The House wasted a day’s worth of taxpayer money today debating the God Hates Fags marriage “protection” amendment. Because we all know that the specter of gay marriage is the worst threat facing our country at this time. Uh huh.
Despite this imminent threat, the amendment failed to garner the two-thirds majority necessary for passage.
The vote was 236-187 with one member voting “present,” a slight improvement over the last House vote just before the 2004 election but still 46 short of the two-thirds majority needed to advance a constitutional amendment.
…Opponents, including 27 Republicans, argued that the measure was meaningless — the Senate rejected the amendment last month, effectively killing it for this session of Congress — as well as unneeded and mean-spirited.
Wheeler at Alablawg highlights a speech by Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN) pointing out the hypocrisy of the proposed amendment.
Marriage is for life, and this amendment needs to include that basic tenant. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I think we should expand the scope of the amendment to outlaw divorce in this country. Going further Mr. Speaker, I believe in fidelity. Adultery is an evil that threatens the marriage and the heart of every marriage, which is commitment.
How can we as a country allow adulterers to go unpunished and continue to make a mockery of marriage? Again by doing so, what lessons are we teaching our children about marriage? I certainly think that it shows we are not serious about protecting the institution and this is why I think the amendment should outlaw adultery and make it a felony. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, we must address spousal abuse and child abuse. Think of how many marriages end in a divorce or permanent separation because one spouse is abusive.
And, Mr. Speaker, I personally think child abuse may be the most despicable act one can commit. This is why if we are truly serious about protecting marriage to the point we will amend the constitution, we should extend the punishment of abuse to prevent those who do such a hideous act from ever running for an elected position anywhere.
We should also prevent those who commit adultery, or get a divorce, from running for office. Mr. Speaker, this House must lead by example. If we want those watching on CSPAN to actually believe we are serious about protecting marriage, then we should go after the other major threats to the institution. Not just the threat that homosexuals may some day be allowed to marry in a state other than Massachusetts. An elected official should certainly lead by example.
Yikes! That last paragraph could disqualify quite a few people, including some who are currently serving. I don’t think members of Congress would sit still for those limitations on their freedom. Too bad the supporters can’t see the irony.
UPDATE: Apparently, Rep. Davis was dead serious about his proposals. He wasn’t saying the amendment was stupid and mean-spirited (he voted for it); he didn’t think it went far enough. I wonder what his divorced colleagues made of that speech. Scary!
Here’s the scary part now…
I thought that Alablawg was right, and that this surely a sarcastic illustration of the right wing’s hypocrisy. After all, who could be so crazy as to say that divorce should be a felony, a crime resulting in prison time disqualifying people from public office and preventing people from voting in most states. That would be insane, right?
I think that Lincoln Davis officially qualifies as insane.
He actually meant what he said. Somebody called up the office of Lincoln Davis and asked if Congressman Davis was serious about making adultery and divorce criminal acts, and the aide said YES.
Lincoln Davis wants to give us what the Taliban had: Police who enforce religious codes of morality, putting people in prison for having sex.
This is so mind-blowingly out of hand that I am actually having to hold onto my chair, because the world feels like it’s turning upside down.
How could any American seriously propose this?
I put the video up at my site, and have been watching it, trying to see some way to conclude that Lincoln Davis is not certifiably nuts.
http://irregulartimes.com/index.php/archives/2006/07/18/lincoln-davis-insane/
I can’t come up with anything.
Well, at least Rep. Davis can’t top the great former U.S. Senator from my state, Jeremiah Denton, who proposed on the floor of the Senate that adultery be punishable by death………..
Thanks, J. Clifford. I really thought he was being sarcastic, but I see that he voted for the amendment, which persuades me that he was indeed serious. You’re right, he’s certifiable.
oh. my. god.
Rep. Davis was NOT serious. He was making a point about the hypocrisy of the bill. He did vote for it, but that is not to say he meant the ironies of his speech literally. He represents a really rural, conservative district (previously represented by a neo-con) that practically demands a yes vote on passage. His speech was simply to highlight the larger issue- gays don’t threaten our marriages. We threaten our marriages.
And I think I’ve heard it all, then another dumb ass opens their mouth……………….
Cristine, I so hope you are right.
I am not touching this one. As I believe the government, should stay out as well. I could really care less who marry’s who, we should all be able to suffer equally! Anna, you are a bit salty and edgy lately, what gives?
Bottom Line, I’m always salty and edgy. I just fake sweet and smooth.
