AND THE LEGAL MANEUVERING BEHIND IT IS DIZZYING …
By FITSNEWS || Secure in the knowledge that appellate court rulings outlawing gay marriage bans will not be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, judges in South Carolina began issuing marriage licenses for homosexual couples this week.
S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley and Alan Wilson moved to block the licenses though, arguing the Palmetto State remained bound by a 2006 constitutional ban on the practice.
Haley and Wilson have vowed to defend this ban – even though its future appears to be in grave danger (and even though some judges appear set on issuing licenses anyway).
South Carolina’s gay marriage ban was supported by 78 percent of the state’s voters eight years ago – and recent polls have shown a majority of South Carolinians still oppose same sex marriage.
The legal drama over the issue began in late July when the fourth circuit court of appeals – based in Richmond, Virginia – ruled that state’s gay marriage ban unconstitutional. This week, the U.S. Supreme Court – without comment – refused to hear such cases, effectively upholding the lower court ruling.
A lesbian couple who were married in Washington, D.C. challenged the Palmetto State’s ban. That case – Bradacs v. Haley – was stayed by district judge Michelle Childs in April pending the outcome of the Virginia case, Bostic v. Rainey .
So … who should have jurisdiction over the issue of marriage in South Carolina?
Is it the federal fourth circuit? That’s what North Carolina attorney general Roy Cooper believes, stating that the court’s ruling applies in all the states under its jurisdiction.
Or is it the state’s constitutional ban? That’s what Haley and Wilson believe.
Or is local governments? That’s what presumed presidential candidate Rand Paul believes.
The correct answer? None of the above. From where we sit, all of this legal wrangling (which is costing taxpayers God only knows how much money) is as pointless as it is confusing.
If we’ve said it once we’ve said it a thousand times: No government – local, state or federal – should have the ability to ban (or compel) marriage, gay or straight. That’s because marriage isn’t a government institution, it’s a religious one – meaning the question should be left to individual congregations.
Government should have absolutely nothing to do with the process … as evidenced by the current debate.
Last March, we polled this issue with our readers. Thirty-four percent of those who responded (781 votes) said they agreed with us. Meanwhile 33 percent (764 votes) said gay marriage should be the law of the land and 33 percent (762 votes) said it should be outlawed.
What are those numbers today?
You tell us … vote in our poll, and post your thoughts in our comments section below.
103 comments
We are a band of brothers, and native to the soil,
Fighting for our Liberty, with treasure, blood and toil;
And when our rights were threaten’d, the cry rose near and far,
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag, that bears a Single Star!
Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern Rights, hurrah!
Hurrah! For the Bonnie Blue Flag, that bears a Single Star!
As long as the Union was faithful to her trust,
like friends and like brethren kind were we and just;
But now when Liberal treachery attempts our rights to mar,
We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a Single Star.
“We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a Single Star.”
Some folks live their entire lives in the past, And slavery was just as misguided as is denying gay couples the right to marry.
I guess that was a little over the top. My point obviously is that this is clearly a state issue and that the federal gubamint has no place in it. There is a clear benefit to the state to havetraditional nuclear families” as residents (if I have to explain why you’re too stupid for this debate). The voters in this state overwhelming support the idea of “one man, one woman”.
Respectfully, nobody is throwing anything in your face Colonel.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/01/glaad-gay-tv-reports-_n_5913782.html
No, not at all…
lol that is it??? didn’t ur tv come with a thingy majinger that can change the channels?
I agree with the Colonel. Them television types are putting a lot of negroes on tv also. I think it is time to pull out the fire hoses and dogs again.
First they started putting blacks on TV, now gays?! Oh the humanity!
I’ve been ‘best man’ at three different straight weddings,have watched countless movies w/straight people kissing,and much more,if you get the idea. I’ve never felt anything was being,’thrown in my face’ ;just the opposite:God is love.
“There is a clear benefit to the state to havetraditional nuclear families” as residents (if I have to explain why you’re too stupid for this debate). The voters in this state overwhelming support the idea of “one man, one woman”.”
You don’t have to “explain” anything to me – based on your posts on the subject you appear extremely ignorant – you’d do well to educate yourself . Lots of folks choose to live in the past and stay hostage to their upbringing – and they become bitter and unhappy as the world changes and progresses around them.
” . . .but I shouldn’t have it thrown in my face by a miniscule percentage of society who happens to homosexual . . .”
So marriage equality is about gay people throwing something in your face? Did you throw something in someone’s face when you got married? (And I’m not talking about the rice thrown at weddings or the bride’s bouquet either.)
The only thing government does by legalizing gay marriage is throw more pieces of paper into various files in various courthouses across the country.
To shove that “in his face” you would have to tie him up, drive him to the courthouse, drag him through the metal detectors and up to the correct file cabinet.
Well, I suppose you could get a copy, too, but oh well.
There is a clear benefit to the state to havetraditional nuclear
families” as residents (if I have to explain why you’re too stupid for
this debate).
Nah, just ban abortions and teach abstinence only, then unplanned pregnancies will replace the need for married couples for keeping our population up.
But hey, gay/lesbians can have kids too. (If I have to explain how, you’re too stupid for this debate.) And those kids turn out just fine, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLnn96n3Lpg
Some you are a traitor? Why does the US military allow people who openly advocate for the overthrow of the US government to serve. I need to write my congressman. It sucks that i have to help pay for you salary. I no longer appreciate your service or want it.
I’m sorry, where did I ever in the history of all my posting to web sites have I ever advocated the overthrow of the US Government? I’ve been blogging about he gubamint since the Compuserve days and not once ever have I advocated the overthrow of the government or for that matter violated any part of my oath. If my historical reference to why the states seceded, namely a perception that states rights were being violated, was to much for you well, I admit it was a little over the top.
However, if you don’t like it – get over it or die mad.
Tell it to the Federal government, who have over 1,100 rights and benefits associated with marriage.
Whack that dead horse again, Will!
Still having problems recognizing the state’s role in the contractual aspect of marriage with regard to legitimacy, property rights, inheritance, custody of children — etc,etc, and so forth.
He isn’t stupid, he just assumes everyone else is.
What happened to the sanctity of Will and T-Rav’s marriage? Maybe he’ll write a book about it.
I wonder if Alan Wilson will be as adamant about banning jock sniffing if it is ruled by someone to be gay behavior and therefore immoral and/or illegal.
The collection of current and ex-jocks would still be legal among the ruling elite.
Pedophiles and rapists have also been historically mistreated like jock sniffers. But, give it time. Liberals and Muslims will get pedophilia and rape legalized in a decade or so. It is acceptable in several countries in the world so they will claim it should be here as well.
NAMBLA is already trying to push lowering the age of consent using the same argument gays used. If it is about love, then age, sex or other factors shouldn’t matter is what they are saying.
“Pedophiles and rapists have also been . . .”
The majority of pedophiles and rapists are white, heterosexual men – might want to leave that out of your argument.
Odd you would lie when federal stats show blacks commit more sex crimes than whites. But then, you are a racist with one testicle which resulted from a sex operation gone bad.
Pedophiles are overwhelmingly white male. Now get back to your NAMBLA meeting, cracker.
The victims of pedophiles are usually female.
correction..THIS is the stupidest comment I have read today. Congrats Sir..you have won the idiot of the day award.
Gov’nr Haley……Please fix the wagon wheel ruts in our SC roads!
Haley can’t fix the rut in her rear end. She could give a damn less, except for reelection! Wait for the disastrous second term!
No doubt. If she’s re-elected I worry about one of two things happening – 1 – another bad ice storm winter and 2 – a really big hurricane. You think Katrine response was bad. Wait until there’s 400 dead bodies floating behind Myrtle Beach whilest Nikki is saying – “it’s a great day in South Carolina.” She couldn’t clear the roads in the winter. Can you imagine her administrations response to a major hurricane. I shudder to think.
Could the AG’s budget be cut by the amount he spends on outside legal counsel and use that money to fix part of one road in the state? Any road would be fine.
The problem with homosexuality is the chosen behavior does not advance the Human Family, is riddled with psychiatric disorders, promotes mental disorders, promotes diseases, and, quite frankly, demeans and reduces human sexuality into nothing more than a dopamine high in the pleasure center of the human brain by misusing human sexual organs and orifices. The marriage proposal for homosexuals equally rapes the meaning and context of our Constitution through the extorted, perverted, and disingenuous rulings from a handful “shopped” for Federal Judges.
I actually find it reassuring that gay marriage shows that love is not based on reproduction. It’s funny that religious conservatives believe in a spiritual life but also believe love and marriage should be based on animal behavior.
Ummm, yeah, there are recorded incidents of “gay” dolphins, sheep and monkeys for the record there Skippy.
So now Christians are saying humans are animals? Y’all need to get your story straight.
No, the point is that your “animal behaviour” comment is as full of bovine excreta as most of the rest of your argument.
That’s it. I am going to have you pulled in before your superior officers. This will come down from the Pentagon in a few weeks.
For what, the Army has paid me a tremendous amount of money in the last few years to deal with the stupidity of others.
He will need a JAG for being bisexual and promoting it? I didn’t know that was illegal while in uniform.
It’s not as long as all parties are unmarried or married in such a manner as that two of the three or more partners are maried and in consenting relationships with all other partners – yes, we’ve had a class in it…
Always knew you were an odd ball. Into swinging with the animals. What about sheep? Do they excite you too?
/ / possibly the stupidest thing I have read so far today.
Hi Sic.
It’s actually amusing to hear ghey supporters claiming that being ghey is not an animal behavior. Normally, they point to the ghey penguins and say “look see, they were born gay too, it’s not a choice.” Now, suddenly, Native Ink, claims being ghey is not a natural animal behavior but a choice.
Gay love/marriage shows that nature provides reasons for love that can’t be reduced to an animal instinct to propagate the species. I find it reassuring that humans aren’t just machines programmed to pop out babies.
Yeah, because before ghey marriage, humans only cared about breeding. Nobody was building things, improving lives, or exploring space. Ghey marriage definitely is going to get us away from our animal instincts of humping anything with a hole.
Funny thing is, Thomas is gay himself.
I thought he was just an idiot..thanks for the clarification.
The problem with homosexuality is the chosen behavior does not advance the Human Family
Neither does two old as dirt people getting hitched. Neither does someone who is infertile getting hitched. Neither does someone who has had their tubes tied, or someone who has had a vasectomy. Neither does someone who doesn’t want to have kids.
But they can get married, now can’t they?
is riddled with psychiatric disorders, promotes mental disorders
Ah yes, being gay is a mental disorder. That’s just lovely, anyone who likes something you don’t like and you find nasty has a mental disorder.
promotes diseases
Promiscuity promotes diseases. Not every married couple is promiscuous. Not every gay dude or lesbian dudette is promiscuous.
(PSST! Marriage isn’t what most promiscuous people look for!)
demeans and reduces human sexuality into nothing more than a dopamine
high in the pleasure center of the human brain by misusing human sexual
organs and orifices.
See above. In any instance where reproduction is not a possibility, that is all sex is. Old people, infertile people, people who don’t want kids, etc.
Do you want a policeman in every bedroom to make sure only reproductive sex is allowed?
The marriage proposal for homosexuals equally rapes the meaning and context of our Constitution
lol!
Protip: Read the Constitution.
All in favor say, “AYE”
The NAYs have it.
According to the July 15, 2014 National Health Statistics Report, based on the 2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), 96.6 percent of adults 18 or older identify as heterosexual, 1.6 percent as gay or lesbian, 0.7 percent as bisexual, with the remaining 1.1 of adults identified as “something else.”
If their numbers are so minimal, why does it bother you so much if they marry?
What does your psychiatrist say?
Because
Jesusthe Old Testament said so.Gay Activist Group Changes Name to Include ‘Bisexuals, Transgender and Queer’
1.6% 0r 325 Million People are gay or lesbian. Now that’s a drop in bucket. ONLY 1.6 Percent! WOW. But they will have you believe that 30% to 50% are gay or lesbian, or Trannies, like Michelle Obama.
Force the US Supreme Court to entertain the issue instead of side stepping it. Make the Justices issue written opinions. I don’t care how much it cost. But FORCE the US Supreme Court to take on the case! Marriage has ALWAYS throught out the history of MAN been exclusively between a MAN and a WOMAN. It is a RELIGOUS thing. Its is written in God Zillions of Bibles and Holy Books. FORCE IT DOWN the US Supreme Courts Throats and be done with it. Put them in their places.
Transgenders, Homosexuals, Queers …. they are a very small number. The majority of Americans are against them. We have uncovered from the inside what is going on them. They are a bunch of liars.
There are lots of things that have been found to be outdated thru history – like segregation.
Ever hear of protecting the rights of the minority?
Homosexuals are like ISIS. If you use try really hard to use that one neurotransmitter of yours, you might can think about it.
TIL gay people decapitate reporters and shoot people in the Middle East.
Stick with trying to stop roads on James Island.
No, you’ll stay home with the rest of the bigots and just bitch to each other, looking like the morons you are.
Fuck your ignorant White Trash religion.
Force the US Supreme Court to entertain the issue instead of side stepping it.
Err, that’s not how the judicial branch works, bro. Also, are you so sure they’d rule in your favor?
I don’t think the majority of Americans are against them. The majority of Americans don’t really give a flying cow pie. You want to be gay – nice for you. Now, the majority of Americans however may be against people who hold your views. People came to this land and formed a new country based on freedom. Freedom of expression, freedom of religion and now – freedom of preference. Get over it.
$20 says your grandpa said the same thing about interracial marriage
I’m still trying to figure out something. Gay activists claim that you are born gay or straight and that it is not something that develops. Then why do they even talk to Bisexuals? What? Are they confused gays who think they like sex with the opposite sex as well? Nah. Couldn’t be.
Or, is it just more likely that they are just hedonists who like to have sex with whomever or whatever they can get naked? But, then that raises the possibility that being gay isn’t really genetic but it is a choice (conscious or unconscious) or a mental illness. I vote for mental illness since the American Psychiatric Association stated it was such for decades and without any change to the science changed its mind to conform to political pressure.
“I’m still trying to figure out something”
Yeah – I’m still trying to figure out something as well – nothing you just posted made a lick of sense.
It’s OK, you can come out of the closet, Oops. Or do you prefer being down low?
Everyone likes what they like. You can’t help liking whatever sex you like any more than you can help liking your favorite food, liking your favorite sport, being born right or left handed, etc.
Feel free to Google more about what the APA historically supported. Not exactly the best ground for you to stand on, buddy. :)
That’s just silly. I can like hot dogs and clams at the same time. In fact, I like a clam dog every once in a while. Maybe those who switch hit just live outside the box.
I’m a GWLSGWBT (guy who likes skinny girls with big tits). AND I WANT SPECIAL TREATMENT!! Maybe even a parade. I can march while wearing pink satin panties on my head.
“I’m a GWLSGWBT (guy who likes skinny girls with big tits). AND I WANT SPECIAL TREATMENT!! ”
Go over to Hooters and stuff your face and shut up.
Did you have wet dreams again last night about Obama’s liquid babies across your lips?
Definitely gay^^^
It sounds like you’re looking for a Victoria Secrets runway show.
Instead you’ll have to keep up the relationship with your hand.
Special treatment = being able to do what other people are able to do?
Also, WBC has their own little demonstrations should you care to join them.
Airport Workers Are Walking Off The Job Because Of The Threat Of Contacting Gay Ebola.
Since homosexuals have such high levels of STDs, shouldn’t restaurants have to let customers know that homosexuals work there so that customers can decide for themselves whether they want to expose their family to that?
You’re having sex with food?
No but everybody knows gays make the best waiters!
Haley and Wilson got married?
Government should have a say in marriage and divorce because of the legal ramifications and benefits derived from the marriage relationship: marital privilege that prevents being compelled to testify against your spouse (in proper context), tax law treatments, rules disposing of property upon death, etc. If the numerous legal consequences to marriage were absent, then it would be a purely religious exercise, but that is not the reality…
that said, any two people should be afforded the privilege of marriage if they so choose; gov’t should not have the discretion to prevent two people getting married because they share the same genitalia
We all could see this disaster coming – ever since the state started to allow Catholics to marry outside of their papist faith – the whole thing has been coming undone. It started with Protestants and Catholics, got worse with the ethnic groups mixing, and now same-sex unions. What next, dolphins and sharks, turtles and frogs? South Carolinians and Georgians.
Now Trikki Nikki can fulfill her innermost desires with Catherine Templeton!!
Yay! More tax dollars pissed down the toilet!
Party of fiscal responsibility FTW! Not to mention party of family values a la Mark Sanford, Nikki Haley, etc.
Please, Mark is repentant. He is once again right with god. The devil made him do it. Just like Newt, he has been reborn as a family values, traditional marriage guy.
Be glad when you can marry your dog,horse,sister or anything else. That is America you hear crumbling folks!
Dogs and horses can’t sign marriage applications, bro.
THANKS TO NIKKI HALEY. Just like she wants to require people to have an ID to vote, she’s requiring sentient beings to know how to sign an application to EXERCISE A BASIC RIGHT.
ITT: Bad bigotry logic.
Marriage requires consent. Considering a horse has not a fucking clue as to what a marriage even is, how the hell do you expect them to consent to it? Let alone provide proof they have consented to it?
Unless a human is not legally able to give consent (age, mental retardation, etc.) then this stupid fucking animal argument makes no damn sense whatsoever.
Of course its stupid. Jackie frequently makes dumb arguments. Legally marriage is a contractual relationship. If you don’t have the capacity to contract, you don’t have the capacity to marry. You can’t contract with animals, so you can’t marry animals.
EXACTLY BRO. That’s why I don’t understand why we don’t allow polygamous marriages and sibling marriages. THIS IS AMERICA.
They can leave a foot print friend! That would be their mark like has been done for a long time. Wake up Smirks you can circumvent anything you wish in America,it is done all the time!
fail
If you thought ghey marriages were dramatic..wait until you see two old queens arguing over their wardrobe and their chihuahua in divorce court.
You might be right IF the government didn’t confer rights related to marital status. The government is involved in marriage, like it or not.
Of course, if we had MORE lawyers involved they would understand the constitutional issue has been resolved by the S CT’s failure to review the decision of the 4th Circuit. Why Wilson doesn’t recognize that is beyond me, but I heard he wasn’t in the top half of his class in law school, so that may explain it.
They are a nice looking gay couple…
I wish my main man was still here,to savor this moment…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1FybvwFGpo
Three gay men died, and were going to be cremated. Their lovers happened to be at the funeral home at the same time, and were discussing what they planned to do with the ashes. The first man said, “My Ryan loved to fly, so I’m going up in a plane and scatter his ashes in the sky.” The second man said, “My Ross was a good fisherman, so I’m going to scatter his ashes in our favorite lake.” The third man said, “My Jack was such a good lover, I think I’m going to dump his ashes in a pot of chili, so he can tear my ass up just one more time.”
The moment the government began providing laws and benefits to couples via legally binding contracts it was removed from the court or religion and into the realm of government. Also marriage predates religion and exists despite religious culture.
I think gay folks should be given the right to be just as miserable as the other married crowd.