The Connecticut Legislature Wednesday night passed the gay marriage bill that essentially codifies the State Supreme Court’s 2008 ruling into law (just in case there was any doubt).
The measure came out of the Senate handily Wednesday night with seven senators voting against it (including Waterbury Senator Sam Caligiuri who’s seeking the GOP nomination to challenge U.S. Senator Chris Dodd) because it did not go far enough to accommodate religious organizations opposed to gay marriage.
A movement the past several weeks by state Catholic leaders attempted to add language to a bill that protects the private sector from providing services to gay marriage couples based on religious freedom, a conscientious objector sort of thing.
The U.S. Constitution protects religious liberties so the government cannot–nor should it–tell a Roman Catholic priest that he must solemnize a gay marriage. And the bill passed by the legislature allows a religious organization such as the Knights of Columbus to close its banquet facility to a gay couple.
On the other hand, what about a flower shop owner telling a same-sex couple to grow their own gardenias? State Catholic leadership wanted the bill to address the rights of business owners to reject gay marriage requests, say a flower shop or banquet hall, on religious grounds.
The last time some of the Democratic knuckleheads in the legislature interloped the pulpit with idiotic legislation–snooping into the books of the clergy–they were reduced to their political knees.
But this private-sector rights issue is far different. Remember those days when they wouldn’t service a black couple or a bi-racial couple on the grounds of this or that? The legislature said no to the conscientious objector provision. Governor Rell announced that she would sign the bill into law. Sanity prevails.
Fish Food
Opening game for the Bluefish tonight under the guidance of new owner Frank Boulton who found the formula to turn the Long Island Ducks, also of the Atlantic League, into one of the most successful independent league teams in the country.
The Fish need community support more than ever. You see that little Fish ad on the left side? Please click it, buy a few tix, support the Fish.
L’Ambiance
I worked in the mayor’s office 22 years ago today when a faulty construction process called lift slab collapsed the partially completed L’Ambiance Plaza on Washington Avenue adjacent to City Hall and claimed the lives of 28 construction workers.
It was 10 days of cold rainy nights, misery for rescue workers, a feeding frenzy of national media and a region rallying to help families of the victims. The Fairfield County Labor Council and union affiliates will pay tribute to the workers and their families this morning at 10:30 with ceremonies and a wreath laying on the Golden Hill side of City Hall.
Court Justice
The state courthouse on Golden Hill Street is an architectural gem, but like so many historic buildings needs lots and lots of work. Improvements are on the way if the State Bonding Commission approves the dough for repairs long overdue. See news release below from State Senator Ed Gomes.
SEN. GOMES WELCOMES STATE FUNDING FOR REPAIRS AT BRIDGEPORT COURTHOUSE
State Bond Commission set to approve grant
Bridgeport – State Senator Edwin Gomes (D-Bridgeport) today urged positive action on a $1,943,000 grant for improvements to the G.A. 2 courthouse, located on Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport.
The funds would be used to award a construction contract based on bids received in January for replacement of the roof and masonry repairs at the historic courthouse.
“This courthouse is a part of Bridgeport’s history,” said Senator Gomes. “It’s also a part of Bridgeport’s future. The courthouse isn’t just a building; it’s a symbol of justice in our country. I’m glad that this historic courthouse, where so many who have sought justice have found it, will undergo these repairs and will continue to offer justice to those who seek it. I would urge this Bond Commission to approve these funds for this courthouse.”
Also known as the Fairfield County Courthouse or the Court of Common Pleas, the G.A. 2 courthouse was completed in 1888 and was designed by Warren R. Briggs of Bridgeport. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The State Bond Commission is expected to approve the funds when it meets this Friday, April 24, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
The Local Eyes Editorial Committee has completed their regular meeting and made the following announcements:
We are opposed to gay marriage.
We think The Bluefish are one of Bridgeport’s best attractions and hope they are powerful with their bats and stingy with their pitching.
We think L’Ambiance remains a noteworthy tragedy and
We agree The Golden Hill Courthouse is part of our future, unfortunately that means we’ll be paying those bonds for twenty years. What some call “justice” others call a lingering liability.
The Yahooy Editorial Committee has met and has concluded much of the same as Local Eyes, except we are not opposed to gay marriage and we have concluded that Anna is still a skank.
If I’m a skank, you’re a skunk.
The John from Black Rock Editorial Committee has met and has concluded that Local Eyes should not enter into a gay marriage but that he should refrain from passing judgment on the marriages other adults enter into.
Welcome back John, you’ve been missed.
Just a thought maybe the citizens of Connecticut should have had a vote on this issue.
The Local Eyes Editorial Committee has been called into emergency session to make their people of the year awards and issue the following statement:
yahooy has been recognized as a visionary with foresight and will soon have a parade thrown in his honor. However,
John from Black Rock is given this year’s blurred vision award for failing to realize Local Eyes wasn’t talking about personal preference but rather a state statute of titanic proportions, impacting all.
… but rather a state statute of titanic proportions, impacting all.
… and exactly why does this statute cause your editorial committee to oppose granting a basic civil right to gay people?
My vision remains blurred.
Thanks LG and BP for the welcome back.
Welcome back, JBR. I took the opportunity to attend the L’Ambiance remembrance ceremony today. Mourn the dead and fight like hell for the living!
look like, look like, WHAT IT LOOK LIKE: click below
www .ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=2354&q=415306
VideoCam courtesy of your tax dollars–Rt 8 approaching Exit27A.
*** 1. Marriage in general is supposed to be a joyous bonding, spiritual affair in the eyes of religion as well as the people. The civil joining of a man & woman together in love, for a lifetime of sharing & caring for each other, along with raising a family is a beautiful thing. But lately, because of some gay legal reasons, insurance, $-related issues, gay civil rights, politics, etc. the sacred holy meaning of this spiritual human bonding between a man & woman has become nothing more than a legal certificate power of attorney & “another” loss of the holy spiritual beliefs and morals that have carried in meaning the righteous ways in life for a man, woman and family; Pandora’s box has been opened! *** 2. Can you imagine the protest from the Gay community if after Miss California’s personal feelings answer on Gay Marriages, she would have won the title of Miss U.S.A.? *** 3. Also, it’s about time the state fixes the historic Bpt. Golden Hill Street Court House! *** 4. Every time I pass up or down Wash. Ave. I can’t help looking at & remembering that dark day of April, when the L’Ambiance Plaza construction tragedy happened. A sad day indeed for Bpt. the state of Ct. & the family and friends of all those who physically left us, yet not in spirit and memories. *** 5. Nice to see our CT state legislators co-signing with their personal approval on Fed. passed-down grants that will improve Bpt’s historical sites & buildings! ***
Mojo …
Have you ever considered the “holy” spirituality issues when an atheist male legally marries an atheist female?
*** Whether they believe in religion or not, marriage is still a righteous bonding between a man & a woman and has been looked upon & accepted as a spiritual blessing since B.C.! However, what two consulting adults agree to do in the privacy of their bedroom is their personal business and should not be pushed on to the general public as the norm or alternative. Nor is it a violation of a gay’s civil rights if the majority does not agree with it! Even if there is no “Heaven or Hell”, scientifically gays cannot repopulate the world, and there are many negative mental, sexual & medical problems that can arrive from that particular type of lifestyle choice. “You” of all people should know! *** That’s why life as we know it is changing so dramatically for the worse, new alternatives, lack of morals & learning the basics, no respect or honor, cults instead of that old-time religion, the seven deadly sins, etc. Enough of the gay rights, not fair mumbojumbo and trying to compare itself with the black, minority or Jewish struggle. It’s not the same & never will be ’cause that struggle was & still is about the lack & abuse of “Human Rights”. Not same-sex lust and the rights gays feel they deserve or to be changed to suit their personal so-called alternative lifestyles! *** Forget about it! ***
Mojo
You should read the shit you write. Maybe you will never post again. I accuse you of cerebral flatus. Anna actually makes more sense than you.
*** Try reading first the BS you blog & once again it’s only a personal opinion! If you like the homo lifestyle, good for you but don’t sell me your crap like it’s written in stone since the beginning of time! And for being disrespectful in prior blogs, you shall suffer the wrath of reality when you least expect it as well. Cerebral flatus that! ***
– Coming Up Next Tuesday, April 28 –
TV show “Bridgeport Now “, Ch 77 at 8pm
Reducing bills for Bridgeport Residents: This show is on …
The WPCA (Water Pollution Control Authority). What is your bill based on? Have you ever wondered?
The economic downturn makes us all want to save money and take a closer look at our bills. Right?
Is it true that your bill is based on water usage? What if you use more water and none of it goes into the sewer? Is it fair to pay twice … a higher water bill and higher sewer bill?
We will spend almost a full hour live with call-in time for residents to discuss the WPCA (Water Pollution Control Authority) situation. I understand from a call into the mayors office that this is a separate authority from the city.
Brilliant, you learn that from Yahooy?
I want to make the point that marriage is a function authorized by the state. The state issues licenses, determines what tests are required and because of marriage comity laws, other states will recognize marriages authorized by another state. It is interesting to me how churches want it both ways; because they feel either abortion or the death penalty is wrong it would be just fine for the state to interfere. However, if the state passes a law regarding a subject that a particular church disagrees with, most recently a law regarding lay people being on church boards, we tie up the capitol for days with bus loads of people crying foul that the state should stay out of church business. Marriage is a state’s jurisdiction. It was a subject that was left to the state’s jurisdiction in the Constitution. The Constitution also stated that no one religion’s belief should be considered over another when making a law. I belong to a Christian Church that supports gay marriage and I don’t want some other religion’s belief controlling me on any subject. Religion should stay out of the state’s business, particularly when the law passed codified a STATE SUPREME COURT DECISION.
Also, I found this article in the Hartford Courant relevant to a recent OIB discussion. I agree with the article.
Well said MCAT. I strongly support what you had to say on both issues.
*** Who exactly is the State and who is supposed to represent the people of that State when it comes to laws that concern & affect people in general? Why not let the people of said State “VOTE” on laws that concern the moral issues of its people, etc.? *** Rell running for re-election of course she’s going to sign it right away! She’s ready to sign to do away with medical Ins. appeals in which CT is one of the few states that gives people an opportunity to appeal to an Ins. commission board if denied life-saving treatments! The state will sell out the best interests of the people every time for the right $ amount. *** The State’s only real interest is power & the old Mean Green, not the people! ***
Sorry MCAT but you and Chris are both wrong. We spent millions and have not impacted the power of the dreaded “special interests” AT ALL. It’s a waste of money and we should stop it.
MCAT your church may support Gay marriage but mine does not. Something of this magnitude should be put to a vote by the citizens of Connecticut.
BTW that ill-advised attempt to regulate who serves on Catholic parish boards was a mistake. I am tired of half-assed politicians trying to regulate every facet of my life. God Almighty do I need Caruso, Gomes or Grogins telling me how to live my life? NO I DON’T.
*** There are no Roman Catholic churches that I know of that support Gay marriages, or Pentecostal either? ***