Massachusetts gov-elect (Deval Patrick) urges no (anti-gay) marriage vote

[Ian David]

Mass. gov-elect urges no marriage vote
2007/1

By GLEN JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer 10 minutes ago

BOSTON - Calling it a "question of conscience," Gov.-elect Deval Patrick urged legislators Tuesday not to vote on a constitutional amendment meant to ban gay marriage in Massachusetts, the only state that currently allows it.

Outside the Statehouse, crowds of gay marriage supporters and opponents waved signs as legislators began arriving.

Last fall, the Legislature angered the amendment‘s backers and the governor when it recessed without voting on the issue. Senate President Robert Travaglini didn‘t immediately say if he would force a vote on Tuesday.

"Above all, this is a question of conscience," Patrick, a Democrat, said in a statement. "Using the initiative process to give a minority fewer freedoms than the majority, and to inject the state into fundamentally private affairs, is a dangerous precedent, and an unworthy one for this Commonwealth."

More:
http://www.newsone.ca/hinesbergjournal/ViewArticle.aspx?id=38930&source=2


See also:


Deval Patrick issues statement on ConCon
by: David
Tue Jan 02, 2007 at 12:12:49 PM EST

Just in from the Governor-elect. The full statement is after the flip. His statement on the adjourn vs. vote question:

I favor ending this petition initiative promptly. If adjournment can accomplish that, so be it. If the Constitutional Convention chooses to vote on the merits, I want to be utterly clear that I believe a vote to advance this question to the 2008 ballot is irresponsible and wrong. Given the significant challenges we face on so many other fronts, I would be deeply disappointed in such a vote. It would do nothing more than condemn us all to more years of debate and expense on a matter that is legally and practically settled.

More:
http://www.bluemassgroup.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=5764



See related threads:

Angst Before ConCon Vote
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=158&topic_id=11520&mesg_id=11520

ACTION ALERT: Gay Marriage Showdown set for today (1/2/2007) in Massachusetts
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=29894&mesg_id=29894


Live Blogging of the protest and ConCon Here:
http://www.baywindows.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&AudID=0813BC739F2044E5A03DCF2DE3FDF7C9&tier=4&id=8A0D3DE5CF574F66A46191FF5C36CB9E


And here:
http://www.bluemassgroup.com/frontPage.do

You may want to keep an eye on these blogs:
http://massmarrier.blogspot.com/index.html
http://takemassaction.blogspot.com/index.html
http://livelovelearn247.blogspot.com/index.html
http://massresistancewatch.blogspot.com/index.html

Or subscribe to my own RSS feed here:
http://tinyurl.com/y6p9t2

[xchrom]

1. ''legally and practically settled.''

and that's how it should stay.

[Ian David]

3. Deval is a real leader. Now, let's see if our legislators are brave enough to follow him. n/t

[Ian David]

6. Live video Webcast of the ConCon

http://housetv.hou.state.ma.us/

[William769]

2. I may have to consider moving to Massachusetts.

[rox63]

4. Come on over - we need more people here

Massachusetts has been losing population over the last decade, which may result in us losing one or more congresscritters after the next census. Our House and Senate delegations are entirely blue, one of the few (if not the only) states in the country that can claim this. And now we have a wonderful new Dem governor. :hi:

[Ian David]

5. I'm going to pledge 20 hours a week of my time to support a Primary opponent of Canavan or Creedon

If any progressive candidate runs against Christine Canavan or either of the Creedon-Creatures (Bob or Geraldine), I am officially pledging 20 hours a week of my time, and to raise thousands of dollars for them.

That is, if they don't vote to adjourn the ConCon, and/or vote in favor of the amendment.

I want to drive a political stake through their dark, dark hearts.

If only I could convince Jass Stewart to run against one of the Creedons, instead of running for Mayor of Brockton again, I bet he would win. Alas, that is unlikely.

And I don't know if Phil Dunkelbarger has what it takes, either.

[TheDonkey]

7. Mass has got one hell of a governor!

If only the other 49 states could be so lucky :(

[JI7]

9. a huge step up from the thing they had for Governor before

[beltanefauve]

8. Beautifully stated

""Above all, this is a question of conscience," Patrick, a Democrat, said in a statement. "Using the initiative process to give a minority fewer freedoms than the majority, and to inject the state into fundamentally private affairs, is a dangerous precedent, and an unworthy one for this Commonwealth."

And that's exactly what the issue is: separate-but-equal. If only we had a Supreme Court that would actually hear this, because the legal precedent is already there.

Born and raised in Mass, and proud!