DEFENDERS OF THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE

Ronald Reagan - divorced the mother of two of his children to marry Nancy Reagan who bore him a daughter 7 months after the marriage.

Bob Dole - divorced the mother of his child, who had nursed him through the long recovery from his war wounds.

Newt Gingrich - divorced his wife who was dying of cancer.

Dick Armey - House Majority Leader - divorced.

Senator Phil Gramm of Texas - divorced.

Governor John Engler of Michigan - divorced.

Governor Pete Wilson of California - divorced.

George Will - divorced.

Senator Lauch Faircloth - divorced.

Rush Limbaugh - and his current wife, Marta, have six marriages and four divorces between them.

Senator Bob Barr of Georgia - not yet 50 years old, has been married three times. He had the audacity to author and push the "Defense of Marriage Act." The current joke making the rounds on Capitol Hill is "Bob Barr - WHICH marriage are you defending?!?)

Senator Alfonse D'Amato of New York - divorced.

Senator John Warner of Virginia - once married to Liz Taylor.

Governor George Allen of Virginia - divorced.

Representative Helen Chenoweth of Idaho - divorced.

Senator John McCain of Arizona - divorced.

Representative John Kasich of Ohio - divorced.

Representative Susan Molinari of New York (Republican National
Convention Keynote Speaker) -- divorced.

The bottom line - "Don't let gays destroy marriage. That's the job of the Republicans!"

Thank you for this!!!

You know what? I am not an 'activist' for anything. I have strong opinions and sometimes will express them but I am not a 'marching flag waving' activist. I am very happy that there are people out there that are activist for many different causes - not just gay causes....

The point in my mind with this is that 'marriage' is not 'marriage' from my parents day anymore. My parents were of the mindset that you made a commitment to each other and you made it work. I saw my parents work through many situations - but they did that - they worked them through. My father passed 10 years ago but you know what? My mother is STILL married to him and she will be until the day she dies! This would be the same if my mother passed 10 years ago and my father was still living - I can say with conviction that my father would not have looked at another woman. Both my parents made their commitment for life.

Now - here walks the son of a strongly committed mother and father. Difference is that I am gay. I love a man with the depth of my soul and I want to - I have in fact - make a commitment for life to this man. Whether I have a legal document or not that commitment stands. No one can take that from us.

Aside from the above post dealing with divorces... look at reality television.. The Bachelor - Joe Millionaire - Average Joe... (...and there are others) ALL OF THESE shows are making a mockery of marriage. All of them!!! What is this crap on television about having 10 dates and then choosing who to marry and win a million bucks? What does this have to do with LOVE, COMMITMENT, RELIGION, and most of all the institution of MARRIAGE??? NOTHING! It is making marriage into a game show. This is what America thinks of marriage now... a game show, something that you step into today and out of tomorrow.

My hat is off to anyone out there that has a successful marriage and is committed to one and other... My hat is off to you! Congratulations! Most folks reading this have a loved one in prison - if you can survive then you are even stronger than the average marriage.

My question is... what is 'marriage' today? What are 'they' protecting by not allowing me to legitimize my love as an equal - in love?

Hello Tebkrg,
There is no sancitity of marriage to defend anymore. It has been made a mockery of for years, with physical and mental abuse, child abuse, affairs etc etc. I am separated from my husband despite getting married in church and honouring my marriage vows ,he broke his vows to me with his violence for many years. Marriage may never have been the institution that we were raised to believe it is or was. There are happy marriages, ofcourse there are, but if you look back over history, in many cases it was a woman's way of surviving life and being provided for, while being virtually a slave to her husband, who could and did do mostly whart he wanted with no real regard for her.
My parents were together for 50 odd years, but it wasn't a lovey-dovey relationship. Marriage today has become a farce, or the meaning of it has and how a politician, or anyone, can stand up over and over and recite their so called wedding vows with any meaning is beyond me.(maybe they ought to add to the ceremony "until the next time)
I was raised to try to make it work, which is obviously why my parents were still together. I never worked out if they loved each other or were just used to each other! Bob Barr of Georgia needs to stand back and examine his own life before he starts dictating to others because if anyone has made a mockery of it, he surely has!The sancitity of marriage went out the window long ago, so he has nothing TO protect.
Jude

Blueviolet: Thank you for posting this on this very important issue. Just another example of the hypocrisy of the Republican party. I hope everyone with a social conscious makes a commitment to get at least 5 new people to vote in the upcoming election--these really are scary times for the county (IMO).

I live ten minutes away from the first town in New York where gay marriages were solemnized, and it's been interesting. This weekend we have the Rev. Fred Phelps and family coming to demonstrate- he is notorious for his hubris and homophobia. That has had the effect of uniting practically every local church against him. Meanwhile our DA is being teased relentlessly and bashed in the local papers for bringing charges against two lady Unitarian ministers. Most people (around here) seem to recognize that marriage is a human institution, and it's love that's sanctified. Marriage before the 20th century was often more of a financial arrangement than a romantic one- and let's not even get started on the status of women.
I was lucky, my parents loved each other a whole lot. They were best friends. THAT'S holy...

Most people (around here) seem to recognize that marriage is a human institution, and it's love that's sanctified.


Some great responses here... I am happy to see that there are open minds here... I especially love the quote above...

I am going to try not to get too deep here...

I have always been a person that was open minded to other cultures - other ways - other points of view. Perhaps I try harder because I have always been somehow and somewhat persecuted because of my sexuality and therefore try to be more open and accepting myself?

I believe that there is a lot of hate in this world. Whether the hate is directed at Gays or other cultures or other religions - the hate exists. Where does this hate come from? In my opinion it stems from ignorance and a lack of a desire to understand the situation, the culture, or the religion. We are all different. I can find something to 'hate' about my neighbor that was born in the same hospital and went to the same school and church and for all purposes looks JUST like me. I could find a reason to hate this person but for the most part we 'look alike' so we accept each other. I may not like that person but I don't 'hate' them.

Only when you open you mind wide enough and take the time to UNDERSTAND the other person and why they are different - what is the basis for the religion - what is the difference in the culture - what is the difference in the method of thought... and most of all... why? When you do this you will see the person and begin to accept them as you do your next door neighbor - that you don't really like, but you accept and 'live' beside.

The fact is that you don't have to like me or anyone that has different beliefs than you, but if you understand me and come to accept me then the hate starts to melt away.

Once you take the time to get to know me you will see that I am like you in many ways and just want to share my love with another human being. I want to be able to publically validate that love like you have the opportunity to do.

I don't want to have sex in the street - I don't want to recruit your sons and daughters - I am not the root of the moral decay in today's society.

The original post quoting all the politicians that are themselves poster children for devorce and hypocrisy only proves that there are many out there that on the surface look very 'sweet' but won't ever match the moral fiber that I myself am made of. Fortunately I have a strong enough self esteem to recognize this.

Hate=Fear=False Evidence Appearing Real

Thank you for posting blueviolet. I think that was an eye opener on many levels, not just the gay demographic. :-)