So, this week’s CI post may be a little bit of a stretch, however, seeing as how it is all anyone is talking about in the political sphere at the moment, I am going to discuss the current decision of our Supreme Court concerning gay marriage.
Now I am not going to just shout my opinions on the topic here, nor will I try to defend or defeat the opinions of others, I simply want to point out a problem with how the country is reacting, make sure everyone knows what is being decided on, and to pose a few questions on the issue.
First, although I totally support people expressing their opinions on the issue, I don’t like to see how it polarizes some people. Students, and adults alike, are divided and defined based on their views of this one topic. In addition, this rapid reaction to the possibility of a decision on such a may not be entirely merited. The court won’t like make any kind of a decision, if it reaches one until June. By then, I doubt the equals sign profile pictures will still be rampant, or the God Hates America protestors will still have paid time off to go stand outside all day.
Second, I am not sure that everyone understands the cases before the supreme court, and what they can even achieve with a decision. The first case, is Proposition 8, a law in California making same-sex marriage illegal. The court is to rule on whether this law is unconstitutional or not, which may not be the same thing as whether or not it is right or wrong. In addition, they are ruling on a federal act from 1996 that denies federal benefits to same-sex couples. The same issue of limited ability of the court to act is found in this case as well. Even with a decision supporting the gay marriage cause, it would not legalize gay marriage nationally, and finally put same-sex couples on equal ground, but it would certainly be a start.
Finally, I have a lot to question on the idea. First of all, I don’t think it is fair to question one’s opinion either way in this case. Many people believe in same-sex marriage, many do not. Many of those who oppose do so because of their basic moral values, rooted in their religion. Even if I do not see eye to eye with everyone, I think that their opinion should be respected.
That being said, there is another point to be made. Just because something may be seen as wrong to some, or goes against the religious values of certain groups, that does not mean that the Government has the power to outlaw it. This is not an issue where you can cry “separation of church and state” and end it there. This has to do with the Government controlling the lives of its constituents in one way or another. It has to do with social discrimination, and denying equality to all.
This is a deep issue, that requires the utmost attention by our highest judicial body.
Yo, I’m going to have to disagree with you on this one. First, this seems to be pretty obviously one sided to me. I have yet to hear a clear legal reason why same sex marriage should be illegal. I have heard plenty of religious ones, and plenty of personal ones, but none of the hold up to the “this is the law of the land” standard. Second, fuck it, gay marriage is good.
The equal sign profile pictures will have definitely disappeared before June…the public doesn’t understand the intensity of deliberation that the Supreme Court conducts to release decisions. Another point is that the Supreme Court is not deciding if a ban on gay marriage is right or wrong; they’re trying to decide if Prop 8 is constitutional. In that respect, it doesn’t matter what the personal leanings of the individual justices are, but rather their opinions toward how the Constitution should be interpreted.
This is such a difficult issue and whatever stance one takes on it someone is going to create an enemy out of someone because of it. Although it’s an issue that I do believe concerns the government in some regard, I don’t even think the SCOTUS wants the heavy responsibility of handling it. But I guess someone has to as the gay marriage controversy has grown to be such a huge part of our current society.