2008 Woodie Awards
Even if Local Authority Accepts it, Gay Marriage is Still Illegal
Michael Valenzano
Issue date: 3/25/04 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Everyone in the liberal world is bellowing that "history is being made, that boundaries are being broken, that a great victory for equality is happening." Of course, I am referring to the Mayors of San Francisco, Albany, and a few others.
These men have taken it upon themselves to countenance the marriage of same sex couples in their cities, and grant them marriage licenses only honored in those particular cities. They believe that they have done a great service to this country; however, the only thing that they have accomplished is breaking the law.
I do not have a problem with same sex marriages; I believe that they should be allowed and deserve the same benefits as traditional couples. However, the law at this time prevents such actions and the leaders of communities ought to be ashamed of themselves for setting the example that only certain laws should be abided by and that as Mayors they can break the law freely.
But is it ok to do this because they are liberal? Why is it when conservatives break the law it is disdainful, but when liberals break the law they are put up high on a pedestal? All of those who are convicted of breaking the law should be punished regardless of their affiliation. Laws are here to protect us and they should be obeyed.
If the majority of Americans want same sex unions (which at the present time they do not) there are other measures that should be taken to change the laws of society.
Our Forefathers were very intelligent people, they knew that they were not perfect, they knew that the laws of society were not perfect, thus they made a system that could constantly be changed by peaceful means through lobbying, protesting, and electing officials who will pass the bills through Congress.
Nothing can be accomplished by breaking the law in the manner these "Leaders" of these respective communities have done.
Laws exist for the protection of all of us. The people who break laws because they do not agree with them are not heroes. They should answer to the charges that they have been accused of and a jury should decide what is to become of them.
If they are convicted, however, they should no longer serve the public as they have shown disrespect for the laws of our country and have ignored the majority of the people in their community. They have betrayed the trust of the people they are sworn to defend and protect.
All that these leaders have accomplished is to put gay couples in a position that will only end in embarrassment, as their licenses will most likely become null and void after the courts come in.
If you feel that the law is wrong, go out and change it through the system, do not break it and hope that the system will adapt. Civil Unions between same sex couples will occur when the majority of Americans want them to occur, not when certain Mayors feel they can break the law to allow them.
These men have taken it upon themselves to countenance the marriage of same sex couples in their cities, and grant them marriage licenses only honored in those particular cities. They believe that they have done a great service to this country; however, the only thing that they have accomplished is breaking the law.
I do not have a problem with same sex marriages; I believe that they should be allowed and deserve the same benefits as traditional couples. However, the law at this time prevents such actions and the leaders of communities ought to be ashamed of themselves for setting the example that only certain laws should be abided by and that as Mayors they can break the law freely.
But is it ok to do this because they are liberal? Why is it when conservatives break the law it is disdainful, but when liberals break the law they are put up high on a pedestal? All of those who are convicted of breaking the law should be punished regardless of their affiliation. Laws are here to protect us and they should be obeyed.
If the majority of Americans want same sex unions (which at the present time they do not) there are other measures that should be taken to change the laws of society.
Our Forefathers were very intelligent people, they knew that they were not perfect, they knew that the laws of society were not perfect, thus they made a system that could constantly be changed by peaceful means through lobbying, protesting, and electing officials who will pass the bills through Congress.
Nothing can be accomplished by breaking the law in the manner these "Leaders" of these respective communities have done.
Laws exist for the protection of all of us. The people who break laws because they do not agree with them are not heroes. They should answer to the charges that they have been accused of and a jury should decide what is to become of them.
If they are convicted, however, they should no longer serve the public as they have shown disrespect for the laws of our country and have ignored the majority of the people in their community. They have betrayed the trust of the people they are sworn to defend and protect.
All that these leaders have accomplished is to put gay couples in a position that will only end in embarrassment, as their licenses will most likely become null and void after the courts come in.
If you feel that the law is wrong, go out and change it through the system, do not break it and hope that the system will adapt. Civil Unions between same sex couples will occur when the majority of Americans want them to occur, not when certain Mayors feel they can break the law to allow them.