STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH ON THE MA SUPREME COURT RULING APPROVING GAY MARRIAGE

The White House ^ | February 4, 2004 | President George W. Bush

[PhiKapMom]

February 4, 2004

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Today's ruling of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is deeply troubling. Marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman. If activist judges insist on re-defining marriage by court order, the only alternative will be the constitutional process. We must do what is legally necessary to defend the sanctity of marriage.

[F16Fighter]

"I asked you what specifically you expect the president of the United States to do at this moment."

And I asked specifically about what?

[cyncooper]

No weasel words? You must be kidding. The whole thing is weasel words.

Well, go ahead! We're all on the edge of our seats waiting for you to parse the statement and demonstrate the weaseliness therein.

Please proceed.

[cyncooper]

I heard a report today that the President will continue to talk about the sanctity of marriage, but will not take any more direct action due to the upcoming election. I'm not sure I believe that, but I would really like to see the direct action. A call for impeachment of judges who attempt to do the legislature's job would be very valuable, IMHO.

He most certainly will "continue" to talk about the sanctity of marriage. You say that as if this statement is the first, though. That is completely incorrect. The president has been addressing this frequently and most recently in the biggest bully pulpit available to a president: his State of the Union Address.

Now, the president has decried "activist judges". He cannot personally impeach the judges. He's denouncing them, but I'm afraid you'll have to hold somebody else accountable for not proceeding. Having sent the message that he does not consider these judges to be performing as they ought, and as they continue their reckless rulings, he has advocated a course that may be needed to resolve the issue for the whole country: A constitutional amendment that states marriage is between one man and one woman.

He has taken this up as his course BEFORE this ruling came down yesterday.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[longtermmemmory]

Rush is discussing the Mass Ruling, Announce kerry sound clip.

Still has not said that kerry "personally" opposes homosexual marriage but voted against DOMA.

[cyncooper]

I feel like I'm the only one who heard the president advocate the constitional amendment for marriage in his SOTU speech, due to activist judges imposing their will over the laws of the land. I guess I can add Laura Ingraham to the list who weren't listening.

[cyncooper]

You said you want him to "get on the bull and ride it".

Since I had already pointed out he has taken up this issue well before yesterday, and has signalled he is fully ready to be a leader for the side that says "marriage = one man/one woman", I was wondering what you meant about the getting on the bull and riding it, as if he wasn't already doing that.

[cyncooper]

Thanks...I had meant to put the radio on but got distracted. On now.

[longtermmemmory]

I heard constitutiona amendment. Impeaching a judge is very very very difficult for a reason. The mass judge may be an idiot but you would have to cite part and parcel of some ethics violation.


BTW to ALL does anyone have Rush 24/7? Rush is forgetting the impace on immigration law. Any us citizen can bring in anyone for marriage.

[Lady Eileen]

bump

[F16Fighter]

"[Dubya] has signalled he is fully ready to be a leader for the side that says 'marriage = one man/one woman'..."

I was wondering what you meant about the getting on the bull and riding it, as if he wasn't already doing that."

Thank you finally for your clarity...

It remains to be seen if Dubya and the Administration stay on "the bull," and ride it until this issue is won or peter-out when no one is looking. Call me a cynic, but his "signaling" support isn't quite the same as proving it by action.

IOW, "seeing is believing."

[longtermmemmory]

speaking of not watching, another thread reported diane finstine introduced a rider onto the gum maker liability bill. The rider repeals the sunset of the assault weapons ban making it permanent.

I mention it because it fits with the god, guns and gays that Dr. Dean accused conservatives of. (damn dangling participles)

[longtermmemmory]

It is a very french or "european" means of legislating. You pass a law, do something contrary, and then just say the law said what you said from day one.

Big brother increases you 20 gram chocolate ration to 20 grams!

[ArGee]

and what will the "formal" charges be on these judges?

Usurpation of power.

Shalom.

[ArGee]

OK, I'm not trying to judge the President. I would like to see something more, but I'm not going to withold my vote because he doesn't do precisely what I ask of him.

Something I would like to see is a direct statement, such as, "I call on the Congress to impeach the activist judgest within the Federal Judiciary, and I encourage the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to do the same. I spoke with Governor (whoever it is right now) earlier today and asked him to take up this cause."

I'd also like a Porsche Ceyenne.

Shalom.

[longtermmemmory]

no judge has ever been removed for that.

I am supportive of impeachment but you need an actual charge. You have ethics as a lawyer, you have the judicial conduct rules.

To file a formal complaint, a citizen needs more than the words "usuarpation of power".

Who regulates the Bar in Mass?

[Tribune7]

and what will the "formal" charges be on these judges?

While charges (accusations) are formally made, they don't have to be involve the criminal code.

It's a matter of political will. As I understand it, if the votes are there these judges can be impeached for not shining their shoes (if the legislature should think this to be a "high crime or misdemeanor").

[Lady Eileen]

Sean Hannity is talking about this now...the Massachusetts liberals (intoleristas).

[BlueNgold]

I disagree ... the President should not be in the business of advocating the impeachment of judges ...