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Loading ...New Jersey to vote on gay marriage today
New Jersey’s state senate will vote on gay marriage sometime this afternoon, despite the pro-gay side likely not having the votes to pass the bill. Tomorrow is the last day the state legislature is in session. Gov.-elect Chris Christie, who takes office Jan. 19, opposes same-sex marriage.
From the New Jersey Star-Ledger:“Pro-gay marriage advocates have an uphill fight to get the 21 votes needed for passage in the upper house , as only 13 senators have publicly supported the bill.
“If the bill were to pass the Senate and then pass the Assembly Monday, Gov. Jon Corzine has vowed to sign the measure and make New Jersey the sixth state to allow gay marriage.
“Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) said he’s not sure what will happen, but doesn’t “know of anyone who necessarily has changed their opinion” since last month, when the sponsors concluded there wasn’t enough support and requested it be pulled from a vote.
“Codey said he expects a long debate, but said that once he instructs senators to cast their votes, he won’t wait a long time to see if it will get the 21 needed to pass — unlike past big votes when leaders leave “the board open” until enough arms were twisted to get enough support.”
NO, the NJ Supreme Court already ruled that same-sex couples must be treated equally under the law. Civil unions has proven a failure. Its headed back there.
Straight people wouldn’t (for the most part) know a homosexual if one were to bite them in the ass. This nonsense of leaving something as important as gay marriage up the individual states is utterly stupid. The right to marry within one’s own sex should be a constitutional right. Its as simple as that.
It isn’t going to pass, folks. Remember – it would require Democrats to show courage and moral integrity, as well as strength of character.
Not common attributes in Democrats from states with large populations of blue collar workers (Neanderthals).
David: It may be stupid, but that’s how the law works.
I agree with the Facebook user, let’s head back to court to show our political powerlessness to get the legislature to follow court orders.
Several major lawsuits against state and private organizations that do NOT recognize civil unions as equal to marriage might be impetus for them to get off their asses and enforce the court order.
Codey, Thanks for nutin’ you ahole. Glad to see your sorry azz is leavin’
Let them go on record with this vote. Then, light the fires under the ones who don’t support us–run compelling candidates against them in the next election.
Works for me!
David and Kari, “how the law works” as you say Kari, may soon change. I think David’s point was we should look to the constitution (federal) for our protections. The mass and CA case are doing just that.
Yes, states run marriage..wait, no they don’t because the feds have overstepped their authority on marriage with Doma. So, it simply isn’t currently clear and David has a great point.
of course long shot cases, but it does show that you don’t have to settle for “how the law works” all the time. We have more than the legislative branch for that very reason.
While I’m having connection issues at work you can supposedly watch the live Senate vote here:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/media/live_audio.asp
Choose to “view” the Senate Session.
Keeping Fingers Crossed!