Sadly, it's time to ask DUer's to help prevent amending the Constitution

[kevinbgoode]

I hate the idea of having to even ask DUers to spend even five minutes of their time dealing with this topic, but naturally, the rabid Right is desperately trying to force Congress through a flood of postcards, emails, and bullying speech to pass the Federal Marriage Amendment to the Constitution early in June.

While the gay community is certainly not afraid to fight for constitutional rights, we've been hit over and over and over and over again in the past couple of years, and have done pretty well still standing up for ourselves. Still, ya'll know that this is an election year, and Republicans can't exactly run on their record (er...or non-record) of accomplishments, so its time to bash-a-fruit-for-Jesus and demand that our Constitution be amended to write second class citizenship permanently into the most sacred document of our country.

The Human Rights Campaign has a simple site for people to just fill out their names and a postcard will be sent to your senators opposing this travesty and attack upon the basic foundation of American values. Please consider sending one - it's free and only takes a couple of minutes. . .and we need to offset the rabid campaigns already being launched by America's most notorious anti-gay industries.

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/fma_postcards


Thank you. . .

[Peanutcat]

1. Gee, with an attitude like that

Why would you expect any help?

[NMDemDist2]

3. gee with an attitude like that

bet you don't win the "Ms. Congeniality" contests do ya?

[Peanutcat]

13. If someone's gonna ask for my help

They can ask for it without being an ass about it. I'm just being an ass right back.

[emcguffie]

16. What on earth are you talking about? n/t

[Peanutcat]

20. I hate the idea of having to even ask DUers to spend even five minutes of

That's not the way to ask people for help.

[Maven]

31. ???

He meant it in a modest way, because the issue arises a lot. Where are you seeing attitude?

[demobabe]

48. It's okay - don't jump on the guy for this

I think what they mean is that the Marriage Amendment is so stupid, they shouldn't HAVE to ask DUers to pay attention to it for it's sheer idiocy. This stupid Amendment keeps popping up just in time for elections, and is nothing more than a ploy to remove our attention from the important issues to defend ourselves while it gets out the vote of the Christians to react to an emotional issue.

I just can't imagine all the crap gays must put up with - they're on the front line politically all the time, and I can understand this poster being worn down by a group on the warpath to do whatever they can to outlaw them (they would if they could, you know). Gays losing rights is just one more step to all of us losing rights.

[kevinbgoode]

17. Sorry you feel that way.

But I'd rather not have this hijacked over your interpretation...the issue is too important. But thanks for reading anyway.

[dsc]

34. It would seem apparent that he means

that he is sad he has to ask given that no other minority faces this kind of campaign.

[LostinVA]

47. How in the world were they being an ass???

[Pacifist Patriot]

51. You have an odd sense of asshood. I saw a polite request for help.

[ooglymoogly]

53. peanutcat you are an ass

there is no hostility in that post...just a request for help and from me he gets it. so blow your hostility out your ass and stop trying to blow smoke up ours.

[H2O Man]

6. Nonsense.

The OP has the right attitude. Count me in.

[mom cat]

49. I agree. The message is too important to quibble with a few words.

K&R

[Rockholm]

58. WTF are you talking about?

[NMDemDist2]

2. glad to help, for what it's worth with MY senators and reps n/t

[MuseRider]

4. Did it the other day.

This is terribly important so thanks for posting it. :hi:

Everyone needs to be part of this. Education Education Education It works, it really does. Speak out, join your local groups and be a part of the solution.

[originalpckelly]

5. Just a little note: amendments take 2/3 to pass both houses. (n/t)

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

8. Iow,

virtually any amendment is doomed to failure these days.

[zeemike]

19. And I might add

Must be ratified by 2/3 of the states

[TechBear_Seattle]

27. 3/4, not 2/3

Once an amendment has been passed by 2/3 of both houses of Congress separately, it must be ratified by 3/4 of the states, or 38 of them. It only takes 13 No votes to permanently quash an Amendment.

[zeemike]

39. Thanks for that correction

[heartofthesiskiyou]

29. deleted by writer

[enlightenment]

30. And even if they get the 2/3rds majority,

the amendment must be ratified by 3/4 of the states, and there is usually a time limit (7 to 10 years) after which it dies.
That's pretty much the kiss of death to amendments these days.

I'm not saying you shouldn't be concerned, but literally hundreds of amendments are proposed in every legislative session -- only 33 have ever reached the ratification stage.

This web site has a list of the proposed amendments since 1990 that didn't make it out of Congress -- take a look at the 2003-2004 session.

http://www.usconstitution.net/constamprop.html

[Progressive4Life]

7. Done!

The Constitution should not be used as a tool of discrimination.

[Metta]

9. Done. Important. Thanks.

How far from Jesus can they get? ... looks like they'll die trying.

[FloridaPat]

10. The states still have to approve it. I forget the margin 60 or 75%

of the states. I don't think it will make. Not enough people really for this crap.

[Tuesday_Morning]

11. Done!

[stillcool]

12. happy to oblige....

[katinmn]

14. Done!

We've been fighting to keep this out of our state constitution as well. We have one jackass state senator, Michelle Bachmann, a far right loonie, who has made the gay marriage amendment her life's devotion. She is probably the most reviled politician in MN besides Norm Coleman. I can't understand what crossed the minds of the idiots in her district that voted her in.

I can understand your frustration. It seems inconceivable that we have to fight to prevent discrimination being put into the Constitution.

[anitar1]

15. Done n/t

[WePurrsevere]

18. Done, K & R... although I think this is neo-con base kiss up w/slim chance

of passing to the next step... it's better to be safe then sorry and let our reps know were we stand.

[kevinbgoode]

25. I agree....and we've unfortunately learned that the drama queens

on the Right will throw tantrums longer than any two-year-old when they start making demands. . .or perhaps have received too much sugared grape juice during communion at their local fundie watering hole. . .

Thanks. . .here's hoping the Right doesn't get the votes in either House. . .or even get closer than last year. But they have a major push going on, including using the Knights of Columbus and every Catholic bishop and cardinal in sight, along with the regular cast of cartoon characters from our abuse-the-airwaves send-your-checks-to-Jesus fundy shows.

[Zenlitened]

21. Done. Thanks.

:hi:

[heartofthesiskiyou]

22. Early June huh.. Just before an election in Nov.

Is there something rotten around here or is that odor from the close proximity to Carl Rove.

[WhollyHeretic]

38. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[BigBearJohn]

23. Done

[Name removed]

24. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TechBear_Seattle]

26. Done, not that I have any high hopes

Patty Murray voted in favor of the "Defense" of Marriage Act and helped institute anti-gay bigotry into federal law, and has continuously defended her vote against quite a bit of public complaint.

Maria Cantwell routinely rubber-stamps whatever her GOP overlords ask of her.

I doubt very much either would vote against the marriage amendment, much less actively work against it.

[WhollyHeretic]

28. Done. Absolutely fucking disgusting that people are trying to add

discrimination to the constitution in the twenty first century.

[Maven]

32. Done, of course. n/t

[Tigress DEM]

33. Not to sound stupid....

but isn't there a difference between "marriage" and "civil unions"?

I want gays to have their rights respected, but the word marriage can go to the right if they are so adamnant about it --- as long as gays can live with and co-insure and have visit them in the hospital the person they choose.

I don't see the point of fighting over that word, because I think it's a futile battle.

I do want to see anti-hate crime legislation as well and bozo's like that preacher who disrupts funerals et al... be issued a restraining order of at least 500 yards away from anyone he might harrass. Fred Phelps? Yeah, that's the creep.

[kevinbgoode]

45. I believe the wording of this amendment will dispose of

civil unions as well, and likely any domestic partnership laws.

[Tigress DEM]

61. Well, why don't we win following the example of the wingnuts?

Say we give you "marriage" that's your biblical thing, now stay away from civil unions or domestic partnership laws, and shut up.

And maybe us Christians should stand up to Phelps and say - God doesn't demand we HATE Anyone. Jesus NEVER ordered a beat down of a gay or black person.

[w8liftinglady]

35. done-and sent to my gay friends

[Nicole]

36. Done

However my Senators are Coburn & Inhofe so I expect them to file it in the trash ASAP.

[Zodiak]

37. Done!

The more the merrier.

[RedCappedBandit]

40. Done n/t

[nofurylike]

41. done. thank you, kevinbgoode! in solidarity! eom

[davidinalameda]

42. with the homophobia that is sometimes evident on here

I'd hesitate to ask for assitance as well

[Kurovski]

43. Done and recommended.

And...you're welcome.:hi:

[Maat]

44. Already done!

My beloved Constitution will not be used to deny equal protection of the law to any American!

[WhollyHeretic]

46. Morning kick

:kick:

[porphyrian]

50. There's nothing wrong with opposing bad Constitutional amendments.

In fact, as they affect us all, it is our duty as American citizens to see that our elected representatives don't abuse their power, especially in amending the Constitution.

[Pacifist Patriot]

52. Gladly done. K & R

[lisby]

54. Done!

My pleasure! This is never too important an issue to ignore!

:grouphug:


Lisby

[ulysses]

55. done. n/t

[ComerPerro]

56. You guys are in a really tough spot with all this, anyway

because of how the argument is framed.

People who might otherwise be described (by some, that is) as good, nice, caring people are being tricked into voting for very bigoted anti-gay laws, ones that not only ban gays from getting married, but rules out the possiblity of any type of civil union or legal recognition (read as: protection) for their relationship.

And they are all conned the same way: "Gays shouldn't marry. Marriage should just be for a man and woman".



The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

At least, I would like to believe that many of these people at least have good intentions. But I am starting to doubt it.

[windy252]

57. Done.

It's eerily familiar how similar the Republican campaign is to 2004.

[immoderate]

59. Preserving the Constitution is important.

Thanks for posting this.:patriot:

--IMM

[ninkasi]

60. Done...

It's a shame that some people will sink to depths so low that they try to legalize their bigotry. This issue to me is crystal clear...it's about equal rights. If such an amendment were to pass, it would allow some self-righteous pricks to impose their own views on other people. With gay marriage legal, nobody is forced to do anything. These homophobes are disgusting in their hatred and ignorance. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the op's request for help, either.

[bigwillq]

62. DONE!

Thanks for the link! :hi:

[racaulk]

63. Done with pleasure!

Although I'm sure my postcards will be totally ignored by Chambliss and Isaakson. :eyes:

[ruggerson]

64. Kick n/t

[kevinbgoode]

65. um...one more kick

and another thank you. . .