Today,the Texas Senate passed the Constiutional Amendment today that will outlaw same sex marriage, civil unions, contracts between people of the same sex dividing property and money, and will more than likely not allow private employers to offer domestic partner benefits to their employees.
The Texas Democrats said 2 days ago they had 11 votes to block a vote on the floor. They sent a written letter to the Lt. Governor (who precides over the Senate) saying they will block the amendment from reaching the floor. You must have at least 2/3 of Senators to agree to bring any bill or resolution to the floor. 11 Votes are more than 1/3 of the 31 seats in the Texas Senate.
Well 2 of those votes were suddenly lost in the last couple of days. What a shock (NOT). Until I find out the circumstances I don't want to comment but I would think if you sign a letter like that to the Lt. Governor, you would stick by it. We may never find out who they are because we are one of ten states where votes are not recorded.
The Amendment will no doubt here in the Kingdom of George W. I am truly afraid what our Legislature may do in the next 10 years. Those who know their track record, we will probably have some version of a sodomy law they claim is constitutional next session. The Religous Right here is so drunk with power, all Texans, gay and straight, should be frightened.
It makes me sad to see Texas like this. I love this state. I am just ashamed right now to be from it.
Why doesn't former governor Ann Richards run for the governorship again. She is a shooin if Texans are unhappy with their leadership.
I think she will not run again because she is making too much money in her consulting and lobbying jobs she has now. Also, she seems to enjoy that along with her public speaking engagements that she does. She served 8 years in public service, she was State Treasurer before Governor.
I also think she was incredibly hurt by the assisination machine that Carl Rove and W threw at her when she last ran. She had no business losing her job after her first term. She did a great job.
I wish she would run because I think she has the wit, intelligence, and frankly the mouth (if she lets it go) to get right back in their faces. I think Democratic politicans who run in this state should just say what the feel because frankly what do they have to lose. They are not expected to win and being cautious when it calls for being on the attack will get you nowhere.
I also think she was incredibly hurt by the assisination machine that Carl Rove and W threw at her when she last ran. She had no business losing her job after her first term. She did a great job.
I wish she would run because I think she has the wit, intelligence, and frankly the mouth (if she lets it go) to get right back in their faces. I think Democratic politicans who run in this state should just say what the feel because frankly what do they have to lose. They are not expected to win and being cautious when it calls for being on the attack will get you nowhere.
AaronTX - I hear you bud. Without having looked at the bill, my first thought is that it won't pass constitutional muster. If I remember correctly from con-law, the right to enter into contracts is a protected right (if there is a law student out there who has recently taken con-law, help me out). So, if gay governer Rick makes the bill law, I'd put money on it that it will be overturned in court one day. Good news? Not really. What do we do for the next five or six years while the constitutionality of the law is being litigated? Move to Mass or Vermont? And then when it does get overturned by our "activist" judges, our fearless leaders will come back with a similar law that will be equally repugnant.
Guess I also missed the part where it was a constitutional amendment, and not a bill going through the legislature (first rule of taking an exam - read the question carefully before answering it). Same reasoning applies, though.
The problem doesnt lie in the governor's office. Im not a huge Rick Perry fan, even though I concede I voted for him. But hes not the one on the floor of the Texas Legislature coming up with these complete waste of time bills and passing them. Its the small town idiots who get voted in to the House and the people that spend their lives in the Senate backing up the idiots in the House (sounds like a familiar scenario in DC doesnt it?)
This is humiliating legislation. Texas already has laws prohibiting gay marriage...this only adds discrimination to the state constitution. And we know where the voters of Texas stand on this issue. This will pass with the probably the largest percentage in any state so far. This pisses me off so much that I am considering moving back to Tennessee if this passes in Austin. Unfortunately, Tennessee voters will face this same issue next year. Watching the debate yesterday was awful. These dumbasses in the legislature who are letting education reform die in this session were wasting time yesterday discussing silly additions to this amendment (such as a three strikes law which would allow only three divorces in a person's lifetime Then, a female legislator suggested adding into the amendment that hetero marriages should have a specific number of sexual interactions -- the bitch who submitted and withdrew it called it the "some sex act" portion of the amendment). In addition to this horrible legislation, lawmakers are wasting time on issues such as gay marriage, cupcakes in the classroom, and cheerleading routines while REAL time on important legislation is slipping away as the May 31 deadline approaches.
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bobby78751:
discussing silly additions to this amendment (such as a three strikes law which would allow only three divorces in a person's lifetime
Actually, I think this is an important discussion to have regarding these 'defense of marriage' bills. Gay marriage doesn't weaken marriage, because gay marriage effects those who otherwise would probably never marry.discussing silly additions to this amendment (such as a three strikes law which would allow only three divorces in a person's lifetime
DIVORCE is the real threat to marriage and it seems most of these politicians try to ignore it. If all of these people fighting gay marriage on the grounds of protection of marriage started having to worry about losing their 'right' to divorce, do you think they'd see things differently?
I agree divorce and infidelity is the threat to straight marriage, not gay marriage. Good to see my fellow Texans responding on this.
I am thinking that maybe the only way we are going to get our point across is to do something economically. After Amendment 2 in Colorado was passed, a boycott was started. Maybe we may need to do the same thing to states that pass anti gay-marriage and civil union laws. I don't know how we can really fight this.
I am thinking that maybe the only way we are going to get our point across is to do something economically. After Amendment 2 in Colorado was passed, a boycott was started. Maybe we may need to do the same thing to states that pass anti gay-marriage and civil union laws. I don't know how we can really fight this.
I'm sure this little ditty will pass with flying colors in Texas. The election falls on my Birthday this year, so Happy f**kin' birthday to me.
I would like to point out that the only legislators to vote AGAINST this amendment were ALL Democrats and this piece of shit was written and sponsored by Republicans. Yes, there were Dems who voted for it, but it would never have seen the light of day without the GOP plain and simple.
Too bad that "3 strikes and your out" for divorcees didn't make it in. That might have made the landslide just a little smaller.
I'm a lifelong Texan. I'm celebrating my 20 year anniversary with my partner this year. This really hurts deeply in my heart (but it was semi-expected). My only hope was the fact that the legislator has so MANY other issues that need to be addressed, I thought this one might fall through the cracks this time around. Not with the GOP in control of every office and legislative body in Texas. It's a f**king mirror image of Washington, D.C. here.
I'm sure the Log Cabin Republicans will just be appalled.
I would like to point out that the only legislators to vote AGAINST this amendment were ALL Democrats and this piece of shit was written and sponsored by Republicans. Yes, there were Dems who voted for it, but it would never have seen the light of day without the GOP plain and simple.
Too bad that "3 strikes and your out" for divorcees didn't make it in. That might have made the landslide just a little smaller.
I'm a lifelong Texan. I'm celebrating my 20 year anniversary with my partner this year. This really hurts deeply in my heart (but it was semi-expected). My only hope was the fact that the legislator has so MANY other issues that need to be addressed, I thought this one might fall through the cracks this time around. Not with the GOP in control of every office and legislative body in Texas. It's a f**king mirror image of Washington, D.C. here.
I'm sure the Log Cabin Republicans will just be appalled.
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msully:
DIVORCE is the real threat to marriage and it seems most of these politicians try to ignore it.
I agree. The reason I called this silly is because these legislators were making these additions to the amendment in jest. No one was taking these additions seriously or even expecting them to be approved. I think if these bigots are going to preach about the sanctity of marriage, the rules of divorce should be furthter legislated and placed under strict scrutiny.
QUOTE
bobby78751:
discussing silly additions to this amendment (such as a three strikes law which would allow only three divorces in a person's lifetime
Actually, I think this is an important discussion to have regarding these 'defense of marriage' bills. Gay marriage doesn't weaken marriage, because gay marriage effects those who otherwise would probably never marry.discussing silly additions to this amendment (such as a three strikes law which would allow only three divorces in a person's lifetime
DIVORCE is the real threat to marriage and it seems most of these politicians try to ignore it.
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Houston Gator:
AaronTX - I hear you bud. Without having looked at the bill, my first thought is that it won't pass constitutional muster. If I remember correctly from con-law, the right to enter into contracts is a protected right (if there is a law student out there who has recently taken con-law, help me out).
I am not a recent law school grad, but when I was in law school, I specifically remember my Con Law professor saying that there is no Constitutional right to contract. A contract is a business transaction and, as such, can be regulated by state law. Otherwise, couldn't a defendant argue that he and the hooker he just picked up had a contract? (Please don't go down the "oral contract" path. AaronTX - I hear you bud. Without having looked at the bill, my first thought is that it won't pass constitutional muster. If I remember correctly from con-law, the right to enter into contracts is a protected right (if there is a law student out there who has recently taken con-law, help me out).
) If there was a Constitutional right to contract, a whole host of illegal activities could be legalized under contract theory.
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HornFan:
I'm sure the Log Cabin Republicans will just be appalled.
Rick Perry is in favor of sodomy laws and Uncle Toms Log Cabin endorsed him, Im sure they wont be phased by all this. I'm sure the Log Cabin Republicans will just be appalled.
"Just show's there's more work to be done"
Thanks Aquaman. I did make the high A in Con law (out of 120 people, thank you very much - the highlight of my three years in law school), but your reasoning makes sense and is probably correct.
This is the clause I was thinking about. Article I, Section 10, Clause 1: "No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility."
I can't remember how it has been interpreted. I'll do a little research and bill AaronTX for my time.
[ May 30, 2005, 09:21 PM: Message edited by: Houston Gator ]
This is the clause I was thinking about. Article I, Section 10, Clause 1: "No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility."
I can't remember how it has been interpreted. I'll do a little research and bill AaronTX for my time.
[ May 30, 2005, 09:21 PM: Message edited by: Houston Gator ]
Texas state representative Senfronia Thompson's speech is still worth noting.
QUOTE
\"I have been a member of this august body for three decades, and today is one of the all-time low points. We are going in the wrong direction, in the direction of hate and fear and discrimination. Members, we all know what this is about; this is the politics of divisiveness at its worst, a wedge issue that is meant to divide.
\"Members, this is a distraction from the real things we need to be working on. At the end of this session, this Legislature, this leadership will not be able to deliver the people of Texas fundamental and fair answers to the pressing issues of our day.
\"Let's look at what this amendment does not do: It does not give one Texas citizen meaningful tax relief. It does not reform or fully fund our education system. It does not restore one child to CHIP [Children's Health Insurance Program] who was cut from health insurance last session. It does not put one dime into raising Texas' Third World access to health care. It does not do one thing to care for or protect one elderly person or one child in this state. In fact, it does not even do anything to protect one marriage.
\"Members, this bill is about hate and fear and discrimination... When I was a small girl, white folks used to talk about 'protecting the institution of marriage' as well. What they meant was if people of my color tried to marry people of Mr. Chisum's color, you'd often find the people of my color hanging from a tree... Fifty years ago, white folks thought interracial marriages were 'a threat to the institution of marriage.'
\"Members, I'm a Christian and a proud Christian. I read the good book and do my best to live by it. I have never read the verse where it says, 'Gay people can't marry.' I have never read the verse where it says, 'Thou shalt discriminate against those not like me.' I have never read the verse where it says, 'Let's base our public policy on hate and fear and discrimination.' Christianity to me is love and hope and faith and forgiveness -- not hate and discrimination.
\"I have served in this body a lot of years, and I have seen a lot of promises broken... So... now that blacks and women have equal rights, you turn your hatred to homosexuals, and you still use your misguided reading of the Bible to justify your hatred. You want to pass this ridiculous amendment so you can go home and brag -- brag about what? Declare that you saved the people of Texas from what?
\"Persons of the same sex cannot get married in this state now. Texas law does not now recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions, religious unions, domestic partnerships, contractual arrangements or Christian blessings entered into in this state -- or anywhere else on this planet Earth.
\"If you want to make your hateful political statements then that is one thing -- but the Chisum amendment does real harm. It repeals the contracts that many single people have paid thousands of dollars to purchase to obtain medical powers of attorney, powers of attorney, hospital visitation, joint ownership and support agreements. You have lost your way. This is obscene...
\"I thought we would be debating economic development, property tax relief, protecting seniors' pensions and stem cell research to save lives of Texans who are waiting for a more abundant life. Instead we are wasting this body's time with this political stunt that is nothing more than constitutionalizing discrimination. The prejudices exhibited by members of this body disgust me.
\"Last week, Republicans used a political wedge issue to pull kids -- sweet little vulnerable kids -- out of the homes of loving parents and put them back in a state orphanage just because those parents are gay. That's disgusting.
\"I have listened to the arguments. I have listened to all of the crap... I want you to know that this amendment [is] blowing smoke to fuel the hell-fire flames of bigotry.\"
Her e-mail address is on her website
\"Members, this is a distraction from the real things we need to be working on. At the end of this session, this Legislature, this leadership will not be able to deliver the people of Texas fundamental and fair answers to the pressing issues of our day.
\"Let's look at what this amendment does not do: It does not give one Texas citizen meaningful tax relief. It does not reform or fully fund our education system. It does not restore one child to CHIP [Children's Health Insurance Program] who was cut from health insurance last session. It does not put one dime into raising Texas' Third World access to health care. It does not do one thing to care for or protect one elderly person or one child in this state. In fact, it does not even do anything to protect one marriage.
\"Members, this bill is about hate and fear and discrimination... When I was a small girl, white folks used to talk about 'protecting the institution of marriage' as well. What they meant was if people of my color tried to marry people of Mr. Chisum's color, you'd often find the people of my color hanging from a tree... Fifty years ago, white folks thought interracial marriages were 'a threat to the institution of marriage.'
\"Members, I'm a Christian and a proud Christian. I read the good book and do my best to live by it. I have never read the verse where it says, 'Gay people can't marry.' I have never read the verse where it says, 'Thou shalt discriminate against those not like me.' I have never read the verse where it says, 'Let's base our public policy on hate and fear and discrimination.' Christianity to me is love and hope and faith and forgiveness -- not hate and discrimination.
\"I have served in this body a lot of years, and I have seen a lot of promises broken... So... now that blacks and women have equal rights, you turn your hatred to homosexuals, and you still use your misguided reading of the Bible to justify your hatred. You want to pass this ridiculous amendment so you can go home and brag -- brag about what? Declare that you saved the people of Texas from what?
\"Persons of the same sex cannot get married in this state now. Texas law does not now recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions, religious unions, domestic partnerships, contractual arrangements or Christian blessings entered into in this state -- or anywhere else on this planet Earth.
\"If you want to make your hateful political statements then that is one thing -- but the Chisum amendment does real harm. It repeals the contracts that many single people have paid thousands of dollars to purchase to obtain medical powers of attorney, powers of attorney, hospital visitation, joint ownership and support agreements. You have lost your way. This is obscene...
\"I thought we would be debating economic development, property tax relief, protecting seniors' pensions and stem cell research to save lives of Texans who are waiting for a more abundant life. Instead we are wasting this body's time with this political stunt that is nothing more than constitutionalizing discrimination. The prejudices exhibited by members of this body disgust me.
\"Last week, Republicans used a political wedge issue to pull kids -- sweet little vulnerable kids -- out of the homes of loving parents and put them back in a state orphanage just because those parents are gay. That's disgusting.
\"I have listened to the arguments. I have listened to all of the crap... I want you to know that this amendment [is] blowing smoke to fuel the hell-fire flames of bigotry.\"
Glad to see there is at least one member of the Texas State Legislature who lives in the 21st century.
Yep, she's a Democrat.
Think I'm going to move to her district. After re-districting, she may need all the help she can get to be re-elected. Reading her speech gave me chills. I wish I were as eloquent. Thanks for the great post.
I think she is in a safe district. She says what she thinks and has been a loud critic of the Neo-Con nitwits that run Texas Government now
I love Sefronia. 
On Sunday at the close of the session, someone was handing out stickers that said, "I Felt The Love" in reference to their "150 Days of Love" that was coined at the start of the session. I want to print up some stickers that say, "I Felt The Hate".
On Sunday at the close of the session, someone was handing out stickers that said, "I Felt The Love" in reference to their "150 Days of Love" that was coined at the start of the session. I want to print up some stickers that say, "I Felt The Hate".
Ok now Perry shows how spineless he truly is. Any decency he had left is now gone. He plans on signing the amendement bill at a Christian school in Ft Worth. Because he cares about the kids of course.
Perry to sign legislation
To top it off he also plans on signing a bill at the same school that requires parental consent for abortions on those that are under 18.
Perry to sign legislation
To top it off he also plans on signing a bill at the same school that requires parental consent for abortions on those that are under 18.
There are two articles in the Dallas Morning News today about how Perry is associated with a Pastor Network in trying to get the vote out in November for the amendment and to obviously vote for him in the next primary.
The claim by this Pastor Network that they are non-partisan is such a joke it is not even funny. They will not allow anyone from the press to attend any of their meetings. The fact that member's of the governor's staff attends the meetings and is in contact with this group on a regular basis, makes their claims of non-partisanship ring very very hollow.
I am starting to see a Republican party in Austin as drunk with power as they are in Washington. What is happening in Washington was born in Texas. I can see why people across this nation thinks we are crazy down here.
The claim by this Pastor Network that they are non-partisan is such a joke it is not even funny. They will not allow anyone from the press to attend any of their meetings. The fact that member's of the governor's staff attends the meetings and is in contact with this group on a regular basis, makes their claims of non-partisanship ring very very hollow.
I am starting to see a Republican party in Austin as drunk with power as they are in Washington. What is happening in Washington was born in Texas. I can see why people across this nation thinks we are crazy down here.
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