SC

SC Reacts To Fourth Circuit Same Sex Marriage Ruling

LEADERS, CANDIDATES RESPOND TO DEFEAT OF VIRGINIA’S GAY MARRIAGE BAN South Carolina’s “Republican” leaders offered muted reactions to a Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals’ ruling striking down the Commonwealth of Virginia’s gay marriage ban – a sign of growing public opposition to government interfering in the The ruling could…

LEADERS, CANDIDATES RESPOND TO DEFEAT OF VIRGINIA’S GAY MARRIAGE BAN

South Carolina’s “Republican” leaders offered muted reactions to a Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals’ ruling striking down the Commonwealth of Virginia’s gay marriage ban – a sign of growing public opposition to government interfering in the

The ruling could be a death knell for South Carolina’s 2006 law – which forbids gay marriages or the recognition of same sex civil unions in the Palmetto State.

That law was adopted as a constitutional amendment – with 78 percent of South Carolinians supporting it.  Over the last eight years, though, opposition to gay marriage has dropped to just over 50 percent in the Palmetto State.

S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley is the lead defendant in a 2013 lawsuit – Bradacs v. Haley – which challenges the constitutionality of that ban.

Her view on the ruling?

“This administration will continue to uphold the will of the people,” Haley’s office said in a statement responding to the ruling. “Ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide this issue, and until that time, South Carolina will continue to be governed by the laws of our state.”

Pretty ho-hum, right.

S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson – whose office is constitutionally bound to uphold South Carolina’s law – also offered a workmanlike statement.

“The Fourth Circuit ruling is fairly lengthy and our attorneys are reviewing its impact on South Carolina and the Bradacs case,” Wilson’s communications director Mark Powell said in a statement.  “Currently, South Carolina’s law remains intact, and, of course, our office will continue to defend it.  However, it should be noted that in other circuits, stays have been granted following invalidation of individual state laws, which have caused confusion in those states.”

“Ultimately, this will be a decision for the U.S. Supreme Court,” Powell said.  “People should not rush to act or react until that time, when a decision is made by the highest court in the land.”

Powell’s admonition didn’t stop independent U.S. Senate candidate Thomas Ravenel from weighing in on the issue – calling on Haley not to waste any additional taxpayer resources defending the state’s gay marriage ban.

“While I feel the government has no place in marriage, if it is going to confer benefits on heterosexual married couples – (it) must also under the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection clause treat gay marriages the same,” Ravenel said. “Many Republicans also support this position, but Republican politicians like Lindsey Graham have been silenced and intimidated by the strident, intolerant and hateful voices of certain religious right leaders.”

“Those voices do not intimidate me,” Ravenel said.

This website has consistently argued against government sanctioning or banning marriage – gay or straight.  We believe such decisions should be left to individual churches and their governing denominations.  We have also consistently argued that the debate over civil unions would be much simpler if this country’s arcane, anti-competitive and discriminatory tax system was scrapped and replaced – to some degree – with a consumption-based tax.

What do you think? Vote in our poll and post your thoughts in our comments section below …

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72 comments

Grover D July 28, 2014 at 6:43 pm

Nikki is pointing to the couple in the audience to tell Michael hey bring them to the swinger party at the mansion Saturday night. We can screen Fifty Shades of Grey………tell Henry to keep his brother home though dammit.

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Ha Ha July 28, 2014 at 6:46 pm

Hahaha!

Good one!

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Mark July 28, 2014 at 8:45 pm

one look at those Haley chipmunk checks and teeth and I am thinking about going gay!

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Will Folks aka Sic July 28, 2014 at 8:20 pm

+2 for you Grover D. That’s pretty good!

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Elfego July 28, 2014 at 9:51 pm

Will,I believe you and Grover were once Butt buddies!

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Elfego July 28, 2014 at 9:47 pm

Make sure you have your wife there!

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Cricket July 28, 2014 at 10:33 pm

And you have your mama as well…..:)

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Elfego July 29, 2014 at 4:20 pm

My mother has passed some time ago so you take yours,OK!

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G.O.B. July 29, 2014 at 9:10 am

I thought she was pointing to tell the 15 people in the audience there were plenty of open seats up front.

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Grover D July 28, 2014 at 6:45 pm

T-Rav says the more the merrier….Cocaine is hell of a drug at Swinger parties.

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Timmy Tebow July 29, 2014 at 10:56 am

You and Rick James couldn’t be more right!

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K.Mann July 29, 2014 at 5:18 pm Reply
coolhandluke July 28, 2014 at 6:58 pm

Damn, our governess, Nikki Haley, damn good and hot in black. She could do a hot centerfold. Fits, what did you say between her hot photo and our comments here?

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SCBlues July 28, 2014 at 7:26 pm

“Damn, our governess, Nikki Haley, damn good and hot in black. She could do a hot centerfold.”
Had your eyes checked lately??

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Saluda Rapids July 28, 2014 at 9:02 pm

SCBlues, it appears from the photo that M. Night Shyamalan likes what he sees from his rear view.

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coolhandluke July 28, 2014 at 11:17 pm

Nothing wrong with my eyesight, that is beautiful, sexy prime beef. If you cannot see that then you must be must have an aversion to women in general. Just saying. Coolhandluke knows good-looking women and she’s not only good-looking but sexually hot.

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Oh my July 29, 2014 at 12:14 pm

External looks are only skin deep ; but , ugly, corruption , immorality, stupidity and lack of ethics is to the bone. So, Haley is to the bone butt ugly!

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CorruptionInColumbia July 28, 2014 at 7:04 pm

This is definitely a “reason” to vote Haley in for four more years of corruption, incompetence, and other acts of gross malfeasance. If it keeps those awful gay people from marrying, then it will surely be worth it.

(sarcasm font off)

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WW July 28, 2014 at 8:02 pm

Sandi Morals YOU’RE UP!
Looking forward to your vulgar, profanity laced comments, so people can see the true character of you, Haley and what kind of supporters she has!

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Sandi Morals July 28, 2014 at 8:28 pm

http://WWW.the state.com/2014/04/11/3382365/tom-ervin-jumps-out-of-gop-governors.HTML

“attorney Kathryn Williams , has contributed to candidates in both parties INCLUDING $4500 to Sheheen’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign and $50,000 to the S.C. Democratic Party that same year according to state records”……

Ervin’s wife according to the state.com and Andrew Shain.

I see FITS pulled off BibleThumpers and my links in regards to this subject on another thread.

Is “the state” wrong?.

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WW July 28, 2014 at 8:45 pm

Yes! There is a Katherine Williams in Clemson. Many Republicans DID contribute to Sheheen last election because they knew the true character, or lack of in Haley. I have been active in Republican politics for 40 years. Many of my associates told me Haley was involved in an affair with Will Folks (at that time working for Sanford) back in2007! Haley was a second term lowly House member, on nobody’s radar (except maybe Larry Marchant) . No one saw her going anywhere. They would NOT have made this up! One Legislator even told me of Folks and Haley playing “lossy face” at a Columbia bar. I’m sorry, I supported her for election to the House, campaigned for her. I soon found she could NOT tell the truth about anything! I’ve had enough. You need to wake up!

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Sandi Moral July 28, 2014 at 8:58 pm

Thanks for the info WW. I have emailed the reporter and the newspaper about the article I will report back.
I would assume that they will issue a retraction if you are correct. :-)
I could care less about Haley’s personal life. I do care about electing Democrats like Charlie Christ and Sheeheen as governors and what a disaster that would be for those states.

Doris July 28, 2014 at 9:43 pm

…. could NOT care less…. Just sayin’.

Fed Up Republican July 28, 2014 at 10:50 pm

I do not disagree with this point! Obama has been a total disaster!
Clyburn is also, Reid, Pelosi, Feinstein, Boxer, Shumer ALL sicken me! I could NEVER support any of them.
The national Dem. party and their socialist agenda will destroy America, if NOT stopped and they will cost Sheheen greatly.
CNN had a poll released today, most by a wide margin wish Romney had been elected, NOT Obama.
I feel Haley has done a miserable job, is a faux conservative. I’ve checked out Ervin, met and talked with him. I’m convinced he is a true conservative and will do a great job.
Many people in the Party wanted an alternative (disgusted with Haley). Ervin we feel is that alternative. many Dems., I’ve talked with feel the same.
If we do not change the career people who run for one office after another. We are making a big mistake. The Country and State need NEW Blood!
Tired of the Haleys, McMasters, Bushes, Wilsons, Bauers, Harrells, Leathermans, Peelers, etc., etc.
How has the Country and State benefited under these people?
They have benefitted GREATLY!

a face in the crowd July 28, 2014 at 9:03 pm

I wonder if Haley will eventually become a trustee at Clemson.

Clemson alum July 28, 2014 at 9:41 pm

No.

Upstate Tiger July 28, 2014 at 11:17 pm

If they will elect Bob Peeler and some of these other clowns, they will elect anybody!

Elfego July 28, 2014 at 9:50 pm

We know the elite of the party are above this and manipulating elections! Stay in there with your kind and make sure the Dems keep selling this country out. America will surely get what she ask for and deserves!

Rep. Loyalist July 28, 2014 at 11:13 pm

I have a friend who very active in the Republican Party, as a fund raiser. He told me there was another Katherine Williams who was a liberal Dem. contributor; but, Williams May have contributed to some when running for judge. He says this is typical, they all do. He did not seem very concerned and quietly supports anybody but Haley. Says many are tired of her making Party look bad. Look at her primary endorsement of Romney! Gingrich won! Does that tell you anything!

neighbor July 29, 2014 at 10:23 am

She is certainly the laughing stock of Lexington.

Sandi Morals July 29, 2014 at 6:16 pm

Newspaper stands by article and campaign donations by “Kathryn Williams”, attorney.
Check your spelling. Can’t trust Ervin. He and his wife are trying to elect a democrat as governor.
Follow the money. Sure he is a nice guy. Just working for the wrong party.

Republican Operator July 28, 2014 at 8:59 pm

Remember John Rainey Sandi, he knew and warned us about Thomas Ravenel! He also knew and warned us about Haley!
THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!

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Smirks July 29, 2014 at 6:54 am

ERMAGHERD, ERVIN, SHEHEEN, MUSLIM OBAMA!

*another few dollars transfer from Haley to Sandi*

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nitrat July 28, 2014 at 7:07 pm

SC gay marriage ban: “78 percent of South Carolinians supporting it” or 78% of SC voters in that election voting for the ban?

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Limbaughsaphatkhunt July 28, 2014 at 7:44 pm

I hate to admit it but I go with Fitsy on this one. I agree that marriages should be under church jurisdiction (no legal standing, just a ceremonial event) and that all 50 states and the Federal Gov’t should have civil union laws in place for both gay and straight couples in terms of legal standing.

I also agree that special benefits…or penalties…should not be applicable for said civil unions but rather a consumption based tax (if what he’s referring to is a VAT type situation) that would apply equally to all.

Lastly, I agree that the S.C. gov’t is wasting taxpayer money yet again defending a position that is sure to fall soon. I suspect the attorney general’s office has squandered tens of millions of dollars in lawsuits against the federal gov’t in just the last 6 years alone and ended up losing more than winning most of the time.

“It’s a great day…”

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Government will save us all! July 28, 2014 at 8:07 pm

Interesting how some people are fine with government being all up in your shit if you own a business, but if you are a women looking to munch a rug or a guy that likes sucking dongs then it it’s verboten. (that goes for abortion too!)

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shifty henry July 28, 2014 at 8:28 pm

This photo of Nikki is one of the better ones. And her long fingers still get me hot!

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Bible Thumper July 28, 2014 at 10:31 pm

Bobby Jindal appears in the photo to agree.

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Buz Martin July 29, 2014 at 10:25 am

Scary. I was thinking exactly the same thing.

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tomstickler July 28, 2014 at 9:09 pm

When the officiant intones “by the authority invested in me by the State of . . .” that makes the marriage official. It doesn’t matter whether these words are uttered by a minister, priest, rabbi, mullah, judge or anyone else, as long as they have been authorized by the state.

Religious officiants are free to refuse to conduct certain marriages.

There is no conflict between the above statements. Nevertheless, numerous social and financial benefits depend on whether a state-approved marriage exists, so ranting that the government should not be involved in “marriage” makes no logical sense.

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Rocky July 28, 2014 at 10:07 pm

This could be good news for Graham. And Andre. As for Haley – just another lost cause from a lost candidate.

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Vanguard16 July 28, 2014 at 10:07 pm

Alan Wilson sure likes to use taxpayer funds to support his frivolous lawsuits against the Feds. What an ignorant, grandstanding POS, politician asshole!!

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jrh July 28, 2014 at 10:11 pm

Well ,just look at the laws the supreme court has been changing lately,i think they need to be replaced,why does everyone tip toe around about this subject? right is right ,wrong is wrong ,common sense tells you this isn’t meant to be,nature did not make us this way,two men or two women cannot have children.If everyone was gay i guess humans would end.The Supreme court needs to stay out of this and let the states handle it. You can’t make this morally correct,religious or not its not right,If they want to live like this fine but don’t force this on everyone else and their beliefs.

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Jim July 29, 2014 at 11:09 am

Boy, I am glad I read your post. I had no idea the plan was to force all of us into a gay marriage.

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wayne July 28, 2014 at 10:17 pm

As to North Carolina, KUDO’S for your realism! I suggest that you apply the hundreds of thousands of dollars in appeal savings to your public schools to better educate your students, so they never make the same mistake as your voters made. As to South Carolina…..go ahead and spend the money!

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TontoBubbaGoldstein July 28, 2014 at 10:21 pm

“South Carolina’s “Republican” leaders offered muted reactions to a Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals’ ruling striking down the Commonwealth of Virginia’s gay marriage ban – a sign of growing public opposition to government interfering in the”

You really think that’s the reason that the

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Manray9 July 28, 2014 at 10:30 pm

What else is new? Just another Haley dodge of an issue with: “This administration will continue to uphold the will of the people.” I am old enough to remember when the will of the people was segregation. That wasn’t right then, either.

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Bible Thumper July 28, 2014 at 10:44 pm

But people do change. Democracy works if you’re patient. Can you name another issue where people’s attitudes have change more quickly.

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Tunes'n'News July 28, 2014 at 10:34 pm

Ravenel is running for Senate, not Governor or Attorney General.
Please. Stop.

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Dave Chappelle July 29, 2014 at 10:07 am

Thank you. Finally…..someone who makes a comment that embraces the idea that politicians are mostly useless when they try to do things. In all seriousness, what would T-Rav do if elected to Senate? Would he commandeer the Attorney General’s office?
The best thing they can do is get out of the way.

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Mike at the Beach July 28, 2014 at 11:02 pm

Thank goodness FITS found a way to work in Constitutional scholar and general marriage expert Thomas Ravenel on this important US Senate issue! I dig his simple logic, too; sounds like the Fourteenth Amendment may also provide for polygamy and maybe an animal or two! This could get interesting…

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Ed July 29, 2014 at 8:56 am

Ahh the classic strawman argument by right-winged non-intellectuals.

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Mike at the Beach July 29, 2014 at 3:13 pm

Ahh, the classic swing and a miss, friend. I’m neither right-wing, non-intellectual, nor making a straw man argument (unless you took a different rhetoric class than I did during undergrad). I in no way misrepresented TR’s claim, I simply disagreed. Even full-time Constitutional scholars write that a pure Fourteenth Amendment defense is weak on Constitutional grounds in regard to the gay marriage issue. There are plenty of of other (better) options available, or more subtle areas of law even with in the 14th’s neighborhood. I’m not emotionally vested in the debate, and couldn’t care much less who people marry (or what they they do with their genitalia). I just teach the Constitution, so I’m a little biased in that regard, I guess. TR, however, is an idiot when it comes to the Constitution, Con Law, and a lot of other things, for that matter. THAT was my point.

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GrandTango July 29, 2014 at 4:32 am

Funny how FITS is ruled by pop culture, and political hatred. Not the law. This is a law vs politics issue.

The Courts overruling the law for political special interests. Sounds familiar: Is the Gay Marriage issue more like apartheid than equality?

For the more intellectual, Read: http://scdigest.blogspot.com/2014/07/is-gay-marriage-issue-more-like_29.html

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Lee Padgett July 29, 2014 at 6:33 am

I see you replied to yourself twice on that one. It is nice to have friends, now aint it?. When one has a civil conversation with actual letters typed into words instead of eye irritating lil thingys like these @#$#@ it makes for a more pleasant reading experience. Now go forth and dialogue with your various voices and one day it may be permissible to accept you in some polite society circles.

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GrandTango July 29, 2014 at 6:46 am

You certainly are a one-trick pony, obsessed w/ me. If you people could not discuss me, you’d be devoid of any thought.

Your articulation may be small and primitive, but at least you are provoked to act, instead of being nothing but stupid little pawns of FITS, Rachael Mad-Cow and the DNC. Congrats on forming a sentence.. I’m sure that is a big step forward for you.

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Lee Padgett July 29, 2014 at 6:54 am

Oh master! How absolutely naked and vulnerable I feel now that you have exposed my utter lust for you. I am shamed and shall now remove myself from any forth coming verbal lashings from you. I must go lick my wounds. BTW, your posts are something akin to road kill no matter how hard I try to avert my eyes the morbid curiosity of it takes control. Thanks for a post that did not include a shift of various numerals..

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GrandTango July 29, 2014 at 7:09 am

You have a hard time not looking at road kill? It seems you have a hard time struggling for a creative and accurate analogy, too. :) LMAO.

Troll Tax July 29, 2014 at 12:30 pm

So, your “fanbase” isn’t smart enough to bookmark your blog?

GrandTango July 29, 2014 at 12:37 pm

I have noticed that you people are so F*#king stupid, w/ no real ability for legitimate critical analysis, you make complete asses of yourselves trying to manufacture something to disparage me. It’s pretty pathetic.

There are lots of very smart people, who don’t always remember to Bookmark great websites. Dumb@$$ :) ..

Smirks July 29, 2014 at 6:59 am

“intellectual”

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GrandTango July 29, 2014 at 7:04 am

Don’t worry. It’s not for you. You are fine (maxed out) on FITS.

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Ed July 29, 2014 at 8:55 am

You do realize that in striking down a gay marriage ban, the 4th Circuit applied the SUPREME law of the land…the US Constitution. Well, that would require you to understand how the law works which you obviously do not.

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GrandTango July 29, 2014 at 9:36 am

You DO understand that liberal political activists sit on the court, and often interpret the law according to whim. Or how could the decision be split, Dumb@$$?

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hiremetrickinikki July 29, 2014 at 7:35 am

Translation: It is almost inevitable that our bibically justified anti-gay marriage law will come crashing down in the next year, but don’t worry stupid people, we are going to do everything we can to fight it and we will not let this happen! …….unless we get literally any indication from SCOTUS and the feds to stop enforcing it. We will continue to keep you in the dark so stay tuned!!

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Ed July 29, 2014 at 8:54 am

While there probably will be a stay, gay marriage is pretty much here. The state cannot provide less constitutional protections than the federal government so….

Two…pretty great quote from Thomas Ravenel. Good for him.

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Moe Sislack July 29, 2014 at 9:55 am

Is that Apu..from the Simpson’s behind Trikki Nikki…..thats two for a dollar.

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Thomas July 29, 2014 at 11:57 am

Yea right. A potential ruling by SC’s Supreme Court will be upheld by the 4th Court of Appeals. Then with two conflicting rulings off to CJ John Roberts who will uphold SC’s expertly written language banning homosexuals from marriage in SC triggering the reversal of all homosexual marriages in America.

Is that what we are saying?

Never happen. So all that is missing is union labor organizing, decriminalization of reefer, and casino gambling. Thanks General Assembly.

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Wes July 29, 2014 at 3:11 pm

when can I marry Joel?

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Jack C. Hall Jr. July 29, 2014 at 3:13 pm

Niki’s last name wouldn’t even be Haley if it hadn’t been for Loving vs. Virgina….does she forget that she is an indian(not native American but the other kind) and her people still suffer the same discrimination as gays do cross America.

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K.Mann July 29, 2014 at 5:15 pm

If, for example, the state can issue a birth certificate for legal and tax purposes whereas the church issues a certificate of baptism acknowledging the parents’ pledge to fulfill a sacrament (of raising a child according to the precepts of the church), then why can’t a marriage certificate (binding the couples in a religious sacrament) not be issued separately from, and in addition to, a certificate of civil union, which is issued for legal and tax purposes by the state?

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