Posted on 09/28/2004 5:58:00 AM PDT by truthandlife
Will traditional marriage survive for another year? Two years? Five? The answer may very well be determined by the outcome of the federal and state elections taking place November 2.
On the state level, as many as 12 referendums on traditional marriage may be taking place, in which voters will be allowed to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. In Missouri, one state which has allowed the people to actually vote on the issue this year, voters in August barred same-sex marriage by 71 percent to 29 percent. That vote was followed in September by another vote in which 78 percent of voters voiced their approval of amending the Louisiana state constitution to protect traditional marriage.
Several other states -- Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Utah -- will be considering similar pro-marriage amendments in upcoming November ballot initiatives. But homosexual activists are trying to take the issue out of voters' hands in at least two other states, mounting furious court challenges in states like Arkansas and Ohio.
Elsewhere activists are challenging state laws that already limit marriage to a man and a woman. In Connecticut in late August, lawyers with the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) have filed suit in state court on behalf of seven homosexual couples determined to legalize same-sex marriage. GLAD attorneys were responsible for crafting the successful legal challenges in Vermont and Massachusetts -- in which legalized civil unions and same-sex marriage, respectively, were the result.
Similar suits, filed either by other pro-homosexual legal groups or the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), are already under way in California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington state.
"Homosexuals and those who sympathize with their agenda are trying to take this issue out of the hands of the voters, and place marriage in the hands of liberal judges," says Rev. Don Wildmon, founder and chairman of the American Family Association, a longtime proponent of traditional family values and a major supporter of federal legislation that would remove jurisdiction over the issue of same-sex marriage from the federal judiciary.
Liberal Democrats and a handful of Republicans in the Senate kept that measure, the Federal Marriage Amendment, from even coming up for a vote this past summer. In the House of Representatives, a vote on the FMA (H.J. Resolution 56) is scheduled for September 30 . While some view state amendments as sufficient to protect marriage, Wildmon disagrees. He sees the FMA as mandatory.
"States can help themselves by passing their own amendments defending traditional marriage," Wildmon says. "But in the end, only the Federal Marriage Amendment will settle this issue once and for all."
Wildmon urges all Christians and other pro-family conservatives to get to the polls in November and vote for candidates who are actively supporting traditional marriage. "This very well could be our last chance to preserve the institution of marriage as God ordained it," he says.
The Federal Marriage Amendment would need a two-thirds majority (290 votes) in the House to move on to the Senate. Regardless of the outcome, the issue will likely be a campaign topic leading up November's balloting.
Is Thune letting SD know of Puff Dascle's vote on this?
For Ghu's sake, lie down and breathe into a paper bag until you calm down.
Homosexual Agenda Ping - good overview, it's serious business.
Reminds me of LOTR - when Galadriel spoke about the future hanging by a thread. Success depended on the loyalty and courage of individuals - Frodo and Sam primarily. Now success depends on the loyalty* and courage of many individuals - as many as possible.
Let me and Scripter know if anyone wants on/off this pinglist.
*Loyalty to truth.
This homosexual marriage thing is an important part of the vile group's agenda. It brings them closer to get their hands on youngsters....legitimately.
And let all your representatives and senators know that you support traditional marriage between and man and a woman and do not support tax dollars going for the financial and medical support of homosexuals.
Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Catholic Action Ping List.
You can go directly here to email your Senators and/or Representatives:
From an email I got this morning:
In just three days, Grassfire expects the House of Representatives
to vote on the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA). With the
vote expected on September 30, we are calling on everyone who
stands with us in support of marriage between one man and one
woman to take fast action with us!
Remember, this vote is especially critical, because every House
seat is up for re-election this November!
+ + Where Does Your State Representative Stand?
Our official sponsor for the FMA, Alliance for Marriage actually
authored this bill, and they are convinced this bill will determine
the future of marriage and the family in America--not just for us,
but for the generations of Americans who follow.
That's why we want to send a strong message to Congress right
now that Americans want the sanctity of marriage protected for
our children and grandchildren.
There is little mystery that the FMA is a democratic lightning rod
that will play a major role in the upcoming election. In fact, we
expect stunning changes in the House as a result.
So where does your Representative stand on marriage?
Please click on the link below to see if your Representative
supports the FMA:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:HJ00056:@@@P
+ + Flood the House with Phone Calls!
Once you've determined where your Representative stands,
Grassfire is asking you to call them in the days leading to the
September 30 vote. Tell them you are a member of the
Grassfire.org and that you want your Representative to cast a
vote for H.J. Res. 56, the Federal Marriage Amendment to the
U.S. Constitution.
We believe we can deluge the House with tens of thousands of
phone calls in the few days leading to the vote and gather and
impress a number of Representatives who might be sitting on the
fence to re-consider their position and support the FMA.
But we are counting on friends like you to make this happen!
Here is the Capitol switchboard number: 202-221-3121
You can also find your representative by visiting:
http://www.house.gov/
+ + Grassroots America Must Respond to the Call
<-----The green one's clickable.
My message:
Rep. ___________________,
Since you do not have family or marriage as one of your subjects I am choosing health and I sincerely hope you will read my message.
I am a member of your constituency in District 5 and hope that you will support marriage and families by casting a "YES" vote for H.J. Res. 56, the Federal Marriage Amendment to the
U.S. Constitution.
Thank you,
___________
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