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Six Republicans Fail Their Constituents
HB 2661 was passed by the Washington State House of Representatives late Friday afternoon.
The measure passed on a 60-37 vote with 6 Republicans joining 54 Democrats to pass it.
Republicans voting for the gay rights bill are: Rodney Tom (District 48), Maureen Walsh (District 16), Fred Jarrett (District 41), Shirley Hankins (District 8), Skip Priest (District 30), Jan Shabro (District 31). Click here to contact your local Washington Representatives.
Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, who has been sponsoring such a measure for the past eleven years said, "This legislation is about more than just changing the law, it is about sending a message."
I was unaware that laws were passed by our elected leadership for the purpose of "sending a message."
The 37 Republicans attempted to attach the amendment to the bill that would send it to the voters in the next general election, but the Democrats and the six Republicans would have none of that. Rep. Eric Pettigrew, D-Seattle, said, "We have to take leadership and action, we cannot pass this on to the voters."
Rep. Don Cox, R-Colfax, gets it. He said that he and other Republicans that oppose this bill are certainly against hate and bigotry. However, he said; "This bill doesn't lead to love, tolerance and understanding. It overreaches in its intent and leads to rigidity. It overreaches in its application and leads to uncertainty. And it overreaches in its administration and leads to intimidation."
Well said, Representative Cox, well said.
However; if the intent is to send a message, then perhaps the effectiveness of the law itself is of little or no importance to those who are passing it.
And sending a message can cut both ways. The recent poll conducted by Elway for Faith & Freedom found that voters in Washington do not support gay marriage. Possibly that could include related issues such as gay rights under the guise of civil rights.
Yes, Mr. Murray may be right. The passage of this bill may indeed send a message.
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Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom
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4 Comments:
It is time for a referendum to take the decision out of the hands of legislators. How many times do we have to tell people the answer is NO on gay marriage? We are not asking legislators for permission to ban gay marriage. We have already said no. It is time to take this out of their hands.
I agree. I think obese people face more discrimination than homosexuals! We don't need to legislate to protect a class of people for their preference of sexual partners.
For those that have not bothered to read the bill, Gigi Talcott introduced an amendment with the follwing language; and this amendment was adopted.
"Inclusion of sexual orientation in this chapter does not create any precedent, basis, or right to same sex marriage. This chapter shall not be construed to create any precedent, basis, or right to same-sex marriage."
Please, read the language and then make comments.
get used to the new world the days when the masses were uneducated are gone
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