General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMarriage is a Contract you must enter with Mutual Consent
A woman cannot marry a man unilaterally, or visa versa. (This is why I am not married to Jessica Alba, for instance.)
Both parties must be legally competent to consent and both must, in fact, consent to the marriage.
At such time as a dog, a toddler, a box turtle, a tomato plant or a sofa can legally consent to a marriage, or anything else, really, then we can take up the question of whether an adult human being can marry any of those "partners."
But our system of law holds that plants, animals, objects, ideas and even young human beings cannot consent to enter into contracts or other binding arrangements. On the other hand, both gay adults and heterosexual adults can consent to such things. That is why they, being adult humans, can get married while a potted fern and a bicycle are doomed to live together in sin.
I would suggest that we all remember this handy formulation and use it to abuse the living Hell out of any knuckle-head claiming that adult human marriage equality will lead to inter-species marriage, pedophile marriage, man on dog, etc..
The Philosopher
(895 posts)But do Republicans honestly care about consent?
Xyzse
(8,217 posts)I'd say it's funny because it's true, but it is just sad.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)Dibs on Cape Cod Chips
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)...so I can hold it closer.
meow2u3
(24,774 posts)So any marriage to your pet would be immediately null and void, so teabaggers and fundies shouldn't have their undies in a wad.
"Woof" or "meow" is no substitute for "I do."
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)Although, if you are in a committed relationship with a parrot...
meow2u3
(24,774 posts)FarCenter
(19,429 posts)7 x 18 = 126 in dog years?
meow2u3
(24,774 posts)Large dogs, the preferred sex object of right-wing Republicans, don't live to be 18. Small dogs have a better chance.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)meow2u3
(24,774 posts)FarCenter
(19,429 posts)The remainder goes to the other heirs of the dog.
Richardo
(38,391 posts)Nicely said. I'll remember it.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)If the question was whether gay corporations could get married, it would have been 9-0.