Statement by the President on Marriage (MUST READ -- Dean/Kerry/Clark Statements Follow)

The White House ^ | Nov 18, 2003 | President Bush

[PhiKapMom]

Statement by the President On Marriage

November 18, 2003

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman. Today's decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court violates this important principle. I will work with congressional leaders and others to do what is legally necessary to defend the sanctity of marriage.

[PhiKapMom]

Following will be the statements of the RATs which so far are 180 from President Bush's! Anyone that needs an additional reason to support President Bush over any DemocRAT -- here it is!

[NutCrackerBoy]

Bump

[PhiKapMom]

And now for the DemocRATS! Let's start with Dean -- do you want this man for President? Spread the word on what he is saying!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 18, 2003

Contact: Press Office, 802-651-3200

Statement of Governor Dean on Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Ruling>

MANCHESTER--Democratic presidential candidate Governor Howard Dean, M.D., issued the following statement today in response to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling:

"As Governor of Vermont, I was proud to sign the nation's first law establishing civil unions for same-sex couples. Today, the Massachusetts Court appears to have taken a similar approach to the Vermont Supreme Court and its decision that led to our civil unions law. One way or another, the state should afford same-sex couples equal treatment under law in areas such as health insurance, hospital visitation and inheritance rights.

"There will be those who try to use the decision today to divide Americans. Instead, this decision should be viewed as an opportunity to affirm what binds us together -- a fundamental belief in the equality of human beings, regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation."

-- 30 --

http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=10573&

[B Knotts]

Constitutional amendment is needed.

Some will protest that this is not of sufficient import for amending the Constitution, but it is the traditional family that is the basis for our entire culture and society.

[PhiKapMom]

Statement from John Kerry on Massachusetts Gay Marriage Ruling

November 18, 2003

For Immediate Release

“I have long believed that gay men and lesbians should be assured equal protection and the same benefits – from health to survivor benefits to hospital visitation - that all families deserve. While I continue to oppose gay marriage, I believe that today’s decision calls on the Massachusetts state legislature to take action to ensure equal protection for gay couples. These protections are long over due.”

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_1118a.html

[mhking]

From The Boston Globe:

"I agree with 3,000 years of recorded history. I disagree with the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts," Republican Gov. Mitt Romney said. "Marriage is an institution between a man and a woman ... and our constitution and laws should reflect that."

[Semper911]

Good for you, Mr. President. A quick reply from the heart that didn't wait for poll numbers.

This alone could get you four more years.

[PhiKapMom]

For Immediate Release
Date: November 18, 2003

General Clark Responds to the Massachusetts Court Decision

"As a society we should be looking for ways to bring us together and as someone who supports the legal rights of all Americans regardless of sexual-orientation, I appreciate todays decision. As President, I would support giving gays and lesbians the legal rights that married couples get. If the Massachusetts legislature decides to legalize same-sex marriages, it will be up to each state to decide whether those marriages will be valid in their state-- and that is a choice each state, not the courts, will have to make.

My hope is that disagreements over this issue can be handled with tolerance and understanding."

http://clark04.com/press/release/085/

[mhking]

Also from The Boston Globe:

Democratic Rep. Barney Frank, who is openly gay, said the decision "will enhance the lives of probably thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of Massachusetts citizens, and will have no negative effects on anyone else." Rep. Marty Meehan agreed. "There will be some from the right who will try to paint a picture that this will somehow be an infringement on heterosexual couples, I don't view it that way," said Meehan, also a Democrat.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said the decision was a "welcome new milestone on the road to full civil rights for all our citizens.

"It's wrong for any state to discriminate against gays and lesbians by denying them the many benefits and protections that the laws of the state provide for married couples," Kennedy said.

[knak]

He said this today after the ruling? Let's hope.

[Lady Eileen]

Thanks for posting Bush's statement. We should all call to thank him and urge him to stand firm.

[PhiKapMom]

Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Statement Of Senator Edwards On Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Decision

Senator John Edwards (D-NC) released the following statement today:

"As I have long said, I believe gay and lesbian Americans are entitled to equal respect and dignity under our laws. While I personally do not support gay marriage, I recognize that different states will address this in different ways, and I will oppose any effort to pass an amendment to the United States Constitution in response to the Massachusetts decision.

"We are a nation comprised of men and women from all walks of life. It is in our national character to provide equal opportunity to all, and this is what unites our country, in laws and in shared purpose. That is why today, we must also reach out to those individuals who will try to exploit this decision to further divide our nation, and ask them to refrain from that effort."

http://www.johnedwards2004.com/page.asp?id=370

[Grampa Dave]

Our president is willing to take on this issue in a legal and constitutional manner. The rats can't handle that.

Anyone who posts that there is no difference between the two parties should have their posting privileges banned for posting without a mind.

[NutCrackerBoy]

While I continue to oppose gay marriage, I believe that today’s decision calls on the Massachusetts state legislature to take action to ensure equal protection for gay couples.

Incompatible goals. We have to realize that it is not an equal protection issue.

[PhiKapMom]

Lieberman Statement On Mass. Gay Marriage Ruling (November 18, 2003)

ARLINGTON, VA -- Joe Lieberman issued the following response to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's ruling allowing same-sex unions in the state:

"Although I am opposed to gay marriage, I have also long believed that states have the right to adopt for themselves laws that allow same-sex unions. I will oppose any attempts by the right wing to change the Constitution in response to today's ruling, which would be unnecessary and divisive."

http://www.joe2004.com/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6270&news_iv_ctrl=1001

[NutCrackerBoy]

Gov. Mitt Romney said. "Marriage is an institution between a man and a woman ... and our constitution and laws should reflect that."

Thank you, Mr. Governor. I voted for this man.

[Congressman Billybob]

I just went on-air with Jerry Agar (50,000 watts - WPTF, Raleigh) to discuss the ramifications of this decision. Bottom line, I said it will probably be reversed by passage of the proposed US Constition amendment to define marriage as a union of "one man and one woman." Further, I said that President Bush will support this amendment, and all the Democrat candidates will be forced to oppose it, with the result of putting the Democrat nominee -- whoever it is -- further behind the political eight-ball.

Looks like it is playing out that way, though notice the weasel-statement by Kerry who says he "opposes" homosexual marriage but "supports equal rights" for homosexual couples. If he keeps waffling like that, folks will start confusing him with Wesley Clark. LOL.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, "Double Crossing at the Rio Grande," discussion thread. IF YOU WANT A FREEPER IN CONGRESS, CLICK HERE.

[Pontiac]

John Kerry
“I have long believed that gay men and lesbians should be assured equal protection and the same benefits – from health to survivor benefits to hospital visitation - that all families deserve. While I continue to oppose gay marriage, I believe that today’s decision calls on the Massachusetts state legislature to take action to ensure equal protection for gay couples. These protections are long over due.”

Is this the mother of all waffles or what?

[maica]

Dear Barney Frank,


This is not about the "couples." Marriage is to protect the Family, which means the children of a union between a man and a woman, so that they become healthy productive adults. That is the only way a society can survivel

For a group who say that the government has no business in their bedroom, they are demanding the government's blessing on their bedroom behavior.