountable," said Vander Plaats.
That's my job too here at NOM: Holding the powerful accountable to your voices and your values.
New York, Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina, California--and in the halls of power in Washington, D.C. Wherever the fight is, I promise you, we will be there too!
As I write, the news has just broken: CNN will televise Gov. Rick Perry's first presidential debate in South Carolina, at the APP forum which will be moderated by NOM's own founding chairman, Princeton Prof. Robbie George.
September 5 on CNN. Watch it!
Thank you for all the good work that your support, your prayers, and your sacrifices have made possible.
God bless you!
Brian S. Brown
President
National Organization for Marriage
Mexican Presbyterians Sever Ties with U.S. Congregations Over SS Ordination
AP:
Presbyterians in Mexico are breaking ties with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) because of differences over homosexuality.
The theologically conservative National Presbyterian Church of Mexico voted to stop working with the U.S.denomination.
The PCUSA voted in May to remove barriers for ordaining people in same-sex relationships. The U.S. and Mexican churches share a 139-year history and a network of social service ministries.
Presbyterian leaders in the United States said they're saddened by the decision and hope to find a way they can continue helping the needy in Mexico and along the border.
CNN to Air Rick Perry's First Presidential Debate--NOM Founding Chairman Prof. Robert George to Moderate
South Carolina's The State:
CNN will provide a live national broadcast of Sen. Jim DeMint’s presidential forum in Columbia Monday.
Also, Townhall.com will provide a live webcast of this event and a thirty minute post-forum discussion after the event concludes.
The forum, sponsored by The American Principles Project, Palmetto, and DeMint, will feature the top Republican candidates including Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, businessman Herman Cain, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
Candidates will be on the stage one-at-a-time and will participate in a question and answer session with DeMint and two other panelists.
This forum will take place at 3 p.m. Monday at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia. It is an invitation-only event.
Weprin Mystified As To Why Orthodox Community Abandoning Him Over SSM Betrayal
In this interview with The Jewish Press Assemblyman David Weprin, who is running as a candidate for the upcoming special election in NY-9, seems to imply he's owed the support of the Orthodox Jewish community, even if he abandoned them on marriage:
[The Jewish Press:] You've taken some heat in the Orthodox community for your vote in favor of gay marriage.
[Weprin:] I know it became a highlight in some of the rhetoric that's been used against me. But [where is] the hakaras hatov for over 10 years of support? When I was finance chair [on the City Council] I got blasted by my colleagues for supporting so many Jewish organizations. I started the autism initiative, where 80 percent of the money went to Jewish organizations, mostly Orthodox organizations, and there was a lot of internal criticism. I did capital projects for Agudah. My record [is clear] on funding for Ohel, for Agudah, for United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg, the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, all the JCC's, COJO of Flatbush.
When I was finance chair, I basically saved their funding. When Gifford Miller came in [as Council Speaker] he knew nothing; to him they all sounded the same. I literally was the guy who saved all of these.
Ten years ago, I was against gay marriage but in favor of civil unions. But what has happened is that the whole gay marriage issue has evolved into being more of a civil rights issue. I feel very strongly against discrimination against anybody.
Bishop Cordileone Interviews in Defense of Marriage
Sheila Liaugminas recently interviewed Bishop Salvatore Cordileone (who heads up the US Bishops' efforts to protect marriage) on her radio show and published her thoughts about the interview -- the bishop gave a nice shout-out to our Chairman Maggie Gallagher as well:
Several days ago, I had a conversation with the new head of the bishops’ Committee for the Defense of Marriage, Oakland Bishop Salvatore Cordileone. Another prominent and clarifying voice of the church in the public debate over not just marriage law, but the nature and definition of marriage.
He engaged some of the same points he made here, because they need to be repeated often...
Bishop Cordileone told me that the person he referred to as “wiser than I” in his social insights (above) was Maggie Gallagher. Her commentary is provocative in the way that thinking needs to be provoked, and falsehoods dispelled.
We love Bishop Sal, too!
Mark Sanford On What He's Learned About Breaking Up His Family for an Argentinian Love Flame
I don't know what he could have said but this is distasteful:
Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford was a guest on "Piers Morgan Tonight" this evening, and discussed the 2012 GOP candidates, the economy and what he's been up to since leaving office. But he also discussed the scandal when he was in office – an extramarital affair with Maria Belen Chapur. While Sanford is still with [Argentinian] Belen Chapur, he told Piers Morgan, "You don't want to disappoint anybody. You know that you've let a lot of people down."
Does he have any regrets? "There's got to be regret," he said. "There's something sacred about a family unit...anything that brings harm to your boys you have genuine regret about." --CNN
I don't see the slightest sign of any genuine regret here. He chose his lover over his boys and broke up his family and we're supposed to feel sorry for him because he's afraid to do interviews?
Minnesota for Marriage Encourages Supporters to Vote for Marriage at the State Fair!
From their press release:
The Minnesota House of Representatives has a booth at this year’s state fair, which is featuring their annual State Fair Poll where people can vote yes on the Minnesota Marriage Amendment. By visiting the booth inside the fairgrounds, fair-goers will also receive the chance to weigh in on other high profile issues that will be on the November 2012 statewide ballot in Minnesota. The House of Representatives exhibit is located in the northeast corner of the Education Building on Cosgrove Street just north of Dan Patch Avenue. House members will also be available to answer questions and meet with the public.
Additional information about the poll is below, courtesy of the House of Representatives press release distributed on August 19th in advance of the fair’s opening. Hurry! We are already halfway through the fair, which ends on Labor Day, Sept. 5th. Make your voice heard and vote yes on the Minnesota Marriage Amendment!
Also, be sure to check out the Minnesota for Marriage booth -- now inside the state fairgrounds!
Lawsuit Filed in Freedom of Information Act Request Over DOMA
Via the Judicial Watch press release:
Judicial Watch announced today that it filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit on August 29, 2011, against the Obama Department of Justice (DOJ) on behalf of the Family Research Council (FRC) for records related to the DOJ’s decision not to defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in any pending or future litigation.
FRC seeks documents from the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division to determine the purported basis for the decision and the possible influence of homosexual activists on the decision. In a separate lawsuit, Judicial Watch attempts to obtain some of these same documents.
... “When Barack Obama became president, he took an oath to uphold our laws – and not just the ones with which he personally agrees. If he’ll undermine this law, which one is next? This isn’t just a threat to marriage. It’s a threat to the entire democratic process. If the Obama administration has nothing to hide, then why stonewall?” stated Family Research Council president Tony Perkins. “We have serious concerns that the Justice Department wants to hide evidence that it was doing the bidding of campaign donors and homosexual activists from whom Obama will need assistance for his reelection.”
“Once again the Obama administration is playing politics with the Freedom of Information Act to avoid telling the American people the truth about one of its indefensible positions,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “The evidence suggests the nation’s highest law enforcement is refusing to enforce the law to appease another special interest group.”
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