Posted on 09/07/2005 6:06:36 PM PDT by SmithL
SACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Wednesday that he will veto a bill seeking to allow gay marriages in California.
Schwarzenegger said the legislation, given final approval Tuesday by lawmakers, would conflict with the intent of voters when they approved Proposition 22. That measure was put on the ballot in 2000 to prevent California from recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.
"We cannot have a system where the people vote and the Legislature derails that vote," the governor's press secretary, Margita Thompson, said in a statement. "Out of respect for the will of the people, the governor will veto (the bill)."
Despite his promise to veto the bill, Schwarzenegger "believes gay couples are entitled to full protection under the law and should not be discriminated against based upon their relationship."
"He is proud that California provides the most rigorous protections in the nation for domestic partners," the statement said.
The Republican governor had indicated in previous statements that he would veto the bill, saying the debate over same-sex marriage should be decided by voters or the courts.
A state appeals court is weighing an appeal of a San Francisco judge's ruling striking down state laws barring gay marriages. Meanwhile, opponents of same-sex marriages are planning measures on the ballot next year that would place a ban on gay marriages in the state constitution.
The announcement dampened a celebratory mood among the bill's supporters, who only the night before cheered, hugged and kissed as the state Assembly narrowly sent the bill to the governor's desk.
Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, had called bans on gay marriage "the last frontier of bigotry and discrimination."
The bill passed the Legislature through the persistence of its sponsors, Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco. His original bill had failed in the Assembly by four votes in June, but he then amended it to another bill in the Senate, which voted to approve it last week.
It was that amended bill the Assembly passed by a bare majority on Tuesday. Four Democrats who did not vote on the bill in June provided the winning margin this week.
The vote made the California Legislature the first legislative body in the country to approve of same-sex marriage. Gay marriage licenses in Massachusetts and civil unions in Vermont were granted through court rulings.
Thanks for going to the DU site - I can't STAND it but it's fun when someone posts their whacko comments here. They're always talking about killing someone, but probably have no idea which end of the gun the bullets come out of. I wonder if the FBI keeps an eye on DU.
As a CA resident who pays taxes and I AM NOT REPRESENTED AT ALL I THOUGHT THE DAMN DEMS BELIEVE IN THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE EVERYONE'S VOTE COUNTS Will Mr Leno and others in Sac. we voted overwhelming that marriage was between a man and a woman
not between adam and steve
NOW GOV. WE PUT YOU IN VETO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God I hate this state
I would have preferred Schwarzenegger offer a moral objection but his political justification is sound, refreshing and comforting.
Oh, do I!
Yes; and I've remarked that it will be interesting to see all the scorched-earthers explaining how this really *isn't* a good thing.
Dan
Send Arnie a note of support-
http://www.govmail.ca.gov/
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Better to let it go to hell in a handbasket. That way we can prepare the return by making the earth as bad a place as possible. /sarcasm
As if we can add a cubit to our stature. :>)
Bumping YOUR POST!
Well done Ah-Nold :-)
ping
Why are you continuing to ask this question, directed to me?
What do YOU think it is? You seem to have some need to discuss the "non differences" as you perceive them, so, hey, feel free...there are a lot of others here who have already tried to discuss what you alluding to, I'm sure they'd be happy to drag this out with you.
Go ahead, make no one's day. As in, no one cares. The significance remains as I've already suggested to you.
Why are you continuing to ask this question, directed to me?
What do YOU think it is? You seem to have some need to discuss the "non differences" as you perceive them, so, hey, feel free...there are a lot of others here who have already tried to discuss what you alluding to, I'm sure they'd be happy to drag this out with you.
Go ahead, make no one's day. As in, no one cares. The significance remains as I've already suggested to you.
"....or the courts"???
The gay marriage battle has not gone well for us, and I think we will ultimately lose it in many states. But I want to make the road as bumpy as possible for these arrogant geeks. There is always value in doing the right thing.
>>I'm wondering, since he already vetoed the first on the list, why do you think he didn't just go ahead and veto the gay marriage bill instead of announcing his intention to do so?
I doubt it's even on his desk yet. Give it a couple days.
I think the point might be that they have no regard for 62%+ voters in Californian. I've yet to encounter a proponent of any "gay" issue who wasn't condescending and dismissive of the opinions of others, particularly about this issue, and also about religious values. Next would be "Bush" and probably "oil" and "Iraq," but the top of the list o' outrage for them is "gay marriage" and gay as normal. I've read more than a few who even go so far as to allege that heterosexuality is abnormal, in all seriousness, that gayness is the measure of some newer evolved state.
Honestly, most I've ever discussed these issues with really do condescend about heterosexual definitions. It's sad.
I wish people here wouldn't bash Arnold so much. RINO or not he is the best we can get in California.
Terminated!
What is that... Huh.... at the end of your statement?.....
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