Posted on 05/21/2014 12:39:31 PM PDT by rightwingintelligentsia
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania's governor says he won't appeal a court decision that struck down the state's gay marriage ban.
Gov. Tom Corbett's decision Wednesday means that same-sex marriage will remain legal in Pennsylvania, without the threat that a higher court will reinstate the ban.
"I have thoroughly reviewed Judge Jones' opinion in the Whitewood case. Given the high legal threshold set forth by Judge Jones in this case, the case is extremely unlikely to succeed on appeal. Therefore, after review of the opinion and on the advice of my Commonwealth legal team, I have decided not to appeal Judge Jones' decision," Corbett said.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge John Jones III struck down Pennsylvania's 1996 law banning recognition of gay marriage, calling it unconstitutional.
Corbett's decision goes against his political beliefs. He opposes same-sex marriage and supported thus-far unsuccessful efforts to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage.
(Excerpt) Read more at wpxi.com ...
Judge John Jones, a Republican chairman of our Liquor Control Board under former Governor Tom Ridge, was appointed to the federal bench by George W. Bush.
His ruling came late yesterday on Primary Election Day allowing Corbett to delay his appeal decision until after his Republican primary.
Anyway, a conservative candidate for governor got almost 25 percent of the vote in yesterday’s primary against Corbett in southern PA counties around where I live. Most of the votes won’t count unless write-in because the Republican controlled PA Supreme Court threw the challenger off the ballot.
The political machine works well here in the Keystone State.
Social conservatives in the rural areas will abandon him.
I think PA and WV were the last two states that didn’t have a state amendment but also didn’t have ‘gay marriage.’ I wonder how long WV lasts.
Freegards
Yep. I am so sick of being politically disarmed. It is really hard to convince someone to not vote democrat when the republicans aren’t even fiscally conservative! So what exactly do republicans stand for? They run like cowards from “social issues” and claim that the focus needs to be on economic issues. Yet they screw us every time.
I’ll still vote for him, sure. I’m not going to throw the towel in, but he is a bore.
I feel almost 40 years of your PA pain. Such a wonderful state too, but idiots everywhere.
I think many of us feel that way. The people don’t want the America we love. They enthusiastically fundamentally transformed what we loved. But I STILL keep going back to the fact that in 1776 33% wanted to fight the revolution, 33% wanted to stay with the King of England and 33% didn’t care either way.
Excellent post.
Looks like Corbett just lost the election.
Wouldn’t appeal the voter ID bill, now won’t appeal this.
Why do our losers have no stones to fight?
I’m done with him. Just like Bush, control both houses and the executive and get nothing done. I’m tired of fighting for people who won’t fight for me.
I emailed Daryl Metcalfe’s office to see if he is in a position to appeal this ruling. (Metcalfe is one of the rare conservatives in PA)
Here was Metcalfe’s statement:
5/21/2014
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania House State Government Committee Majority Chairman, Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), today released the following statement in light of Gov. Tom Corbett’s recent decision not to appeal the federal district court decision striking down Pennsylvania’s Defense of Marriage Act:
“Once again, Governor Corbett has failed to finish the fight.
“The decision on marriage should be left to the voters of Pennsylvania, not an activist judge sitting on the federal bench. Just as Chief Justice Roberts noted in United States v. Windsor, the courts do not have the authority to invalidate ‘democratically adopted legislation.’ The U.S. Supreme Court fully anticipated that the courts would become congested with challenges to state-level defense of marriage acts. Those supporting this immoral initiative know they will not succeed using the legislative process.
“I have proposed a constitutional amendment (House Bill 1349) that would leave the decision to define marriage up to the voters of Pennsylvania. The appropriate forum to debate and discuss this important issue is the legislature, not the disconnected judiciary. Both the court’s decision and the governor’s decision not to appeal this ruling makes my legislation even more critical to allow state lawmakers to exercise their rightful responsibility and obligation to uphold the rule of law and the will of the people.”
I just called the governor’s office at 717-787-2500 to express my outrage at his gutlessness. It was difficult to get through, (I wonder why), lots of hangups. I did finally get through to someone and politely explained my outrage at this horrid excuse for leadership, that I had donated to his primary campaign and that I was through with him.
Santorum lost 2 years before he ran for re-election, the day he supported Arlen Spector for another term. He lost the base that day and never got it back.
Hear, hear! I just finished helping Metcalfe campaign for his primary re-election here in Butler Country and am proud to throw my full support to him given that he is one unapologetic and unwaivering conservative voice we can count on. I know he won’t take this aggregious act of judicial tyranny laying down. I also contacted his office today and asked if there is anything we can do at the grassroots level to challenge this court decision and will be happy to report back when I hear from him.
In the meantime, I’ve politely made my disgust known at Corbett headquarters and have unsubscribed to all future e-mailings from him.
Phillyred wrote:
<<
I think many of us feel that way. The people don’t want the America we love. They enthusiastically fundamentally transformed what we loved. But I STILL keep going back to the fact that in 1776 33% wanted to fight the revolution, 33% wanted to stay with the King of England and 33% didn’t care either way.
>>
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Good point... I’m more and more beginning to think the United States may eventually have to go through some sort of a “restructuring” movement led by the tens of millions of us who are so fed up with the modern day culture and no longer want to be a part of all the rotgut. At this point, if it ultimately means dividing the country into separate territories and/or forming a new government, then I say so be it.
Thanks for all your help on the Metcalfe campaign! I live in the adjacent district where the democrat is entrenched. Like you I also unsubscribed from “No Fight Tom’s” e-mailings and am sorry I donated previously to his campaign. I’d love to help Rep. Metcalfe’s efforts if I can as well as helping getting a conservative/third party effort on the ballot in November. No more supporting RINOs in the fall, when they betray they must pay every time.
That didn’t help, for sure, but I accept his explanation. Water over the bridge now. Bob
Coming from Connecticut, through New York - And into Pennsylvania. When I cross the delaware it’s like I crossed Checkpoint Charlie.
It’s nice to live in America again - even if it’s on the border of Libland.
Just got this reply from Rep. Metcalfe’s office:
” The Representative appreciates your support. Representative Metcalfe recently issued a statement relating to Governor Corbett’s decision not to appeal the federal court’s ruling on Pennsylvania’s Defense of Marriage Act. The full statement can be viewed here: http://www.repmetcalfe.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=20624.
Due to previous judicial precedent, it is highly unlikely that Representative Metcalfe (or other state legislators) would be allowed to intervene to represent the Commonwealth in an appeal on Pennsylvania’s Defense of Marriage Act. However, Representative Metcalfe has introduced legislation (House Bill 1349) to amend Pennsylvania’s Constitution to solidify that marriage is a union between one man and one woman. “
Tom Corbett: “That boy’s got a lot of quit in him”
I think that checkpoint is closer to the Susquehanna than the Delaware! ;)
My little county is an oasis in a world of madness. (Wayne)
Swing on in sometime !
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