Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

It is time for the Catholic church to recongnize its failure to run the state.

Why is this even a question? It makes me laugh how the Governor of Rhode Island is against this topic. If I were against something and publicly said I was against it then I would jeopardize my job, be reprimanded or fired. I'd be discriminating against a minority. Why should the Governor be exempt from discrimination? Why do these political officials go without reprimand? What they are doing is discriminating. Their personal beliefs are getting in the way.

It figures they would all live in Rhode Island anyway. The smallest state in the union is home to the smallest minds in the union. Rhode Island. The REGRESSIVE state.

RI: first in illicit drug use and indoor prostitution, last in equity for same-sex couples in New England, and in the bottom three nationally in unemployment and many, many socio-economic categories. Just a coincidence? Sadly, I think not...

I now know why RI is the only New England State to not recognize same sex marriage. According to the Projo (6/4), "Rhode Island had the highest rate of illicit drug use in the nation among people 12 or older, according to national survey conducted in 2006 and 2007"

Alas

Lets stop mixing religion and government here.
I'll tell you my tax return 2 years ago was pretty nice. Last year I owed because it was my first year filing under marriage. Hello RI GOV. Everyone is talking about we need to raise the tax. You can get more out of letting them file as being married.
Do I agree it should be recognized by church? No, sorry. Should it be recognized by the GOV and have them get benefits like us? Yes.

Go Rhode Island. Hang in there as were not alone since 47 other states agree with us. As for the comments on drugs, there's more kids in ONE school system in California than there are in the entire state of RI - A bit misleading on the headlines covering it.

I couldn't agree more. Nothing will change in this state unless the elected officials stop letting the Catholic church run things. If the catholic church doesn't want to recognize same sex unions, that's their right. But for the catholic organization to impose its beliefs on everyone is down right egotistical. The Catholic church is one of the most corrupt, hipocritical organizations in the world. Why do you think over a million people have disassociated from the church? They've seen them for what they truly are. By the way, since the catholic churches do not pay taxes they have even less rights to dictate how our state is run and how I conduct my life. They're a joke and an embarrassment.

Sorry people but gay marriage is wrong.Ita not the governor.

Homosexuality is not a race or a religion, it is a lifestyle. These people already have rights as citizens. To allow them the right to marry is crazy. They are sick people who need help, not the right to pervert a sacred institution. No person in their right mind would want to marry someone of the same sex.

A wee mousie can cast a giant shadow if a spot light is put close to it. So the media and a vocal minority are trying to make it appear as if there is a landslide of public opinion to end marriage as a basic social institution to foster and protect children. It was not the voters but a few judges that allowed same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, Connecticut and California. By close votes, the legislatures of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Iowa have passed same sex marriage laws. California voters have overruled their judges and voters in Maine are working for the chance to overrule their legislators. A few legislators and judges in six states is not a landslide. It is as if the lemmings are trying to stampede the human race to join them in running off the cliff. Marriage has been an institution supported and protected by society and government as the basic building block of our culture. It is the way we produce, protect and educate children to continue this culture. Now a small minority for some small gains in their own economic and ego validation is tying to destroy this bedrock of society. If marriage is just a union of any 2 loving people, how will government continue to support those who struggle to have, nurture, and teach children. Same sex marriage in just another blow against the personal sacrifice, values and respect for natural law that are required to maintain a society. Like the Romans, the Incas, the Anasazi; our society will become another lost civilization that could not survive the removal of one of its essential supports and was replaced by more vital rivals that moved in to take over.

This state just sucks eggs. We are the worst of EVERYTHING! Everything here is such a mess. I can't stand it anymore. The Ex VP has even said he thinks gay MARRIAGE is fine and that man hates EVERYONE. This Govenor has taxed or will tax every single thing he can. I'm so suprised they haven't seen the TAX BENEFIT here also. Also the revenues that come in when they get married. Parties, catering, and everything that comes with a wedding. It's sick how out of touch we are here. People PLEASE pay attention when you vote next election. Vote everyone out and lets try to fix this mess.

Let's keep it that way. Doing the right thing often means standing alone. Popular thinking is a terrible measure of right & wrong, moral & immoral.

RI stands alone because of the Republican Governor, why else??? I hope some of his grandkids are homosexuals and will have to live without equal rights!!!

Back in the late 90s, Rhode Island passed a gay rights bill that made sexual orientation a protected class. The gay rights groups promised that if Rhode Island passed the bill they would not seek gay marriage. I know this because I knew one of the State Legislatures who voted for it. Now, the gay rights groups have gone back on their promise and are seeking gay marriage. You can go look up the notes from those committee meetings back in the late 90s. Since the gay rights groups have broken their promise, maybe Rhode Island needs to repeal the gay rights law.

I am completely embarassed that we are now the last New England state to legalize gay marriage. It is disgusting that Governor Carcieri would speak at a National Organization for Marriage event and allow his personal feelings to get in the way of what 60% of the state supports. This is nothing but showing his contempt for the GLBT population of Rhode Island. Bigotry has no place in our government, nor does religious beliefs.

Hum? Six states in the entire country have adopted same sex marriage laws and five of the six are in New England? Something doesn’t sit right with that statistic, and I’m glad…no proud that Rhode Island hasn’t caved into something that is morally wrong. Too bad for the rest of New England, they should be ashamed of themselves…at least Rhode Island has done something right in taking a stance on an issue that absolutely repulsive and nauseating. Be proud Rhode Islanders that your state still keeps its moral conviction in tack. The same sex law will never get passed in RI, so if you want to get married to your same sex partner, I highly suggest driving a few miles north and be happy in your life.

I don't know where these 60% supposedly for gay marriage are hiding. I certainly don't know any of them. I wonder how accurate this poll was, and who was polled?

Regardless, when two men or two women can procreate without any outside help, then I might change my mind. Until then, I am one Rhode Islander who is against gay marriage. Gay and lesbian couples can live together and be considered partners, and have the same legal benefits as married couples, but marriage is marriage, and that is between a man and a woman.

Rhode Island does not stand alone because of the Republican Governor. The Democrats have veto proof majorites in the House and Senate and can pass what they want. Learn how your government works before blindly blaming the Governor. And read my earlier post. No ones making you live in Rhode Island. If you don't like our laws you are free to leave.

RI was founded for freedom of religion yet the state allows the catholic church to dictate the freedom of others. What a joke. The state legislature needs to grow some b-lls and stand up for equality for all its citizens. If it were your freedoms that were being restricted you'd damn well be out there fighting for them. 60% of poll respondants voted in favor of same sex marriage. Maybe that 60% can kick some ass and elect leaders who will listen to the voters.

Honestly, if a church doesn't want to recognize a gay marriage, fine. But when a government refuses to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex, that's discrimination... no matter how you spin it. Isn't our government supposed to be... neutral?

The earlier comments above are interesting. They link not having same gender marriages in RI with seemingly every problem we have. And do you really think that Bishop Tobin and the RI Catholic Church dictate how to vote to the RI General Assembly? Wow!

I am allowed to voice my opposition to any subject. It is called free speech. As long as I do not discriminate against persons who are protected in the work place there is no problem. The Governor is a public figure. He is expected to make public comment on all issues facing this state. That does not make him discriminatory.
I am against same gender marriages. I believe that tradition and history back me up. I believe that marriage is for a single man and a single woman. I will not discriminate against anyone based on sexual orientation, for any reason. But, I don’t have to change my views based on polls and what other states are doing.

I would support a binding ballot question that would put the question before all of RI’s voters. If the law in RI changes to allow for same gender marriages, then fine. I will continue to live in this state and NOT discriminate. I do not see same gender marriages as a civil rights issue.

Just because every other state in New England has caved into political pressure from a zealot minority seeking to push their lifestly into the mainstream, does NOT mean make them right.

To quote William Penn: “Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it”

Rhode Island is the most Catholic state in the nation, and obviously the state with the most sense.

Homosexuality is not a race or a religion, it is a lifestyle. These people already have rights as citizens. To allow them the right to marry is crazy. They are sick people who need help, not the right to pervert a sacred institution. No person in their right mind would want to marry someone of the same sex.

That about says it.

Marriage is not a civil right.

Homosexual "marriage"...isn't.

If I hear one more time that this state is ran by the Catholic Church, I would respectively ask the Projo to remove that person from ever posting a quote again, because there’re dumb…lol. Let’s face it, that statement is absolutely 100% absurd and any blind person can see that that statement was also either politically or racially motivated. Catholic, Baptist, Protestant, Christian???? Yes, this state was founded on religious freedom, but it wouldn’t matter if you were any type of Christian, Muslim or Jewish same sex marriage is wrong across the board. Gays have their civil unions, domestic partnerships… now they need marriage? NO… rather than people suggesting that the state is going down the tubes I would suggest that the country is! It doesn’t matter really what religion you are, pretty much if you are religious you are against same sex marriages, and that’s perfectly okay. Again, same sex-marriage will never be passed in RI….so forget it. Let’s worry about other issues that might actually improve our way of life…rather than wasting time destroying it.
Catholic Church, give me a break…

We need a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man/one woman.

What Bill said at 11:10 AM...

That is the most concise and excellent description of the situation. Thank you. The Journal should hire you.

It is necessary for people to stand up to this vocal aberrent minority and their tool minions in government. Everyone stand up and shout: Marriage equals one man/one woman.

Marriage is a legal contract that grants certain rights to two people. Those rights are often in regard to property. It has nothing to do with religion, it does not guarantee that children will be well taken care of (see numerous examples of horrendous child abuse committed by heterosexual parents), nor does it guarantee any procreation at all. Stop equating marriage to biology, ethical goodness, and the continuation of culture. If that were true, everyone couple would have children, raise them well, never get divorced, and be fine upstanding citizens.

It seems that many people on here that oppose same sex marriage are men. Why do you care if two people in love get married regardless of their sex? Does it make you feel uncomfortable? It does, doesn't it? If you are not comfortable with same-sex marriage then more likely than not, you are not secure in your own sexuality. Just because you supress your own sexuality does not give you the right to condemn people who are comfortable with their own.

You nor the Governor nor the Catholic church should deny people the equal rights and equal protection under the law.

For years, homosexuals have been getting themselves elected to public office to further their own agendas. There are many of us who know that, since the beginning of time, marriage is the union of one man and one woman. It is arrogant pride and vanity to suggest that simply because we have come after them in life, that our generations are the enlightened ones and that billions of people throughout the ages are wrong. Nowhere in this country has homosexual marriage been authorized by a vote of the people, not one single state. And have you ever heard of "stacking the deck?" Poll results are skewed because they have overwhelming participation by those who benefit by it.

What Bill said at 11:10 AM... Was naked bigotry!

There are a surprising number of people here against gay marriage, and yet there isn't an argument here that isn't based on religious disapproval or homophobia. Marriage in the church might be a sacrament but civil marriage is a matter of contract and has absolutely nothing to do with religion or morality.

What we need is a ballot question to determine if RI'rs want gay marriage. This is not something that should be decided by the general assembly. There is a big difference on how people will vote in the confines of a voting booth. Remember it was 60% of people polled that supported gay marriage....not 60% of RI'rs. Even the Peoples Republic of California the land of the liberals voted against same sex marriage when it was decided by the PEOPLE.

Again, another person says the Governor is denying people of the same sex the right to get married. How uneducated are you people? It is the State Legislature that makes law, the House and the Senate. The Governor is not part of the legislatur. The Democrats have overwhelming control of the legislature. Isn't that the party you vote for? Do I have to make it any clearer? It's the Democrats who aren't giving you the right. They can override the Governor's veto any time they want. Get it?

Life,Liberty and the PERSUIT OF HAPPINESS for
ALL, yes ALL People

Gays pay taxes too
Gays have fought and died in every one of our wars
I served with a gay guy in Vietnam

This state is very small, if things aren't the way you'd like them, all the other area states support your cause. Why beat your head againt the wall for this. Vote with your feet.

Boy, what a discussion...it always is. But most of the anti-gay marriage comments here are most likely because of being uninformed. Let's ask a few questions:

One of your kids comes home and says he's gay...do you throw him out? I bet some of you would. Would you want him not to have the same right you (as his parents) have to love someone, make a public commitment to that person?

Do any of you know that there are approximately 1100 tax/federal advantages to being married...how come I can get those? Did any of you have to spend over $1000 to "draw up papers" so that you could visit your spouse in the hospital, no questions asked?

When was the last time a church issued a marriage certificate? Enough said about that.

I am not "choosing" this "lifestyle"...why would I choose to be discriminated against?

I am a well adjusted, college educated, normal guy...why does who I love threaten you and your marriage? Really, your marriage is threatened by me? I think there is something bigger threatening your marriage than a person who you don't even know.

If you want to hang on to "traditional" marriage, then fight just as hard for a law to ban divorce, ban childless marriages, and the such. If you think gay people are destroying marriage, you're wrong,...it's already destroyed.

Good luck Rhode Island...with people like the ones commenting here, I wouldn't want them for neighbors.

Thank GOD that Rhode Island is the last refuge for homophobes, conservatives and closets cases in New England. Hopefully, all the tourism of bigots will help the RI economy, obviously the legislature and Mr. Gov. aren't helping any.

I happen to be a heterosexual married man with kids and grandkids. I have absolutely no problem with gay marriage. Why are so many heterosexuals against it? Do they think that it's a virus?

Also, why is the church involved in marriage? Priest are unmarried and they're talking about marriage? What about all the abuse by priests. Do they really have any moral authority here?

Glad to hear it's legal in other states of New England - then they have plenty of other places to go. But here in RI the answer is NO, don't act like a child and keep asking. This state is in financial crisis with highest unemployment in the nation. The gay marriage issue, for now, needs to be on the bottom of the general assemblies list.

JD is right...put it to a vote, and make it stick.

I can't believe how many people are so narrow minded and have so little facts to back up their statements. The bottom line is clear. Religion ONLY is a factor in a marriage if you choose it to be. A person never has to step foot into a church to be LEGALLY married. This is a fact that is undisputable. The minute you sign the marriage certificate you are LEGALLY married. Not by the church, but by the government, which makes marriage a LEGAL entity. The walk down the aisle is a formality YOU choose to participate in. Therefore, Bishop Tobin and his gang should keep their noses out of government. Since their organization doesn't pay taxes they really don't get a say. Oh, and if I have to hear one more idiot preach "the sanctity of marriage" when this country has over a 50% divorce rate, I'll scream!