PORTLAND, Maine — U.S. Rep. Barney Frank said Saturday night during a talk in Portland he hopes to marry fiance and Ogunquit resident Jim Ready in Maine, calling on those in attendance to vote to legalize gay marriage at the polls in November.
“We want marriage equality not just for all LGBT people, but for ourselves,” he said. “We want to get married in Massachusetts this year, but we want to get married next year in Maine.”
The acerbic and pull-no-punches approach Frank has become known for was on full display during his speech in Maine’s largest city as the Massachusetts Democrat called for cuts in defense spending and maintaining the current retirement age, and decried what he described as the disappearance from Congress of moderate Republicans.
“There are no moderate Republicans left, with the exception of a few who would vote with us when it doesn’t make any difference,” Frank said. “It’s the most rigid ideological party since before the Civil War. … The bumper sticker I’m going to have printed up for Democrats this year is, ‘We’re not perfect, but they’re nuts.’”
Frank was one of the honorees and the keynote speaker Saturday night at the Maine People’s Alliance 30th anniversary Rising Tide awards dinner, held at Woodford’s Congregational Church in Portland.
The organization also handed out awards to the Maine Education Association, the state teachers union, and state Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, for their efforts promoting progressive causes in recent years. Others given Rising Tide awards Saturday were exemplary Maine People’s Alliance volunteers from around the state: Jim Willis, Scott Murray, Heidi Brooks, Kevin Simpson, Tim Conmee, Dick Bissell, Wil Tippi and Democratic Maine House candidate Rachel Sukeforth of Litchfield.
Frank announced last fall his current term in the U.S. House of Representatives will be his last, ending a run in Congress that began with his election to the chamber in 1980. But he suggested the fact he doesn’t have to run for re-election won’t change his message much — he always has been outspoken, but now people won’t wonder if his bluntness is an effort to appeal to voters, he said.
“I want America to be the strongest country in the world,” he said of defense spending, “but we are now far stronger than we need to be.”
Frank said the United States still canfire thermonuclear warheads at the former Soviet Union three ways — by airplane, submarine and by land-based missile systems.
“It sounds like a joke, but I want to say to the Pentagon: ‘You know the three ways we have to destroy the Soviet Union? Pick two. I would feel very safe with just two ways to beat the Soviet Union.’ That’s billions of dollars [that could be saved],” said Frank, who was introduced Saturday by fellow Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine.
The Harvard Law School graduate spoke strongly in favor of free speech — “You can call me a fag, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re in the banking industry,” said the former chairman and current ranking Democrat of the House Financial Services Committee — as well as the importance of “pragmatic” compromise in the Legislature and the need for members of the Occupy movement to be active at the polls.
“Taking facts into account is not a weakness,” Frank said.
Frank is the namesake, along with former Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, often described as the most significant regulatory reform of the financial sector since the aftermath of the Great Depression.
Also Saturday night, an informal straw poll of Maine People’s Alliance members and supporters conducted by text message found that most who responded favored former Secretary of State Matt Dunlap in the crowded race to replace retiring Republican Olympia Snowe in the U.S. Senate. While no numbers were announced, state Sen. Cynthia Dill of Cape Elizabeth finished second, followed by independent former Gov. Angus King, state Rep. Jon Hinck of Portland and, in fifth, Republican Rick Bennett.
Though people will bend over backwards to deny it, MANY of those who oppose Obama do so because he is black, and Barney Frank because he is gay. Get over it! They are both ELECTED officials, meaning that the majority of people wanted them to serve. Too bad the same can’t be said for our own 38% Guv…
Baldacci was a 38% guy.
. . . in an election in which a strong majority of the vote was split among other Democrats.
It’s not the same. If you cannot see that, well, then, you can’t.
Merrill left the party and ran as an independent, I nearly voted for her, but unable to win I voted differently. 62% of the state didnt want baldacci either. If you cannot see that, well, then, you can’t.
The Liberals can use every excuse they want. But they ran awful candidates this last election. When you have 2 Career Politicians and Government Establishment folks in Eliot Cutler (Carter Administration , Ed Muskie, Washington Trial Lawyer and Lobbyist) and Libby Mitchell (nearly 40 years in Augusta) who can’t even excite a Majority of Liberals into voting for them then they along with Liberals (Democrats) have serious problems. The fact that Cutler who should have won this election easily most election experts considered him the frontrunner couldn’t beat LePage shows how bad a politician Cutler is. The guy has an awful personality he is boring as watching paint dry, his voice makes him sound very grumpy at times angry . His wealthy and elitist attitude also as well rubs alot of folks the wrong way. Him aligning with his buddy Angus King and his friends who are very corrupt would have made alot of folks angry. Folks want Cutler to run in 2014. He shouldn’t. He would do worse in 2014 if decent folks decide to run . The Liberals could nominate Rosa Scarcelli with all her faults and she would have a good chance of beating LePage because she ran as a Republican in a Democrat Primary. She had good ideas, good economic policies though it would never be embraced by Liberals because it would cut the amount of folks on Welfare. I don’t want to hear the excuses about how great King and Baldacci were both were awful King was elected with only 35% in 1994. He won re-election because he ran against 4th tier candidates. Baldy didn’t get 50% either time with 38% of the vote in his re-election bid if he had another 10 days and a couple of more debates he would have lost to Barbara Merrill. Barbara Merrill and Scarcelli is what Liberals should look at if they want to defeat LePage in 2014 that is their best chances both are moderate to conserative on most issues. Which would be good to draw in independents (like myself) and other conservative folks. But I expect the Liberals will either support Cutler again, or possibly either Emily Cain , or Hannah Pingree. None of the 3 would excite any voter.
Ever heard of a paragraph?
Typical, another saying if one disagrees with the President or Barney(Hey did anybody see my page)Frank, they are racist or a homo-phobe.
I’m neither, and I am pro-gay marriage.I just happen to disagree with them on policy. I AM ALLOWED TO DO SO.
Attempting to distract from the issues is a common tact of those who can’t stomp their feet into getting what they want and don’t have a positive record to run on.
Governor Walker’s recall showed that although the PUBLIC UNION stomped, the PEOPLE of WISCONSIN made them shrink and look petty. Was that vote lost because of racism? Nope, it was the WILL OF THE PEOPLE. It wasn’t even close enough to enable the DNC attorneys to file for a recount.
It’s funny how people like you bring race and bias into the picture so often, people don’t like Obama because he’s a corrupted Chicago politician that was propelled into power, and Barney Frank because he thinks he did all this good for the economy when he really just made a complicated mess of laws and regulations. When I say “don’t like” I mean as a politician. I don’t know either of these people personally – it could be that I could sit down with the three of them for lunch and have a great time, I do it all the time with liberals and it’s not a big deal for me. To not like some one because of their personal status of some kind is something completely different.
Since this post did not violate any of BDN’s posting rules I am unclear why it was flagged and removed so I am reposting it!
What a bunch of crap. I am so sick and tired of people playing the race card to try an justify why people oppose Obama. They oppose Obama because his policies and class warfare are doing nothing but further dividing this country. They oppose him because he is more concerned about getting re-elected that putting people back to work. No one is against Frank because he is gay. They are against him because he is one of the leading causes of the collapse in the housing market and the current state of the economy. The only people who wanted Frank to serve were people in Massachusetts until they finally got tired of him and redefined the district which is why he chose not to run again.
If enough people flag your comment it goes bye bye. The BDN has a magic number and when that magic number is hit your comment becomes flagged for review. I have no clue how many different people have to flag a comment.
So your comment can be 100% legit such as the one above and if enough people just don’t like you the comment above can go poof as well.
SO WHAT? They can have any reason at all to dislike both Barney and Obama for ANY reason they see fit, who are you to set yourself up as arbiter for their reasons why? It’s still a free country.
Obama is a left wing person who thinks the Constitution is hindrance to government. People do not like him for that his race has nothing to do with it.
Barny Frank the person who’s policies are single handily responsible for the housing crash is financially irresponsible. This has nothing to do with who he wants to or does sleep with.
Funny how the person who posts this claims that people are hateful based on race and sexual preference chooses to trash talk the Governor of Maine in the same statement. Who is really the prejudiced person here?
Why do I cringe everytime I see Chellie Pingree? Its like an autonomic impulse… I just know her default position will be the wrong one…
Where in the world are you from? Certainly not the U.S. You must be a 1. Democrat, 2. a communist, and 3. From China or Russia. Did you take a poll of the people in the U.S. in order to come up with your conclusions? I do not know what you are smoking, but it is effecting your brain (well maybe not, it does appear though that it is shrinking).
i cant stand him or chellie pingree
If you live in the Second District, you can rejoice; Pingree won’t ask for your vote, and Frank probably could care less about who you or I or anyone can or can’t stand.
http://nlpc.org/category/people/s-donald-sussman
Our Guv is at least putting the brakes on the free spenders that have run loose in this state. Whats obama done? sunk us deeper in debt. one term and out!!
You don’t know what you are talking about because you obviously get all your information from the corrupt liars at the corporate propaganda FAKE-News channel or from the drug addict Rush Limpmind. The Maine guv is an abject arrogant bully and toadie for the corporate right wing intent on destroying the middle class and selling off the state and nation to the highest corporate bidder like the job killer RoMONEY did at Bain Capital. Obama inherited the Bush Recession with the Bush Ultra-Debt after Bush and the RePubs squandered the large surplus they were handed. Obama then saved us from going into a Great Depression, and has created over 4 million private sector jobs over the last 27 months of straight job growth, and we would be much further if the do-nothing RePubs would pass the jobs bill which wouldn’t add a dime to the debt and would create a million more jobs very soon. But oh no. That would be a good thing for Americans. Instead, they want to destroy jobs with more insane tax cuts for billionaires so they can hide their money in the Cayman Islands and pay half the tax rates as everyone else just like your corrupt buddy RoMONEY does. As to debt, obviously with the Bush Recession we received less government revenue and the stimulus was needed to stop the Bush Recession and prevent the Bush Depression. Still, a two trillion dollars in spending cuts over ten years has already been passed by Obama and federal spending is at its lowest levels in years. Please find some real information. Republicans are anti-middle class, anti-Christian JOB KILLERS who cheer for joy every time a U.S. factory goes to China. And then you stand there and celebrate that rottenness. It is just sickening. PS: The TeaPubs are going to take a serious pounding here in Maine come November. Bank on it. Mainers have had enough of them and LeBUFFOON.
one term and gone!!!! the man failed , get over it!!! LEPAGE FOR PRESIDENT!!!!
I am confused about this “surplus” that you are saying was squandered by Bush. Before any one hammers me for being a right wing whatever or a liberal whatever the question has NOTHING to do with my personal politics. As a history buff and liking a good discussion/argument, I am intrigued by your comment. The last time the US was NOT in debt was for one month in January 1835. When Andrew Jackson paid off the US debt and the US actually had money in the checking account. Ever since then every president/congress has put the US further and further into debt. Can you (for the sake of a good discussion) explain this surplus which you are talking about?
Ok then please show us who you would do things. O wait you guys have been running the state for FORTY years and are the ones who got us into the mess we are in. LEt me ask you how your house works do you work like LePage and spend no more then you take in OR like the last string of governors who spend more more and more no matter how little was coming in?
$ 300,000 present to his republican buddy Vigue is hitting the brakes?
The only thing that Lepage is doing is changing where the spending gos!
THINGS ARE LOOKING BRIGHTER NOW FOR THE STATE! 4 MORE YEARS WITH A CLOWN LIKE BALDY AND WE WOULD HAVE NEVER DUG OUT!! GO PAUL!!! and dlbrt there is an e in goes
Is Ricky Rotten Cousin to Ricky Bobby, Ratso Rizzo or Both??
I lost the e ? huh?
I guess that I just don’t have much self disciplin in spelling, but sure am having alot of fun!
LOL
Name one president who hasn’t sunk us deeper in debt!
Sure, come out of the closet. Human nature makes most people somewhat irrepressively discriminating. People look for reasons -why- they do not warm-up to this person or that. So, come out of the closet. It is sure to win some friends, -and alienate others-.
That is the problem with emphasizing your sexuality in public. It is not a question of freedom or liberation for gays. It is a question of priorities. It is a question of social etiquette.
Let me provide an example.
Face it, if in a place of work -or- even in just a social setting -someone is highly attracted to another person of the -opposite- sex, one who does NOT share this attraction, -look out-.
You can make certain, this is going to cause waves. It might make the rounds, becoming a real sore spot, one that even might drive one from their employment, or out of a social setting.
It is not a question of tolerance. It is a question of social etiquette.
Everyone thinks they are God’s gift to the planet, right Barney Frank? The problem is, none of us are. And the more we make that unfortunate circumstance apparent to others, the fewer freedoms we will be allowed to cherish during our short lives.
I am a white, athletic, straight, alpha male, age sixty-two. Some people do not like me for what I am. Some people go out of their way to give me a hard time, or make me stumble. They are intolerant of me. And I am just as intolerant of them, when is see it happen.
But I also know, everyone in the world has something to offer. These intolerances cut me off from some things in this world. I do the best I can, and continue on. Life is too short. But I do not go out of my way to express my sexual preference in public.
It is one thing to have gay friends, friends you know are gay. It is quite another thing to put on a bikini and a large feathered hat to march in the gay pride parade with them. Some people would do that, I know.
But my advice would be, emphasize something else about your tolerant persona, something less likely to erect social barriers.
Some people are going to be left out of every crowd. Everyone fits into some stereotype or other. And some people will erect barriers and exclude them on that basis.
That’s human nature.
I disagree with you. I think as straight people we don’t recognize how much we project our sexuality or preferences. It’s very common to see a straight couple holding hands in public or a straight teacher with a photo of her spouse on her classroom desk — do you really think it’s common that gay people do these things? It’s common that they wear bikinis or whatever you references?
The fact is that gay kids are being bullied to death around the country and they’re made to feel less than. I see nothing wrong with adults “coming out” and providing role models; demonstrating that it’s alright to be gay and your situation will get better. The only way for this not to be an issue is to let the truth be known and that’s that gay people are just as good as anyone else.
Ok, what I get from you comment is that you think it would be better for people who are ‘different’ to hide those differences, so that they don’t have to face intolerance, because it is human nature to be intolerant. It also seems like you don’t particularly care for pride parades. If you have ever seen an entire pride parade, you would know they are simply a good example of diversity in the gay community. There are usually just as many people and groups wearing suits or formal wear as there are wearing more provocative outfits. It could also be argued that LGBT people are simply trying not to hide what is also their human nature. We can’t help that some people are intolerant of something we cannot control. Social etiquette? So two gay people walking down the street holding hands, is not practicing the same social etiquette of heterosexuals? I see countless PDAs from ‘straight’ couples all the time, which are publicly expressing their sexual preference. This should somehow be different for another person, simply because they are gay?
Men and women have been attracted to friends and co-workers for as long as there have been friends and co-workers. What you need to focus on is that people don’t run around jumping on each other whether it be gay or straight. Take the “tolerance” out and let’s try “acceptance”.. One often entails hiding racist opinions.The other means dumping the ignorance and understanding that people are people nothing more nothing less.
I can’t stand that word, YUCK, “Tolerance”
….
Gadael seriously do you have ANY empirical evidence/data to show that people “do not like” President Obama “because he is a black man and they do not like Barney Frank because he is a gay man”?
And Governor Romney IS running a campaign to defeat the incumbent President…just like Senator John Kerry ran a campaign to defeat the incumbent President in 2004. If the goal is not to defeat the incumbent why run at all?
Any empirical evidence?
Well, for empirical evidence that people dislike Barney Frank because he’s gay, just read some of the revoltingly homophobic comments posted here: “Barney Frank bends over every chance he gets, wheeeeeee,,,,,,,,,,” “Bawney Fwank’s bumper sticker: ‘We’re not perfect, but they’re nuts. I like nuts.’”
As for Obama: ever notice how often conservatives refer to him as “Barack HUSSEIN Obama”?
How often they refer to him as “Kenyan,” even though he was born in America and grew up in Indonesia?
How often they complain about black people, and complain about “reverse racism,” and call black civil rights advocates “race baiters”?
How they mocked him when he talked about Trayvon?
How they call the First Lady a slob, and portray her as having a “welfare queen” mentality, and talk about how big her behind is (even though it’s not actually big at all)?
How they accuse the President of being a Muslim?
How they still think he’s not an American citizen, despite there being no proof whatsoever to back up that accusation?
How they call him “uppity”?
How every time someone points out their racism, they accuse that person of “playing the race card”?
The “empirical evidence” is overwhelming, JD. The only way anyone could possibly miss it is if they refused to see it.
and how in the 2008 campaign commenters openly and with pride and no shame used the N word?? Rush’s “song ” about “the magic negro”?
Steve…maybe you should turn the dial of your radio from WVOM after 9 in the morning and lock it in on “The Pulse”. You will hear many of the same things said about Republicans.
I’ve listened to Ed Shultz and his fill in call people “stupid”, “ignorant”, etc…I have heard Stephanie Miller make “fart” jokes and other junior high school level commentary too.
The right and left wing talking heads do the same thing while claiming they don’t. Open your ears ad listen to BOTH sides and you will receive an excellent education on “hate” speech from both sides.
Well put! Somewhere in the middle of the two extremes is where this country needs to be! I just wish we had an actual candidate that was running on the middle ground!
I am so tired of the far right AND far left trying to hijack the political system of our country when the majority of the people ARE in the middle.
You won’t get a disagreement from me.
I agree,
it’s kind of like a tug of war however, if you are the one not resisting you are gonna end up in the Drink!
None of what you listed is evidence of racism, just disconnected talking points.
Out of every talking point you just made, none of them even make reference to racism. Some may be false, some may be true, and some may be childish, but none contain any racism.
The fact is who cares where the guy comes from , what his race is etc.. The bottom line is his policies are awful they haven’t done anything to improve the economy , it has made things worse. Everything from groceries, gasoline , utility costs are all gone through the roof. The Bailouts not worth wasting the time I along with everyone else on here have talked about it enough. The businesses don’t want to use the cash they are sitting on to create jobs because they know NOBAMA will do everything to put them under. Our debt is now just under $16 trillion with more talk of another recession, more credit downgrades. He doesn’t deserve re-election to Majority of Americans we just want to know when he is going to leave so the damage is done. He will get 2 defeats very soon with Obamacare ruling likely possibly as early as tomorrow, and on November 6th when Americans will be smart enough to vote him and all of the Dems out of office.
What Obama ” DID ” Worked,
Osama Bin Laden is Dead— General motors is alive.
What Obama “Didn’t Do ” —Failed
and the Congress caused the Differance.
Full Democratic Ticket in 2012,
Lets put the “We” into Yes We Can !
Obama 2012
WOW!
Are you denying the existence of Bigotry?
Decades of proof of that inherant negative human nature?
Running to defeat the incumbent is a diservice in any election, the true intent should not be political ideology but service to the community.
And where have I stated that “bigotry” doesn’t exist hmmm? You will have a huge problem proving that I have because I haven’t.
“Running to defeat the incumbent is a diservice in any election, the true
intent should not be political ideology but service to the community.”
Maybe I will have to save the above quote of yours for future use in the 2012 Governors race here in Maine. Very interesting comment.
Your obscession with ammo , is only exceeded by the NRA!
Dlbrt “ammo”?
I’ll be ready!
But I reserve the right to use the Romney Plan!
I stick by what I said!
(What ever it was!)
or Use the Etch a Sketch and erase and start over!
LOL
So may one assume that since you have not responded to “And where have I stated that “bigotry” doesn’t exist hmmm” that you have not been able to?
Way to stay on point D.
No, probably trying to deny you are actually living on earth.
….
Gadael I have also listened to many people and not one person has commented on the Presidents race as being a problem. Not one. They have issues with his policies. Issues with “Obamacare”. Issues with the economy. Issues with his stand on many things but not ONCE have I heard one person says they dislike him or hate him because of the color of his skin.
Maybe you should check the people you hang out with as they don’t sound like very nice people to judge anyone based on the color of their skin or who they sleep with. Oh, I also travel all around northern, central and eastern Maine so I am exposed to a large cross section of Maine too.
Thanks JD ,
Our vice president said worse than what most non Obama supporters say and said:
“I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” Biden said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”
But that’s okay to these folks who really don’t want to discuss issues.
My expectation would have been that if Biden was a republican, THE MEDIA would have FORCED HIS recall !
“I have also listened to many people and not one person has commented on the Presidents race as being a problem. Not one.”
They don’t openly admit to being racist? Well then, obviously their views of Obama aren’t influenced by racist thoughts even one single tiny bit!!!! /sarcasm
Even many white supremacists don’t like to call themselves “racists” (they often prefer euphemistic terms like “racial realists” or “white nationalists”). There are many reasons why conservatives dislike Obama, and unfortunately one of those reasons is the fact that he’s a black man. You’d have to be a fool – or, more likely, willfully ignorant – not to realize this.
Bottom line…not everyone that doesn’t support President Obama is a “racist”. Is “racism” a factor ffor some people yes…just like “sexism” was a factor for Palin.
But to say everyone that doesn’t support President Obama is a “racist” is very small minded of people.
comments in the comment section here and else where for at least the last 3 years ?
Do you always base your conclusions on limited, non-scientific interactions such as a “newspaper” comment section?
I’m confused. First it was racism and homophobia, now it’s the Tea Party/ Republicans. Would you please make up your mind.
When asked his race, President Obama could just have easily chosen to be white. That choice however would not have afforded him all the special privileges that come with being African-American. President Obama’s ancestory have no connection to slavery so he has no true connection with real African-Americans. One could asked the question, why didn’t he claim to be African? Or one could ask the bigger question, why didn’t he simply claim to be an American?
As for class warfare, that was begun by President Obama with his idea of “spread the wealth”. Here’s an idea, why don’t you right to President Obama and ask him to have all his multi-millionare and billionare friends to just donate some of their money to the poor people in America. They’d still be the richest people in the world, all the poor people would be debt free and the economy would take off like a rocket.
“Romney is running a campaign that is solely based on defeating Obama, that is his only concern. He does not care about poor people as he’s said….” I believe it was just the other day that President Obama said the private sector is “doing fine”. I guess we know who is really out of touch!
If he had chosen White for his race, you and people like you would have been OK with that?
I wouldn’t have a problem with that. I don’t understand why we have race listed as a question anyway. If you were born in America your are an Amercian. If you were born in China you are Chinese. If you were born in Canada you are Canadian. One of the reasons racism still exists is because there are people in the world who believe we still have to identify people by groups.
Disagree. We can’t have pride in who we are and where we came from? I’m very proud to be a Mainer, an Acadian, a French speaker, Miqmaq, etc. Pride isn’t the origin of racism. The origin of racism is ignorance and hatred. There is nothing wrong with being different and there is especially nothing wrong with being proud.
Pride comes before a fall – and america is falling
…..
….
“American of Swedish descent” , not” Swedish -American”?
Racism is all about hating someone who is not like yourself. The hatred for Irish and Italian immigrants was based on the racism of the time.
” Fine ”
I hear that knee jerk reaction all the time, Ask the quy hit by the buss lying in the emergency room,
He Joe!
How ya doin’n
Answ: “Fine”
LOL
(Only, a Lyntch Mob sitting in the waiting room would catch that slip!)
///////
gee you just made the point .
Obama is a true African-American.
His father was African and his mother was American and he was born in Hawaii, just like I am English-American. My mother was born in England and my father was born in Maine.
What does that Make Romney?
His grandad Moved to Mexico to be able to have Multiple Wives! They then Moved back.
Would that make him a Gringo B—— or a Son of a B—-
Your first paragraph is totally and patently divisively untrue. Regarding your observation of Romney only wanting to win: Isn’t that what all candidates do in any election?
He favors free speech but threatens those who he has the power to hurt if they use such free speech! He is tolerant only to the point you disagree with him. His level of maturity is exemplified by his willingness to call an entire elected body “nuts”. Watching him chastise a Harvard student respectfully asking a relevant question that had a premise Frank disagreed with was an embarrassment to the institution he represents. History will reveal his legacy, but to me it is predictable. I wish him the best but am gratefull he is retiring.
No trial. No freedom of speech. Just put people you don’t like in jail.
I like the way you people think!
Thanks for your support.
My dad is against him because he is black.
I doubt that, but if it’s true then your father should claim minority status the next time he applys for a job or a loan.
I know plenty of people who, with a wink and a nod, say that his race is not why they are against him.
so is my mom and her sister.. and her mother.. and her sister too… shame on them
So you are making fun of him because of the way he talks? Must be nice for you to be so perfect.
Jeez, and I want to get married because I love my partner of 13 years.
Good luck Seth! Some day everyone will look back at this fight (much like we do other major issues of personal rights from our history) and realize how stupid the “fight” really has been!
You mean one of the guys that made the mess of the whole Savings and Loan fiasco.
Wow… that’s refreshing. You’ve coined the expression, “Playing the race card.” Neat. Most people could not think that up on their own.
The ONLY thing I DON”T find objectionable about Frank is that he’s gay.
What a self centered blowhard.
He’s on the right side of this issue but he really is just a big old mean alpha queen.
Does Jesus want you calling people “self-centered blowhards”? I thought you right wingers loved Jesus? Doesn’t he teach peace and unconditional love? Why are you so anti-Christian?
Stereotyping and generalizing much? I am a conservative. And I am agnostic. And most conservatives I know are not holy roller devotees of any particular religion.
Sadly, though, those are the ones that get the press and make the most noise. The true conservative of the George Will and William F. Buckley, Jr., ilk is either dead or missing-in-action. They have been replaced with Jerry Falwell clones.
Since you mentioned him, did you happen to read the article about Canada’s years with gay marriage in the National Review? Maybe have a discussion about it?
No, I have not. I know SSM has been in Canada for probably at least a decade by now. I try to keep up on the news there. I have not heard of any negative consequences as a result of SSM in Canada, or in any other country, for that matter.
I took the opportunity to read the National Review article with the expected slant they would provide. http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/301641/canadian-crackdown-michael-coren#
Here is what I would say about the situation, and as you can imagine, I disagree with the mindset justifying the, “considered and empathetic opposition to same-sex marriage.”
I hope you would understand that to us, the “considered and empathetic opposition to same-sex marriage,” is completely unjustified and reeks of the same arguments used in history to deny other groups their civil rights.
Here is the crux of it – either you believe there is a separate entity called secular marriage or you don’t. If you believe a male and a female can go to City Hall, obtain a state-issued marriage license, and then be married by a Notary Public (or JP in some states), and that couple then is legally married, then I fail to see what possible objection you have to SSM.
On the other hand, if you believe that “true marriage” only exists when your particular church blesses the union via some religious ceremony, then you may have an argument in your favor. BUT, that argument is within your church and does not have any bearing on what the rest of us in the secular world believe. This is exactly the same as having a Muslim Imam objecting to your straight marriage because your wife is unpure because she didn’t wear a burka to her wedding (or some other equal foolishness).
In Canada, there is not a separation of church and state and as a result churches are held more accountable than here in the USA. Speech that denies others of civil rights may well be considered “hate speech” in Canada. I would not be surprised. We have the Klan, the John Birch Society, and the Tea Party. They are pretty much allowed to speak what they may, no matter how objectionable it may be.
The article goes on to speak of only 30,000 SSMs in Canada. Well, the country only has 35 million people. It isn’t even the population of California. The numbers seem reasonable to me, and whether it was 10% or .001% – what difference does it make?
There is no “considered and empathetic opposition to same-sex marriage” that is valid. The reason is quite simple – your argument, and those objecting in Canada, seeks to restrict freedom, liberty, and civil rights from a specific group while other groups enjoy those civil rights. It is not fair. It is not justifiable. There is no basis for this discrimination.
Unfortunately, the few loud and awful ones call a lot of attention to themselves.
I would agree but I believe it works that way from both sides of the aisle don’t you think?
WOW, thank for the great example of NOT KNOWING WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT.
Read above, does it say anything about religion? Does it say anything disparaging about Mr. Frank being gay? NO. As I stated, this man is a blowhard.
I DON’T BELIEVE IN GOD BY THE WAY.
If it weren’t for the quote I would have assumed you’d responded to the wrong comment.
pay attention, quiz later.
I see a lot of non-gays to whom marriage means nothing. Just run a check of last names in a group of siblings, or read the divorce news, or listen to a police scanner, or shop at Wal-Mart…..
Anyone who thinks someone should be put in jail because he or she says something you don’t like should be put in jail. (PS: Thanks for telling the world that you hate the Constitution and its bill of rights and for standing for extremism and anti-Christian fascism. Your parents must be proud. At least you are being honest about where you stand.)
I’m sure Jesus would just love you making fun a person’s speech impediment. Now there’s typical anti-Christian right winger for us.
Sorry, hate to inform you, but you cannot define the basis of my marriage. How is marriage equality an “In your Face exercise”? Are you going to be forced to attend my wedding? Are you going to be forced to be at the reception? “Going to go after it ,just because we can”, seriously? Last I checked, gay people are Americans too, and have every right to expect and fight for equality under the law. A marriage between my partner and I would be about love, commitment, and family, despite how hard you try to say otherwise.
Your theory may very well be the case. If it’s not that, I have couple of other ideas: perhaps they are extremely unhappy in their own marriage but don’t want anyone to suspect it, so they somehow feel more powerful denying someone else that ability. I mean, after all, if gays are allowed to marry and it affects a heterosexual’s marriage in any way, well, their marriage isn’t very solid now is it? Second, I think that many of them come from religious brainwashing. My mother is one of them. She truly is not a mean and nasty person. In general, she likes everybody. But she has NEVER been able to shake her deep-seated biases against homosexuals from her religious brainwashing, and she probably never will.
I agree. I’ve never seen anyone offer a substantial argument, beyond religious reasons, for being against same-sex marriage. My grandmother is very much the same way. She loves me, but she doesn’t approve of a marriage between my partner and I, because of her religious upbringing. Unfortunately, we learned that in-order for us to maintain a relationship, we simply can’t discuss the matter. Hopefully, people like them will eventually see past the prejudices they learned from their religion.
I think many of those on the right wing most opposed to marriage equality are really trying to compensate for the fact that they refuse to come out of the closet themselves and want to engage in the ultimate exercise of denial, just like that right winger in the movie American Beauty. I really do think MANY of them are very very gay and are so afraid to admit it that they go to the other extreme. Of course most right wingers live in fear anyhow so it is no surprise. So c’mon right wingers, it’s ok. You can admit your obvious gayness. No one will mind.
Very smart and brave man. I wish him and his husband-to-be a happy life together.
so this corrupt and fraud riden gay guy gets invited to a democratic function in Maine.. anyone proud of themselves in penobscot county or in aroostook … hello anyone ? there has never been a more disgusting individual in my congress.. and the folks of Mass should be hiding in thier closets for voting this half man to represent them over and over and over… he bellows his diatribes like a spoiled brat and demands attention even when he is either wrong or in denial.. both of which happens on a regular basis.. shame on maine shame shame shame .. now let’s hear from the gay community about bigotry, hate and homophobicistis..
And yet – he got things done. You ever heard of Dodd-Frank (for example) ? 32 years of uninterrupted public service. And from a constituency that is better educated, wealthier, and obviously more mature than you. And – “homophobicistis” ? Try spell check if you are trying to describe yourself.
No one is against Frank because he’s gay? Be honest. Look at some of these comments and try to deny there is homophobia.
not cute … exactly correct.. good one … good comment.. Frank and Dodd both were into it right up to their necks.. and denied and denied and denied … sick ..
I am again voting to get this passed, but i really do not see it passing. Its gonna be a close vote
“steal your tax dollars”?
LOL….crying about “theft” of something that was stolen to begin with…
typical “progressive” who misses the very basic reality that it is their immoral system of income taxation and currency manipulation that is the foundation for 90% of the political strife in this nation
You just proved Steve’s point, didn’t ya?
No president has ever changed my life.
WOW!
I used to hear that at work about Unions! I remember one fella saying look at them Union guys out there,
I have been here in the break room for last three hrs watching them out the window!
“”They Haven’t done a Darn Thing””!
I’ve never been in a union, I’ve never heard the Joke before either and got a good laugh. I doubt
a president has ever changed most peoples lives unless they allow it. Come on, has your life been changed by a president, unless you aloud it? Again thanks for the laugh.
You obviously were not in the Ready Reserve after 9/11. Or lost a job when NAFTA came along and auto manufacturing moved to Mexico. Or etc, etc., etc.
“Read my lips….no new taxes”. Yup Presidents never change their minds.
Actually, you might consider that people are just this biased against
blacks and gays. While they say they are not on the outside, I
attribute a lot of it to a kind of sub-conscious bias. Now, before you
hop up and down and roll your eyes, keep in mind that there are many
forms of bias. We all are to some degree. Personally, I find a
southern accent sounds very “uneducated” to me and flies in the face of
how I was raised where you were judged by your diction and grammar. I
really try to believe the person is educated and this is just the way he
was raised, but the bias still exists. I’m sorry.
That degree of bias is subtle but it exists. I have heard such phrases
as, “I don’t think Obama is morally right for America.” Morally right?
Of all the Presidents we have had who cheated on their wives, Obama is
not “morally right?” What does that mean?
I also have heard, “He uses Air Force One too much,” and “He has fancy White House dinners.”
If you look at it, the comment really translates to, “He’s not a REAL
President and should not be using the facilities of the office. He
doesn’t deserve to.”
The reality is that Obama takes less vacations and doesn’t use Air Force
One or have any more State dinners than any other President. Yet,
somehow, the perception is that he does.
You will note none of any of the comments I have heard have one thing to
do with his policies. He is just “not right” for being our President.
This is the subtle bias to which I refer.
The same is true with Barney Frank. The man is brilliant, educated, and
can turn a phrase like few others. And, he is dead-on correct about
the lack of moderate Republicans. I wish people would take off their
blinders and look at the span of history, and see how real statesmen
(and women) behaved in Congress. When I was a kid it was difficult to
tell the difference between the two parties as they worked together so
closely for the good of Maine and for the good of the Nation. Now, we
have a group of crude buffoons with no manners, no sense of decorum, no
concept of the idea of diplomacy, tact, and prudence. Ask yourself if
you would ever invite any of these people to a party. I certainly would
not.
We also are missing the concept of the “loyal opposition.” That is, an
election is held. One party wins. The losing party accepts this and
works with the winning party to achieve goals for the common good, while
expressing their opinion and voting against it, when it is felt to be
absolutely necessary. Contrast that with today where anything proposed
by the winning party is simply voted against, hands-down.
It is appalling. I have no solution for it. Perhaps, the first step
would be compulsory etiquette lesson and exchanging the bible-thumping
for a copy of Emily Post’s latest book.
(Something strange on Disqus with the formatting – weird.)
You’re right, when a party loses they need to accept the consequences and move on,fight the good fight.
Let us not forget, some have made a mockery of our system by refusing to vote. Literally running away and hiding. Not one, not two, but FOURTEEN were of like mind to show disrespect to the governance they serve.
What we need to do is get away from ONE party being the bad guy. Naa, that’s just a pipe dream when it’s so much easier to blame someone else. isn’t it?
Going to be a fun election. At the end we won’t know anything other then how they treat animals. At least that’s all SOME will care about. I don’t care where they rode or how they tasted. Just stick to the subject, somebody, ANYBODY??
By the way, I’m well versed in proper etiquette, I have no discernible accent, i’m pro choice and pro gay marriage and I don’t believe in God. By all means attempt to pigeon hole me. Trust me, you’re a lot closer then a liberal cliche than I am a far right conservative and yet somehow, I’ve been able to determine all on my own that I do not agree with the direction President Obama is taking us in.
WOW, how can that be? I must be racist, right?? It isn’t feasible that an intelligent, middle class white male could come to these conclusions unless I was racist.
You keep telling yourself that. I site facts you keep telling them how terrible the other guy is. VEILED as the comments are.
I will stick with what I have said. When I mentioned the statements made by some, I also should have included a statement indicating that these were the only statements provided to me as a justification against Obama. When I ask people about specifics as to what the do not like about Obamacare or nearly any other policy, I get a blank stare and a generic brush-off that “he’s not right for America.”
I will listen to all sides but I would like some specifics and not sound-bites from Fox News. Telling me that Obamacare is “stupid and retarded” (I’ve heard that) is not fodder for discussion.
I used to be a Republican and recently switched to Independent because with my moderate view I am now referred to as a RINO. The GOP I knew is dead & buried. Even Jeb Bush who is not considered a moderate admitted there was little chance of him succeeding within his own party given the tone of the party today.
Yes, it will be an interesting election. I suspect “bloody” is a better word.
Rep. Frank is not running for reelection perhaps due to his age but also due to some redistricting which challenges his likelihood of reelection.
My suggestion: After he marries his fiance, he move to Ogunquit, and then run for Congress from Maine. Given his stature in Congress he would be a plus for us.
Not Gay , was always anti-Gay as a teen and into my 20’s even 30’s . Now at 40’s my intelect won’t let me say it’s wrong anymore . And that people call it a “PROCREATION” issue is absurd . How many kids are born to “M&F” couples only to be tossed aside or cared for improperly . How many children out there need a family and could be adopted by said couples . PROBLEM SOLVED and everyone can be happy . I say LOVE is LOVE and happiness is happiness . Let’s all grow up and Think a little more than about ourselves .
While it is fairly easy for a lesbian couple to have children, it is more difficult for a gay male couple to have kids so adoption/surrogacy is often used.
The joke I often make is that we go to a lot of time and trouble to have children (meaning we really want them) where, sadly, too many children from straight couples are the result of a 2-for-1 Tequila sale during a weekend trip to Portsmouth’s liquor store.
You live in G-Burg?
I do. Have the family farm up in Maine where Mom lives. Plan to retire there.
I lived in Germantown for many moons back in the 80’s
You would not believe the changes. 270 is 5 lanes each side. People commute from W. VA. Frederick (F-RED-neck) has been gentrified and is a suburb now. 355/Frederick Road went from two lanes to four. The 800 acres of King Farm was turned into “King Farms” a downtown/city complex with townhomes, single family homes, and kind of looks like a Disney movie production set with high-end homes. Germantown has a lot of the office complex sprawl now. The area out near Dulles since the 1980’s has its own life. The new Silver line for Metro goes through Tyson’s Corner and out to Dulles. The “people movers” as Dulles are still there (I think) but they’ve done underground passageways to get to the infield terminals. The Springfield mixing bowl has been all done over and while it looks bizarre from the air, I have found it works okay. My GPS cannot keep up with the turns, though. Montgomery County has done a great job and built Strathmore Concert Hall right on the Grosvenor Metro stop – you don’t even need to go to the Kennedy Center. The Baltimore Symphony plays there frequently. The growth has been phenomenal since the 1980’s. I came here at the beginning of the Reagan administration. I like it, but the traffic has become ridiculous. It’s an easy hour downtown these days. It didn’t used to be.
I was back in Maryland for a week in 2009 and was ready to come back to Maine in about two days. I don’t miss the traffic at all but it was nice to go the Rio Center in the evening for dinner and drinks with friends. I wish Bangor had something close by like the Rio but that won’t happen for a very long time.
That is the part I will miss when I return to Maine to retire. We have world-class restaurants, theater, the arts, museums, and just great “hang out” places on the weekends, such as Rio’s complex. Frederick has transformed their canal area to a weekend arts & crafts type of place. You’d think you were in Europe or in Georgetown (excluding tourist season).
That said, it is different in Maine and Maine has its own assets, as well. I’ve been told Bangor has a symphony and the waterfront area is nice. There even are some great restaurants. I am particularly fond of the Village Inn down in Belgrade Lakes. Hands down one of the best restaurants. Portland has some great places, too. A well-traveled friend of mine from the World Bank and I flew my plane into Portland (we’re both pilots) and he commented that Portland has some “world class” restaurants.
So, in a nutshell, my retirement to Maine will be different but that’s okay. I enjoy being on a boat as much as I do wandering around the Air & Space.
(My apologies to all while Kevin & I catch-up!)
//////
I can see your point about the in your face part, However, you don’t suppose a few black slaves didn’t gloat a little after the emancipation act after years of “In Your Face Suppression”.
You don’t suppose the gloating is a basic human nature reactional event do ya?
If you weren’t offended by them comeing out you yourself wouldn’t be showing your contempt and wouldn’t have even bothered to make the post!
A basic inherrantly human Reactional Nature?
You Betcha!
We ALL need to suppress that when possible, but not to the extent that we injure ourselves !
I was there at the dinner last night. Very interesting and very funny speech by Barney Frank. His leaving Congress will be a great loss to the American legislative process.
He gives a great speech. Lots of little zingers and quips. I love the one about Republicans. “They believe life begins at conception and ends at birth.”
I “hear” a lot of nuts come from Florida. You from there?
…..
Really?
…
I can’t figure out why he was asked to speak in the first place.
He has done more damage this country then the rest of congress put together…
What I see here is confusion between being a good Gay Speaker for the cause and being a congressmen. Folks he is a horrible congressman.
Marriage equality means that adults may marry somebody of their same sexual orientation. It isn’t complicated. And, for two gay people to marry each other, takes nothing away from any number of heterosexual couples’ marriages. Nothing. The whole anti-gay-rights movement consists of hateful bigots who think that in order to get ahead, they have to beat down on a minority.
Of course it is. This is an extension of my orignal post, If you believe marrage is between a man and a women, a law comes along and changes that, why should that change what you believe in. Cross of church and state has never worked out anyways. We all have a vision of the way the world should be, and when its not that way, sling the the mud and hurl the stones, its their fault.
I’m sure Barney has as to talk about with Mike Michaud… ;-)
Aren’t we glad that a good time was had by all! Let us not allow the marriage to take place in Maine next year!
Heterosexual marriage is going the way of the dodo bird. We need to add the LGBT folk just to get the count back over 50% !
Why? Allowing same sex couples to marry in Maine helps protect more families and their children.
Bangor School Budget is increasing from last year.. it will be around $42,000,000.00 for one year. 42 millon school budget for 1 year.
I paid over 2o thousand last year in oil bills I am upgrading everything to cut cost. I drive a older car and I don’t eat out as much. I shop thrift store for things I need. I like most of you have had to cut back not only on things I like and want. I had to cut back on things I need.
It’s time the School tighten up their belts a little and look for ways to save.. I believe they are the only department in Bangor that hasn’t cut back.
VOTE NO!!! Tuesday…. $42,000,000.00 42 millon is way overboard.
question authority by voting no!!!
Off topic much?
What’s new?
Ah I do love the dignified and respectful speech here. [Grin]
Any man who is mainly proud of being white or heterosexual needs to work on making himself worth more. After all you had nothing to do with being either of those things, as neither was a matter of choice.
As for straight men getting upset over gay men talking about being gay, I have worked around both straight and gay men and frankly when it comes to the subject of sex, both talk about the same. Young men about which body parts they like and getting laid, then mid life crisis comes and it gets worse for both guys would gross a teenager out on the subject. Gay bars or straight bars, the game is the same whom am I going to get some from.
Here in the desert as the mating season of the birds came on, I noted around the water dish , the birds became nosier, more argumentative, more fights broke out. As I watched the mating game, I broke out laughing for it looked exactly the same as the average singles’ bar. Amazing how little difference there is between the other animals and human beings.
As for politics, no one would ever elect a politicians that told them truth, regardless of party. It is the politicians that tells us the pleasant lies that we like who gets elected over and over again. There are no honest politicians, for honest ones never get elected. The only difference between politicians is their level of lying and their level of corruption.
There is one political party, the Wealth and Power party, it has a number of branches, but the two biggest branches are the Democrat Party and the Republican Party. As was said in the 1800s, we have the best government money can buy. Definition of an honest politicians used to be the one who stayed bought. As you will note, not much has changed, it only costs more to buy a politician then it used to.
Barney Frank, one of the nations worst, pathetic creature to ever represent this country. He along with a few of his ilk, was responsible for the housing disaster. Barney welcome to Maine , now get out.
Of course he has been elected for every term since 1980, so your concept of “worst” and “pathetic” seems to be a little off target. And, who are you again ? Oh yeh – the homophobe with the limited vocabulary.
I do not see where I said anything about his sexual preference, i was refering to his bringing this country to its knees, with his involvement in Fannie, and Freddie. Thank you for the name calling which i expect from some out there. That is the best you can do.
Mr. Frank uses the term nuts to those of us who advocate work instead of welfare, who do not intend to enable the lazy, who believe and insist on personal accountability and responsibility and stand up for our moral beliefs as we choose. So I hope that Mr Frank can be as accepting of our personal choices. After all just like the President and Mr. Frank, conservative republicans were also voted in by the majorities they serve.
Great lead-in picture…Barney Frank is lookin’ GOOD..maybe he has started a new career as a drag queen?…oh wait, that’s Chellie P…….nevermind.
Yes, that was my thought. The headline mentions Barney Frank, and they top the story with a picture of someone else entirely. You’ve got to wonder about the BDN some times. And the same photographer furnished a picture of Frank!
Frank is despicable, detestable and the consummate buffoon! What has not been soiled by his foul and inhospitable mouth has already been condemned to the lowest recesses of Stygian depravity. Pinafore’s escort does little to tranquilize that look of bewilderment coursing the sagging jowls of Maine’s newest jet-setter.
Barney Frank needs to stay in Mass. and D.C., he has caused enough problems there without coming to Maine.