Obama pulls defense for law banning gay marriage

Reuters ^ | February 23, 2011

[La Lydia]

President Barack Obama has determined that a federal law that barred gay marriages was unconstitutional and told government lawyers to stop defending it in court, the U.S. Justice Department said on Wednesday, a move that will likely anger some conservative voters. A U.S. judge had ruled that a key provision of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) banning gay marriages was unconstitutional, but the administration had appealed, stating that it was obligated to defend federal laws when challenged.

The hot-button issue of same-sex marriage is the focus of a number of judicial and political battles. It is banned in most of the nation and legal only in the District of Columbia and five states -- Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa, New Hampshire and Vermont...

Obama decided that provision was unconstitutional and instructed Attorney General Eric Holder, who conducted a review of the law and gave him a recommendation, to stop defending it in federal court....

[La Lydia]

Now the Great Obama is deciding what laws passed by Congress are, or are not, Constitutional. "Obama decided" "Obama determined" the story says. And Reuters doesn't think to question that statement.

[DBrow]

“President Barack Obama has determined that a federal law that barred gay marriages was unconstitutional “

Stop, In The Name Of Love!

[Sybeck1]

Hmm, wonder how this will play in black chuches here in the south?

[GonzoGOP]

This is just a distraction. Obama desperately needs to get people to stop talking about the deficit, strikes, and the middle east. Even if he loses this fight it isn't going to gain him any new enemies or lose him any friends. On the gay issue everyone who has an opinion holds it fairly strongly. But talking about $5.00 a gallon gas, union thugs or shutting down the government will cost him dearly. And he has no margin remaining to lose.

[jimt]

The man’s arrogance is breathtaking. People characterize him as weak, but he sure doesn’t hesitate to take highly illegal, extremely unpopular positions.

Now he’s a Supreme Court of One, the Dear Leader.

[GonzoGOP]

Hmm, wonder how this will play in black chuches here in the south?

They will continue to bow to the great Obamasiah. Color trumps all other factors of politics or economics.

[Bernard Marx]

If he gets away with this America will have to bow to dictatorial rule. This is the kind of disregard for the law that Chavez, Castro and other bullying autocrats display.

I think this is America's final wake-up call. Obama's abuse of power stops here or game over. This is a gangster administration.

[ataDude]

This is a duly constituted law passed by the Congress and signed by a President (Clinton). Until (or if) it is declared unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court, it is still a law regardless of what Zero thinks about it.

This is truly a case of “jumping the shark” and, if someone in Congress notices, it could be a very good case for impeachment. Period.

[RWGinger]

I think, well hope, this will backfire. Not on the issue but on the hubris of 0dumbo in ANNOUNCING he will ignore a federal law.
Who will he gain from announcing this?
Who will he lose by announcing he is refusing to uphold a law passed by Congress and signed by Bill Clinton?

[longtermmemmory]

NOW can we push for the constitutional Federal Marriage Amendment?

[DirtyDawg]

I am reminded of Nero ... keep fiddlin there oh fearless leader

[forgotten man]

“Hmm, wonder how this will play in black chuches here in the south?”

Race trumps religion. 0bama could spit on the Bible and more than 90% of black church members will still vote for him.

[concerned about politics]

Don't talk about the hell breaking lose in the middle east.
Don't talk about the economy tanking.
Don't talk about the stock market plunge.
Don't talk about record home forecloses.
Don't talk about massive unemployment.
Don't talk about the union thugs trying to take over state governments.
Don't talk about the higher gas prices or the $5 gas coming this summer.

Let's talk about queers. Toss the law aside, and bring the queers out in front of the TV cameras. That should distract the zombies for awhile. (While we're gagging at the sight of homos, what will Obomas other hand be doing to destroy the United States?)

[Ev Reeman]

Fine. Now let the governors of states say that will not honor the abortion ruling and start arresting all abortionists and throw them all in jail saying that abortion is illegal and unconstitutional under the right to life provision.

[Cheerio]

The PRESIDENT does not have the authority to determine CONSTIUTIONALITY. The boy king is still defying the Federal courts on his illegal offshore oil drilling ban, and the Fed court declaring Obamacare unconstitutional.

GOP - IMEPACH NOW!!

[E. Pluribus Unum]

So now the President gets to decide if a law is Constitutional?

Isn't that the job of the U.S. Supreme Court?

[Wisconsinlady]

He’s using the union zombies, so Obama is now trying to use gays to vote for him. What a piece of work.

[Siena Dreaming]

He's desperately trying to placate the left wing.

The left is not liking him too much these days, and if union power is weakened in coming weeks, he will have much less support to run in '12.

That's what this move is all about IMO.

[ml/nj]

Now the Great Obama is deciding what laws passed by Congress are, or are not, Constitutional.

Gotta say, I think this is part of the President's job, whether we agree with his decision or not. The Constitution is more a part of the law than anything that Congress has passed. He has to follow it.

But this guy has no clue about the Constitution, or America.

ML/NJ

[bert]

-——But this guy has no clue about the Constitution-——

You are wrong there. his union backers are more important. He just doesn’t give a damn.

That is why he needs to be removed