Oakland vote supports traditional marriage

The Oakland Press ^ | September 5, 2003 | HANK SCHALLER

[stage left]

"There's a myth of progress in Oakland County that must be looked into," said Jeffrey Montgomery, executive of the Triangle Foundation, a gay rights organization in the Detroit area.

"As far as I am concerned, this is a cynical vote in favor of intolerance."

American Civil Liberties Union attorney Jay Kaplan also was "terribly disappointed" with the vote.

"It was a mean-spirited action that sends a message to the rest of Michigan about Oakland County favoring intolerance," Kaplan said. "You could tell from the body language of many of the commissioners that they had already made up their minds."

"As a lesbian in Oakland County who lives in Oakland County, I mow my lawn, walk my dog and pay my taxes," Witkowski said. "I feel bad that there's supposedly something morally wrong about me."

She was countered by speakers like Southfield resident Andrea Simpson, who was upset that some of the supporters of same-sex marriages compared their plight to the problems that faced blacks during the civil rights movement.

"I was born black; you will never know what I went through and the blood, sweat and tears shed during the civil rights movement," Simpson said.

The resolution also indicated that county commissioners supported the position of President George W. Bush in defining marriage as being exclusively between men and women.

[T Lady]

You had me going there for a minute. I could have sworn you were posting an article about Oakland, California.

...THAT would have certainly made national headlines for sure!

-Regards, T.

[First Amendment]

Is this from one of the sites that HAS to be excerpted? If not, I think it's a good idea to have the whole article up, just a thought.
(Especially from one who lives WAY out in the boonies and has a HORRIBLY slow dialup!)

[First Amendment]

This statement is significant:

"As a lesbian in Oakland County who lives in Oakland County, I mow my lawn, walk my dog and pay my taxes," Witkowski said. "I feel bad that there's supposedly something morally wrong about me."

Homosexuals can't STAND it that anyone thinks what they are doing is wrong. That is the reason for (coming soon to a theater near you) "hate speech" laws.

And why do they care so much? Because their consciences are telling them that they are on the wrong path, and they think if they can shut everyone else up, their consciences will fall silent. They're in for a surprise, that voice (although very quiet for someone who doesn't want to hear) is a constant companion.

[I still care]

Rest of article:

At one point, he called some of his fellow commissioners "ignorant."

"I am sure the vast majority of folks in Oakland County would consider this vote a no-brainer," McMillin said. "Simply having laws on the books defining marriage is inadequate. And anyone who does not realize this is either disingenuous or ignorant."

The resolution also indicated that county commissioners supported the position of President George W. Bush in defining marriage as being exclusively between men and women.

After the vote, McMillin, in comments made outside the commission chamber, took verbal potshots at the 10 commissioners who voted against the resolution.

"I'm sure the 10 people who voted against this resolution will hear from their constituents."
McMillin also dismissed the arguments of Kaplan and Montgomery that the vote was a sign that Oakland County was an intolerant place.

"I think what it really sounds like is that they are intolerant of my views," he said.
However, many commissioners, including Mattie McKinney Hatchett, D-Pontiac, defended their votes against the resolution supporting traditional marriages and the proposed constitutional amendment.

"None of us here are chicken politicians," Hatchett said. "I believe this issue is improperly before us. What are the motives of putting a resolution like this one before us? If we move ahead with this resolution, there will be more such resolutions before us."

Hatchett and other commissioners said while they may not support same-sex marriages, it was an issue that should be left to state legislators, Congress and the courts and was not business that a county commission should consider.

[I still care]

If they disagree what their commissioners voted, that is what the ballot box is for.

The thing is, except in certain CA counties, the candidates will NEVER make gay marraige their platform. They try to sneak it in under the table. They know people don't agree with them, or they would come out and say it more publically.

I really would like to see the Democratic candidates come out swinging for gay marriage in a debate in front of the regular public, not just GLAAD.

They know they are trying to decieve people, or they would.

[goldstategop]

How instructive that the ACLU considers any vote that upholds American values to be an expression of "intolerance." On the other hand, extending drivers' licenses to illegal aliens is considered "fair and inclusive."

[First Amendment]

Doublespeak. And daytime is dark, and nightime is light. Freedom is license, and self-discipline and virtue are bondage not the freedom they really are. And the emperor is fully clothed in real finery....