Finneran signals he won't try to block start of gay marriages (Mass)

[Ediacara]

Finneran signals he won't try to block start of gay marriages

By Raphael Lewis and Frank Phillips, Globe Staff, 4/15/2004

House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran said yesterday he does not intend to stop gay couples from marrying in Massachusetts next month, leaving Governor Mitt Romney as the last Beacon Hill leader contemplating a legal strategy to block same-sex marriages.

Finneran, one of the most prominent and powerful foes of gay marriage in Massachusetts government, said there is a minor reference in the state budget proposal House Democrats released yesterday that calls for a report detailing the "revenue and expenditure impact" of gay marriage.

"I don't anticipate any other action," Finneran told reporters during a visit to the Globe's editorial board. The concise statement echoed one he uttered earlier this month at a meeting with the editorial board of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, which reported that the speaker said, "Where it stands now, same-sex marriages will occur" once the ruling takes effect May 17.

More at the Boston Globe

[unblock]

1. republicans WANT gay marriages is massachusetts

i'm sure they're drooling over the prospect of running against the senator from the state of gay marriages.

[Ediacara]

2. Finneran is a Dem though...

That had, IIRC, put up a huge fight against the gay marriage order by the SJC.

[David__77]

3. I want them too.

Marriage equality is the right thing.

I think most Republicans honestly don't want it to happen, with the exception of a handful that see some strategic advantage.

Sometimes there is an electoral price to progress...

[AGD4y2357y]

4. Two things

First of all I HOPE the dem strategy was to pass it now so that Kerry doesn't have to deal with the issue, and they fully intend to fail the amendment the 2nd required vote.

Second - I'm planning on moving to the north east possibly within the next year. (can't wait to get out of this repub hell hole) If I move to MA I suppose I'll be voting against this. Hopefully with marriages going on for around 2 years people will see the sky has NOT fallen, and not want to pass such an amendment.

Also, perhaps other people will be moving to mass in that time. Either people like my self who want to go to a more liberal state, or same sex couples who want to live in a state in which they can be married. This will no doubt contribute to the no votes.

[Maat]

5. Which Republican hellhole do you live in?

I live in SoCal. It used to be liberal. But I'm not sure what is happening now. I fear Repukes have been quietly moving in -- for the last several years -- and I didn't pay attention!

[AGD4y2357y]

6. Texas

The area I live in is so repub I was the only person to show up at the dem precinct convention on primary day. Earlier that day when I went to vote (around 5PM) the repubs in the other room were coming and going consistently. The poll workers in the dem room told me the room was pretty much deserted the entire day.

People around here are blind repub followers. Perfect example happened the other day when I asked a person why he supported bush. He got upset and conceded he didn't have a reason, doesn't even pay attention to what bush does, but he just knows he's great.

I've also been accused of being part of a dem conspiracy to get hillary elected. Funny story actually. I was wearing a kerry button and a repub approached me asking "why are you wearing that? You know he's not who you all are running" to which I asked what he was talking about and he explained how he knew with 100% certainty that Hillary is going to be nominated at the convention, all democrats know about it, and kerry is just a distraction. Looking back on it I should have told him he was right and to start printing up a couple hundred anti-hillary flyers.

[stepnw1f]

7. Finneran is in big trouble

I heard it on the radio. Something about re-districting Boston, at the expense of minority representation. No wonder he is backing off. he has no other choice but to shut up.

I swear he looks like Homer Simpson's boss!!!