Quote: (05-22-2014 10:15 PM)The Lizard of Oz Wrote:
This whole argument is completely f'ing absurd.
Gay "marriage" was completely incomprehensible as an idea a mere couple of decades ago. Now we're supposed to suddenly believe that a law banning it is "unconstitutional"? WTF?
The 14th amendment was passed in 1868. If you tried telling someone in 1868 that this amendment implies that two men must be allowed to "marry" each other, they would look at you like you had three heads. In the best case scenario.
The idea that an arrangement that has been completely incomprehensible throughout human history in general and US history in particular -- not homosexuality, which has always existed and been known to exist but the concept that two men or two women can "marry" each other -- is now suddenly mandated by the Constitution is an idea that I find insulting. It is the height of Year Zero arrogance.
Just because gay marriage wasn't conceivable back in 1868 doesn't make the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment any less valid. If you actually read the clause you'll see that it uses very broad terms for this very reason, to protect people from any and all discriminatory laws, not just the issues that were pressing in 1868.
Quote:Quote:That's literally all there is to the clause, it's application here is completely valid.
"No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
Quote: (05-23-2014 12:15 AM)NY Digital Wrote:
Arguably, what the majority wants, then they shall receive.
The majority doesn't want gay marriage.
Some asshat with power overturns the majority in an entire state.
So 1 person is more important than millions of people. Sounds like a dictatorship.
A clear cut majority of Pennsylvanians and Americans in general support same-sex marriage. Try to actually read threads before you jump in with lies and misinformation.
EDIT:
Worth noting that Texas may well be the next to legalize same-sex marriage due to the Fourteenth Amendment, and a plurality of Texans now support gay marriage at 48% according to a new Texas Tech poll, once Texas legalizes it it's game over for traditional conservatives. The symbolic defeat will have big repercussions.