Bravo to Mr. Edwards for reminding us of the Constitution to which we all as citizens swear allegiance and defend.
The equal protection clause is one of the keystones of our republic. The 14th Amendment reads in part "...nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
It is beyond embarrassing that the NC GOP platform flies in the face of the US Constitution -- particularly the equal protection clause which the original Republicans wisely gave to the country over a century ago.
May the NC GOP platform committee recognize its folly and rescind this foolishness. And may true Republicans admonish party "leaders" until they act.
There is no marriage amendment on the ballot in 2012.
What will be on the ballot is a ban-everything and endanger-some-straight-couple-benefits amendment.
The language of the amendment on the ballot reads:
"Constitutional amendment to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State"
It is the phrase "domestic legal union" that is dangerous language for straight and gay people alike.
Such a phrase has never been tested in NC courts. It will surely be tested if the amendment passes.
It's strange, but if you want to keep a marriage, or social security benefit, or will, or healthcare power of attorney lawsuit out of the courts, the best thing to do is defeat this poorly worded amendment.
This amendment is an overreach of state government.
The amendment will take away benefits from local employees that local governments have decided to grant.
The amendment also bans civil unions.
If you think gay couples should have the same benefits as straight couples -- but just not call it marriage -- then you should vote NO on this amendment.
Great. Then let's get our legislators to pass a civil unions bill for North Carolina instead of wasting time on Senate Bill 106.
To my knowledge no civil unions or marriage bill has ever even be introduced in NC.
Passing civil unions would probably be a money maker for the state directly (fees) and indirectly (hospitality, tourism, events). I would like to see more research on this though.
This would be a reasonable suggestion if not for the fact the Senate Bill 106 (the so-called marriage amendment) would prohibit lawmakers from doing exactly what you outline.
If you are for civil unions, or whatever name you want to call equal benefits, then logically you must oppose Senate Bill 106.
Senate Bill 106 would prohibit government from offering equal benefits.
cornbread 11 months, 2 weeks ago
It's Discrimination, and It's Wrong
Bravo to Mr. Edwards for reminding us of the Constitution to which we all as citizens swear allegiance and defend.
The equal protection clause is one of the keystones of our republic. The 14th Amendment reads in part "...nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
It is beyond embarrassing that the NC GOP platform flies in the face of the US Constitution -- particularly the equal protection clause which the original Republicans wisely gave to the country over a century ago.
May the NC GOP platform committee recognize its folly and rescind this foolishness. And may true Republicans admonish party "leaders" until they act.
cornbread 1 year ago
Gay Marriage Is an Abomination Before God
If Amendment One was only about gay marriage, the writer may have a point in his own crazy mind.
But Amendment One bans civil unions, strips domestic partner benefits and has a host of other unknown consequences.
When and if a gay marriage amendment is on the ballot in NC, we can hear this writer's opinions.
Until then, his writing is completely off-base.
Vote AGAINST on Amendment One.
cornbread 1 year, 1 month ago
Your ‘Yes’ Vote Will Defend the Sacred
Amendment One won't protect marriage.
Divorce will still be legal. Adultery will still happen.
Amendment One will harm taxpaying citizens of North Carolina.
Vote AGAINST on May 8.
cornbread 1 year, 2 months ago
Picerno Calls for County Board Vote on Marriage Amendment
@JG: Marriage is most certainly a right as the US Supreme Court has reminded the country more than once.
FYI, your ridiculous lies about recorded history (Solomon's wives just to name one example) gave me a good Monday morning laugh.
Try again.
cornbread 1 year, 2 months ago
Picerno Calls for County Board Vote on Marriage Amendment
The conservative position on the May amendment is to vote AGAINST it.
It's a shame so-called "Republican" leaders don't understand that less government really means less government.
At least Libertarian party leaders grasp that adding an amendment with undefined terms to the state constitution is a threat to liberty.
Anyone who actually cares about liberty, or even just wants less government, should eagerly vote AGAINST the absurd amendment in May.
cornbread 1 year, 7 months ago
Marriage Amendment Misses Point
There is no marriage amendment on the ballot in 2012.
What will be on the ballot is a ban-everything and endanger-some-straight-couple-benefits amendment.
The language of the amendment on the ballot reads:
"Constitutional amendment to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State"
It is the phrase "domestic legal union" that is dangerous language for straight and gay people alike.
Such a phrase has never been tested in NC courts. It will surely be tested if the amendment passes.
It's strange, but if you want to keep a marriage, or social security benefit, or will, or healthcare power of attorney lawsuit out of the courts, the best thing to do is defeat this poorly worded amendment.
cornbread 1 year, 8 months ago
State's Voters Have a Chance to Prove the Bigots Wrong
This amendment is an overreach of state government.
The amendment will take away benefits from local employees that local governments have decided to grant.
The amendment also bans civil unions.
If you think gay couples should have the same benefits as straight couples -- but just not call it marriage -- then you should vote NO on this amendment.
cornbread 1 year, 9 months ago
Let Church Decide
Everyone who agrees with this, please call Senator Harris Blake. Blake is supporting a constitutional amendment that would prohibit this idea.
cornbread 1 year, 9 months ago
Marriage Act: Needless Distraction
Great. Then let's get our legislators to pass a civil unions bill for North Carolina instead of wasting time on Senate Bill 106.
To my knowledge no civil unions or marriage bill has ever even be introduced in NC.
Passing civil unions would probably be a money maker for the state directly (fees) and indirectly (hospitality, tourism, events). I would like to see more research on this though.
cornbread 1 year, 9 months ago
Marriage Act: Needless Distraction
This would be a reasonable suggestion if not for the fact the Senate Bill 106 (the so-called marriage amendment) would prohibit lawmakers from doing exactly what you outline.
If you are for civil unions, or whatever name you want to call equal benefits, then logically you must oppose Senate Bill 106.
Senate Bill 106 would prohibit government from offering equal benefits.
That is not conservative, moral or fair.