🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <4iabif$jbs@news.advtech.uswest.com>, dave5@advtech.uswest.com (David Ensign) says:
>
>I'm going to be in the back-country skiing for 3 days after posting this...so
>won't be able to participate in the meantime.  So, forgive the parting shot...
>                                                                                

Lucky you!  Watch out for avalanch danger.                                      
                                                                               

>In article <4ia6tu$h27@boulder.earthnet.net>, bob@compopt.com (Bob Cormack) writes:
>
>-- snip --
>> In general, I don't think that the government should intervene in the
>> right to make contracts, or to require special contracts unless there is
>> some demonstratable need to do so.
>
>But you do agree with the government passing legislation to make sure
>contracts recognized in other states aren't recognized here in Colorado?
>That's what HB-1291 does, and that was the subject of the thread.      
                                                                                
As I understand it, this bill clearly is in contradiction to the U.S. 
Constitution;  so, even if passed by our less-than-brilliant legislature,
it would be quickly rendered moot in the courts (just like Admendment 2 was).
                                                                          
<...>
>
>Your view of marriage is a lot narrower than most. <...>
                                                               
I have not actually given you my view of marriage (and I'm married, BTW).  I
was discussing the rational for government intervention in the tradition
and practice of marriage.  Non-governmental involved marriage is an 
exceedingly long tradition, recognized here in Colorado even as "common-law"
marriages.
                                                               
<...>

>I'm no legal expert, but it seems to me that marriage serves as an umbrella
>contract to prevent many of these types of situations.  And no lawyer needs
>to be paid to obtain the contract!  Just think how much legal work it would
>take to reproduce these benefits piece-meal.
>                                                                                
                                                                         
A good argument, and one which should have a telling effect in the coming 
public debate.                                                                 
                                                                              

<...>                                                                     

>BTW:  I'd like to ask you to try to understand those who are reacting with
>anger right now.  Try to imagine your reaction if you were a white male and the
>state passed a law saying white males may not marry in Colorado, nor may
>their marriages from other jurisdictions be recognized.  You might
>have a tough time staying linear while arguing with those who supported such
>an action.                                                                    
                                                                             
The idea that people working for more tolerance can usefully attack those who
may disagree with them by careless accusations of racism, bigotry, etc. is
a real loser, and one which has the potential of backfiring badly (as some
black advocate movements may be finding out).  One of the reasons why some people
(who really don't care one way or the other) are somewhat leary about the "gay
rights" movement is the strident, in-your-face activism of some gay advocate
groups and individuals.  You might think that it's justified -- I'll tell
you that it is counter-productive.  Sabotaging your own goals for the sake of
emotional gratification is a clear statement of immaturity that hardly anyone
(except the immature) can miss.   Just tonight (on NPR) I heard the founder of
 Act Up belittling NIH scientists for producing another report on the state of 
AIDS research and outlining future efforts.  According to him, they were just wasting
time; covering up for government inaction.  What is he doing anyway?  Yelling at
people who are dedicating a significant portion of their lives to solving this
problem because they can't just instantly solve it!  When he doesn't even
understand 1% of what they are doing or what it takes to do it!  Reminded me of
 my daughter in grade school when she couldn't get her way.  Undoubtably,
some of those people he was disparaging so are themselves gay.  At least they
are making a contribution to the solution.

Good skiing!

Bob Cormack