The Gay Patriot had this to say regarding yesterday’s vote in the Mass Constitutional Convention which denied the voters the opportunity to vote on the legal definition of marriage in the Bay State in 08′.
I’m ambivalent on the issue because I believe that legislatures (rather than courts) are the appropriate institution to decide a state’s policy on marriage. And here, an elected legislature (though under special circumstances) did vote on the policy. So, I should favor the decision. But, it troubles me that they only acted because the state Supreme Judicial Court (the highest court in the Bay State) had mandated marriage, taking it out of the legislature’s hands, leaving only the state’s complicated constitutional amendment process as a means of recourse.
Two things struck me about the reaction of the gay organizations, first the zeal with which the gay groups lobbied to prevent the people from voting on this issue. I think it’s silly to call this a “Vote on Rights†because the issue here is not about protecting people’s freedom, but about determining which couples the state recognizes (and privileges) as married.
The second issue which struck me, which is a point I have been making for as long as I have been blogging, is the inability (or refusal) of the gay organizations to talk about this all-important issue except as one of rights. As I was working on my prior post, The Malcontent’s Robbie alerted me to Jonathan’s Rauch’s thoughtful review of David Blankenhorn’s The Future of Marriage. In noting that gay-marriage foe David Blankenhorn “succeeds†in making a serious case against gay marriage, Rauch (yet again) makes a strong case for gay marriage.
entire post here
To me this entire issue has been less an issue about same-sex “marriage” (even though I am an adamant opponent of it) and more about the intentional circumventiion of the constitutionally proscribed legislative process. It is commonly stated that “gay marriage is legal is Massachusetts.” Not true. The only organized body who has the constitutional authority and jurisdiction to make and amend laws is the legislative branch of our civil government. Neither governors (the chief executive) nor jurists have the constitutional authority to “make” laws.
In 2003 four unelected judges in the MSJC found a “right to same sex marriage” in the “penumbras and emenations” of our constitution. But their interpretation did not make “gay marriage legal” as many politicians, members of the press, and pundits have asserted. Couts can’t “make laws.”
And that is what is so troubling about this whole process which is that our elected officials allowed the judiciary to, in essence, make law from the bench. Our legislators are supposed to represent “we the people” and most importantly have sworn an oath to uphold and defend our constitution and the rule of law. Not allowing “we the people” the opportunity to make the very laws by which we live is an egregious violation of our fundamental constitutional rights that should freighten all citizens of the commonwealth- gay or straight.
Watch this clip from the :45 second mark to the 1 minute mark. Sure looks like it. Either way, it was great to see the reception he (we) received.
The US is denying it. Computer security guru Bruce Schneier says this was “possibly the pickpocket of the century”.
First Russia’s president Putin steals New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft’s Super Bowl ring, now this. Be careful when traveling abroad!
Back in September 2006, Matt Burden from Blackfive joined us for another edition of Someone You Should Know. He told us the story of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, Navy SEAL Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. Axelson and Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny P. Dietz. This was an incredible story of bravery, courage and sacrifice required to rescue one of their own. Today, all these months later, the identity of the SEAL saved by these amazing men was revealed.
Meet Marcus Luttrell,
Washington Post
The Sole Survivor
Out of the U.S. military’s worst day of casualties in Afghanistan comes a tale of moral choices — both good and bad — and of sacrifice, comradeship, and character.
You can listen to this amazing story as part of our Someone You Should Know series here. To learn more about Danny Dietz and the controversy in his hometown on how best to pay tribute to him, click here.
Jeff Bader joined us last night to discuss his new series of books about Soldiers’ Angels. The four part series will follow their motto,
May no soldier go unloved.
May no soldier walk alone.
May no soldier be forgotten,
Until they all come home
The first book, May No Soldier Go Unloved, is available now. It would make a great Father’s Day gift!
Jeff talked about how this great organization got started, how its grown and what he’s learned from the experience. He also told us a great story about a recent trip to Dodger Stadium for a ball game with 500 soldiers.
Is there anything Soldiers Angels’ doesn’t do? No, not really. The reason is Patti Patton Bader, Jeff’s wife. Jeff talks candidly in the book, and with us tonight, about Patti’s serious medical situation. This just makes her accomplishments with Soldiers Angels’ all the more remarkable. I can’t think of a better way to show your support for the troops than by contacting this amazing group.
What is Pundit Review Radio?
Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Hailed as “Groundbreaking†by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Leader.
As part of his Project Hero series at QandO.net Bruce McQuain profiled recipients of the the Silver Star. Of SFC Gerald A. Wolford he wrote the following,
Wolford and his crew epitomize the everyday valor displayed by members of our armed forces. The camaraderie, professionalism and the vow never to let their buddies down are all evident in the way this crew fought, endured and persevered. They are soldiers of whom we should all be proud.
And what exactly did Wolford and his crew do? According to his Silver Star citation,
“Staff Sgt. Wolford’s action served to inspire other Soldiers on the battlefield and motivated his section to continue to firefight despite physical injury, vehicle damage and fatigue,” the citation said.
Tonight, Bruce told us the rest of his story.
The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce is now on board and we are thrilled to have him as part of the program.
What is Pundit Review Radio?
Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Hailed as “Groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Leader.
Congressman Duncan Hunter joined us once again for an extended interview on Pundit Review Radio. I think people will be impressed with what they hear.
On the immigration bill, it’s not dead yet, according to Hunter. He said the public should keep the calls and emails coming to Capitol Hill. We also asked him about the war in Iraq and beyond, diplomacy with Iran and Syria, trying to break through in a ten man field, the role of faith in politics and even school vouchers and taxes, briefly.
Our February interview with Congressman Hunter is here.
What is Pundit Review Radio?
Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Hailed as “Groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Leader
I was thinking of Michael Yon a lot this weekend when I was enjoying a relaxing two day excursion to Nantucket. Why was I thinking of Michael Yon while vacationing with the beautiful (and increasingly obnoxious) people? Because I was reading Ernie’s War: The Best of Ernie Pyle’s World War II Dispatches
Michael has often been called our generation’s Ernie Pyle and I think that is the highest compliment you could ever give a journalist at war. The similarities are striking. The writing was incredibly vivid, poignant and moving. It was written from first hand experiences and with a deep admiration of the men he was covering. The comparison is so appropriate.
Michael is half way through a new series of posts about his experiences with the Brits in Iraq. They are filled with great writing and story telling, accompanied by tremendous photography, like all of Michael’s major Dispatches are.
You can find part one of Death or Glory here, and part two here.
Michael is 100% supported by his readers. I recently made another contribution, and I hope that if you can, you will consider doing so as well. Please Support the Next Dispatch!