County to issue same-sex marriage licenses (NEW MEXICO TODAY 2/20/04)

AP via News Channel 15 wane.com ^ | 2/20/2004

[cyncooper]

Bernalillo, New Mexico-AP -- A county clerk in New Mexico says it has nothing to do with "politics or morals."

Sandoval County Clerk Victoria Dunlap says the county plans to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples.

She made the decision after asking for an opinion from the county attorney, who said New Mexico law isn't clear on the issue. He also says refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples could open the county to legal action.

State law defines marriage as a civil contract between contracting parties. It doesn't mention gender.

The issue of gay marriage has stirred controversy in other states. San Francisco granted hundreds of same-sex marriage licenses in defiance of California state law.

And lawmakers in Massachusetts expect to resume a debate on a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage.

[Southack]

c#52

[Constantine XIII]

I'll guess that you agree with the article at the end of the link you posted. If not, then the following isn't meant for you. :)
______________________

Well, then, how exactly is the President of the United States supposed to make a county official do what he wants? This goober's decision is wrong, to be sure, but he isn't breaking the law, either NM or US. Ergo, W can't send in the National Guard.

Now, if the Constitutional amendment is passed, we have a whole different kettle of fish. W does support that. That is about the extent of his power in this matter, though.

[umgud]

State law defines marriage as a civil contract between contracting parties. It doesn't mention gender.

The NM license may have a greater chance of being legally legitimate. If so, gays could wed in NM and return home to be recognized under the "full faith and credit clause."

Expect a stampede soon.

[cyncooper]

I thought of that, too. First thing I thought of was Richardson. We'll see.

[Caleb1411]

[AmishDude]

What are you going to do? Withhold the vote you didn't give him last time?

Besides, as we speak he is going to San Francisco and then New Mexico and then Massachusetts (Yeeeeaaaaagh!) to personally machine-gun the offenders where they stand.

[Constantine XIII]

No joke. What part of ENUMERATED POWERS don't these people understand? W isn't Clinton.

[Southack]

"To: Brian_Baldwin
I see you have no answer to my question: What would you have him do. Typical. Huff and puff away Brian, and toss insults as you do it. Makes you feel all he-man like I would guess."

Brian will fall for Governor Richardson's ploy. Gov Richardson will smash down this same-sex marriage license in order to sucker people like Brian into thinking that Dems are against same-sex marriage...because Gov Richardson wants to be the VP candidate for the Dems this year.

[Poseidon]

She made the decision after asking for an opinion from the county attorney, who said New Mexico law isn't clear on the issue. He also says refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples could open the county to legal action.

Do ya think he might've considered that issuing licenses to gay couples might also open the county to legal action? You can pretty well bet that it will. But, of course, this only reveals his true intentions...

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

...the county attorney...said New Mexico law isn't clear on the issue. He also says refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples could open the county to legal action.

Gee. Issuing marriage licenses to homosexual couples could also open the county to legal action. In fact, I'd say it's a sure bet.

[billbears]

This is spreading, and Bush isn’t doing crap. I figured the so-called Governor wouldn’t do anything anytime soon, but I expect the President to act, and he isn’t, instead we all hear about the plan.

What would you have him do? Throw some money at it? Seems to be the going standard for the Republican party these days.

The President should not be doing anything, nor should anyone in the general government. This is a state issue, misreadings of the worthless 14th Amendment notwithstanding, that is covered by the 10th

[templar]

It probably doesn't prohibit someone from marrying their sheep, either.

A sheep is not, and could not be, recoginzed as being able to take part in a contract. A sheep is property.

[AmishDude]

These people are so incredibly stupid it is beyond belief. Think about it. If this were just going on in one place, it would generate a discussion, but by using such cynical tactics (in MA having a deadline before a const. amend. can be passed, in NM waiting until the legislature is out of session) and ratcheting this up, all that will build is resentment.

Also, you don't want to champion gay marriage in the year a Republican gets a landslide. They want to make this part of the election discussion, but (1) Kerry will not go there, lest he be trounced and (2) Bush has both the anti-gay-marriage angle and the law-and-order angle.

[Hotdog]

Hey...look at the bright side...all the queers will be leaving my state to "join" each other in the queer states....GOOD!...keep them...don't want to be around them and with any luck they will increase the Aids outbreak in the "communities" and desolve themselves quicker...
Sorry to be so blunt...but I've had enough!

[rintense]

This has become an election issue for sure. When cities, towns, etc. begin to break established laws, they are setting this country down tyranny road. It must be stopped. The sudden 'we can do what we want' attitude has me very concerned for our country.

[Lunatic Fringe]

I love the extreme leaps of logic that some people make.

I also loved this quote from a recent episode of :aw & Order:

"Let them marry... Why shouldn't they be as miserable as the rest of us?"

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I hear this only on a local radio show here yesterday. Five queer "couples" tried to get licenses here in South Carolina last week. They told them they couldn't give them a license because of state law.

[Wordsmith]

I just relocated to New Mexico a couple of months ago, and have volunteered to help out the Bush/Cheney '04 NM campaign. This news makes me even more enthusiastic about the upcoming battle.

[gawd]

look y'all, several thousand gay couples are already married and the world didn't end.. maybe it just ain't such a big deal.

[cyncooper]

OK, dear, set aside the issue at hand and just address roge "officials" circumventing of the law in conjunction with sneeky tactics.

Do you have any problem with that?