BOSTON — U.S. Democratic Rep. Barney Frank wed his longtime partner, James Ready, on Saturday, becoming the first sitting congressman to enter into a same-sex marriage.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick officiated the ceremony and added some levity by saying Frank, 72, and Ready, 42, had vowed to love each other through Democratic and Republican administrations alike, and even through appearances on Fox News, according to Al Green, a Democratic congressman from Texas.
“Barney was beaming,” said Green, who attended the ceremony.
He added that Frank, a champion of gay rights and the sweeping reform of Wall Street, shed a tear during the ceremony.
After exchanging their vows, Frank and Ready embraced each other, Green said. “It was no different than any other wedding I’ve attended when you have two people who are in love with each other,” Green said.
Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat and a former chairman of the powerful House Financial Services Committee, has been an openly gay congressman since the late 1980s.
He is well known for his legislative acumen, including as an architect of the reforms in the Dodd-Frank bill, which U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law in 2010 in the wake of
the financial crisis after the collapse of the subprime mortgage market.
Frank’s office in January announced he would marry Ready, whom he met at a political fundraiser in Ready’s home state of Maine. Ready lives in Ogunquit, where he does carpentry, painting and welding work. Frank and Ready have been involved since 2007.
The evening wedding took place at the Boston Marriott Newton in suburban Boston, attracting political luminaries including Nancy Pelosi, top Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Niki Tsongas, a Massachusetts Democratic representative.
Before the ceremony, Frank greeted family and friends in a traditional black tuxedo. He was tanned and appeared relaxed.
News media were not allowed to attend the ceremony.
“We’re not doing any media today,” Frank told Reuters.
Frank won a seat in Congress in 1980 and said he will retire at the end of this term. Besides championing financial reform and the rights of fisherman, Frank has been a vocal supporter of gay rights, which have been gathering support in public opinion polls and U.S. high courts.
In May, for example, a federal appeals court in Boston ruled that a U.S. law defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman unconstitutionally denies benefits to lawfully married same-sex couples.
The ruling on the 1996 law, the Defense of Marriage Act, marked a victory for gay rights groups and President Obama, whose administration announced last year it considered the law
unconstitutional and no longer woulddefend it.
Also in May, President Obama openly endorsed gay marriage, a move that will surely be a flashpoint in the upcoming presidential election.
His Republican opponent, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, opposes gay marriage, saying marriage should be limited to a union between one man and one woman.
Eight of the 50 states and the District of Columbia permit gay marriage. Several polls show U.S. public support of gay marriage rising.
In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state in the country where same-sex couples could be legally married. More than 18,000 same-sex couples since then have wed in Massachusetts, according to MassEquality, an advocacy group for gays, bisexuals and transgender people.
Now isn’t Frank just lovely. I do hope that the new couple live in MA, the thought of Frank in Maine scares me to death.
Why is that? At the end of his term he will be retired from public life and you will probably never know if he lives in Maine or not.
But not before he has played his part in destroying our economy, Remember fannie mae and his boy toy….
Did anyone else get the doubleplushateful email from “Mike” Heath concerning Frank? I just hope the majority of Mainers who are thoughtful and considerate people see that nonsense for what it is and vote yes to allow Mainers to marry the person he or she loves.
Isn’t this swell! So nothing about the 30 year age difference? Whats the gay version term for a cougar … damn I miss Will and Grace, I feel like my Gay education is incomplete… well thats olay I’m sure the BDN & Press Herald will get us all up to speed in a jiffy! Did Chellie & Donald fly them off to their honeymoon? So many questions… details please!!!
You’re only screeching about this because you hate gay people. Like suddenly this is the first time a married couple has an age difference? Please.
Actually I love several people who happen to be Gay. They do thier own thing and I’m quite alright with it…Live and let live. My beef is with this constant drum beat from the media…my take is just stop pushing your damn agenda on me…
You are absolutely correct about the media pushing the gay agenda and lifestyle.
Grandma Kitty once said “What’s right is right, even when nobody is doing it. And what’s wrong is wrong even when everybody is doing it.” Gay marriage is wrong and I expect the majority of Mainers to reject it (again).
The media might give this issue a little too much exposure and support and see it backfire in their liberal faces.
Here’s the thing about gay marriage, stop worrying about it. Stop worrying about al those gay people you don’t know. Just leave them alone. Let it go…live and let live and judge not lest you be judged.
I suppose you could take my sarcasm as judging… I am a sinful man, and make no comparitive judgement whether my own sin is better than anyone elses. I formulate my position purely from a secular view point of the issue. It isn’t a moral issue with me, it is a political correct issue. The fact that all major news outlets take one side of the issue, and constantly push that side, which is contrary to the public votes in the past makes me think that there is some serious manipulation of public opinion by those who have power & financial resources to shape public policy. I don’t trust the media outlets to play it up the middle and report fairly. They have an agenda.
This is very true. Many companies are now financially backed by homosexual men/women/celebs who are pushing their own agenda. General Mills, for example, is not supporting/financing gay marriage. But you will notice all the commercials are directed at heterosexual parents feeding their children. If they showed their true side (two gay men enjoying a bowl with their adopted kid), I’m certain many parents would be quite disappointed in that company.
Yeah, what was it called….”The Million Mom Army” or some such name and the boycott of JCPenney. That didn’t last to long did it?
I see JCPenney isn’t doing too well either.
If they aren’t “doing too well” it has nothing to do with the failed boycott by the “Million Mom Army”.
But pandering to the pro homosexual side hasn’t helped either. Shouldn’t homosexuals be supporting a store that panders to their lifestyle?
Well you would certainly know about “pandering”.
That’s not the point. The point is that the Million Mom boycott is a failure. The point is not that by having an ad here and there that has a gay family is supposed to suddenly bring in a tidal wave of money from the gay mafia. Maybe more gays do shop there, but I don’t think that there are enough of us to be the sole force behind a turnaround at Penny’s.
Please know that many straight people support marriage equality based on strictly Constitutional merits.
It’s a civil rights issue.
General Mills is against the anti-SSM marriage amendment in Minnesota. http://www.startribune.com/business/159143335.html
I’m more concerned about lobbies buying congressional votes. Citizens United Vs. Federal Election Commission, for example. Far more sinister than corporate gender politics.
For anyone who isn’t gay, the gay marriage issue is , unfortunately, just an extension of racial and religious politics. Rich Old White People struggling to maintain control in a rapidly changing America. There’s a reason they need dark money, a reason they all go to ivy league schools and then tell constituents that education is a liberal agenda. A reason that middle-class jobs are in China instead of here and a reason that most of the moderate republicans have retired. Good luck with that. It’s time for true diversity to take hold in America.
…and the cereal thing…well, I have a feeling that when the number of kids with gay parents out-populates the number without, advertising will change. Lets face it, a consumer is a consumer. They care only that you pay for product. If gay people ate cereal at four times the rate of non-gay people, there would be a lot of gay-centric cereal out there.
Good community newspapers have a responsibility to engage and provoke the public. The idea that papers need to be unbiased is not shared by most editors.
Here’s the thing I say to you… those of us who do not support this lifestyle DO want to leave it alone. I don’t know of anyone who goes out actively trying to find gay people to argue with. Most of us would happily let them be and live and let live. Unfortunately, their lifestyle is being shoved down our throats (no pun intended) constantly.
Ok, then once again, I say this, why not leave it alone? If you find something not to your liking then why don’t you move on. Barney Frank is a high ranking member of Congress. If he was marrying a straight woman, his marriage would still be making headlines. Who exactly is making this an issue? Gay people will see this a “Hey, alright! Good for Barney Frank.”, Anti gays will make an issue out of it, put him down as an evil, satantic man who will burn in hell for all eternity. Oh, really? Let’s say Barney Frank goes out tomorrow and saves an entire busload of school kids from a fire at the local school. A few days later, he dies and goes to heaven where God is waiting. Can you imagine the conversation? “Hey, Barney, I see you saved all those kids and I’m real proud of you but I have to send you to hell because, well, you didn’t quite meet up to standards.” You can keep that God. He has no room in my life. My God is much more loving than that. And he has bigger issues than homosexuality.
First of all, I disagree that this would be headlines if this was a straight marriage. I don’t think many people (even those on your side of the issue) who would agree with you stating that this would be headlines if it were just a normal straight marriage.
That being said, I also am not sure why you are ranting about a hypothetical Barney Frank heroic act followed by his death and meeting God. I never once have brought religion into this. While I do believe in God, I am not so arrogant to not realize I also have many sins of my own.
Seems to me I recall a recent headline about Senator Susan Collins and her bridal registry. And wasn’t Representative Pingree also in the news with her pending nuptials?
So please keep posting your version of the “truth” so the rest of us can debunk it….please.
If this is true, then I stand corrected on that point. I didn’t see either of those articles, but maybe the media has reported on other political marriages. My apologies.
Here are the links –
Rep. Pingree, fund manager Sussman wed in North Haven
http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2011/06/19/news/rep-pingree-fund-manager-sussman-wed-on-north-haven/
Susan Collins Engaged to be Married
http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2012/02/03/politics/susan-collins-engaged-to-be-married/
From Towels to Tongs U.S. Sen. Susan Collins Wedding Registries Reveal the Colorful and Practical
http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2012/06/27/politics/from-towels-to-tongs-u-s-sen-susan-collins-wedding-registries-reveal-the-colorful-and-practical/
For the record, in Senator Collins case the first was news worthy. The second not so much.
Collins and Pingree happen to represent Maine in congress so in some small way that does make their personal lives newsworthy here in Maine. But even then I do not believe it warrants front page news.
Do you want to know why gay people don’t want to “leave it alone”… what if someone you don’t know decided that you don’t have the right to marry the person you love? They say, ehhhhh nahhhh let’s save the sanctity of marriage for Kim Kardashian. It’s bull, and if it was YOU, you’d be mad as hell too.
And talk about “shoving it down our throats.” Straight marriage-heck, straight EVERYTHING is constantly shoved down our throats every single day.
How so? Everything they want has no affect or anything to do with you what so ever? Them marrying does not affect you at all, not one little bit. People trying to stop them from marrying affects them a lot, with still absolutely not affect to you.
“Lifestyle.” When people realize that it’s not a “lifestyle” and is a part of who we are, maybe attitudes will change. Living a life where you eat only organic foods and not processed foods is a lifestyle. Jetting around in your private jet and living the life of caviar dreams is a lifestyle.
Being gay and wanting to marry the person you love is NOT a lifestyle.
It has nothing to do with judging people. Those who disagree with gay marriage are not judging souls (that is up to God). But all people have the right to judge actions/behavior. Sodomy will always, always be against the natural law. All psychological studies show the importance for children in a family to have both a father and a mother. Granted, not all heterosexual families are perfect either but intentionally advocating gay marriage goes beyond what is imperfect and intentionally harms any children who will be growing up in that environment. You just need to look at the gay marriage situations in Europe (countries where it has been legal for years) to see the negative statistics. So yes, gay marriage affects everyone because it eventually harms the children who are forced into these unnatural environments.
Heterosexuals practice sodomy.
Doesn’t make it right.
Do you even know what the term is?
Yes. straight missionary is the way to keep things fresh. Are we all not sick?
Who cares what any couple does for sex? Is it anyone’s business?
I really would like to see your statistics that say the gay marriage situation in Europe hashad such negative effects on children. Most of the studies I’ve read about have said otherwise. I think there are countless societal issues that affect children negatively. Child abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse. But growing up in a loving, caring, morally executing home, I think that affects them as well. Not all gay people drill their sexual orientation onto their children On the contrary, these kids are raised to think it’s not a big deal…whereas, anti gay crusaders, tend to drill it into the minds of these innocents that it is not a choice. They tend to say it is “unnatural”. Gay marraige doesn’t affect the children brought up in these homes. Constantly drilling into the minds of children that being gay is harmful and “morally reprehensible “, well, that does more harm than good. Somethings don’t require that much thinking. It’s really about common sense. My opinion.
I agree with you ptkitty. Gay marriage will always be unnatural and immoral no matter how they spin it. Even people who are homosexual KNOW it is wrong, but they choose to ignore their conscience. Most of the pro-gay marriage activism has been from OUT OF STATE. The last time it was on the ballot, they were busing in people to push for gay marriage in our state. Unfortunately, I think sodomy-marriage will eventually cover the whole of America (Obama has been pushing it since the beginning), and sadly, more darkness will follow.
Well Melora at least you KNOW where the money came from that supported SSM. The side that opposes SSM still have not complied with Maine’s Campaign Finance Laws. They have fought and fought and lost at every turn but still refuse to release the names of their donors.
So, will you call on NOM to comply with Maine law so we all know where the money came from on BOTH sides or will you remain silent?
You are nothing but a parrot for the Catholic church. Have you ever once considered thinking for yourself instead of allowing a church to do it all for you?
I honestly feel bad for you that you live in such a close minded world. My life has become a lot better since I declared myself an atheist and left the Baptist church. I wasted many good years of my life basing my views on what I was told instead of thinking for myself.
My hope is that maybe one day you will break free of the mind control that you are under but I highly doubt it will ever happen.
God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. I would never “hate” gay people, but I will never agree with it either.
I think yours is one of the most honest comments on here. And so, I politely respond that you have touched on the essence of what civil liberties mean in this country, which is:
I don’t have to agree with my neighbor, I just need to respect his right to live his life as he sees fit provided it doesn’t infringe on anyone else’s rights.
And so I ask folks who disagree with gay marriage, but agree that Constitutional freedoms are for *all* Americans, to please support Marriage Equality.
Brav0!!!!!!
Actually, didn’t God make everyone?
What makes you think you can presume to know what I KNOW? You don’t know me.
When will people realize that breeding-based marriage is not for everyone and in this free country, it shouldn’t have to be?
As for out of state influences, the anti-SSM side has received a freaking LOT of activism from out of state. Check this out:The Stand for Marriage Maine PAC in 2009 received the following (http://www.mainecampaignfinance.com/Public/report_list.asp?TYPE=PAC&ID=4477):Focus on the Family (Colorado Springs, Colorado): 08-25-2009 $10,00009-11-2009 $50,00010-06-2009 $15,000National Organization for Marriage (Princeton, New Jersey): 07-07-2009 $40,00007-17-2009 $50,00008-13-2009 $50,00009-04-2009 $140,00009-11-2009 $50,00010-01-2009 $300,00010-09-2009 $300,00010-14-2009 $500,000The reports also show individual donors from Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Maryland, California, Virginia, Alaska, Washington, D.C., Utah, Ohio, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, Montana, Georgia, New York, New Mexico, Indiana, and Illinois.As for churches, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland made many donations, five of which really stand out. Is all that money only from Maine Catholics?07-17-2009 $149,300008-29-2009 $52,00010-01-2009 $48,00010-15-2009 $47,00010-20-2009 $50,000
WHY is gay marriage wrong???
Yeah. And Grandma Kitty seems pretty judgmental.
I’d just like to know WHY he/she thinks it’s wrong. What’s their basis for that opinion?
And she’s purrrejudiced !
You are exactly right!!
What’s the agenda? If you really have several gay people that you love, don’t you want them to have the same rights and opportunities as you? Wouldn’t you think the way they’re constantly denigrated in the media is wrong?
While I don’t begrudge a paper it’s editorial position… I do begrudge having straight news articles crafted in away to promote an editorial position. How many BDN articles posted right now on the website have a pro-gay marriage theme? As for my friends rights… I probably have ten gay friends/ relatives. One of them was married in Massachusetts, then divorced. The others aren’t itching to get married as far as I know. I assume if it was that important, they could drive over the Piscataqua bridge and get married… As for denegrating gays in the media… show me an article that they are denegrated in … the only people here that are denegrated are one the opposite side of this issue.
There are obviously gay couples waiting for the chance to get married otherwise this wouldn’t be an issue. I think you’re being willfully ignorant if you’re going to pretend that gay people aren’t constantly denigrated. Just look at this comment board. Do you think it’s a valid position to believe that not everyone deserves the same rights? Should I be startled if I offend people when I say women shouldn’t have the right to vote or hold jobs?
You’re saying that gay people aren’t equal and you want to be treated like that is just a difference of opinion? Come on. Sorry hearing about it is such a bother to you, but imagine how much a bother it is to be constantly discriminated against.
If you want to test the equal protection clause in the US Constitution, to validate whether the lack of Gay marriage in any state presents an inequity in federal law… sue and let the Supreme Court decide it…if your right than the issue is done, but if your wrong… please stop this incessent need to push this through the legislature/ referendum process.
It’s on its way and the trend in lower court rulings is that DOMA is unconstitutional. The SCOTUS will likely hear the case next session.
And again, you’re screeching about something that both sides do and yet you’re only upset when one side does it. That’s a double standard — that’s hypocrisy.
Already being done Johnson…
But let’s examine some facts and look at a precedence that may come into play, OK?
A same sex couple in Massachusetts gets married in a civil marriage by a judge. They both live and work in Massachusetts. One works for a local grocery store and the other works for a national company. One day the one that works for a national company is offered a position in another state, oh let’s say Florida for argument sake. The employee accepts the position and the couple move from Massachusetts where their marriage is recognized to Florida where their marriage is not recognized and they lose the rights and privileges associated with that marriage by simply moving.
Now you seem like a smart person and I think you know that my marriage or your marriage (assuming that you are married) would not lose any rights or privileges by simply moving from one state to another. That is a matter of law where a contract signed in one state remains enforce when you move to another state. Still with me?
So here is the precedence, Loving v. Virgina (1967) was a case of interracial marriage. The Loving’s were unable to marry in Virginia as interracial marriage was against the law so they went over a state line and were married in D.C.. They moved back to Virgina and were arrested by the police, put on trial and convicted and banished from the Commonwealth of Virginia unless they divorced. They didn’t and their case made it all the way to the SCOTUS where marriage was held as a “fundamental human right” and the SCOTUS invalidated all bans on interracial marriage.
So, the 14th Amendment holds that “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
So back to our same sex married couple that have lost the rights and privileges of marriage simple by moving from one state to another, how does the SCOTUS not rule that the couple was deprived of life, liberty or property without due process? How does the SCOTUS no rule that the same sex couple was denied the equal protection of the laws?
I look forward to your thoughtful response.
Still waiting. :-)
That, sir, was an irresputable statement.
Now something to enjoy by Monty Python, regarding the religious wing;
Mr Blackitt: When Martin Luther nailed his protest up to the church door in 1517, he may not have realised the full significance of what he was doing, but four hundred years later, thanks to him, my dear, I can wear whatever I want on my John Thomas. And Protestantism doesn’t stop at the simple condom. Oh, no! I can wear French Tickers if I want.Mrs Blackitt: You what?Mr Blackitt: French Ticklers, Black Mambos, Crocodile Ribs… Sheaths that are designed not only to protect but also to enhance the stimulation of sexual congress.Mrs Blackitt: Have you got one?Mr Blackitt: Well, no… But I can go down the road any time I want and walk into Harry’s and hold my head up high, and say in a loud steady voice: ‘Harry I want you to sell me a condom. In fact, today I think I’ll have a French Tickler, for I am a Protestant.’Mrs Blackitt: Well, why don’t you?Mr Blackitt: But they! They cannot. Because their church never made the great leap out of the Middle Ages, and the domination of alien episcopal supremacy.
Narrator: But despite the efforts of Protestants to promote the idea of sex for pleasure, children continue to multiply everywhere
@jd2008jd:disqus I have now added you to my followed list. You are the first one I have given that honor too. I truly enjoy reading your comments.
Wolfydear, Our gay friends already have the same rights as non-gays. We are all entitled to marry one human being of the opposite sex. Everyone has that right. No ifs, ands, or butts.
And…They are not constanly denigrated in the media. In fact the inverse is true. Gays and gay life styles are constantly pampered and pandered to in the media.
That’s silly. You could make the same argument and maintain a ban on interracial marriage. Everyone has the same right, you just have to marry within your race. It’s not an argument that flies.
That sounds like instructions. Person A may marry any person of opposite sex. No love required!
“You can choose any color you want as long as it’s black” is not a freedom….
The gay lifestyle is constantly pandered to in the mainstream media. From portraying gay couples in fictional TV shows to documentaries; the gay lifestyle and homosexuals in general are portrayed as wholesome and good, even superior to heterosexual relationships.
Anything negative is ignored. High rates of domestic abuse or violence, health issues, etc, are minimized or ignored.
Are you devastated that not every show on tv is Leave it to Beaver? Newsflash: the reason why this country is so great is because of our diversity. We’re supposed to bow down to your hatred of gays and cater to those beliefs of yours? Please get real. Not everyone is like you and that’s a good thing.
The point is that gays ARE portrayed as if they and their lifestyle are “Leave it to Beaver”. I just want the facts portrayed honestly.
The only person spewing hate is you.
Nice to know you support the “Diversity” Kool Aid as well.
Change the channel then. And if you don’t like diversity and want a theocracy, maybe try Iran?
Perhaps because it’s a myth that there are higher rates of domestic abuse for us and, while AIDS has impacted the gay community in the West disproportionately, it is not a given that gay people have a higher rate of health issues. So, maybe that’s why it’s not represented as much as you like it.
That being said, I have seen a couple of story lines on ER that don’t show a gay male couple in a positive light. I just hope that such portrayals don’t feed into the stereotype that people, like you, already have.
Keep in mind, too, that positive portrayals in the media are a VERY new development.
The gay community….
Higher rates of domestic abuse including sexual abuse. Higher rates of pedophilia. Higher rates of promiscuity. Higher rates of relationship breakups. Higher rates of self destructive drug use. higher rates of STD in general.
And it isn’t just AIDS. It is Hepatitis and other illnesses as well.
Those are some fascinating statements.
Can you please cite the studies that support these claims?
Thank you for your comment. I would like all the readers to consider it seriously, and so I ask you if you have data supporting the facts listed in your second paragraph?
Generally speaking, in discussion forums, facts are separated from opinion when the writer provides verification from a reputable source. Can you help us by supporting the facts in your comment?
No one is pushing it on you, it’s news like everything else. If you don’t like it don’t read it…
Yeah, I’m freaking tired of Syria being rammed down my throat. And for the love of God, please stop rubbing my face in the Euro! And Lord help us when the Olympics start and that is being crammed my face as well!
“Its okay, I have gay friends!” is the new “Its okay, I have black friends!”
My favorite is, “I have a friend who’s gay and even he doesn’t want gay marriage!!!”
It’s not about hate- I too could care less about someone’s orientation but am getting tired of it being crammed down our throats (no pun intended) like it is something special. Keep their private lives private please, stop making it such a big deal.
Well your other post sounded like you were very interested it what they were doing….something about “thongs”, “beaches” and “sipping wine”….so do you want to know or don’t you?
That’s ridiculous. You’re holding them to a higher standard than you hold the rest of us to. Do you not notice how frequently we talk about our opposite sex partners? How for decades there have been wedding announcements in the papers? Wedding covers on magazines at the super market? Women showing off their wedding rings? Teachers with photos of their spouses on their desks? Etc?
Be fair. Gay people aren’t cramming this down our throats anymore than we are cramming that fact that we have more rights and privileges than they do down their throats!
Warning Warning anyone who disagrees with wolfndeer is screeching. Did you get dressed today and go out and try to enjoy the beautiful day? Or did you sit in doors all day posting comments for the sake of posting comments?
Once again, all you have are personal attacks.
Tru dat.
One might say that disagreeing with you is being hateful, my dear.
LOL, you are worried that Frank is robbing the cradle by marrying a 42 year old?
Heterosexual “cougars” and elderly men marrying trophy wives go for 20-somethings, not 40-somethings.
Look at Hefner…
Happens in straight couples all the time?
Why are you so worked up about it?
Yes LockDam Frank is lovely & was just beaming as the article stated–I would imagine his 42 year old bride, I mean groom (oh whatever) was beaming also, afterall, at 72 how many years will he have to put up with the old boy. But for now they are probably lieing on some remote island in their thongs sipping imported beer.
Typo?
Barney was “beaming” or “Flaming”?
We live in the most educated, well-informed, and technologically
advanced society in the history of the world and you have more fears than
medieval peasants.
I never gave a name to the fear, I have a right as a human living in the most educated, well-informed, and technologically advanced society in the history of the world and you have no idea how to take advantage of all of that, by reading into a comment you just proved you are incapable. Go back to your drugs.
Congratulations Mr Frank and Mr. Ready. I hope you live a long and happy life together.
Barney is 72 … I’m thinking Mr Ready (who is 42) is in it for the cash… how many men marry someone 30 years older for true love? Braney is headed for “the home” in ten years…
and your point is?
Clint Eastwood is 82 and married to Dina Ruiz Eastwood who is 46 since 1996 and they have 1 child together. Care to say the same thing about their marriage?
yes… Dina like’s Clint’s cash … well he is also a hell of a director… maybe she admires his craft… as for Mr Ready… maybe he loved what Barney did to create the subprime crisis?
When did you speak with Mrs. Eastwood to learn why she married Clint?
Actually, I have run into many of the May-November relationships in the gay community and of those that I know – perhaps a dozen or so, all the younger guys have careers and are of independent means. Just as is the case for many women, many younger men are attracted to older, successful, settled-in, powerful men. (I don’t get it, but in talking to them, they certainly do.)
(And, on a personal note – thank goodness they are!!!)
There is 12 years difference between my younger partner and me. In my Mom’s case, dad was 37 and divorced with 2 kids when he married my Mom who was 21 at the time – 16 years difference! When I turned 37 (dad had long since passed away), I thought to myself when looking at 21 year olds – “Dad, you sly old dog, you!”
No wonder he died of a heart attack.
Mr. and Mr. ?
Two husbands make a wedding?
Why, yes, they do.
Why do you care so much?
“Mr. and Mr. ?”
Yup
~~~~~
“Two husbands make a wedding?”
In Massachusetts and 6 other states they do. And two wives too!
You better believe if this was the Portland Press Herald… Chellie would have made the press copy under luminaries… mentioning Nikki Tsongus and leaving Chellie name out of the copy… well thats just unthinkable!
Married?
Married in God’s eyes?
Then tell me, who was the bride and who was the husband?
Or were there two husbands?
Did the bride wear white?
How did they consummate the wedding?
Romans 1:26-27: “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet .
That is, “gay, same sex, homosexual, Neronian, UFO, Pogo the Clown Marriages” are not only an invalid form of marriage; they are the opposite of marriage.
Far from being honored by God, they are a MOCKERY of marriage and therefore constitute a SATANIC RITUAL.
Those who speak of “love” and “tolerance” with reference to this particular example of sodomy are sick indeed.
Hey Sonofa…..read the article again, this was a civil marriage, not a religious one, so your argument is moot.
And I thought the opposite of marriage was divorce!!
Wrong.
Jesus, who was God, said:
FOR THIS CAUSE, A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS PARENTS AND CLING TO HIS WIFE.
WHAT GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER, LET NO MAN PUT ASUNDER.
Tell me where I am wrong Son of A….They had a civil marriage, your god did not enter into their marriage ceremony at any time. There was no religion present at any time. Their marriage license came from the state of Massachusetts. Tell me please, when I said this was a civil marriage, where I erred.
Thank you for asking.
I will try to give an answer as best I can.
God is the source of our life and existence. He is present everywhere.
He is my God yes, but he is the Creator of all mankind.
Hence He is present at all marriages.
That is the meaning of Christ’s words.
Well, many people do not believe in your god. While I applaud your devotion to your god, please stop shoving your beliefs down our throats.
hey Sethy… there is no ” shoving” going on here…you take it or leave it.. no body has ever , at least not here, suggested that you better believe what we believe in or we will ………. what ever.. that has not happened.. sonofbangor has a belief.. he expresses it.. you don’t like it.. that’s a shame .. but he is not shoving it down your throat.. he hopes you will embrace some of it.. but that is not up to him .. it’s up to you.. you want the right to express your views.. we have the same right.. and it’s not shoving it down you throat.. now grow up
Maybe you should read SonofBangor’s other posts before you say he’s “not shoving it down you throat” paul….and ending your post with “now grow up” is a very immature and childish way for what I assume is an adult to end a post.
Actually, by making the CIVIL marriage laws comply with one set of religious beliefs, those beliefs are being shoved down the throats of individuals and churches that believe differently.
Seth – I share your frustration. Talking logic to these people is impossible. They are as convinced of this as much as Caesar was convinced of Jupiter. It’s a pointless endeavor. Talk to the Taliban about the whole 21 virgin thing – you’d have as much luck.
Remember that old saw – “Don’t try to teach a pig to dance. It wastes your time and annoys the pig.”
What I have come to understand is that some people need this crutch called religion – for any number of reasons. It seems in my experience that the ones that are really over the top about all this seem to have experienced some huge trauma in their lives and this is the one “anchor” to which their sobriety hinges. And, really, I don’t have any problem with any of it. I personally think it all is the biggest hoax ever foisted upon mankind, but that’s my opinion which means nothing to anyone but me.
Where we all seem to agree is everyone is entitled to their opinion. Where the line seems to be crossed is when their religiosity is attempted to be crammed into our secular laws. If that were not the case, these people could dance around the fire at midnight, buck-naked, with a feather-duster shoved where the sun don’t shine, baying at the moon, and chug-a-luggin RC Cola and eating Moon pies. I simply don’t care.
The problem is this simple: They need to leave the rest of us, and and our laws, alone.
It is that simple.
Son it was a CIVIL ceremony…God did not enter the picture.
Reason 3:124: There is no god.
You apparently are very well educated on the subject of what God wants and expects from his children on earth. You also seem to know what groups will be allowed entrance into Heaven. Seeing that you seem to know so much about this subject would you be kind enough to give me/us the name of one homosexual person that you know for a fact was denied entrance into Heaven. I am sure that that would clear up this matter for all of us. So please name just one person who you can verify was denied entrance into Heaven because he or she was gay. Thanks
The only way God is a source of anything is if people LET Him into their hearts. Athiest, for example, believe in no God, therefore he cannot be present. I think you’re confusing what YOU believe with what others believe.
So your god watches you shower, use the toilet and have sex with your wife. Sounds like a pretty sick and twisted god to me. Why would it want to watch me use the toilet and then watch me wipe? There is something very wrong with that picture.
Why did your god also create Dolphins? It has been proven that male Dolphins engage in homosexual acts. Male Lions also engange in them too.
I know it is pointless for me to even type this because you are in the camp of. God said it, I believe it and that settles it.
You are a very close minded person, which is a sad way to live life. You think when you die you will be rewareded but sadly when you die, that is the end of your life. You will have spent it spreading hate and being a bigot.
That is a very sad way to spend the only life you will ever have.
Jesus was NOT God. Two different personages. And cherry picking the bible to support your argument is absurd. I could post lots of verses from the bible to support my opinion that the God portrayed in the bible is vicious and cruel.
@DevilDude:disqus your choose username makes you sound like a troll. Plenty of bible thumping Christians believe Jesus was/is god.
Nope, not a troll. Note the Sigil of Baphomet user image. I didnt come here just to yell at people about religious stuff. I spend most of my time in the court news and police beat section yelling at people about illegal stuff. Of course, I do tend to wander into other sections of this lovely site, where I often get my dosage of ignorance for the day. I do remember many of your comments being quite witty and rather spot on, perhaps I missed the point in this one? You are definitely correct, plenty of bible thumping xtians believe lots of nutty things. Lots of people believe lots of nutty things, in fact.
women do sodomy too
and straight couples….don’t forget the straight couples
yes that’s true to
Many United States citizens are atheist and agnostic. Your quoted scriptures mean nothing to those who do not follow your religion or those of us who choose to live by the four gospels where Jesus shares his message of love and hope.
You are trying to be God by judging others. That should be left up to God. You are totally disregarding the multiple scriptures about love and acceptance of others. You are degrading others which Jesus speaks of. Hatred is a sickness and is often associated with Satan.
Thank you for the Bible citation from Romans. I’m sure that will be educational for all, and will end all discourse on this subject. I could also use some advice regarding God’s Laws from other Bible references.
Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are from neighboring nations. My friend claims that this applies to Mexicans but not Canadians. Can you clarify …why can’t I own Canadians?
John 3:17
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
did you forget about this verse?
I think the verse just before the one you quote says something about persons who believe . . .
That’s because according to the same context, those who don’t believe on Jesus Christ for salvation from sin are condemned already. No need to condemn those who are already condemned.
darn. i was hoping it was a message of compassion.
guess that’s why I’m a Buddhist.
What does God have to do with this story?
Everything.
Nothing….it was a CIVIL ceremony.
To you…not to most of the rest of us.
NOTHING. Not everyone believes in your God. Keep your God out of where it doesn’t belong.
He is your God whether you believe in him or not. Just because you close your eyes, it doesn’t mean that God ceases to exist. I have been healed by a miracle, and I have seen more than 20 other people healed by miracles. I can assure you that God exists, but if you don’t want to believe, then that will make it hard for you to believe.
I feel aweful that all the Monks, Tao,Hindu, Muslum, Jewish, and millions of other folks, with different beliefs than the “only belief” will all burn in hell. We live decent lives, better than some Christians, but are dambed. That is aweful!! I guess i’ll suffer an eternity of diversity and understanding and a pool of thoughts in my personal hell…
@coldbarnocker:disqus wrote “We are dambed”
LMAO!!! Yes, I know it is a typo but that was funny.
And just because you tell yourself something is true over and over doesn’t make it true.
I can also assure you that your so called miracle and the other 20 plus can also be explained.
You cannot prove at all a god exists and I cannot prove one doesn’t but science is getting closer and closer to answering that question and one day science will answer the question. I just won’t be alive when it happen.
There are over 8000 gods you do not believe in but for some reason you think your god is the right one which I find highly amusing.
So keep thinking you where healed by a miracle, you where not. There is no god, no devil, no heaven or hell.
NEWS FLASH The ‘opposite of marriage’ is divorce which the bible is against but strangely 1/2 of all marriages end in divorce (what no problem with that?)…also in the bible as being good are: being a virgin at marriage, slavery, rape, misogyny, child abuse, torture etc, etc…the only people that make a ‘MOCKERY’ are the inane individuals who have somehow appointed themselves as god’s spokes person such as your self. Anyone can ‘quote’ the bible- big deal.. it’s just a pathetic excuse to justify your intolerance and obtuse views. Religion is not required in ANY state in order to get married…..a marriage license from the state is THAT’S ALL.
No one needs man made religion to have a civil marriage.
Because basing your views on a religion that is neither the oldest nor representative of the largest demographic of the global population, in a country where separation of church and state was one of the founding ideals and where practicing members of that religion do not constitute a dominant majority, gives you some sort of legitimacy to your views.
Right?
No, that is not correct.
All religions in the past have reprehended homosexuality because it is harmful and immoral.
To say that only Christianity is opposed to it is sheer folly.
I am opposed to “gay, same sex, homosexual, UFO, Pogo the Clown” marriages based on divine revelation (the example of Sodom and Gomorrah which archaeologists have proven was destroyed by fire) and human reason.
It is only when a society goes mad that it allows “same sex” marriage.
Consider Nero’s homosexual marriage for example.
There are a ton of religions, or myriad subsets of those religions, which accept homosexuality. Some of them are older than Christianity.
Saying you’re not basing your views on Christianity is ludicrous, as you obviously are.
Don’t argue someone elses point, or jump ship when you can’t defend yours: It’s clearly evident that your views stem from both a Christian and American viewpoint, so defend them as a Christian and an American.
Unless you can’t? In which case, the flaws with your viewpoint pointed out in my original statement stand affirmed.
Which they are. You’re not being Christian, you’re being a bigot. You just feel that you’re not allowed to openly be a bigot, so you hide behind religion.
FYI: you’re more than allowed to be a bigot. Words are harmless. Just don’t get all in a tiff when people call you on it.
*edit*: forgot a “don’t” in the last sentence. Woops.
Yes, you are partly correct.
My opposition is based on divine revelation and human reason, both of which you reject in favor of emotion, name-calling, and an appeal to pity.
And Heaven forbid that we should mention empirical evidence, the real truth about the homosexual lifestyle!
That would really be hate, wouldn’t it?
But truth is hate only to those who hate the truth.
And perhaps you could encourage the others posting here to stop their anti-Christian bigotry.
Unfortunately, your movement grows out of the moral corruption which is bone-deep in America.
I would gladly encourage anyone here being bigoted against Christians to stop doing so. It’s just as hateful as being bigoted against LGBT people. For clarifications sake: I’m opposed to your viewpoint, and the skewed mindset you’ve used to justify it, not your religion. I know plenty of Christian folks who I get along with just fine.
What “empirical evidence” are we talking about here? Your repeated mention of Nero?
That’s madness. Rome fell for tons of reasons, all of which are cataloged and detailed by people with far greater insight into the history of Rome than you or I have. Do some of the theories mesh up with your world view? Possibly. Do the vast majority of theories on the fall of Rome completely fail to mention homosexuality? Absolutely.
You’re completely ignoring empirical evidence that doesn’t mesh up with how you want to view things, because that’s how most people work. And you’re intentionally blinding yourself to this.
You’re not speaking the truth. You’re making hurtful broad generalizations and negative false assumptions about an entire population, one I’m fairly certain you’ve had limited genuine contact with, based on ideas someone else had first.
Not only is that the very definition of bigotry but it’s not even stemming from independent thought. You hate because you’re told to hate.
That’s not truth, no matter how you try to wrap your mind around it.
Well, since you ask for empirical evidence..
If homosexuality is normal why do male homosexuals have an average life span much shorter than heterosexuals?
Why is the rate of domestic violence and murder four times higher for lesbian couples?
Why are 63% of serial killers homosexuals?
If it is normal, why does it have bad consequences?
Or do you deny that it has bad consequences?
And if it has bad consequences, why should it be the basis for a social institution?
These are sincere questions. I hope you will answer at least one of my questions instead of denying all of them, then engaging in name-calling by calling me a “hater.”
You asked for a discussion based on empirical evidence and here it is.
The truth is hate only to those who hate the truth.
And please answer the questions without resorting to Freudian pseudo-scientific accusations and psycho-babble.
Son you have to provide sourcing material to back up your “empirical evidence”. Empirical evidence without sourcing is just personal opinion.
“Marriage is helping Australians live longer” – http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr08-je-je135.htm So maybe we should encourage all people to marry then.
Why do 51-52% of all marriages end in divorce? Isn’t that a “bad consequence”? Why are we encouraging marriage if more than 50% of them end in divorce?
Why aren’t we punishing ALL domestic violence cases to the fullest extent of the law? “In 2005, 1,181 women were murdered by an intimate partner.” http://www.now.org/issues/violence/stats.html
“Homosexual Serial Killers (Statistical analysis of homosexuality among serial killers)”…”Serial killers and their victims include people from all races, cultures, nationalities, economic background, educational levels, genders, and sexual orientations. Because serial killers are so rare, it is impossible to use any demographic indicator as a predictor.” http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284368/posts
Many things in life have “bad consequences”….smoking, driving, flying, drinking, etc…but I don’t hear you calling that we end any of those.
Danish researchers are to publish a study whose findings will challenge the claims of anti-gay propagandists Paul (pictured) and Kirk Cameron.
Epidemiologists Morten Frisch and Henrik Brønnum-Hansen will publish “Mortality Among Men and Women in Same-Sex Marriage: A National Cohort Study of 8333 Danes” in the January 2009 issue of the American Journal of Public Health. The study finds that since 1996 the mortality rate among gay men in same-sex marriages has been virtually equivalent to that of heterosexuals.
Their conclusions directly contradict the Camerons, whose notoriously flawed study claimed that gay males had an average lifespan of 42 years. True to the Camerons’ intentions, the results have been used to bolster the arguments of anti-gay groups eager to portray homosexuality as a destructive “lifestyle.”
Evidently not one to mince his words, Frisch earlier told ex-gay-supportive Warren Throckmorton that Cameron’s report was “agenda-driven, pseudo-scientific gobbledygook,” and that its “methodological flaws are of such a grave nature that no decent peer-reviewed scientific journal should let it pass for publication.”
http://www.adherents.com/misc/hsk.html, this link proves your wrong.
Truthful statistics on the destructive nature of homosexuality can find them at http://narth.com/ and Americans For Truth website
NARTH…do you mean the group that self publishes “studies” because no scientific journal will accept the “studies” for lack of being peer reviewed and “studies” written to meet the conclusion desired (which is why no scientific journal will accept them for publishing)? That NARTH?
Okay, you owe me a new keyboard there, I just spit coffee.
NARTH?! Truthful?? Seriously??
Domestic violence in the GLBT community is a serious issue. The rates of domestic violence in same-gender relationships is roughly the same as domestic violence against heterosexual women (25%).
Lambda.org
You’ve yet to provide any source of evidence. I don’t think you fully grasp the meaning of the terms you’re throwing around. “evidence” without a source is an opinion, plain and simple.
I don’t need to address the “evidence” you’ve provided, as someone else has already done an adequate job of responding to them. (I’d just be repeating what they’ve said. It’s not that I’m trying to be evasive, there’s simply no need to repeat what someone else has already posted) But, along the same mindset that allows you to make statements/ask questions without providing any factual backup, let me ask you this:
Why are so many priests child molesters. Specifically, why do so many priests molest male children?
I’d like to see an answer to that, but don’t expect one. You’ve shown a clear trend of evading issues you don’t have a clear-cut, copy-pasted answer for. You call my legitimate observations based on your displayed behavior”psycho-babble” and you completely backed away from “Nero and Rome” after I addressed it.
It’s not name calling when I say that your attitude and behavior, which I’ve observed in these comments, fit the textbook definition of close-mindedness or bigotry. You can call it name-calling, since you obviously don’t like hearing it, but it goes beyond that. And unlike your bizarre “Pogo the clown” reference (which was clearly indicative of an intent to offend a large group of people, as opposed to my words which are directed solely at you), my observations of you are based in some semblance of reality.
It seems that you’re unable to maintain solid footing here on the issues you bring up,and are forced to evade issues or change the subject. If you want some sort of sincere, genuine discussion, you need to start by holding yourself accountable to the thing you decry others for seemingly failing to do.
I will gladly respond, as time permits, until the cows come home. I enjoy discussions like this. But it sure would be nice if you’d follow up on things rather than act the way you have.
That is something the liberal media have ignored, why are the majority of abuse cases involving homosexual men? The Church has a rule regarding those with homosexual tendencies are NOT to enter seminary, so either those who did thought they could control themselves or were using the Church to get to victims. Either way, it was the Church and parish members who were betrayed and the homosexual abusers need to be held accountable. On the flip side, the MAJORITY of celibate priests are good and do not harm children, but the media don’t like to quote those statistics either.
Pedophile Priest are pedophiles not homosexuals. Pedophile Ministers are pedophiles not homosexuals.
Pedophilia is a crime of power and control over the victim. Pedophiles choose their victims based on access (which is why so many pedophiles choose to coach, teach, etc…) and age. The primary attraction for a pedophile is the age of the victim and not the gender. Which is why many pedophiles are married family members of the victims.
Gay men have infiltrated the Catholic priesthood for eons, in an attempt to “change the Church”
regarding its teachings on sexuality. They will forever fail, but they won’t stop trying. Those are the men who sexually abused kids. Their primary concern was for partaking in sexual acts, not for trying to lead their parishoners to salvation. And they are the ones who are responsible for leading people like you to paint the entire Catholic Church with the black color of homosexual priests. It irks me to no end that the people who scream the loudest against the actions of homosexual priests are usually gay, or pro-gay, themselves.
He, I don’t attend a Catholic church and I am not a member of the Catholic faith.
Now that we have that out of the way….
So are female teachers that prey on female students lesbians or pedophiles?
What about a male coach that preys on a young female athlete, are they a pedophile?
How about a married male that preys on young male relative, are they a homosexual or a pedophile?
Is a married male minister that preys on young male parishioner a homosexual or a pedophile?
I don’t doubt that men are more likely to perpetrate sexual abuse, but do you have anything (from a clearly neutral source) to back up your assertion that homosexual men are statistically higher to be offenders?
Or is that just another poor example of “empirical evidence” being wholly misused in these comments?
As for it being the Church who was betrayed, I would be somewhat inclined to agree with you if not for all the examples of the Church working to cover up these incidents. In many cases, given how little aid was offered and how much support was hindered, the church is just as complicit in the psychological damage many of these children incur as the people who perpetrated the offense.
This brings up another point: The bible is the word of God. Written by man, but infallible, yes? How is a book written and re-written by a bunch of people over millenia infallible, but the organization that represents the word isn’t held to the same standard?
How can someone objectively state that gays are an abomination because the bible says so, when the church is littered with homosexual people? Many of whom seem to be counted among the very worst examples of such, when people are talking about “abominable homosexual lifestyles”.
There are just so many double-standards in this issue, I don’t blame Christians for getting so upset. The modern-day reality of the church, coupled with myriad developing trends in human society which conflict with church ideology, must make it incredibly difficult to maintain faith.
Serial killers and their victims include people from all races, cultures, nationalities, economic background, educational levels, genders, and sexual orientations. Because serial killers are so rare, it is impossible to use any demographic indicator as a predictor. There are no “rules” and all apparent trends have been broken.
freepublic.com
Most serial killers were raised in conservative religious households and held conservtive beliefs in adulthood.
Serial killers come from dysfunctional households (usually with one parent absent), so your statement makes no sense at all to the argument.
“…More than 75% of them come from religious and politically conservative families, with more than 80% voting republican.”
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/358193_information-about-serial-killers
This is another interesting article
http://www.conservativecrusader.com/articles/serial-killers-and-politicians-share-traits
“My opposition is based on divine revelation and human reason, both of
which you reject in favor of emotion, name-calling, and an appeal to
pity.”
Name calling???? LOL here is what you have been posting over and over….”gay, same sex, homosexual, UFO, Pogo the Clown” what is that if not “name calling”?
~~~~~
“And Heaven forbid that we should mention empirical evidence, the real truth about the homosexual lifestyle!”
What “empirical evidence” have you offered? You have posted conjecture and opinion but not one piece of “empirical evidence” nor have you offered any.
~~~~~
“And perhaps you could encourage the others posting here to stop their anti-Christian bigotry. ”
Maybe when you stop the anti-homosexual bigotry.
So jd, how many states have constitutional amendments banning gay marriage? Also, How many states have the people voted for SSM? You will not find these facts on the Bangor GAYLY News.
Well it really doesn’t matter how many states have Constitution Amendments banning gay marriage now does it? This is Maine not some other state. And how many states had laws banning interracial marriage prior to 1967? What happened to those laws once the SCOTUS ruled that bans against interracial marriage were unconstitutional?
How many states have the people voted for SSM? Not one….yet. And when was the last time the majority voted for the rights of a minority?
There, I answer your questions now please do me the courtesy of answering mine.
You cannot compare gay marriage to interracial marriage. If you want to go down that road and say it is the same thing to be gay as being interracial. Also, if you want to go down that path, then churches will be forced to marry gay couples, all churches, that is what happened when the SCOTUS ruled against interracial marriage bans. I agree with their ruling. However, being gay is not a race, don’t even try to say it is , otherwise churches, ALL churches will be forced to marry them, or they will be sued. Yes it does matter that 31 (62%) states have constitutional amendments against gay marriage. Surely you know that fact JD, also you know the fact that NO state has voted for gay marriage when the people are given the opportunity to vote. Nice attempt at spinning though.
“You cannot compare gay marriage to interracial marriage.”
Yes I can and I dud.
~~~~~
“If you want to go down that road and say it is the same thing to be gay as being interracial.”
No, I said it established a precedent (a principle or rule established in a previous legal case that is either binding on or persuasive for a court or other tribunal when deciding subsequent cases with similar issues or facts).
~~~~~
“Also, if you want to go down that path, then churches will be forced to marry gay couples, all churches, that is what happened when the SCOTUS ruled against interracial marriage bans.”
A church may not be forced to marry anyone. My church has refused to marry many people over the years.
~~~~~
“I agree with their ruling.”
Really? If you did you wouldn’t be arguing that Loving v. Virginia didn’t set precedent.
~~~~~
“However, being gay is not a race, don’t even try to say it is , otherwise churches, ALL churches will be forced to marry them, or they will be sued.”
Didn’t say it was the same thing as race. I said it set precedent and that precedent is “marriage is a fundamental civil right”.
~~~~~
“Yes it does matter that 31 (62%) states have
constitutional amendments against gay marriage.”
And when the SCOTUS rules those amendments will either stand or fall. The U.S. Constitution trumps ALL.
~~~~~
“Surely you know that fact JD, also you know the fact that NO state has voted for gay marriage when the people are given the opportunity to vote.”
And when was the last time the majority voted on a civil right of a minority prior to same sex marriage? Or better yet which one of your civil rights are you willing to put up for a vote?
~~~~~
“Nice attempt at spinning though.”
No spin involved. I asked a series of questions which you did answer by the way.
Religion does not matter… ANY religion.
It’s not relevant to our modern civil law.
If you want to consult a real expert on the subject of marriage you should talk to the drug addicted college dropout known as Rush Limbaugh. He’s happily married for the fourth time now.
For now, I hear there are problems with this marriage as well.
I can”t imagine why …
/snark
Reason 2:31: There is no god.
You are confusing religious marriage to legal marriage.
Legal marriage is rightful marriage only if it is rightful in the eyes of God.
So is a couple married by a Justice of the Peace with no mention of God or any other “Supreme Being” married or not?
My wife and I have been happily married for 9 years, and by a Justice of the Peace. Are we committing a sin by engaging in sexual acts, with no intent on creating a child, without being married in a church, under the watchful eyes of God? (My wife isn’t religious either, but she would make a good Catholic)
Ah, more religious nonsense… sorry sir, your god is not our civil law.
But keep using it… you can’t even use it in court hon. I find that most telling of all.
Longtime partners ? . . . . and they are involved since 2007 ?
put their years together against…oh, I don’t know, Brittany Spears or Kim Kardashian, and the term “longtime” applies quite well.
It must be nice to be so perfect JohnM that you can make fun of the way someone speaks. Barney Frank has been one of the most powerful people in Washington, what do you do?
powerful ? nah.. corrupt ..yes.. powerful never was.. he was given a few tasks he failed on all of them . he and Dodd were the start of the economic failure while they remained in complete denial they nearly single handedly mis-managed the entire housing industry in America.. and you pick him as one of your heros.. great really really great.. it’s at this point that folks could decide that you have no clue at all and will become completely irrelevant, instead of just partly
I make an honest living! I don’t take taxpayer monies and I don’t mess up the country with Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac.
ah, but you do take tax payer money whether you realize it or not. Who pays for the roads you travel on? How about if your house is on fire…who do you call? If you ever had children in public school…etc…no, you may not be on welfare, but we all benefit from tax payer money.
He was certainly powerful enough to head the House Finance Committee during the time period Fannie and Freddie started the 2008 economic downturn. It was he that mandated banks loan money to people that didn’t have the means to pay it back. I would say he was powerful. Maybe not to this country’s benefit.
I think you give to much power to one person..”It was he that mandated banks loan money to people that didn’t have the means to pay it back”. That was the Committee that mandated it.
Seth – 298 comments – I’m not going to even try to wade through all these and answer some. It is interesting this has struck such a nerve with people. That’s the part I find fascinating. Had Barney & Jim simply retired to Maine as yet another gay couple living in Ogunquit (I mean, really, that’s right out of Central Casting), this would not have made a blip on the radar screen.
But, because they had a legal, civil ceremony, in Massachusetts, not involving ANY church, preacher, bible-thumper, or cleric, this story gets 298 (so far) comments?
I think they are running scared. “OMG! Two more gays in Ogunquit!”
That’s like two more potatoes in The County.
Really, these people need to chill-out. Ah, perhaps the estimated additional $22M per year in tourism will smooth some ruffled feathers once SSM passes in Maine?
Longtime partners ? . . . and they are involved since 2007 ?
Oh it would be entertaining to read all of this hate if it wasn’t so tragic.
So this guy is a carpenter and a welder? Shouldn’t he be a hairdresser, florist, or a dancer? Isn’t that the stereotype? I bet he walks around all day looking all straight, acting straight, how dare he!
Haters, I know that it sucks fighting a losing battle, but more and more high profile people will continue to come out of the closet and live the life that they were meant to. No longer will the gay community feel shame. High profile people will continue to get married in same sex unions. Have you thought of the next losing battle that you need to fight?
Maine, Open for Gay Marriage, once the November elections are held. Ha, Ha :}
wouldn’t that be great. Think of all the money that would flow to small businesses across the state. As a rental property owner, I for one would welcome the extra income, as I bet would florists, inn keepers, restaurants, gift stores, and event planners. Here is a no brainer way to kick start the economy!
turn the economy over to the gays.. good idea.. last I saw the gay community in the USA was less than 10% of the population.. in the whole of the USA. lets see in Maine there are a tad more than a million folks.. but of that million more than half are children or the elderly… that would leave 50000 gays in Maine… that’s the entire population of Bangor plus 20,000.. so include Orono, Veazie and oh let’s say hermon… wow.. but that would be wrong wouldn’t it.. the further north you go the more conservative they get.. pesky right wing nuts.. so best stay in Portland .. the center of commerce and gays.. so sure Seth I can see an incredible rush by gays to buy everything from sea gull feathers to new paint brushes. all in Portland .. not across the state duh
Gays are everyone. Keep pretending they’re only in portland and they’re only this or that, but it’s not going to make them go away or disappear. You’re just going to have to deal with it, unless you want to live in a theocracy. Maybe try Iran?
Yes because we all know that people (including gays) NEVER travel to Maine for vacation….remember “Vacationland”.
Well, we are absolutely inviting our family and friends to our wedding in Maine once we can attach the ceremony to a civil marriage license. And obviously the majority of those folks won’t also be gay.
And we’ll be spending our money in Downeast Maine, where we have made our life together and felt the warm acceptance of our community for many years already.The benefits of allowing gay marriage will be felt by all of us, not just the minority gay community.
So there was an election already in 2009. The people spoke with 53 percent voting to repeal the “gay” marriage law. You didn’t get the answer you wanted so you want to keep voting and when you get the result you want then that is the “correct” result and we should stop voting.
Why should, they have to stop trying, to get the rights they want. If you want, or need something, do you give up, if you don’t get it, on the 1st try? I would rather spend time, with my gay friends, and family, then a 100 people, with your mind set.
Actually no Harry I doubt it will be the end. I expect our loving, open minded Governor will refuse to certify the election results which will give those opposing SSM the time to gather signatures to repeal the vote and round and round we go.
But the bottom line is this…we shouldn’t be voting on civil rights of any groups.
I highly doubt if they lose this time, they will do this all over again. It costs too much money to do this, i am voting for them to get it this time, but i got a feeling its gonna be 56 44
In 1967 there were still 16 states that outlawed interracial marriage when SCOTUS ruled it was unconstitutional. Those states had the exact same reasons for banning interracial marriage as people rationalize against same sex marriage- it would ruin the ‘sanctity’ of traditional marriage, children who were raised by interracial couples would be damaged, it would ruin the country, etc, etc, etc……if someone doesn’t believe in interracial marriage DON”T marry someone of a different race DUH- that intern doesn’t give that same person the ‘right’ to prevent or ban another person from marrying someone of a different race due to THEIR beliefs against interracial marriage. No one who supports same sex marriage is telling anyone who doesn’t support same sex marriage they HAVE to marry someone of the same sex-it’s the people who don’t support same sex marriage (due to their own opinions) who are telling same sex couple THEY can’t marry- REALLY? SCOTUS will eventually rule on this as well and it will be the same outcome as the anti-miscegenation laws of 1967. If people were truly worried about the ‘threat’ to traditional marriage we would all be voting to ban traditional divorce in November. Imagine having others taking away your right to decide as an American citizen that you can’t get a divorce if you wanted one.
supreme court will decide this one, Harry. This is a civil liberties issue; the voters will determine the final outcome.
I notice Obama won overwhelmingly in 2008 and conservatives still screamed bloody murder anytime he tried to do anything. Sounds like you’re being a big hypocrite.
That’s EXACTLY how democracy works. Why are you sounding so upset?
You keep fighting for what you want, using the legitimate means offered by the system, and the people who view things differently than you do will do the same.
Would you deny them the right to keep fighting? Would you sit back and accept their values when they won? Of course not. Because that’s not how people work.
So stop being hypocritical and accept that that’s the system you have.
Honestly, civil rights of minorities should not be put to popular vote. The 2009 veto was appalling.
But since we are having a vote this November, I will do what I can to see that Maine leads our nation once again on issues of equality, extending civil marriage to same-sex couples.
Harry to be honest with you i was not gonna vote at all this time but i am gonna vote for gay marriage this time. I do not see it passing, several people have told me that they will not change there minds at all. But i have. But again i do not see it passing but hope it does
The Mass. train wreck continues. Screwball Patrick officiates. Obnoxious Frank marries. Moonbats rejoice. Real role models all. Now they can adopt a newborn baby and settle down. Sweet.
And there is nothing you can do. Sweet! :)
and that newborn child would be the unwanted spawn of a straight couple. Good thing there is a loving and committed couple like Ready and Frank to ensure that child has a loving home.
And this would affect your life how exactly? Too bad your so myopic.
You mean the train wreck of having the lowest divorce rate in the nation? Or the train wreck of leading our nation to strike down unconstitutional legislation like DOMA?
Maybe it was the train wreck of having one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the country. Or maybe it was the train wreck of having one of the highest rates of personal income in the country. Or maybe it was the train wreck of having one of the highest rates of new business start ups in the country. Yep Mass is sure one hell of a train wreck.
go look in your own backyards people..move on..nothing to see…
Best Wishes to them both!
sorry folks .. but that is sick.. and BDN should be ashamed for supporting this kind of Human activity… this of course is already mapped out for us. we have moral decay that is eating away every day .. bit by bit.. and it is truly disgusting.
Mind your own business if you don’t like it. Are they in your house standing over you and screeching about all the stuff you do?
the “moral decay that is eating away every day…bit by bit…and is truly disgusting” has nothing to do with this couple getting married. The decay of our civilization has more to do with unabated greed, corruption and intolerance. I wish the newlyweds many happy years together!
There is nothing sick or immoral about two people who love and support one another.
Civil marriage encourages stability in our communities, we should absolutely offer civil marriage benefits to our neighbors, regardless of the gender of their partner.
“Several polls show U.S. public support of gay marriage rising.” I’ll bet “several polls” show a lot of things…mostly that resistance is fading, which is different than support rising.
While I disagree with most of Barney Frank’s politics, I wish them good luck and happiness.
Actually it is clear that support is rising. If you look at polls where the responses are separated by age group, the younger generations are not opposed to allowing same sex couples the legal protections of civil marriage.
My point exactly.
Hmmm. What an odd debate.
Resistance falling implies that the number of people willing to fight to prevent same sex marriage is decreasing.
Support rising implies that the number of people willing to fight to allow it is increasing.
In reality it’s both. They’re both closely linked.
I could agree that resistance is fading, as all of the old Bible thumpers start to die off.
Ever get tired of people throwing Bible verses at you, and using religion as an excuse for condemning homosexuality? Well, this is something I came across and I still laugh every time I read it.
On her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger; who’s PhD is in physiology (yeah she’s a Dr. of gym) and who had an affair with a married man and has been divorced, said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. It’s funny, as well as informative:
Dear Dr. Laura:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination… End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God’s Laws and how to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness – Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord – Lev.1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath.Exodus 35:2. clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination – Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this? Are there ‘degrees’ of abomination?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle- room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help.
Here you go bible beater’s enjoy pffffffffft.
You have taken these laws out of context and mocked the Bible and mocked God.
Sodomy is “One of the Four Sins Capable of Calling Down Fire from Heaven.”
It is considered in Judaism and Christianity worse than other sins because it damages the sinner as well and alienates his soul from God.
We see the hatred of the things of God in this post and in the homosexual rights movement.
You’re the one filled with the most hate it seems. Seems like you also only like the parts of the Bible that you can use against others and you want to ignore what applies to you.
How are those laws taken “out of context”? They come from the same book opponents to SSM quote to show the Bible says homosexuality is “condemned” in the Bible. So if the above quotes are taken “out of context” why isn’t the law “condemning” homosexuality “taken out of context”?
By your own logic: You’re mocking God by not following all of those rules.
Either you can pick and choose what parts of the bible you want to follow, based on a legitimate understanding of the fact that the bible was written by people and is open to interpretation or you must follow every single rule because every word of the Bible came from the mouth of God and is his law.
Protip: no one chooses the second option. Not you, not anyone you know, not the pope. Every Christian (or member of any religion, for that matter) picks and chooses the rules they want to follow based on their beliefs, biases and failings as a human being (stemming from the level of commitment they’re willing to put into it.)
You’re no different from a Christian who supports same-sex marriage. You simply chose to break different rules. Because at your core you’re a coward and a bigot. And nothing you can say can change that. You can only change that reality by changing yourself.
Great post.
God condemns rape, not love.
There is nothing sinful about two people blessed enough to find a supportive, nurturing relationship to build a live together in.
You are a base hypocrite to be so vocally opposed to an activity you have no problem avoiding, while ignoring the other demands your bible makes of you.
Oh NO I have MOCKED god!!! Seems to me there’s a whole lot to mock. So what’s going to happen to me? NOTHING. You believe in a talking snake, making people out of dust and an invisible person who lives int he sky, rape, slavery, misogyny and all the other hate and vitriol a silly book says…..try thinking for yourself. I prescribe to the Flying Spaghetti Monster myself as that would be a more reasonable alternative. Pfffffffft.
Oh, no, he mocked god…I’m sure his timbers are shivering now!
His timbers may not be shivering now, but they will be later if he does not repent. God is very patient, even with those who mock him. However, God is also a God of justice, and he doesn’t forget.
Do you understand that laws in the United States are secular laws and not laws based on any religious texts? Doesn’t matter which text it is, the Bible, the Qur’an, the Book of Mormon, etc…
Congrats to them :)
This is news? Two gay guys have a ceremony and it’s considered a marriage?
They are married. Sorry that bothers you so much.
Yup…SSM is legal in Massachusetts. If it bothers you don’t read the article.
Civil marriage is available in Massachussetts.
You are correct that same-sex couples can already have marriage ceremonies here in Maine, but without the civil marriage certificate, it is a symbolic ceremony affirming the relationship, but conveys no benefits under the law.
I am hoping that this November Maine can join the rest of New England in offering civil marriage to same-sex couples. It’s the right thing to do!
No. Its the wrong thing to do!!
Why do you insist that?
There are same-sex couples throughout Maine who wish to have civil marriage. They love and support each other, and have built lives together. Why do you wish to deny them the ability to protect themselves with civil marriage?
Many of these couples are also raising children together— and civil marriage helps protect the children of a relationship, too. Why do you stand against that?
What harm comes to you and your life because others are able to protect their lives and their children?
Because I speak from experience. My ex wife and I divorced over 3 years ago. Since that time time I have bailed her out of 3 abusive lesbian relationships. And the people she associates with have all gone through the same situation. I have yet to see a same sex couple with a non abusive relationship
Are you mature enough to realize something exists without you personally seeing it?
There are many positive, affirmative same sex relationships. Just look at some of the photos of happy elderly couples finally able to wed in New York, and you can see decades-long supportive relationships.
I wouldn’t judge all same-sex relationships by your ex-wife’s relationships.
And I have never responded to a domestic violence call involving a same sex couple. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen…domestic violence does not care what sexual orientation one is.
It sounds like the common denominator here isn’t the lesbians…
That is your opinion.
MA civil law disagrees… soon US civil law will as well.
Are we going to have regular updates on all MA politicians now? I mean does this guy know anything at all about Maine beyond affluent communities and nice restaurants and that its’ welcoming to gay people? Trust the Pingrees are offering one of the yachts/estates for honeymoon where they can discuss Improving the Lives of The Little People.
His husband is a Mainer.
Probably not, but the first sitting congressman entering into a same-sex marriage is newsworthy, and the fact that it is to a Mainer makes it newsworthy to Maine newspapers.
Congratulations Barney and Jim!!
Frank and Dodd both need to be serving jail time for there part in ruining the housing market. I could care less about this marriage?? or any other news story concerning Frwank that doesn’t have the headline bwaney sentenced today
“I could care less about this marriage?? or any other news story concerning Frwank that doesn’t have the headline bwaney sentenced today”
But yet you couldn’t resist the opportunity to post a comment.
This type of behavior will be the downfall of the human race
I see you see the glass as being half empty.
Because I voiced my view, which does not fit yours?
Committing to the one you love will be our downfall?
Yes, because breeding-based marriage is outlawed where same sex marriage is now the law. And, of course it’s impossible to have babies when one is not married, so that’s that.
Im glad you agree , maybe there is hope!
I can’t wait to see the posts in November when the gay marriage vote in Maine falls short again. All polls say it will fail, and no one has changed their mind.
Care to post those links that show “polls say it will fail”?
Yeah, that is a weird spin on all the polls we’ve seen…
None of the polls say that.
Championed financial reform? Uh more like helped create the mess we have been in. Wish him well in retirement and marriage
More News stories about gay marriage.
BDN can’t seem to get enough of them.
I changed my mind and will vote no..
I’m tiried of it being thrown in my face with news article after news article.
If one is going to base their vote on the number of articles that appear in a newspaper and not the actual issue, one shouldn’t vote at all.
You were never going to vote yes in the first place, otherwise you wouldn’t be so fickle with your vote.
That’s wonderful. Good for them!
LOL LOL LOL !!
That is great, equal rights for all.. Congrats
Congrats to the happy couple. After reading some of these posts who are we to judge? Who cares, they are happy let them have a happy life. How does there lives affect us? These are tax paying citizens not leaching off the system. Why does it matter? I think we have more important issues to worry about. How am I going to pay my mortage. Will I have enough money for food this week. Do I have enough money to put gas in my car to get to work. I can’t afford to get sick. To me these are real issues. If this is what makes Barney Frank happy let him be happy.
You know what I love most about this story? That this story trumps LePage and Howie Carrs racist rally yesterday! Congrats to the happy couple and to those ranting about the gay-ish-ness?Ha freaking ha!!
Congrats to you both. I may not agree with Barney’s politics, but I wish them much happiness.
Soon, gay couples will be marrying nation-wide. That will be a great day.
Biblical beliefs aside, there is something seriously wrong with people who think that this is a normal relationship.
Really now, how can you know? Do you judge all celebrity weddings as if you know them personally, just because you read gossip column news about them?
A lot of celebrity (heterosexual) marriages are nothing to be proud of either. Doesn’t change the fact that there is something wrong with a 72 year old man marrying a 42 year old man. It’s just not right.
Dependz.
Funny how the BDN does not mention in Barney’s bio his relationship with a male hooker who ran a bisexual prostitution ring out of him home. Also, how about a mention of the 31 states which have constitutional amendments against gay marriage. Or, how about the fact that the 8 states which allow SSM were not approved by the popular vote of those states. Fact: Gay marriage has never won by popular vote. But, hey, I guess this article is an opinion piece and not a news piece.
Gonna be some upset states…
Fact: in a republic, the popular vote is not highest authority.
In the BDN it’s all opinion all the time. Careful about bringing all that stuff up like facts and such. You will be branded a hater, a bigot, intolerant and homophobic by the people who expect you to be tolerant but aren’t themselves.
Right. So every time there is a marriage announcement, I should highlight the fact that there is some heterosexual couple that is awful? What about a single mom that has killed her child? Or a husband that has beaten his wife?
How the heck is that relevant? You’re trying to highlight the worst in order to smear the rest. That’s awful. That clearly makes you a bigot. Deal with the label you deserve.
Thanks for proving my point once again. You are really, really good at assigning labels and branding people. Not accurately of course but then again you’re you.
No, it’s accurate. There is no reason to bring up irrelevant information in order to smear people, especially when it’s not what the article itself is about. Like I said, do you make sure to highlight the bad aspects of the past on other wedding announcements? I doubt it and that’s what makes you a bigot.
There you go again.
I notice you don’t have a real response or answer to my question.
Are any of the items you list germane to a story about two people being married?
Gee, Yes, they are germane. Did you happen to read the article with the very biased history of Barney Frank?
I wonder if Michaud will be the bridesmaid
Aside from someone using insider information to benefit his own portfolio and then announcing his lifestyle choice in front of congress, for no other reason than he was afraid of being outted- And another someone keeping his lifestyle choice a secret because he thinks it will cost him votes from his base—- no, I dont have a problem with gay’s.
I have some close gay friends, with children, and they make great parents. While they did the whole civil union thing, they arnt interested in getting married.
My only problem with gay marriage is that “it does” redefine the parameters of marriage and in such must include polygamy as well,,,, And no, I am not looking at increasing my household, but I do a few that might.
Two questions –
1. How does gay marriage “redefine the parameters of marriage”?
2. How would allowing SSM impact or change your marriage (assuming that you are married)?
Before stating that the legalization of SSM will also open the doors to legalizing polygamy, you should ask yourself: where has this happened?
So, I’ll ask you: where has polygamy been legalized in states or countries that allow SSM? For that matter, where has it even become an issue?
We should let these issues live or die on their own merits and stop with the fear-mongering.
Before you comment, maybe you should look at American history; countries that to this day do allow it— go ahead do the research
SSM has opened the doors to legalized polygamy? Really? That was the point of my question, and after doing a quick Net search, I don’t see any examples of that. Just more fear-mongering.
If you have links to stories that verify what you’re saying, I’d like to see them. I’m sure many other readers would, as well.
Just like the straight people I know don’t represent all the straight people in the world, the gay people you know don’t represent me or other gay people….
Exactly, the comments here are based upon small groups of people.
As usual, the decision will be decided on election day, and on the election day after that, and so on….
what p-town was full?
Big Paulie will be have to go to Mass. to be with his true love, lol!!!!
God bless them. Hope they have many years of happiness together.
God will bless them, with graces to repent. Let’s hope they cooperate with the graces.
Marriage is a civil contract… your mythology matters not.
This is news, what is it with all the Liberal news articles on this stuff in the BDN in the last month. Someone running for political office. Don’t forget Frank was one of those that messed this country up by changing some of the financial laws.
Once doesn’t have to acknowledge or approve of Barney’s horrible fiscal record while in office to acknowledge that the inclusion of gay citizens in the civil contract of marriage is a great thing.
You mean collapsing most of the economy isn’t a reason. Inclusion lol
Can’t separate one from the other?
What a pathetically simple mind you have.
Of course I can, though I do not have to insult someone as it seems a lot of proponets of gay marriage seem to do.
Your post was insulting.
I am sorry you have a hard time dealing with fact. I read the comments, and if you are not for it, you are be-rated, and called a whole bunch of other things that I will not repeat. Simply because you disagree.
If you’re LOL’ing at those who seek inclusion, you yourself are just as insulting.
You were not berated because of your disagreement… I commented on it, but did not berate you. I berated you when you felt the idea of inclusion to be LOL-worthy.
My comment was no less insulting.
That the liberal mess he made of the U.S. and posting like he is some kind of poster guy for liberals. He should not be news anyplace.
Unfortunately, we don’t live in a world where yours is the only view.
I don’t like the man’s politics… but I didn’t like George W’s politics either.
Deal with it… you don’t live on the planet alone.
Likewise, and I deal with it,and my opinions are just as valid as others.
Congratulations to this happy and in love couple! May you enjoy many many happy years together. Good for you!
Congratulations to the happy couple!
God bless them. Good luck. Hopefully we in Maine will have the same opportunity after November.
How apropos… our nation in decline and a brace of homosexual libertines pose in stark contrast to moral restraint and natural law. Barny Frank has always deserved the scorn of Americans for his liberal bias and foul comments, but now this uncouth sybarite will most likely become the salivating mouthpiece for activists who wish to destroy the institution of marriage in the State of Maine. Look at what has become of us…
Your idea would be natural law if it didn’t happen in nature.
The “institution” of marriage is untarnished… if it’s harmed by anything it’s the outrageous divorce rate in this nation.
We have become a better nation… a better place for all to live. It’s a damned shame people like you cannot see the world as anything other than dark and bleak. You’re sad.
A sad day for Massachusetts and Maine….R.I.P morals…humanity….future life and existence…
Future life? Existence?
How insane are you, exactly?
Let me put it to you this way….Thankfully they can not have offspring…but some of us will unless we all become sick and infected….End of the world as we know it…( this only happens in our species and again, thankfully….)
ROFLOL!!!
It happens in many species… you’re not very educated, nor very bright.
Tell us oh genius, how is the world to end?
And how exactly are you going to get sick and infected? You sleeping around with a bunch of people you don’t know?
Your fear mongering is worse than most…
It must really be horrible to be so petty, small, and afraid of so much that means so little.
You’re a powerful ally in your ignorance.
What are you talking about? Gay people can, in fact, have children. And they’re not always gay offspring. Straight people have offspring who are gay, as well.
And what is this “sick and infected” comment? I don’t understand.
Well at least your screen name fits you.
This should be a great reason to vote no.
And how does this harm anyone? A lot of sad, sad bigotry shown in these comments.
If *you* don’t want a same-sex marriage, don’t have one.
A fool rebukes reason… and God is an anathema to his flesh.
What “reason”? One pulled from hateful mythology?
Give us a break already.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion . . .
I hope they’re Frank with each other.
Mon. 9AM………..Someone has a sor butt this morning.
Why do you let your father do that to you?
Here’s hoping that Barney and “Dude” will now fade slowly off into the sunset where we’ll never have to listen to his slobbering pronouncements again!
Very sick people in this world today
I agree. Some of these comments on here are so hateful.
Like you.
heartfelt congratulations to barney and james!
i really don’t understand why everyone gets so upset about gay marriage. It’s not like you’re going to be REQUIRED to marry someone of the same sex.
sheesh. get a life!
Congratulations to the happy couple. May their marriage be as blissful as mine has been!
Let’s sing the Barney Song!
“I wuv you. You wuv me…”
I wonder if barney wore white for his purity?
I wonder if Barney wore white as an indication of his purity?