Prop. 8 witness warns of societal upheaval (This is their star witness?)

[Kadie]

Prop. 8 witness warns of societal upheaval
Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 27, 2010


(01-26) 18:53 PST SAN FRANCISCO -- Opponents of same-sex marriage in California rolled out their star witness Tuesday, an author and advocate who predicted that allowing gays and lesbians to wed would discourage heterosexual marriage and might lead to legalized polygamy.

Extending marital rights to couples who cannot conceive children would change marriage from "a child-based public institution to an adult-centered private institution" and "weaken the role of marriage generally in society," David Blankenhorn, founder of the Institute for American Values, testified at a trial in San Francisco federal court on the constitutionality of the state's ban on same-sex marriage.

Blankenhorn, the trial's last scheduled witness, said he believes "leading scholars" share his view that same-sex marriage would weaken heterosexuals' respect for the institution and accelerate a half-century-old trend of increased cohabitation and rising divorce rates.

But under cross-examination by a lawyer for two same-sex couples, Blankenhorn was unable to cite any supporting statements or evidence for that conclusion from the scholars he relied on for his testimony, though he said he was sure some of them would agree with him.

Plaintiffs' lawyer David Boies also pointed to a passage in Blankenhorn's 2007 book, "The Future of Marriage," that appeared to contradict his entire position.

"We would be more American on the day we permitted same-sex marriage than we were on the day before," Blankenhorn wrote.

He said Tuesday he still holds that view, and also believes that allowing gays and lesbians to marry would probably be good for the couples and their children.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/27/BAN91BO3RB.DTL#ixzz0dvR6R0w6

[Luminous Animal]

1. I've been following the live blogging of this trial here:

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/

It's been fascinating.

[Kadie]

6. I tried to follow when the trial first began,

but have not been able to keep up with it. Looks like Olson and Boies are doing a great job.

[Zenlitened]

2. K&R. This goes right to the very core of the "defense of marriage" argument.

Which is, that there is no core there at all. There is absolutely NOTHING to support such a wild-eyed claim. In fact, if Massachusetts is any guide, there is evidence that respecting ALL marriages benefits everyone.

FACT: The opposition to marriage equality is based entirely on lies.

The entire movement is grotesquely immoral on its face and in its core. Far from defending American values, it actively corrodes American values.

The time for debate is over. All the arguments have been made. It's time to make marriage equality the law of the land.

[stopbush]

4. Based on iies derived from Christianity.

If Christian belief weren't involved, this wouldn't even be an issue.

[Zenlitened]

5. Religionism in general is the problem, I'd agree. - n/t

[gratuitous]

3. Actual toll on society? Fuhgeddaboudit

The speculative toll on society? Oh my stars and garters! Get the fainting couch, smelling salts and my best clutching pearls! Yes, men and women will stop marrying each other if same sex couples are allowed to get married. Brilliant!

As for the real world problems real people face because of this real bigotry? Peanuts in Blankenhorn's mind compared to the problems he can imagine, but can't really support with any evidence.