Obama Calls GOP's Conscience Clause Unnecessary, Ill-Advised

[William769]

President Obama made clear on Wednesday while signing a new Defense budget that he doesn't agree with a Republican attempt to sidestep marriage equality that is tucked inside.

"Though I continue to oppose certain sections of the Act, the need to renew critical defense authorities and funding was too great to ignore," the president said in a statement upon signing the annual Defense Authorization Act.

Outgoing Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri largely failed in his final attempt in December to ban same-sex weddings on military bases and to stop military chaplains from officiating. His language passed through the Republican-led House but not the Senate and was mostly stripped during a conference between the two.

What remains, though, is Section 533. It is a "conscience clause" aimed at military chaplains that guarantees they can't be forced to officiate a same-sex wedding. The clause was widely attacked as a waste of time by LGBT activists and by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who pointed out that existing military policy already ensured officiating any wedding is voluntary.

http://www.advocate.com/politics/military/2013/01/03/obama-calls-gops-conscience-clause-unnecessary-ill-advised

[Dirty Socialist]

1. How about a line item veto?

[tammywammy]

6. Unconstitutional. n/t

[Skittles]

2. so Akin the big misogynist is a big a homophobe too

I am shocked I tell you; SHOCKED

[William769]

3. It's what their party stands for.

Amongst other acts against it's citizens.

[rbixby]

4. Okay, question here....

should military chaplains be forced to do this? Are chaplains necessary for military weddings? I guess its probably unneccesary legislation because it would be covered under the first amendment, right?

[loyalsister]

5. Seems that way to me

I think there are plenty of reasons a chaplain might refuse to marry a heterosexual couple.

[rbixby]

7. I think so too

You wouldn't expect a catholic priest to marry a jewish or muslim or protestant couple.....but I think its kind of ridiculous to have to make a law where its already pretty well been defined.

[loyalsister]

8. It's a bigoted law

Redundancy just to make a hateful point.

[democrattotheend]

9. I don't think they should

I strongly support same sex marriage but I understand that some people feel differently for religious reasons and I think that has to be respected. I do not support forcing clergy to perform same-sex weddings, just like I would not support forcing any doctor to perform an abortion.