Register  |  Sign In
View unanswered posts | View active topics It is currently Mon Jul 21, 2025 6:54 am



Reply to topic  [ 30 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2
 Vermont passes gay marriage, GOP Gov threatens veto 
Author Message
All Star Poster
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 9:40 pm
Posts: 4679
Post Re: Vermont passes gay marriage, GOP Gov threatens veto
Caius wrote:
My only beef is with the courts usurping power from the other branches. When the court interprets a Constitutional provision, when it might not be clearly applicable to a case, that closes the door, for the most part, to the other branches enacting laws in that area.


But who says it wasn't clearly applicable to the case? Even the governor of Iowa, who opposes same-sex marriage, examined the court decision and found it to be sound. The court found that the ban violated their state constitution. That's the court's job. I don't see the problem there.


Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:46 am
Profile WWW
All Star Poster
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 9:40 pm
Posts: 4679
Post Re: Vermont passes gay marriage, GOP Gov threatens veto
MikeQ. wrote:
Um, am I counting this right? That's now FOUR states of the US with gay marriage? Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont? Incredible. It would be a nice even 5 if California didn't a step backward.


New York state might soon join them. Gov Paterson says he will be introducing legislation to allow same sex marriages.


Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:47 am
Profile WWW
Extraordinary
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:30 pm
Posts: 12096
Location: Stroudsburg, PA
Post Re: Vermont passes gay marriage, GOP Gov threatens veto
Caius wrote:
Groucho wrote:

But who decides that it is "not clearly applicable to a case"?


Well at least if the legislature does, we can vote the bums out and elect people who will better comply/not comply with a "not clearly applicable" provision of the state/federal Constitution.

I'm sure you agree with me that the Constitution is the floor and not the ceiling, I think our disagreement is that I would prefer the Legislature build towards the ceiling and not the courts. Courts are free to strike down, and should, any law that has its aim below the floor, either facially or as applied.


In general, you're right.

However, an exception should exist for civil rights. Civil rights should never be left to the whim of the majority. If the legislature votes to remove or deny civil rights to someone, the courts should definitely step in at that point...

I would of course prefer the legislature to do the right thing, but if they don't, then the courts should step in (when they can; sometimes they are limited by the state's constitution of course).

_________________
Buy my books! http://michaelaventrella.com


Image


Thu Apr 09, 2009 10:31 am
Profile WWW
Extraordinary
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:30 pm
Posts: 12096
Location: Stroudsburg, PA
Post Re: Vermont passes gay marriage, GOP Gov threatens veto
MikeQ. wrote:
Um, am I counting this right? That's now FOUR states of the US with gay marriage? Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont? Incredible. It would be a nice even 5 if California didn't a step backward.

Peace,
Mike


And Canada.

Oh wait, they aren't a state?

_________________
Buy my books! http://michaelaventrella.com


Image


Thu Apr 09, 2009 10:31 am
Profile WWW
Forum General
User avatar

Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 12:14 am
Posts: 9966
Post Re: Vermont passes gay marriage, GOP Gov threatens veto
I think we should have at least 8 states by the next Pres election, maybe even 10?

_________________
Top Movies of 2009
1. Hurt Locker / 2. (500) Days of Summer / 3. Sunshine Cleaning / 4. Up / 5. I Love You, Man

Top Anticipated 2009
1. Nine


Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:52 pm
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Reply to topic   [ 30 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 56 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group.
Designed by STSoftware for PTF.