Veto promised on same-sex marriage bill in NJ
By David Ariosto and Steve Kastenbaum, CNN
(CNN) - New Jersey lawmakers have passed a bill that would provide same-sex couples the right to wed - a move put forth in defiance of the state's Republican governor, who's vowed to veto the measure and has instead called for a referendum to settle the issue.
State assembly members on Thursday voted 41-33, with two members abstaining, in favor of the "Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act." The Senate approved the measure on Monday by a 24 to 16 count.
But Gov. Chris Christie, the subject of political speculation as a possible GOP vice presidential candidate, has said the issue "should not be decided by 121 people in the statehouse in Trenton."
The governor is expected to "act swiftly" to knock it down when the bill reaches his desk, said Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for Christie.
Recent polling, meanwhile, suggests that New Jersey voters are slightly in favor of legalizing such unions.
Fifty-two percent of state voters approve the measure, according to a recent Quinnipiac University poll.
Still, Christie's push for a referendum may offer a few insights into the governor's political acumen, which continues to excite the Republican party.
A popular vote would largely absolve him from making good on a pledge to veto a bill coming from a Democrat-controlled legislature - a move, analysts say, that may help preserve his conservative credentials for the national stage while also adhering to the apparent will of New Jersey voters.
But Christie's Democratic opponents argue that a referendum shouldn't be used to decide civil rights issues, pointing to historic legislative and judicial decisions regarding the rights of African-Americans and women.
If Christie vetoes the measure, "the battle for overriding the veto begins," said Steven Goldstein, a spokesman for the organization Garden State Equality, which has lobbied for the bill.
Lawmakers would need a two-thirds majority in both houses to override a veto and will have until the legislative session ends in January 2014 to do so. But the bill's opponents have pledged to the block the potential override.
"Since the legislature will have two years to come up with the votes to override the veto, there will be significant pressure placed upon those legislators," said Carlos Ball, a law professor at Rutgers University in Newark.
At the same time, lawmakers in New Jersey are expected to pay close attention to upcoming state elections in New York, looking for signs of fallout after four Republican state senators sided with Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo to legalize same-sex marriage.
New Jersey currently allows for civil unions, which Christie says he supports, though a series of discrimination lawsuits are also currently working their way through the state courts.
With Hawaii and Delaware joining the list last month, five other states currently recognize civil unions.
A similar battle is also shaping up in Maryland, where Gov. Martin O'Malley - a Democrat - has pushed for his state to join the seven others that allow same-sex couples to marry.
Washington state, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Iowa, New York and the District of Columbia, currently allow such marriages.
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a bill to change the law on Monday.
About In America
What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the intimate relationships you chose to have or your generation? As the American identity changes we will be there to report it. In America is a venue for creative and timely sharing of news that explores who we are. Reach us at inamerica@cnn.com.
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Everybody, should get treated like they were single, NO special treatment if you are married, gay or straight. I am sick of all of this crap. As a single STRAIGHT man, I resent that LAZY stay at home women should get social security at age 65, if they never paid into it. Why should they get 50% of what there husband receives. The single man that made the same amount and payed in the same amount doesen't get any more in his check. Hey married men IF you want a KEPT wife, pay for her when you retire, she can get your whole check when you die!
good day – re your " santon post" 19/03 16/03 please send me a pm and we will get back in touch try this link see if there the same
best regards
james
should be legal in all states
What a bunch of stupid bigots you people are.
II personally love some of the anti gay responses here lmao it just proves the fact that this country is the Dumbest country on the planet PERIOD.
Has anyone been to NJ? If the residents will vote for this, there is no way it will get passed. That state is not more liberal than the bible belt states.......... NJ is mostly Catholic/Christian with tiny minority of Non-Christians. Plenty of churches everywhere and lots of religious people. New York is way more liberal, but not NJ.
and parts of Northern NJ still have strict Sunday blue laws where everything must be closed on Sundays by law since the 50's...... New Jersey is religious state
PEOPLE THE SUPREME COURT IS GOING TO FIX THAT PROBLEM SOON FOR GOOD...MARRIAGE IS BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN, THAT WILL BE THE LAW SOON...ALSO STATES WILL ALSO BE ALLOW TO ENFORCE THE IMMIGRATION LAWS SOON..THE SUPREME COURT IS ALSO DECIDING THAT..
YOUR CAPS LOCK KEY IS ON
It's so awesome how the most foolish, bigoted comments always seem to be in all caps.
well they do it all in CAPS that way it easier for us to see just how retarded they really are lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6K9dS9wl7U
Obama's views are evolving. He still has a way to go. He's also an astute politician and plays to the crowd.
But we're still waiting for the fundiots to come out of the 19th century.
He's lying to get elected. They all do it. In this instance I support it.
Iran knows how to deal with gay people –> HANG them and be done!
Well, you better not go to Iran.
Then vote Santorum and bring Iran here!
Sounds like you should check out the NY Times best seller, "Is That A Corn Cob In My @$$ Or Just a D!ck? Dealing With Your Denial Is Personal." Seems like it would be right up your alley, or in this case your anus.
Yes clearly we should look to Iran for advice.
Iran is simply following the commands of your god.
At least your Muslim cousins have the balls to obey your god.
I wonder who your god will be more pleased with.
#Saliba: Such a big person you must be. You don't understand nor like who another person is so your first thought is to kill 'em. I love this country but that mentality is what is wrong with us, and will be our downfall.
Just another coward...
How the heck could someone support gay marriage? Seriously those who do needs to seek physical doctor ASAP
Tey sticking your head in the toilet and flushing it a few times. Maybe it'll clean out some of the cr*p in there.
Thank You Grandma for personally proving my point of just how dumb this country has gotten lol. Thank You for also proving why Religeon is the source of 99.0% of all the world's stupidity.
GRANDMA, POLITICIANS WILL SUPPORT ANYTHING TO GET ELECTED...LOOK A DEMOCRATS CATERING TO HISPANIC VOTERS, PROMISING THEM AMNESTY--THE DREAM ACT.. OBAMA TO
Equal rights? Fine. I agree with that. they should be able to claim health insurance for their partner. They should be able to have partner tax breaks like married people. They should be able to adopt. They should be able to live where they want. They should have all domestic privileges including civil union ceremonies... But PLEASE don't call what you do "marriage"... It's NOT marriage. It's a civil union. I have many gay friends, whom I treasure, and even family. But even then, I don't consider it marriage. You can dress it up any way you like, but it's still not "marriage".
That is your right to believe as you do. But I also have the right to believe as I do as long as it causes no harm to another. My calling my relationship a marriage does not harm you in any way shape or form.
The definition of marriage is not static. It is dynamic – changing over both time and culture. Currently, marriage is a civil contract. Gays have every right to be as married as us straights.
Your argument is akin to this – All people have the right to move rhythmically to music. But ONLY white people can call it dancing. Everyone else has to call it something different – even though it's the same thing!
It's about what the state calls marriage, not what you call marriage. The state cannot discriminate between groups of people without at minimum a rational reason. There's not even a rational reason here.
I get it, being gay isn't your thing. It isn't mine either. So I don't marry a guy. Go ahead and call your marriage a "true marriage" or have your church dream up some other term like "god's union" for it. Again, this is about what the state calls marriage.
Do you realize your point of wanting to give gay couples all the benefits of marriage without calling it marriage was looked upon the courts as a reason why gay marriage should be legal. It's called bigotry, plain and simple.
Thanks for your ongoing censorship CNN.
HUFF POST IS # 1 WHEN IT COMES TO CENSOR-COMMENT PENDING APPROVAL..YOU CAN'T HAVE A CHAT IN THEIR WEB PAGE...CNN IS NOT THAT STRICT .
Yeah that big bad liberal media is stifling you man! No one is censoring you. What you have to say isn't important enough to censor so get over yourself. You probably wrote something that has a "bad" word embedded in it, like "consti.tution" and the like.
Thank God having Chris Christie as our governor. Proud of you son!
Christie is a puke head. And there is no god
GO BIG GUY....I'M A DEMOCRAT , BUT WHEN IT COMES TO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT-–GAY MARRIAGE , I'M ON THE GOP SIDE. CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SUPREME COURT RULINGS ON THOSE 2 ISSUES.
I find it rather amusing that you're all for Immigration control and your name on here is Jose. (Sorry no tilde to use on my American keyboard)
Gluttony is such a good thing to be proud of. Who cares if he's breaking one of the deadly sins!
Being gay is not normal. PERIOD.
For YOU! PERIOD!
Neither is touching children, but from the way you ignorantly spout off, I'm sure you'd justify it in your head as "at least it's not gay."
AMERICA, I AGREE 100% ..
@American I got two words for you PROVE IT
define normal
The gov wont sign a bill to advance civil rights, but he orders flags at half mast for a dead drug addict?!?
I'll rather be drug addicted than being gay....
Typical "American", your spelling is awful and syntex is incorrect.
^^^Like!^^^^ Susan
You are too stupid to be an American. Gay rights ARE going to happen whether you like it or not. It will just take some time. Get used to the NEW America!!!!! Like it or leave it!
AMERICA, ME TO...I AGREE WITH YOU ...I RATHER BE DEAD THAN TO BE GAY.
Jose: Please feel free to eat a bullet at your earliest convenience, I'm sure no one will mind.
to american: go snort some crack cuz thats cool to jose: go kill yourself the world will be better off
I am not amazed at the crazy and hate filled comments I've read here, many cloaked in religious ideology. I see that ignorance produces hate in abundance. I am a child raised by a Lesbian couple who were together for 43 years in a small Texas town and believe me they fought the battle to live openly. As time passes this ignorance will die off and the younger generations are becoming more accepting, so to all of you sanctimonious, fanatical morons, equal rights are coming regardless of your beliefs.
It is so embarrasing even consider having gay marriage in this country.... No wonder why this country will become more Europeanized....
I'm embarrassed you live in this country.
So, treating people equally is being Europeanized? I never would have guessed it, thanks for letting everyone know.
@Khamza Good I hope this country does become more like Europe Europeans are generally smarter than Americans anyways you are living proof of that.
It's kind of funny that this business of discrimination is going to be the death knell of right wing Christinsanity. I mean, we've already ignored them on abortion and Ignorant Design, this is just another nail in it's coffin.
I don't understand how men love other men's hairy azz?! Sick
That's because you're not gay. Think of it this way, if you were gay, it would be just like you feel about how a woman smells and what that does to you.
Funny thing is, we don't care. Anymore than we want to know about what you do in your bedroom, we don't want you intruding on ours. That we love and care for one another is the more important issue!
The pervs won't be recongized as being "normal" what a bummer...LOL!
Sounds like you don't have that problem either!
Not eager to die, but man I can't wait until about 40 years from now when my grandkids are learning about this movement in school and comments like yours are the backwards hateful footnotes to history in the making.
You mean the black men who want to marry white women, right?
How can anyone look at a picture of that adorable family and still want to deny them equal rights? Those kids deserve to have their parents recognized as a married couple. Good luck to all the families fighting for marriage rights in NJ.
Good luck to all the gay families fighting for marriage rights in NJ
The classic thing about this debate is those who are against gay marriage are not only showing how uneducated they are but how they do not have one valid reason to be against gay marriage. Does anyone have to wonder why more and more people are supporting gay marriage when the best they can come up with is "Fido is next on their list!!!"
Stop changing our history and tradition. Gay marriage has been introduced since 2000, while traditional and normal marriage between man and woman have been around for thousands of years. Civil Rights – Yes // Gay Marriage – NO
PS! I hope those two beautiful kids don't belong to them...
You forgot between man + woman + woman + concubine + slave
Agree
Also agree.
You prefer them to be torn from the parents they know and love and who love them and be sent to be shuffled into foster and safe homes, their development and trust in others irrevocably destroyed because you can't get over your hangups and want to control who sleeps with who?
Yeah, clearly their parents are the evil abominations.
WAY TO GO JERSEY !!! Someone still has the guts to stand up for what is right. Veto.
Making gay people suffer is "what is right?"
What a nice person you are.
What is makes it right, Gail? The Bible? According to the Bible, YOU should shut your trap, take off your make up and jewerly, cover your head, and serve your man like a good woman should. That is what is right, you unintelligent hag!
What makes it right, Gail? The Bible? According to the Bible, YOU should shut your trap, take off your make up and jewerly, cover your head, and serve your man like a good woman should. That is what is right, you unintelligent hag!
Why aren't my posts appearing anymore?
.....your complimentary 3 post limit is now pending something worth saying?
3 posts? What? I've been trying to respond to a conversation I was having with "Stephen," but none of my responses are appearing...I'm not sure if this one will post...
TAKE THE CHILDREN AWAY FROM THE NASTY PERVERTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are a sorry excuse for a human being. Your mother should have swallowed you.
Then a lot of straight people are about to lose their children!
Yes, tear them away from the people who they love and who love and support them and shuttle them between foster homes and safe homes around the state, ruining their childhoods and irrevocably damaging them.
YOU are a monster. A perverted, child abusing monster.
OMG that's child abuse and brainwashing putting those two kids with the wierdoes!! The poor kids will think being raised by two dad's is normal, which is NOT! I hope they take away the children asap and put them in normal family home. BTW who would adopt white kids? Must be terrible mother!
Guess who makes Gay people? STRAIGHT PEOPLE you twit!
Mark... not necessary. You just need a s.perm and e.gg to make babies!
I know many gay males who donated their s.perm to produce children
I guess I forget sometimes that they started that a few years ago. It's still no guarantee though.
Chris Christie used to be the Republican I could possibly vote for without throwing up in my mouth a little, now he is just as sickening as the rest of them. Why cant any Republicans break free from the rigid dogmatic mold they all seem to be cast from?
Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig, oink, oink Christie the pig!!!!!
So you agree with gay couple abusing children and have s.e.x with them?!
If you check the statistics you'll find that is more of a "straight" problem.
No but I agree with kicking you out of an airplane without a parachute.
@MCS can you show me 1 just 1 single piece of Physical evidence that Every single Gay Couple throughout History past and present has done that??? I just want 1 piece of proof.
The two gay couple will probably rape and make that poor young boy gay too 🙁
Gay couple will obviously have gay children too
This is probably the most asinine statement I've ever read on CNN.
Really? Like you think those people are about to teach their children something STRAIGHT? Certainly, not by example.
What exactly is "something straight?"
Their orientation? News flash – they'll be attracted to whoever they are attracted to. And if their parents aren't bigoted hate mongers like you, they'll accept them and be happy for their child regardless.
Is this a serious comment?
Are you kidding Holli?!!! What an incredibly IGNORANT comment. You should be embarrassed......I am very embarrassed for you.
That's why we have a governor that protects our children from perverts and pedo's
And I assume you are one of them. You IDIOT.
Judging from her grammar she is probably from the south.
I have two mothers. I am straight. Stupid Holli!
Thank You!
My grandson also has two mothers (both of whom I love with all my heart). He is straight and has a gorgeous girlfriend. His friends love both of his Moms because of their kindness and caring. Straight or gay, it takes a loving heart to be a parent. I'm not seeing a lot of that on this board.
You guys are morons.... BTW I live in New York, not from the south. English is my second language!
No Holli, you are an IGNORANT, IGNORANT woman. And only 93 years ago, sweetie, you would not have been able to vote. You don't have any voice now, so SHUT IT you IDIOT!!
Holli, you are truly stupid.
yeah...im against gay marriage and think your statement is extremely ignorant
What planet do you come from? You are obviously an ignorant, bigoted, hateful person. Who are you to pass judgment? The first tenet of Christianity is to "love your fellow man as yourself for the love of me".
I'm not Christian your f-a-g
Although two dads raising children isn't the most ideal situation in my opinion, the number of ideal situations for children being raised is becoming fewer and fewer. Look how many men and women get divorced and kids are raised in a single home, or the parents are drug addicts or have other issues. If these guys are two loving people that care for the kids then thats better than many alternatives
u r just ignorant I am a single gay day of 3 kids and my kids are not gay but are raised with love and respect we DON’T HATE as u do and as far as raping please this happens in your community more than ours and we would not harm our children as we hope u won’t harm yours either go see GOD !!! GOD does not hate u are allowed to get drunk In Vegas and marry the first night u meet u can get divorced and remarry and divorce and remarry U CALL THIS A FAMILY VALUE YET I HAVE LOVED MY MAN FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS AND I CANT PLEASE U CALL THIS FAIR AND RIGHT THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX U ARE DISCRACE TEACHING YOUR STARIGHT MARRIED VALUES WHEN ALL I SEE IS HATE DIVORCE GO F&*k. YOURSELF
Consider taking ESL classes your perv
You are a very sick person and should leave the trailer court more often
Are you crazy?!?!?!?! This comment is more insane then some of the stuff one million moms belives in. Your crazy this couple is doing a much better job of raising their kids then you ever could.
"Holli" loosely translated in my first language means "Holy hell I shouldn't have put that in my @$$ while on video tape because of my unresolved daddy issues that will remain unresolved because deep down I feel connected to the same individuals I pretend to hate, especially when I look in the mirror and see the empty shell of a human being and the loneliness this causes when comparing my life to all those around me."
Enjoy just about the last of the era in which you and your hatemongering ilk exist. You are a disgusting sick person.
Here's a NEWS FLASH for those of you saying Gays cannot get married. We can and we will no matter what laws you pass trying to stop it. Marriage is a religious as well as civil ceremony and there are gay friendly churches more than willing to sanctify our relationships. Wether the government recognizes it is another matter all together but does not and cannot prevent our churches from performing the ceremony.
That people want to pass laws preventing the recognition of such marriages confirms that this is a civil rights issue with certain groups actively working to prevent the recognition of some marriages while making it exclusive to those churches in favor with the government.
Just so you all know what is going on in New Jersey, Christie has signed an executive ordering mandating that all flags in state offices be lowered to half staff .........for a drug addict. Veteran, Police and Firefighter groups across the nation as not real pleased with him.
If you want us to respect your right to feel that way, you also have to respect OUR right to feel another. It's called "alternative lifestyle" for a reason.
Wow, there is another person living in Los Angeles that hasn't been brainwashed by Hollywood? I have no problem with gays, or them having rights, but as for open minded as they say they are, they will be the first to force all their beliefs down your throat and not willing to even hear an outside opinion
I can respect your right to disagree, but not your attempt to deny my legal status and equal protection under the law.
Feel whatever hateful bigoted nonsense you want. The problem comes in thinking you have any right whatsoever to prevent two consenting adults from getting married.
It will NEVER BE MARRIAGE. Just a couple of Q....s playing house.
Close your legs Gail. You're drawing flies and losing friends, fast. You simpleton.
Shhh, grownups are talking.
Mark you should seek a physical doctor.... You're not normal
Grow up.
We need to stop telling otgher people how to live their lives and worry about putting our own houses in order. Our educational system is a discrace, the economy is a joke, drugs are prevalent in our major cities and small towns alike. Lets worry about fixing real problems not telling g@y couples they cant get married. Most rational people who claim to be against g@y marriages are in favor of allowing some type of union recognized by the government for tax and immigration purposes for g@y couples, but feel 'marriage' is a sanctified word for reserved for just men and women. Marriage is just a word, and like all words its the meaning you associated with it that gives it power.
Im so sick of all the gay marriage stuff. Its an attempt by screwed up extreme liberals to try and force the exceptance of something that isnt normal. Good for NJ I hope the veto goes through. In CA we have so many wackjobs between SF and LA that anything goes. This is not the place that should be leading the country for anything. Marriage has and will always be between a man and a woman. If gays want to have rights and join as a couple thats fine, but it is not a marriage.
If ignorant screwballs like you are in California, anything indeed goes. Thankfully for you, it is a tolerant state and no one is barring you from civil rights due to your abnormality.
Say what you will, but im living the life just fine. If being a screwball means having wealth, success, love, and fitting into mainstream america then im fine being a screwball.
SurfsouthBay, you say that you are living the good life even though you are a bigot. I guess ignorance is bliss.
So polyester, air condiitioning, plastic surgery, tupperware should all be banned? They certainly arnt normal...nor is interracial marriage, Mormons, sky diving and eating monkey meat.
Marriage has not always been between a man and a women, read your Bible, women used to be property, so marriage was a business deal. Also, look at all the "wackjobs" in the Bible who had multiple wives. If you don't believe in gay marriage don't marry a gay person, but don't try to impose your misunderstanding of the Bible on me.
Actually it used to be between one man and many women, then it was only between a man and woman of the same race, etc, etc... Funny how "historical facts" work, eh?
Thats what I said, what "historic facts" do you disagree with.
Agree. and WE are the majority.
Excellent, so you're the person we need to talk to to figure out what's normal and what isn't? What if you're not normal, does that skew the results?
Everybody knows surfers are gay
Governor Christy eats babies.
At least he don't rape and abuse them like gay couple do
Aww, did that bad man touch when you were younger? He told you it would bring you closer to your God didn't he? Oh wait, there's nothing in the bible that said that priest couldn't do it, so I think you're just projecting your own lack of faith on others. I promise it will be okay and I have a cookie for you.
One question for you, prove it?!?!
I too heard that he eats babies – but he doesn't swallow.
On another note Gov Christie has threatened to devour any gay people who try to get married in the state of New Jersey
This is true.
Christie is just delaying the inevitable. Many years ago, there was no support for this at all. A couple years ago, it was a few votes short. Now, the bill passed by a wide margin. The trendlines are unmistakable. If Christie vetoes it, they'll just pass it again by a similarly wide margin in a few years when he is no longer Governor.
Christie can veto the bill and do his 21st Century George Wallace equivalent, but it won't stop it. It will become law.
On a general referendum, it wouldn't pass. Only way it passes is if politician has first hand or family member or bought off. You want to win minds, STOP TRYING TO CALL IT MARRIAGE, and call it what it is... a couple of fruits playing house that want tax deductions.
Gov. Chris Christie, the subject of political speculation as a possible GOP vice presidential candidate, has said the issue "should not be decided by 121 people in the statehouse in Trenton."
Right....but it's totally ok to have the issue be decided by one person
I think gay activist are playing the system to really claim the benefits that normal married people get. If you take out the money and other laws like hospital visitation, this wouldn't be a topic of discussion. Stop calling it something that it isn't. The civil rights claim is weak, our marriage system includes everyone, man and women, and any RACE! When you put peoples lifestyles in mix, then you open the possibility for all sorts of lifestyles that people like others to think are acceptable because that's the way they are born. I know a guy who believed he was born to kill, doesn't make it right. People come up with a better claim and protect marriage and the dignity of America.
As a gay man, I wish you could understand. But our experiences are more relevant than your opinions. When we say we can not change, that this is not a "lifestyle," we are telling the truth. Our testimony is not false and our witness is true. We are not liars and you do not know us better than we know ourselves. You have not walked in our shoes.
You compare us to murders?! We do not harm anyone by not having our own biological children. The last I checked, the world's population was doing just fine.
Have you ever heard of the 14th ammendment?
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; 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.
Let NJ resident decide this, not by the government! Stop enforcing their bad laws into peoples throat and stop moving towards dictatorship !!
A mass of people should never be able to vote on a person's freedom. Maybe NJ people should vote on whether you are free to leave the state.
@Steven Than all people should have the freedom to do whatever they wanted (kill steal cheat rape and whatever sick thing you want to add), isn't that their civil right? You people amaze me with your arguments.
@OpEdmiser: You're equating gay marriage with theft and murder? And you're "amazed" by our arguments?
@Worried American: If this actually goes to a referendum, it will pass.
NJ is mainly Catholic/Christian with small minority of Jews and other non-Christians... so Good Luck with it being passed!
A democratically elected legislature is the equivalent of a dictatorship?! If the people of New Jersey are unhappy with their elected representatives, they can vote them out of office. That's the exact opposite of a dictatorship.
Hitler did not like gay people either.... they were sent to concentration camps too because they were not normal
Are you seriously trying to somehow make it appear that what Hitler did was somehow sane? Wow, just wow.
I don't see the questions surrounding gay coupling as a civil rights issue. A lifestyle choice always has consequences. There is a HUGE difference between the consequences of a lifestyle choice and the chains of slavery.
And that is the basic problem, you see the "lifestyle" as a choice. Being gay is not something you choose. It is nature and hormones are extremely powerful on unborn babies.
Exactly, its a "lifestyle", its not a race. So every pro gay marriage person can stop trying to use that as a comparison. There are a bunch of different lifestyle choices, it doesnt mean mainstream America needs to accept them all
Sorry, but being gay is not a lifestyle choice. If it were, then being straight would also be a choice. When and why did you CHOSE to be straight?
So all the gay male youth killing themselves are just choosing to be gay and thus think suicide is just the thing to do even though they could easily choose not to be.... OK.
M1sf1ts quote of the day:
I will NEVER call a gay couple Married. I can appreciate their relationship, but these laws will NOT redefine Marriage.
I will veto your rights so I can have a chance to be Vice President, oh wait, I will let the people of New Jersey conduct a referendum to settle the issue so no one can say I made the decision (keeps doors open for later votes).
Gay marriage shot down by the Gov's political dreams.
I feel bad for those poor kids on the picture 🙁
Why?
They are probably more loved than your kids are.
How is it ANY of your business? They decided to be a couple and give two children a home, so what if they, the children, have two fathers, or mothers for that matter. Get over it, it isn't your, my, or anyone elses business. I simply want this, give them the same rights as I have with my wife, and leave them alone.
Amen!
Athesit!!!
I feel bad for your children.
If it take 20 or 50 more years – we will fight to make it legal in all 50 States. 7 states down and 43 to go! I'm proud of my community and proud of the HRC. Keep Fighting the Fat Man and all his Friends!
You're not normal..... move to Netherland (Where d.r.u.g.s are legal too)
Where they have a higher standard of living, better quality of life, higher average income, higher average IQ, better healthcare and a far superior educational system. Maybe we should legalize drugs AND g ay marriage.
Gay Coupling is NOT Marriage. I have no issue with arranging a means to establish tax equality for gay couples, but it cannot be a marriage.
Says you, a religious misfit who makes decisions based on fairy tales. For those of us who are not delusional, we think everyone should be treated exactly the same, without prejudice from misfits.
I am not dismissing the arguments being made by the gay community, and you will not dismiss my reasonings. As an American citizen, tax payer, voter, and simply as a human being, my opinion will be heard.
Heard...what a joke. Religious delusion is a thing of the past, and the majority will not allow it to control our politics and our lives.
We are all deluded in our own way. You would be very arrogant to call yourself more enlightened than anyone else.
Not if I'm not hampered by "religious" delusion. Notice I made a distinction between that and other types of delusion. By the way, religious delusion can be cured by medical science. Since I'm not the one who is "sick", you can certainly rest assured that I am at a better vantage point than you, thank you.
So basically, you have no argument. If all you can do is belittle me and my perspective, then we are done talking. Have a good day.
I said you were sick, that's all. I feel sorry for you, and I want to see that you get the proper medical attention that you deserve. It's because of the compassion I have toward others that compels me to help them. Trust me, you'll thank me one day.
So marriage = proper coupling. How simple. Never thought all of the other things in a marriage were ... extraneous.
Steven, I don't mean to say one form of "coupling" is more appropriate than the other. I am saying that marriage is between a man and a women. Gay couples are simply something different. Not less, but very different.
It is marriage in seven states, legal marriage. I am married to my partner in New York and that is a marriage in the eyes of my state, my preacher and my God. We both will manage to get a full night of sleep tonight even though you don't consider it marriage.
Congratulations! In no way would I belittle your commitment. I am able to celebrate your love together, but unable to call it a marriage. I wish you and yours all the best.
If the state calls it marriage, then you have to call it that too, you don't have a choice. Or are you saying you will not conform to the laws of your state? This is exactly how the logic starts that causes delusionists to k ill abortion doctors. I'm sure you'll be doing the same thing to married gay couples once you get angry enough, eh?
I will NEVER call a gay couple Married. I can appreciate their relationship, but these laws will NOT redefine Marriage.
Way to go dude! Stick that head farther into the sand and you won't hear a thing...that's it...
And besides, you don't appreciate anything about gay marriage. You can't even see that you are discriminating against people, and that you H ATE them. Those are nice words you typed, but c'mon man, we know how you really feel. or this wouldn't even be an issue.
Who says, you? Guess what you don't matter, and neither does any religion you happen to believe in either. Get over yourself and you narrow view of the world.
They should have added a provision allowing Christe to get a free rib eye every day.. then he wouldn't be vetoing this.
My comment isn't that bad, to censor me twice in a row? C'mon man, don't we still have free speech? Or doesn't that apply to CNN?
Oh, get off it. The first amendment isn't at issue here. CNN can apply whatever sorts of filters they like to their comment page.
Well, I guess you can't compare the right-wing US xtians to the Syrian government of al-Assad or you'll be censored.
And Michael, the comment was for the moderator, please shut your pie hole now, thank you.
Sorry, it actually does not apply to CNN or any other private organizations website..
That will keep gay people away from our wonderful state of New Jersey 🙂
"Beautiful state of New Jersey?" Take your meds lady and go back to being a bored house wife, that is if you're married to begin with. Everyone knows that New Jersey is the festering anus of the USA.
It doesn't apply to CNN. They have a Terms of Service contract. Further, "freedom of speech" only protects you from GOVERNMENT prosecution for your speech. Privates businesses, like CNN, are welcome to censor your speech all they want. Know your rights and don't be an idiot.
2 points, if you can follow more than one. 1. Freedom of speech applies only to the government, federal and states. CNN and every other company can "censor" whatever they want. And 2. Nobody cares enough to censor whatever nonsense you, me, or anybody else is posting here, so get over yourself. You probably had a word like "consti.tution" in your post that contains a "bad" word in the middle and so gets picked up. Yes, it's stupid, no it's not the viewpoint censorship you're thinking of.
If you can't follow 2 points, then here's the reader's digest: you're an idiot.
Bah...Americans are always going on about how 'free' their country is. WHAT A JOKE when two consenting adults can't even make the decision to marry? Between that and your horrid medical system your country is a HOT MESS!
Ahmadinejad should be the president of the U.S. 🙂
Then vote for Santorum! 😉
LMAO!!!
Being gay is death penalty in several Islamic countries, and prison with suffering in other 'less' strict Islamic countries..... We should have that too in America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
are you just trolling? or are you that ignorant?
A surprising opinion for a self-described agnostic. Well, here's an unambiguously spiritual perspective: you're evil.
So...you would have someone put to death just because they love someone? I was under the impression that the death penalty was for mass murderers and serial killers, and NOT for people who love each other. People are people, and they can love who ever they want to. It's sick people like you that make the rest of the world see America as just a bunch of fat a.ssholes. How about the next time YOU fall in love, we put you to death? As I said, People are People, no matter what.
Why can't we respect our traditional Judeo-Christian laws in America?! Sick and tired of this talk about gay issues!
Focus on more important issue.....
why can't we get rid of the religious bigots like you.
1) We don't live in a theocracy. The beauty of this nation has long been our aspiration to evolve towards fresh ideas of fairness, practicality, and equality, rather than simply falling back on the way it's always been done.
2) These matters *are* important.
well at least he will always be known as the man who struck down civil rights. maybe we can include christie in the history books. and maybe a clip on how he's the fattest governor in america. hahahaha
"Why can't we respect our traditional Judeo-Christian laws in America?"
That would be fine, except that here are actually zero Judeo christian laws in America.
Yeah because no one could possibly be capable of working on more than one thing at a time. Every other bill in the NJ legislature is on hold because of this one bill.
I am sick and tired of being treated like a second-class citizen. So problem solved: We have equality and you don't have to hear about gay issues anymore.
What traditional Judeo-Christian laws? You mean like the laws that gave women the right to vote, own property, and work? Oh, wait – your bible teaches that women are no better than any other property a man owns.
How about the laws that said you cannot own another human. Dang it! – your bible not only condones slavey, it tells you how to sell your own daughter!
Oh! I got it – what about our laws that say you can worship any god or gods you want, or no gods at all. Oh wait – your bible says I can only worship your god – under penalty of death and eternal torture.
I guess I'm having trouble seeing these laws you talk about.
The democrats usually support the right to vote on important issues... except when they stand no chance of winning at the polls; then, they leave that up to liberal judges.
Civil rights aren't up for a vote. The bill of rights exists due to the quite rational fear of tyranny of the majority.
As citizens of this country, gay people shouldn't need a law in order to exercise a civil right allowed to "straights". Making it necessary that a law be passed so that gays can marry, says that gays have fewer rights than straights. How American is that?
This is a load of bullcrap. The people of New Jersey (like all states) elect legislators to make laws for them. These duly elected representatives of the people voted in a law legalizing gay marriage. And now, 1 man, is over-ruling the will of the people's representatives. 1 man. Why are you tea baggers not vilifying Christie for being an activist governor, like you did Walker for being an activist judge?
Civil rights should NEVER be put up for a popular vote. Just think if that was the case blacks would still be slaves and women couldn't vote.
So true. In this day and age I can't believe this is even being debated. Equal rights for everyone should not be up for vote, it should just be!
AMEN!!!
Blacks? What does that have to do with the topic?
"Blacks? What does that have to do with the topic?"
Because this is a civil rights issue.
Remeber, civil rights, like the right to not be a slave.
Amen
This is just a cop-out by Christie. For future elections, he doesn't want to be known as the governor who passed gay marriage, but nor does he want to be known as the governor who opposed it. So- state wide referendum! Perfect cop out! Whatever the decision, he's not to blame!
I hate politicians.
I agree, I think he stayed out of the GOP race for President because he figures he will be called upon for the VP position with whomever wins the primaries. Covering his right-wing lard-a$$
A popular vote is never the right way to deal with a controversial issue. Just because 51% of a group of people think the other 49% should be denied something, does that mean it should be that way?
here in the united states that is the way it is majority rule but minority rights
There goes hundreds of millions of dollars in potential revenue for the state of NJ...right across the river to NY.
Exactly! Not only is there revenue in people from NY coming to NJ to get married, there is revenue in people from NY MOVING to NJ if they can be recognized as married there. Very positive for outcome for NJ financially. Plus, it's the right thing to do!
You switched up your states there. New Jersey DOES NOT allow gay marriage, but New York DOES.
why should anyone care if gays are able to marry. why is it anyones business. If they want to live together and share their lives why do you want to stop them. And if they decide to split later they should have to go through the same crap the rest of us do in a divorce. i just dont gey why anyone even cares
Because they are denied the rights, the tax break, privileges of being a married couple! Also, in case of a divorce, it can protect each person (like in a pre-nup). Not to mention having your relationship recognized as legal and equal to every other marriage in the world. That's why.
Not only does Christie have the biggest A$s in new jersey. He IS THE BIGGEST A$S in new jersey!!
Gov. Chris Christie I am really proud of you. Stand tall and hold your ground, no matter what. It's time these "sickos" were stopped once for all!!! If they want to lead shameful lives, let them do it where they belong; in the closet.
And most of all, STOP using children as pawns!!! What morals are these children going to learn from these deviants?!
Man you are a throw back to bigoted 1950's America. No government! Smaller government! Right?! Yeah, except you want the government to control every aspect of someone's personal life. Save the children! Your silly religion is the only foundation you have for willfully refusing and opposing equal treatement. I can't wait for your generation to go away.
All right old f@rt calm down. You cant stop progress you can roll with it or get run over. Your choice.
The only "sickos" are people like you sir! Your life probably would repulse me, so don't go around pushing your beliefs onto those of us that believe that everyone deserves the same rights as everyone else. But your probably too stupid to understand because your mind is closed and I'm sure your miserabel. I feel sorry for you and those like you.
Most likely respect, love, and how to mind your own business. Try it sometime you just might learn something.
if governor christie truly wants to celebrate diversity, talent and (nj) pride, skip the symbolic flag nonsense, and sign the bill. THAT would be a legacy whitney houston's family, friends, and fans could be proud of.
Good. Put Christie on the wrong side of history.
Maybe he doesn't realize that this is a bipartisan supported piece of civil rights legislation.
.
I hope that this gets the Veto!! There in no place in this world, other than a Muslim country, for these type of people!!
You're the one with the problem – and it's referred to as ignorance and hatred. Sorry, but you're on the wrong side of this debate. Crawl back into the hole you escaped from.
But there are millions of gays everywhere.. .How do you get rid of them???
You don't, you idiot.
Iran has the answer.. Hanging gays in mass.
I am really embarrassed for you, moron.
You are an exceptionally sick and hateful individual.
Whatever is wrong with your brain can't be fixed. You should kill yourself.
Roger, you and the Muslims worship the same god. They essentially are your cousins in worship. They are simply following the commands of YOUR god. At least they have the balls to obey him, unlike you folks.
I wonder who your god will be more pleased with? Folks who obey his command to kill gay foks, or folks who ignore his commands?
Uh, no, theocratic Muslim countries have these sorts of laws. Maybe you should move to one.
It's my understanding that men who hate gay men are in fact gay themselfs and in order to hide, they atack.
If that is what you believe you are amazingly mistaken to a mind-boggling degree.
based on the "Bible" we are all suppose to live according to the new testament. everything they use against gays and ect..are things based on the OLD testement before Jesus Christ. And are takin' out of content. Also we must remember. THO SHALL NOT JUDGE.
My church doesn't even have the Old Testament in the pews.. We only have the New Testament. The Old Testament is not Christian.
That is complete fallacy - the Old Testament and New Testament are both inspired by God and hence are both "Christian". The prophets in the Old Testament were prediciting events about the Messiah (Jesus), and Jesus quotes Old Testament scripture throughout the New Testament.
He also indicates in Matthew that marriage is a covenant between "one man" and "one woman".
"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate" (Matt. 19: 1-8; Mk. 10:6-9).
If you are a Christian, you can NOT be in favor of this legislation - it would destroy the very structure that God created (families).
Please enlighten me dln...how exactly does this "destroy the structure god intended..."?
How is your marriage in any way shape or form affected by the marriage of two other people?
Sorry freddy and Roger, but you are wrong.
Your Jesus himself says so several times. For instance in Luke 16:17 he said, "It is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass away than for the smallest part of the letter of the law to become invalid." Obviously, the earth is still here. Ergo, the laws and rules of the OT are still in place.
This means that your god commands that you murder gay people, so you better get busy.
It also means you need to demand Red Lobster close – I suppose you fundiots could burn them all as a pleasing sacrifice to your god.
You will also need to start forcing young unengaged virgins who are ra.ped to marry their rap.ists.
And you'll need to start stoning women who aren't virgins on their wedding night.
Oh, and your god wants you, er, commands you, to kill everyone who doesn't follow these rules.
God says to "hate sin." There is no judgment. Do you not call a crook a crook because he is a crook? By your example, gay people and their supporters should not be judging those who disagree with them by calling them hateful names like "bigot." That's being a hypocrite, and God doesn't like that either.
what a miserable FAT @## He will be knocked off his high horse for sure. Sin Sin Sin. if its all based on that he should step down from being so over weight. According to the bible that is a sin as well. Hemm lets pick and chose our sins according to what we want. The US is suppose to be about choice. What happened to WE the people?
When you start off your arguement with an insult, nobody can take you serious.
Same goes when you can't spell or follow basic rules of grammar. Or as you would put it:
Same go when you can't spell or follow basic rule of grammar.
Attach a sandwich amendment, Christie would never veto that!
After the order he gave yesterday allowing the American flag to fly at half mast for Whitney Houston's funeral taking all symbolism from the act of why the flag is flown that way, he has lost ALL respect from me! I am not surprised anymore what extent he would go to anymore just to get his name in the headlines.
CLINGING TO RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY DOES NOT MAKE YOU A BETTER OR MORE MORAL PERSON; SHOULD BE OBVIOUS
Being gay doesn't make you above the law, either. The law is marriage is between a man and a woman.
Psalms 12:8 Romans 1:32
5150: The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
The Bible: Justifying bigotry for 2000 years.
guys named mike, posting on cnn, justifying bigotry with his post. fool
Right up there with the support for slavery! Condemn the shell fish eaters! You give Christianity a bad name!
Good Lord, man. You don't actually believe what you've heard in the gay rumor mill that the Bible actually supports slavery and bans eating shellfish, do you? Please, do yourself a favor and actually READ the Bible, the whole thing, not just a few Scriptures taken out of context. Read the Scriptures AROUND what you just foolishly stated and you'd know the Bible CONDEMNS slavery and SHELLFISH is perfectly allowed to be eaten – ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE.
Henry O you need to read the Bible. Exodus 21:7, Lev. 11:10.
The bigots are the ones that read around the Bible and condemn Gays.
Leviticus 20:13 If a man has se.xual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death
So, Chris? How many gays have you personally murdered since your god commands it?
Harry Potter page 24.
What's your point. They are both best selling works of fiction!!
Being gay is wrong, period.
Thank God there are still people like governor Christie who are willing to stand up for their principles despite the popular trends.
you are a real nut job. being a bigot is what you call a principle, I am glad people like you are going extinct.
The only thing wrong is your bigotry and ignorance
Thank God? You and your god are hateful bigots.
Like, maybe the CYA principle?
it is not his job to stand up for HIS convictions. it is his job to stand up for the people of new jersy ie: popular opinion.
Don't mistake ducking responsibility (something republicans love to claim they take) for standing up for principle. If he was so principled why would he be willing to let the voters decide?
Fu<k you and the bible you use to judge your weak, pathetic and overall worthless life upon. Anyone who needs a book to dicate their lives upon equates to a person who claims "my life is great and varied and special because I lived according to a book," yet when asked to relay these stories and their significance, they all end up with "and then I went home."
For god sakes – let them marry. Why is that important?!!!!!!
Christie is a coward, showing he's afraid of the few remaining anti-gays. He's also foolish–the anti-gays will never vote for any Democratic candidate for governor. After all, we Christie's a member of the "Gay Obsessed party." We know a majority of Jew Jersey voters approve of genuine marriage equality. New Jersey voters know that the "civil unions" NJ has now have been widely violated by businesses. Oh, well, if Christie really wants to be a single-term governor remembered for caving in to the shrieking of the anti-gays and then disappear into some crooked lobbying job, that's his choice.
Good.. now that Chris will undo rights for the gays, he can get back to making it so inter-racial marriages are illegal, and poor people stay poor.
Governors who veto such bills as these are only following the federal gov't and the DOMA.
The federal government would have dumped DOMA in 2009 if it weren't for the "Gay Obsessed Party."
Marriage equality for gays is the interracial marriage battle of this generation. And in twenty years, we will look back on Gov. Christie and the rest of his dinosaur buddies in much the same way that we now look back on those who stood in the way of integration. With disdain and disbelief.
Marriage for Gays is not an Interracial Marriage – do not try to disguise the sick as it is normal. Gay is a gay – and has nothing to do with race. Interracial Mariage is normal
Funny, people said the same thing about interracial marriage 50 years ago
If your depraved bigotry is "normal," I am happy to be "abnormal." At least then I will be charitable and moral.
Oh shut up.
Whites marrying blacks is immoral and a sin. The bible is clear in that. Blacks are animals and should not be mixed with whites. It dilutes the white race. It is actually worse than g ay marriage as long as the two g ays are white.
The exact. same. lines. were used about interracial marriage.
Unfortunately Helen, it will be a lot longer to wipe out all the ho.mophobia. A recent poll showed that half of all republicans in Mississsippi said that interracial marriage should be illegal. And that is 44 years after Loving!
And here we are spending billions fighting the Taliban halfway around the world when we have them embedded right here within the GObP.
What happened to separation of church policy and state policy i mean THEOCRACY? I'm straight, but the governor is infringing on their 1st amendment right.
He is a republican are you really surprised? Only white Christian males get rights.
This anniversary, from today's Wikipedia: 1600 – Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno, best-known as a proponent of heliocentrism and the infinity of the universe, was burned at the stake as a heretic by the Roman Inquisition. With Giordano in mind, let's dispense with the stranglehold of tradition, and get on with intelligent civil rights for all. Mediterreanean-based religious types should take a good long hard look at their cruel little hearts. Your history defeats you before you even open your mouths.
Religion of all forms has historically been the cause for most of the wars and violence throughout human history. The belief that some magical guy is better then your magical guy is so comical to me but unfortunately people kill and oppress others in their magical guys name.
ManofGod,
Have you had the opportunity to meet a person who was raised in a house hold with 2 mommy's or 2 daddy's? I have an not for nothing I think that child has less traumatizing memories than I do being raised in a "traditional catholic home" , how about you do a little non-judgmental research before damning people. If I am correct GOD is the only one who has right to judge people that way. How would you identify which of two well dressed well mannered children were raised by a "gay" couple?
If it is not up to the lawmakers that we vote for to decide laws for a state, why do we even have elections?
Ummmhhhhh–It is up to the lawmakers to "decide" the laws for a state, with approval by a governor. Hence the name "lawmakers."
You obviously have no idea what kind of governement we have here. We are not a direct democracy. We are a Republican Democracy. This means that we elect Representatives to work on our behalf. So actually the fact that they had a vote in the legislature is what they are supposed to do.
Christie will be remembered as the PIG who held back civil rights in NJ. Because one day soon, gay marriage WILL BE LEGAL in the USA and all those who opposed it will be looked back on with hatred and disgust.
I would vote no on legalizing gay marriage and the same for pedophilia.
and if it was 1967, you would vote "no" to giving blacks their civil rights, as well !
We know what kind of pig you are – uneducated and uncultured.
I disagree with gay marriage because the science refutes it. A black man and a white woman can reproduce. A man and a man cannot. It is not natural.
@ Genius66
I disagree with gay marriage because the science refutes it. A black man and a white woman can reproduce. A man and a man cannot. It is not natural.
Please provide the links to applicable state laws that require marriage for procreation. Please provide the links to applicable state laws that require procreation for marriage. If you can't, your point is moot.
As for ho.mose.xuality not being natural – 1500+ species of mammals, fish, birds, insects, and other vertebrates and invertebrates show that you are wrong.
And, just because there are examples of hom.ose.xuality in several species (unproven/unsubstantiated) does not make it natural. It is still an aberration. Survival of the Fittest and propogation of a species demands two genders procreate. That there are those within any species that do not procreate or prefer socializing with those of the same gender do not work within the framework of evolution or Darwinism. They are the exception to the "rule," not an addendum to it. They exist, they die out and their genes disappear forever.
I really find it disgusting to see someone use a moniker of "Scientifically Speaking" who chooses to be ignorant about science. The theory of evolution handles ho.mose.xual orientation quite nicely. As it should since 1500+ species of mammals, fish, birds, insects, and other vertebrates and invertebrates exhibit ho.mose.xual activity.
And no one who has at lest 10 functioning neurons claims that being gay is simply a gene or genes. Rather it is a biological multivariate based in genetics – groups of genes, and more importantly, how they are expressed – what they code for, along with hormonal baths in utero, neuronal plasticy, neuroanatomy, etc.
You also fail to understand that continuation of a species, just like evolution, occurs at the population level, not the individual level.
For the love of god (sorry), start cracking open some science journals; and stop getting your "sciency" sounding information from the "Pastor Dave's" of the world. The problem is that "Pastor Dave" is just as ignorant about science as his minions.
@genious66, since you're a genious and all you probably know the answer to this.....
Since a sterile man and woman cannot reproduce and since a woman over the age of say 45-50 can't reproduce, I take it you are in favor of banning marriages by sterile men/women and post-menopausal women? And what about people who can reproduce but choose not to? They shouldn't be allowed to marry either, right?
Really ignorant comment. Gay marriage is between two consenting adults. Pedophilia is a form of rape against a youth who cannot consent.
How, in any way, do you equate the rights of two consenting adults with victimizing chiildren? Proponents of "traditional marriage" crack me up. In 20 states, you can marry your first cousin. In the others, you cannot. I some states you can marry as young as 14 with parental consent. If "god's perfect plan for marriage" is so clear, how come we have no consensus on what it even means?
Godd for you, cretin. Now, take a hike.
I would vote yes on raising the speed limit to 75 and yes on allowing gay marriage. See I can throw two completely unrelated things together too!
Hi.....?
...goodbye.
Its pretty basic, if you don't believe in gay marriage, don't marry a gay person, if you don't believe in abortion, don't have one, but please don't try to impose your misunderstandings of the Bible on me.
Agreed.
Pay attention, folks. See how easy it is?
amen and God bless!
THANK YOU!!
Thank you, Susan.
Short, sweet, and to the point! Thank you Susan!!
Couldn't have stated it better, Susan.
Hey slow down with the logic and respect for others there.
I wish we had Christian law in America and NO seperation of church and state :/
No, don't tell me Iran or Saudi Arabia... I was CHRISTIAN country, not Islamic!
You were a christian country? Fantastic story.
Not as fantastic as the stories they tell about the magic man in the sky.
I dunno. Being an entire country that was transmogrified into a single person sounds pretty cool.
Star Trek did that with the Borg.
Jesus is ashamed of you.
Really? How do you know? It always fascinates me how people can read the mind of their imaginary friend – and, He always agrees with them. That's just amazing.
hahahahahaha...you're silly
How is that possible when Jesus was gay? Elton John said so...
Move to Vatican City.
You obviously have no idea what a 'Christian' theocracy would be like... try looking up 'The Holy Roman Empire' or 'Kingdom of Jerusalem' as examples of what such a place would be like. Reality is not so pleasant.
The Holy Roman Empire was one of the longest standing empires in all of history. This democracy trash we have in America has lasted for a few hundreds of years, and it's already on its last leg.
U jelly?
Sorry Boy, but the US is not a Christian nation. We never were a Christian nation. Perhaps you were sleeping in school when they discussed Article VI, Section 3, of the US Const.itution? Perhaps you also missed the explanation of the 1st amendment? I guess you missed Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli?
So you want us all to try and telepathically contact some Jewish dead guy that supposedly lives in the clouds with other dead people with wings? You want us to accept him as our master so that he can relieve us of a "curse" just because some make-believe old lady decided to eat a magical apple given to her by a magical talking snake? Yep, all this is totally believable. You can all say whatever you want, but you can't argue with the fact that all the "stories" behind your religions are really ridiculous.
What's wrong with letting NJ residents decide this?
Because, it is a civil rights matter and civil rights are not subject to public approval. They are innate and inalienable. Frankly, my civil rights are none of your business.
Because civil rights should never be put up to a popular vote
Instead, they should be decided by a bunch of bureaucrats, right?
Or better yet the courts! Oh wait, you probably don't like that either...
Because gay rights activists are cowardly weasels and want to impose their agenda on the unwilling public. It's not an issue of civil rights.
Well, the US Supreme Court will put you clowns in your place. But, I'm not waiting around to laugh at you.
Actually, by any legal definition, it IS a civil rights issue.
I think we are not interested in marrying you Sr. You are quite safe as the rest of the community if I decide to marry someone I love who wants to marry me. I fail to see how that affects you or how it's any of your business! Your bigotry, arrogant need to control others, hatred of different, and religious bias is your possession. I want none of it. I suggest you use some acceptance and maybe you will have a happier life, and even you'll get to celebrate with us the latest birth of freedom this country has seen. If you relax a little you'll meet loving, law abiding gay families who are no different than yours. Love a little!
You are a moron
The problem is the issue doesn't affect NJ residents – gay marriage only affects gay people. They pay the same taxes and they should have the same rights.
Conservatives have their own beliefs, just as the stupid liberals have their own beliefs. It's just one side is wrong.
"Stupid liberals"? Seriously?
Perhaps you are unaware that research show that we "stupid liberals" have average IQs 11 points higher than you conservatives (95 vs 106).
Sorry.
Along those same lines ... penalties for murder only affect murderers. Murderers pay taxes too ... so they should decide their own fate ... right?
@ pilodopolis – why would you equate an illegal activity, like murder, to being gay, which is a normal, natural variant of human se.xual orientation?
AYE! There's the rub! Normal? Natural?
Well we could start with the 1st amendment and move to the 14th but it would require your ability to read and comprehend. Sorry, you are over ruled.
I'm an Atheist and I'm against gay marriage. Sorry, but traditionally marriage has always been between man and woman. Be honest and tell the truth and use common sense – Would you want to be raised by gay parents?
Well your opinion about my civil rights is irrelevant, anyway.
I see your point, but I still support everyone's right to have a choice. It's what is supposed to make this country so great – freedom.
BTW, since when should free people be held hostage to tradition?
well said.
To answer your question, I would rather be raised by gay parents than the Southern Baptist jerk that disowned men – by email.
*me
Dave, it's not about religion. It never should be. It's about giving people equal rights under the law.
And for the record, I would have had no problem being brought up by gay parents. Considering how many of my parents friends were gay, and how many of my friends are gay, I think they would all make wonderful parents. And some of them do.
Your argument, therefore, is a non-issue.
That's because your hanging around a gay bar. Come-on I don't care about this issue one way or another. But to say that everybody is gay around you. I've known 2 gay people in my life. It's maybe 1/10 of 1% of the population.If they want to marry go for it. Welcome to my world. I have two words for them. Stay single.
You don't think that maybe, just maybe bill, that you self-select the gay people out of your life because of your barely contained loathing of them? Or that maybe the person you're responding to lives or socializes in an area where a lot of gay people live? Or perhaps the gay people you do know keep it quiet around you because they don't want to justify themselves to you? Or a combo of all three?
Thank you!
Nobody wants to be raised by gay parents. It's pretty much child abuse.
So, here we have someone who believes they are rattling around inside the consciousnesses of everyone else. That's why I come to blogs like this – for the freak show.
Your statement is one of the reasons this country is seen as a laughing stock by the rest of the world lol
This, of course, is just another ho.mophobic fundiot lie.
You see Davis, this has actually been researched. And the reality is just the opposite.
what are you talking about?! Most Gay people were raised by straight parents?! What does one have to do with the other?
and most murderers were raised by non murderers... but if two serial killers raised a child, i think he just might have a few problems dont u think?
treker,
Being gay is not a choice, but being a murderer is. Find a reasonable analogy next time.
thank you! Analogy needs to be made!
I met a gay couple and their 12-year old child once. I can definitely say that I would LOVE to have been raised by a gay couple.
Most atheists I know are smarter than this.
They know that traditionally – for most of history – marriage had nothing to do with love. It had to do with power and money.
If you are truly a traditionalist, shall we go back to this system?
You are correct. Christianity was over a thousand years old when the Catholic Church got seriously involved in marriage and made it a sacrament in the 12th century. Funny the Church took so long, given how much it loves power and money!!
@Atheist Dave
Actually ‘traditional” marriage was between two men. Marriage was and is a contract, woman were not allowed to enter into contract as they were considered property and not ‘people’. This is still true today in come cultures. Now stop posting you are embarrassing the rest of us.
I would love to be raised by two loving parents, gay or straight. Sorry your argument belongs back in the 50s when they were saying the same thing about whether you'd like to be raised by one white parent and one black parent
Yes because "we've always done it this way" is such a great reason to keep doing something that way. First, we haven't always done it that way, but that's besides the point.
I would've rather been raised by two people who loved me and cared about me than the straight people who abused and abandoned me leaving me to go from safe home to safe home and foster family to foster family. So, yes.
Perverts raising children. This is getting crazy! Repent!
Not nearly as crazy as a world with billions of people who have imaginary friends. That is just utterly bizarre in the extreme, Even Star Trek couldn't come up with anything that weird.
MANOFGOD,
Are there any hetero perverts? YES or NO?
What a lousy 'Ambassador for Christ' you are.
@Ozymandias71
Actually he is pretty spot on. The modernization of Christianity into this all loving nonsense is simply a desperate attempt to reconcile a primitive belief system with modern morals. Those who believe this way often have never actually read their bible. (but that goes for almost all Christians) They read a verse that is painted on the face of their favorite football player and suddenly they ‘know’ what a real Christian is.
The bigotry expressed in this thread is almost as alarming as the stupidity.
You are not even a MAN... you spill your poison hiding behind your fake id sitting on your dirty living room couch surrounded by empty pizza boxes, beer cans and ash trays. You are obsessed with articles relating to gay life because you have experienced these feelings yourself and you hate yourself for it because your redneck family and fellow church members tells you it is sinful. You follow these beliefs because you have nothing in your life, no direction, no success and you cannot think for yourself.
I like the reasoning behind Joyce's comment!!
Joyce,
Thank you! You do have a way of cutting to the heart of the matter.
Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged and Let Him Who is Without Sin Cast the First Stone. Are you really without sin?? I also thought on God is do the judging?!?!
*I also thougth only God is to do the judging?!?!