Gay marriages not the real threat

[Nevada]

finally...someone who sensible realizes that gay marriages don't threaten the state of marriage but the problems within the marriage

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/123004dntexgaymarriage.9ce1f.html

[Eric McTavish]

cant see it it wants me to register... :x

[Nevada]

AUSTIN – A Democratic political consultant, saying marriage should not become a wedge issue, has formed a group to fight passage of a state constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage.

Introducing Practice What You Preach, Jason Stanford said Wednesday that while he agrees with social conservatives that marriage is in crisis, he thinks gays have nothing to do with it.

The threats to marriage are no-fault divorce and domestic violence, Mr. Stanford said, and the Legislature should be concentrating on laws that would bolster traditional marriages instead of grandstanding on what he sees as a discriminatory amendment that accomplishes nothing.

"That amendment, win or lose, means gay marriage is still illegal in Texas. Win or lose, marriage is still in crisis in Texas," he said. "The question is whether the Texas Legislature is going to quit the hypocrisy and focus on the real problems."

Mr. Stanford also acknowledged that he is hoping to redirect the discussion away from one centered on gay rights, arguments that have proved unpopular with voters. Initiatives banning gay marriage passed by substantial margins in all 11 states where it was on the November ballot.

Cathie Adams, president of the Texas Eagle Forum and a top social conservative supporter of the amendment, said she agreed with Mr. Stanford on ending easy divorces and reducing domestic violence.

"He's speaking with a lot of wisdom there," she said. "But the definition of marriage is fundamental, and I hope he would change his mind about that."

Ms. Adams said that while a state law passed last year defines marriage as solely between a man and woman, a court could theoretically overturn the statute.

A constitutional amendment is needed, she said, because "if we did not have a favorable Supreme Court, we could be in jeopardy of losing the definition of marriage."

A constitutional amendment would require two-thirds approval in both the House and Senate and ratification by a simple majority of voters. Such approval is all but certain; last year, the Senate endorsed the law by a vote of 22-9 and the House, 118-9.

"I think Texas is a conservative state. I think the majority of legislators are conservative," Ms. Adams said. "I think this is such a fundamental issue that I don't see a controversy."

Nevertheless, she said, she has always expected some fight.

Randall Ellis, director of the Gay/Lesbian Rights Lobby, said he believes the amendment "is an attack on gay and lesbians," but an effort to couch it in other terms from independent groups is also welcomed.

"It's important to make an argument in the broadest possible terms," he said.

Mr. Stanford, whose group has launched a Web site and plans to raise money for ads and voter outreach, said he realizes the political mountain he faces.

"Any fool could run the other side," he said. "When George Washington crossed the Potomac, no one gave him much of a chance, either. The really great stories in history are not written by slam-dunk favorites."

[Eric McTavish]

good article thank you! :D

[Alianne]

Didn't Washington cross the *Delaware*?

(He may have crossed the Potomac, but the famous crossing is the Delaware River crossing on 12/15 that led to a surprise defeat of Hessian troops).

Yes it was the Deleware, and it was done early morning on December 25th of 1776.

He did it on Christmas morning, because since it is a widely practiced Christian holiday. Knowing this, Washington assumed (rightly) that the Hessians would be up drinking since they (fighting a Gentlemans war in those days) did not fight on such days as Christmas, drank the night away and slept in that morning.

Washington arrived on shore and he and his men suprised the Hessians still sleeping in their tents....

Muffin

[Lug Ironjaw]

It was said that Washington threw a Silver Dollar across the Potomac River. Heard that one in History class.

And I'm surprised that Washington didn't learn from the attack and begin a campaign of fighting the British at night or on Sundays. But I gues they all had some bizarre code of chivalry back then. I for one, wouldn't like to stand in a line or in a box and let the enemy take pot shots at me.

No, that was not true and here is a thing from a washington legends page



· Threw a silver dollar across the Potomac River.
Myth: Washington succeeded in throwing a silver dollar across the Potomac River.

What this myth teaches: This highlighted his great strength. Washington may have thrown an object across the Rappahanack River, the river on which his childhood home, Ferry Farm, stood. However, he would not have been able to throw anything across the Potomac, which is over a mile wide at Mount Vernon. Also he wouldn't have thrown a sliver dollar because silver dollars didn't exist.


Muffin

And for those wo still refuse to believe this is true..every year on Christmas day they do a reenactment of it....Yes on Christmas day, over many the past years, my father dragged us out int he frigied mornings of Christmas to watch a group of brave lads get in their boats and recreate that most historic of moments....

the last few years my daughter has thankfully gotten up out of it since Santa is now more important then History (for now!!!!)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20041225/ap_on_re_us/washington_s_crossing

seems this year it had to be cancelled again! Too bad because it really is very cool....but it is usually very cold and windy and is on CHristmas day. As I said, since we had Julia, we tend to not go because of her, but I think maybe another year or two we will be back.

Muffin

[Lug Ironjaw]

No, that was not true and here is a thing from a washington legends page
· Threw a silver dollar across the Potomac River.
Myth: Washington succeeded in throwing a silver dollar across the Potomac River.

What this myth teaches: This highlighted his great strength. Washington may have thrown an object across the Rappahanack River, the river on which his childhood home, Ferry Farm, stood. However, he would not have been able to throw anything across the Potomac, which is over a mile wide at Mount Vernon. Also he wouldn't have thrown a sliver dollar because silver dollars didn't exist.

Muffin

I thought it was too far out to believe. Now I gotta get a hold of my old college and demand my cash for that class back. They should give me a refund for teaching false facts!

[Dedeley]

In the play, Wicked, there is a line that says, "We believe in a lot of nonsensical stuff. We call it history."