Alright Maine Senate!!!!! Hopefully we dont have to wait until November for every human being to have equal rights !!!! Mr. Hastings do whats right and listen to the people of Maine not the religious doctrine. Seperation of church and state!!!!!!! Religion has nothing to do with Marriage. Marriage is a very personal institution not a religious institution.....Just like you were able to marry your wife Mr. Hastings we all should have that right!!!! I am getting married in July and my fiance and I dont see why its okay that we can get married but everyone cant! Do whats right and vote down any refrerendum that pops up !!!!!!!

500 million dollar shortfall and this is a priority???

Dam right its a prority!!!!!

Civil rights and our liberties are always a priority Downbeat. You should be praising the Senate when they stand up for what is right. Worried about the budget? Why is the House on yet another break?

Well done, Maine Senate!

What civil liberties? Civil liberties are defined in our Constitution which mentions nothing about marriage.

JUST GIVE US A VOTE ON IT put it on nov ballot peace

mar?riage

–

noun 1. the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc.

downbeat....religion has nothing to do with Marriage????????????? God should be number one priority in any one's marriage! That is why there are so many divorces!! I pray that yours will not be one of them. Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials & may you both have a happy & full life together. I pray you consider letting God be a part of it. God bless.

REITERATION OF THE PLAN

A.. Let those men who want to marry men, marry men.

B.. Allow those women who want to marry women, marry women.

C.. Allow those folks who want to abort their babies, abort their babies.

D.. Let the polygamists be polygams

E.. In three generations, there will be no Democrats.

high fives go out to the maine senate on this one! wahoo! one step closer to equality!

Congratulations, you guys are one step closer to Equal Rights under the LAW.

Don't know why all you 'righties' want this to go to referendum considering how much money you b-tch, gripe and complain about how much time and money is being wasted in this state. How much will a referendum cost the taxpayers?

I don't take orders from an "invisible man in the sky," when I know in my heart that it's right to treat all people with respect and equality.

asmoothertouch2004 - Religion may have something to do with your marriage, but not with mine. Or my soon to be marraige. I am getting married in July and religion will have no part of our household until our kids grow and are old enough to make their own decisions about religion or lack there of. Religion is a personal thing not soemthing you should tell people should be number one priority in their marriage. What is right for one may not be right for all. See you think God should be number one in my marriage, but that is not what its about in my mind. Love should be number one priority in a marriage. Whose to say your right and whose to say Im right???? You know why you cant answer that question???? because we are alll different and all unique human beings. Also, Im pretty sure there have been plently of divorces in christian-based marriages!!! Get with it!

in these end times man will be given to man and woman will be given to woman the bible is very old so how can it be so right peace

I am not against equal rights but doing this now is rearranging chairs on the titanic...I have no problem with gay marriage.. Our state is BROKE....don't assume we are against this vote.. we just think the welfare of our total state is a bit more important than this or any other issue....

Cant you see that both issues can be dealt with at the same time like they are.....

Why not let the citizens vote on this issue?

Hey let them get married in Maine. I mean people are losing their jobs, their homes and Maine roads and highways are the worst in the nation and all this Govenor and Senate can think about is passing a bill that would allow Gays to get married on paper which they think is going to hold their marriage together, forget what truly brought them together. Maine and Alaska need to go back and become part of Canada so they can start living and be taken care of better than they are now...second class citizens...

If we do get gay marriage in Maine, can we blame it on Bush?

Finally showing some backbone! Congrats Maine Senate!

The Institution of Marraige should be based on the equal right of two people to love one another and "legitimize" that love with a legal union. I believe in God, I believe that the BIBLE tells us not to judge lest we be judged. I also believe that "spreading the word" doesn't mean brow beating someone into saying "OK! OK! You're right" There are so many forms of religion in the world, All of them proclaiming to THE ONE. I don't see God as a hateful vindictive god. I see God as loving ALL OF HIS CHILDREN, not just the ones who happen to agree with the social doctrines of one or another religion.

BRAVO MAINE SENATE! It's about time that the religious fanatics are told to stand aside. Organized religion is just another form of cult as far as I can see. Each one proclaiming they are true and that all others should be despised or hated. Therefore, since "Christians" themselves can't make up their minds which religion is right, I'll do WHAT JESUS DID, I'll pray in a field, on a mountain, in a closet, under a tree, and anywhere else I happen to be. I know that my prayers are heard and yes, sometimes He even says yes!

Just one more instance where politicians dont represent the majority. No matter, it will be shot down in November.

Congratulations maine senate, taking a hard stand in hard times. I am joined by many level headed types in saying, "Well done!"

WWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Good going Maine,,,,,,, EVEN NEW YORK DOES NOT WANT SAME SEX MARRIAGE,,,, HOW ABOUT THAT YOU LIBERAL'S HOW DID MAINE GET SO LIBERAL SO FAST????? MAINE ONE TIME WAS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE NOW,,,, NO WAY,,,,,,,, MAMA AND PAPA WHOS THE MOTHIER AND WHO IS THE FATHER??? BIG HITERS BUNCH OF JERKS

hey folks, newsflash! You voted in the politicians who are representing the interests of their constituents here. We elected them to make our laws.....why do you now want to spend precious time and money and ugly misleading ads so that you can vote on it...isn't that why you voted for these lawmakers in the first place?

Yeah, let's call all the polygamists and practitioners of incest! They need to know that they will also be able to get "married" in the state of Maine!!!!!

I mean we can't refute their "civil" rights after this passes. If you frown upon these behaviors you'd better not say anything or you'll be labeled a bigot, racist, and hypocrite. If you deny them their rights as well as the gays you will be discriminating so be careful with your responses. If you deny the rights of those who practice any deviant behaviour at all it will be considered "hate" speech. You have no right to voice your opinion - you must agree with that deviant behavior is a civil right or you are stupid, ignorant, uninformed, unenlightened - no civil dissention for any reson is allowed. It will be a free for all --- Love and let love --- anything goes! Hey, what other deviant behavior can we think of that this legislation will promote? I'm sure we can think up some new ones to add.

What a tolerant, enlightening, utopian civilization we live in here in Maine.

1. I did not vote for any of those Liberal Weenies that supported it 2. My Senator voted NO. 3. This whole thing doesn't pass the sniff test, morally or naturally. 4. Dont go trying to get a marriage license just yet!

Great news! I sure hope the House can get this done once and for all.

_BDN_: would it kill you to embed a contextual hyperlink to said Maine Senate roll call votes?

http://tinyurl.com/dcgjsf

This state is a joke. Let the people decide. If the people vote it down then all you alternative lifestyle people are welcome to move to a state which supports gay marriage.

Let's start the petitions opponents!

Q. What should be the Christian's attitude toward the homosexual?

We must always keep before us the fact that homosexuals, like all of us sinners, are the objects of God's love. The Bible says, "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Jesus Christ "is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (I John 2:2). The Christian who shares God's love for lost sinners will seek to reach the homosexual with the gospel of Christ, which "is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16). As a Christian I should hate all sin but I can find no justification for hating the sinner. The homosexual is a precious soul for whom Christ died. We Christians can show him the best way of life by pointing him to Christ. Our Lord said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). We are obligated to take the gospel to all.

quoted from www.bible.org

we hope this backfires onto the young legislators who still have young teenagers coming up in life!!!!! May your sons and daughters bring you home a same sex partner as your 'new' daughter-sons-in law!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this senate is a bunch of wusses with no back bone what so ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait until re-election time; these yo yo's just voted themselves out of the Senate.

BDN, would you publish the Roll Call on this vote? If not, why not?

This state is a joke. Let the people decide. If the people vote it down then all you alternative lifestyle people are welcome to move to a state which supports gay marriage.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why do you think you should be able to decide who I can marry or not? It's quite obvious which way you'll vote. And if I don't like it, I can just pack up and move away from the state that I was born, raised and lived in my whole life? Maybe you should move if YOU don't like it.

REMEMBER THE NAMES OF THE YES VOTERS AND GET THEM OUT THIS NOVEMBER............. IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO TAKE BACK OUR STATE.....

THERE WERE 20 SENATORS WHO VOTED YES FOR THIS INSANE GAY MARRIAGE TAKEOVER.................ROLL CALL 'YES' VOTERS ARE:

ALFOND-CUMBERLAND, PHIL BARTLETT OF CUMBERLAND, LARRY BLISS, FORMERLY OF SO. PORTLAND, BOWMAN ??? YORK, BRANNIGAN CUMBERLAND, BRYANT-OXFORD, CRAVEN ANDROSCOGGIN, DAMON HANCOCK, BILL DIAMOND OF WINDHAM, GERZOFSKY OF CUMBERLAND, GERZOFSKY CUMBERLAND, GODDALL SAGADAHOC, HOBBINS YORK, MARRACHE KENNEBEC, MITHCELL''''''KENNEBEC, NUTTING ANDROSCOGGIN. PERRY PENOBSCOT,RECTOR KNOX, SCHNEIDER PENOBSCOT, SIMPSON ANDROSCOGGIN, SULLIVAN YORK, REMEMBER THESE PEOPLE AND VOTE THEM OUT AND KEEP THEM FROM ADVANCING IN THEIR POSITIONS......

MariahStorm - I am appauled with your comments. The fact that you care so much about others and what others are doing IN THEIR OWN PERSONAL LIVES is interesting. Is yours not interesting enough for you? Why would you suggest that people call out the folks that voted for the bill so they may not advacne in their career? I am proud for once to live in America. We are well on our way to not stripping equal rights from all. Isnt that why we choose to live in America rather than a country where you are told what to do. WHAT AFFECT DOES THIS HAVE ON YOUR LIFE MARIAH??????????????? You say that getting these peoples names out is the only way to take back our state? Where did it go? You must be one of those people I heard about that if gay marriage is legalized in Maine more rapists will come out of the woodworks, more child molestation will happen, more AIDS will happen, more this and that will happen. WE ARE ALL HUMAN.......Divorce, child molestation, AIDS, and all the other bad things in life happen whether or not you are gay. Get your mind out of the ignorance gutter and get with 2009!!!!!!

I applaud all those folks that are consistently clicking thumbs down on here and getting rid of the nasty comments people are putting up!!!

the people of this state voted twice on this in the last ten years.it was no gay marriage.now sen.(i don't pay my taxes)damon think it's ok to f#$k the people of this state.it's time to wake up people.

furyguy670 wrote: "E.. In three generations, there will be no Democrats."

Haven't you heard of test-tube babies, otherwise known as the "Democrat Perpetuation Program"?

On 4/30/09 at 3:05 PM, lbuzz3 wrote: Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

the people of this state voted twice on this in the last ten years.it was no gay marriage.now sen.(i don't pay my taxes)damon think it's ok to f#$k the people of this state.it's time to wake up people.

Either people have short memories or they don't read what they vote for or against. WAKE UP! The MAINE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT is what was voted on, look it up.

They may think they can silence our opinions here but they won't be able to at the election booth. I want to see who in our elected officials is pushing this through. BDN we want to know. Remember we voted you people in ...we can vote you out.

I don't think that it is to much to ask to have the people vote on it. If it is voted in, so be it. If it is voted down, so be it. I would like to give my vote. When I voted for the house and senate I did not do so for them to make ALL of my decisions.

Jim McGreevey, former governor of New Jersey, a self-described gay American, has been married twice. How is anyone being prevented, based upon sexual orientation, from marrying under current law?

The Maine Senate has not voiced it's concern for the constuants of the State of Maine. This will never survive a vote in November. Morality does exist in Maine, unfortunately it does not exist in the Senate! This is an outrage that every married straight couple in this state should be appalled at!! Remove ALL senators who voted for this in November! Put my name first on the petition to put this to a vote in November. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to bring morals back to a state that has thrown them away. Tell me where I can get bumper stickers for my car, where to protest, and where to write! I've had it up to my eyeballs with these insignificant queers that tell me their lifestyle is "normal" and making me feel like I'm some kind of a racist! This is not what our founding fathers had in mind when the Constitution was written. These immoral people have dirtied the sanctity of marriage and we, the people of Maine cannot, and will not allow this to continue. Our childrens' moral fiber depends on this Senate vote to be overturned!

Elizabethann and others, the state of Maine is not bound by any religious dogma nor is the US Constitution.

Don't worry I'm sure the 'righties' will have their petitions out in no time, I just hope everyone reads and understands what they are signing. I'm quite certain it will not just include same-sex marriage but adoption rights, the Maine Human Rights Act and any other issue regarding the discrimination that they seek to re-impose on this minority group.

No one is trying to silence you. Seems like the 'religious right' has had their say for many years. It's time to stop dividing the citizens of this state and this nation. Come join a mainline church and spread the love to all.

MaineSurvivor, get your hip-waders on. The crap you throw will come back at you. Seems like these senators have spoken for many, gay and straight who believe in equal rights!

One step closer for my sheep and me to have equal rights.

One question for the Liberal's,,,, why not let the voters decide by vote???? Because they are Liberal that is why,,, Liberals all depend on the government for everything,

If it was not for the Liberals there would be no government in Maine,,,,, And I say again only in Maine,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, very true

only in Maine

free2bee, you call what I have to say "crap'? There are millions of people that feel the same way I do. You underestimate our power to reverse this unjustified vote. People like me don't like people like you so get used to it. Your cause will never endure and it will be proven in November. How do you like me now?

I'm not against gay marriage, but for the Senate to reject a people's referendum is dirty politics.

"Insignificant queers"?!! re 3:25 PM These are human beings just like you; and perhaps nicer human beings....which would not be too hard to believe from what you say. Sure you have a right to your opinion, you can write, protest, vote,etc. Go out and do more than rant on this site though, if you want to really make a difference.

concerned15:

Yes....bravo.

CandyofBrewer:

Yes. And...

"The message preached by Jesus, Martin Luther King and every other apostle of human equality: The accidents of race, ethnicity , gender and class do NOT define us"

"People like me don't like people like you."

Thankfully most people do not think or talk like that. What a world it would be if everyone was like that. Thank you God that it is not.

PERVISION!

i'm signing the opponent Kenneth C. Faggland

drc.......it's because most Mainers are leaving the state to make a living.....and we have mass a$$e$ moving to Southern maine but working in Mass......it's a losing battle....and if it comes to a referedum which i hope it does....how many voters from other places will fly to maine to get this passed? How many at Augusta were actually from Maine? Or I should say just recently moved to Maine...

HeadedSouth666... when I go to Tennessee in June I don't plan on coming back only to just go to UMaine

I don't buy anything here, and I don't support people who sit on their a$$ all day.

I get all my tax money back, so f-u state of maine

I think the Bangor Daily News should publish the members names of those who voted for and voted against this measure.. This is a high profile issue and to think that the People Of Maine don't have a say..By pubishing the names of our illustrious leaders and how they voted may change their career in the next election .. I find it curious how they can advertise that 1 in 150 kids are born with Autism - or the %'s of the number of cases of cancer in Maine - or how much money is raised for MS - why aren't there any numbers being advertised on how many Gay's & Lesbians are increasing the population - why aren't there any groups trying to raise money to find a cure for the Gender Confused population..Why don't you change the laws in Maine so brothers & sisters can marry - Why not enact a law that gays can't marry straight women & lesbians can't marry straight men - there needs to be more dialogue ..this measure is moving too fast -

All but one vote against were Republicans. Two Republicans voted for it. Only one Democrat (Jackson, D-Aroostook) voted against.

Always nice to see Republicans on always on the wrong side of human progress and civil rights.

Do the Senators who voted against the referendum fear the vote of the people. I presume most of those voting against were Democrats. You know, the party who wants all citizens to vote..legal residents or otherwise. What hypocrisy.

gays need help not marriage let the people vote.

I think people like icuucme should have to take an IQ test before they are allowed to vote, and score at least over 80. :-D

to all the religious people out there, all of you say that God has to be first in marriage and that God and the bible don't approve of homosexuality and that the bible defines marriage as one man one woman all of that is yours to believe. but the fact of the matter is, in America under the first amendment we all have the freedom of religion so protesting gay marriage saying God is against it is going against the first amendment and forcing your religion on others. Basically my point here is that I support Marriage Equality as both a Gay male and a Christian.. and because I know I'm going to be attacked because I can't possibly be both i say this. I love God with all my heart and I believe that he shapes all of us in the womb creating us as he sees fit, and I believe he made me gay for a reason. and even if i am wrong about this all, its no concern for any of you religious extremists to tell me so or to judge me, but for those select few that are going to condemn me anyways remember this, God says in three different places in three different ways "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord" Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19, Hebrews 10:30. haha so now that I've rambled on for a bit I'm just going to say Way to go senate!!!! and remember, As Maine goes, so goes the Nation!

I DID ALL I COULD DO LAST ELECTION --- I said JOE PERRY WAS A LOOSER - THIS IDIOT HAS BEEN RE ELECTED SO MANY TIMES HE WAS STILL USEING HIS ELECTION ADDS AND POSTERS FROM 10 YEARS AGO - LAZY - WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE - YOU KEEP ELECTING THESE IDIOTS AND YOU KEEP CPMPLAINING !!! VOTE OUT JOE PERRY -- GOT IT !!!

I don't care one way or the other whether the state of Maine allows gay marraige. THE MAINE STATE SENATE HAS ONCE AGAIN TAKEN AWAY THE PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO VOTE ON THE ISSUE. The reason they did this is because two similar bills have been voted on and rejected by the people of maine. Twenty of these 35 people decided that everyone in the state of Maine should not have the chance to voice their opinion. Thinkaboutit is right , JOE PERRY HAS TO GO!

This better include non married oppose sex people who don't want to get married but also should get all the tax deductions S.S.I. benefits, auto insurance rates all of it or it will be discrimination by the gays and government.

Pinetree, dont come to Tennessee. We dont want you here.

I am Catholic, and although Gay marriage is not and would not be a choice for me, I do believe that people should have the right to choose who they marry. Why does anybody care who I marry or who anybody else marries? People need to worry about their own life issues and stop worrying about everybody else.

The legislature has done the right thing in rejecting referendum and moving the bill toward law. Referendum is not an appropriate way to ensure civil rights for any minority. The wisdom of our founding fathers is that there are core 'inalienable rights' that are not subject to the whims of the times or the mood of the masses. It is what protects the few from the many and gives voice to the diversity that is the defining characteristic of what it is to be an American. Most of the country will move in the same direction as Maine and Iowa before us. The legislative branch is the only vehicle to create new law once it has been determined that the law has left some of us behind and failed to provide equality. This issue has nothing at all to do with religion or church doctrine. It has everything to do with this country living up to its promise to provide liberty and justice to all, regardless of popularity.

MainerInTN, I'm sorry. We don't want him either.

the holy bible says that Queers will die in fire eternal

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" How's that for a bible quote?

I have no problem if the gays want to marry.........as long as they keep their "public displays of affection" in private.

I don't want to explain to my children why to guys are kissing in public.........on second thought.....if it is a couple really hot looking lesbians.....i would have not problem with that.

fleigende kinderscheisse und ich bein unenballen pinken trienglens uber alles achtung juden

When you put God out of your everyday life and allow sinful practices to infiltrate your homes and churches you're surely not going to be living the way the Bible tells you to. For all of you that think same sex marriage is a good thing , don't expect any forgiveness when your life here on Earth is over. If you don't believe in God or our Lord Jesus Christ that's your business. The rest of us will pray for you, but I doubt it will help you !

Hee heeeeee heeeee!! A few days ago, I was profoundly offended and insulted by all you bible-thumping hate mongers. Today, I am amused. Go ahead! Spend a bazillion dollars on a referendum. Gay marriage is coming. Look around. You are on the losing side. Ooooh, that has to SUCK.

alowishish52 ... if you call yourself a Christian then you imply you are a follower of Christ who died on the cross for our (mine and your) sins... therefore you are exercising your free will and sinful nature by living in this homosexual lifestyle. The Bible says that marriage is between a woman and a man period! God did NOT make you gay.

I love lesbians! At least I love the kind that I'm familiar with from the movies. Two gay men, however, make my testicles crawl, and not in the good way. Homosexuality just isn't for some people, but then neither is Marriage. How can you claim it's an equal rights issue when you have to re-define the very word "marriage" in order to make it fit your argument? And what is wrong with a civil union? An identical set of papers except that it simply doesn't say "marriage" on it. They won't answer. And how can they deny the religious and spiritual implications at the very core of the institution of marriage? Again no answer. And the issue of family (which revolves around parents and children) ? Oh wait, once they are a "married couple" they cannot be denied adopting or foster-parenting children to raise as they see fit. There are several other things that "married couples" would be eligible for under the law which are just as disturbing. And don't think for a minute that they won't arise almost immediately. You see, the people who say "What do I care if 2 gays want to get married, it doesn't affect me?" must realize that the implications are far reaching, and will affect them eventually. I have gay friends, and they know my opinion on this issue, they don't all agree with it, but they respect it. I see no respect HERE from the gay community, just a lot of high-fivin' and religion bashin'. And word twistin', and out-of-context takin'. If you want to celebrate your love, go for it. Have a ceremony, a reception (which I am sure would be to DIE for!) , and then go get your civil union license. I mean, this WAS all about the legal aspects of estate planning, next-of-kin rights, tax benfits, spousal insurance benefits, etc. RIGHT?? But now it's suddenly taken on a civil rights/human equality cloak. Laughable how things change over time when you don't get the outcome you want. See you at the polls, and yes legislators, we will remember your vote despite the overwhelming # of calls you got to vote against.

Gay marriage?! Isn't that an oxymoron? Marriage was created by God not man so why do politians feel that they have the right to CHANGE the original plan? Another point: states like California have repeatedly voted down gay marriage, but their legislature feel some strange force causing them to override the voters. What could that force be? Special interests with money? Really it is a sorry day in America when we see marriage being torn down like this.

This is such a landmark history statement, all you haters can yell and moan, but I'm lovin it and I don't care if you're mad, mind your own business!!

Look religious people... You are becoming surrounded by gay friendly neighbors. Quebec to the North. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to the east. Vermont and (likely to be) New Hampshire to the west and of course Mass to the south. All have accepted or are considering legalizing gay marriage. I am thankful to live in a state and region that recognizes diversity. Maine is fortunately a socially liberal, live and let live state. New England is very spiritual but is succeeding in rejecting religion based on fear and hate.

Now please look again at these states and provinces. These our our neighbors... Can anyone... ANYONE... PLEASE ANYONE tell me how legalizing gay marraige has become harmful to the instituion of marriage in these states? Society has not collapsed. There have not been earthquakes, floods, tornados or swarms of locusts!

Now on the other hand, lets look at the southern states, the bible belt... They seem to suffer from constant droughts, tornados and all kind of disasters. I am not a religious person.... but if I was I might wonder, is this god 's wrath for using religion for ill purposes rather than the good for which it was intended? I wouldn't think so... but then again oddly coincidental isn't it?!?!?!

downeastdave:

A very interesting perspective...re 10:11 PM. Things aren't always so "black and white" , are they?!!

pinetree----If you have any smarts at all, when you leave your little town, you will decide to stay where ever you go.. I'm sure there is a college in Tennessee that would love to have a clean, wholesome country boy like yourself attending their classes!

There is No God!!!!

Dear, Politicallyincorrect

The Bible also says that Divorce is bad. The bible is full of rules and regulations that in theory should go out of effect as time passes such as putting any sort of blood in our body like a transfusion of blood is a serious sin that we can loose our chance of the life promised by God and Jesus. The Israelites, who ate blood, were cut off from God's people. Lev 17:10. And further more being a Christian does not mean following a book written by humans, it means loving God with all your heart mind and soul. But whatev I know who I am and your not going to make me feel bad haha so lata mr. homophobia!

MaineSurvivor, you do shovel crap. My wife and I support this bill. We want bumper stickers too, Straights Support Same-Sex Marriage. You don't know anything about the 'lifestyle'. Gays and lesbians have the same daily routines as the rest of us, they work in the same places we work, they shop where we shop, pay taxes just like we do, they raise healthy children just like we do, etc. You can talk all you want about morality but you don't put into practice basic respect for other human beings.

I just don't get it! Please tell me how things will be different for my wife and myself after gay marriage become law? Does that mean I will have to leave her after 42 years and begin dating my auto mechanic? All the bible thumpers have going for them is hate. I am sickened by some of the comments here. To those who say they feel ashamed to be in Maine, well just pack up and get out. I for one am staying. (And keeping my lovely wife).

I'm giving you a big hug free2bee! :) You're awesome, from a person w/a partner of 11 years, you nailed it.

Here comes Michael Heath again, supporters need to be ready. He'll be misinforming and misleading the public. Already on his site he says "Maine people twice rejected "gay" rights in the past decade." What he fails to say is that it was the rights in the Maine Human Rights Act. "Human Rights" people! Straight, gay, trans, disabled, elderly, young, etc, we are all human beings. Be sure you read what he comes up with, he has a habit of adding in much more than he wants the public to be aware of (IE: Maine Human Rights Act, Adoption,Domestic Partnerships, Civil Rights teams in schools).

Thanks gotdogs. Hug received and reciprocated, from my wife, my kids and me.

Jazz11, hope you come back and re-affirm your support again. All of us married heteros need to speak up.

Marriage is between a man and a woman.I want everyone this nov.to show them that the people are taking back our state everyone vote these people out .Reelect new people in all the spots in the state house.This is a grass roots effort to over throw the state gov the legal way.We have had it with the likes of them come on Maine let do this together vote these people out.I know we are bigger and have more people who do not want this in our state.Vote the elected people in the state house out they are a special rights group they do not want whats best for the families in this state .Anyone who reads this who thinks like me please write and let your voice be heard.When more than one voice is heard there is power I can do noting by myself but you can join me in this battle of the issues of the day.Even if it is just writing on this issue in the Bangor daily.Please for the love of God ,country,state; help in this effort to help save Maine.

alowishish52 -did you find any Israelites lying with eachother? NO! And that Mrs. Homophobia to you!

The sooner this passes , the sooner it will go to the voters of this state. Those in the house and senate will also go to the voters again.

politicallyincorrect, if there weren't any Isrealites lying with each other 1) how did they continue the population and 2) if this in reference to man lying with man, it's one of the passages of Leviticus that continues to be quoted, so there must have been some rabbis who were otherwise it would not have been included in the moral code for the rabbis.

This is certainly a depiction of the degenerative morality in this State and country. Acceptance of homosexuality is one of the dominating symptoms of declining world powers. This happened to the Romans and Greeks. As a schoolteacher I hear a lot of little kids say,"that is just wrong". Out of the mouths of babes come truth hat even some adults can't fathom. Is is unnatural, biologically impossible to procreate, and is a dangerous lifestyle that simply promotes AIDS. Sad indeed.

I suppose CONCERNED15 that you are planning a CHURCH wedding. People like you go to church twice in a lifetime. WHEN THEY MARRY AND WHEN THEN GET BURIED. I won't sit here and argue with you as the old saying goes "when your arguing with a fool there are two fools arguing".

hope this goes to the voters. no gay marriage in Maine!

4truth, do you also hear the words these 'babes' call each other. What 'little kids' know what this is all about? What little kids know about what sex is and how it is practiced by anyone? My kids hear many words used by some kids and they aren't pretty. They sound like some of the names used by the adults who post derogatory things here.

pinetreehell is a sick person. You need help sir. Please go to Tennesse, not that I have anything against that state but getting you as far away from Maine is a good thing. And if you truely do go to the University your postings here could very well get you expelled. They take Hate very seriously. There is a horn blowing in hell for you.

I'm glad the Maine senate voted it in. And if any of you anul retentive morons watched the news you would see that 49% of the voters in this country has no problem with gays marrying.

not in Maine

God no we have people in this state who have been arrested for beastiality. Thats much better. Idiot

********

My husband and I (hetero) have a gay son, his being gay has been a blessing to us because it taught us to accept and not fear.

We certainly want equal rights for him. Fear turns into hate so easily when negative emotions get involved. These quotes

from the bible mean nothing by the way, especially when they stir up hatred. I wish there were a 'bible' about love, tolerance,

and living beings being more important than ideology.

The money and time spent on this bill is the best money ever spent..

********

To all heterophobic bigots...YOUR SINFUL SEXUAL DEVIANCE WILL NEVER BE EQUAL TO A HOLY UNION!

Hide all of my comments,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, you joker from Maine,,,,,,, take a walk a big buch of Liberals thats what u all are,,,,,

As a happily married hetero woman I just want to say that my husband and I both feel that the instution of marraige is in no way affected by allowing, under the law, gay marraige to be a right. Yes there are some who think they have the right to speak for all Hetero Couples. Trust me, they do not. I teach my children tolerance. Just because it may not be for you, does not give you the right to malign any kind of LOVE between two human beings. I find it hilarious that people keep quoting the bible. I also find it hilarious that the bible never states that a woman can'T lie with a woman, only that a man can't lie with a man, and that is in the OLD Testament. Jesus himself said he came to fulfill the promise, I for one feel that this promise was of a loving GOD who FORGIVES sin. JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED, LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE. These are the statements of JESUS CHRIST. You do remember him, don't you? The one who CHRISTianity is named for? Get the bumper stickers ready...I'll put one on my car, I'M STRAIGHT, I'M MARRIED, AND I SUPPORT EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL.

To all of the professed "liberal'"- haters on this forum (drc480?) - Please refer to Cheney-Dick-daughter to learn why your venom is so humorous and MEANINGLESS. This from your Fox news: " Mary Cheney, daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney and wife Lynne, and her longtime lesbian partner are expecting a child, FOXNews.com confirmed Wednesday."

"The vice president and Mrs. Cheney are looking forward with EAGER ANTICIPATION to the arrival of their sixth grandchild," Dick Cheney spokeswoman Megan McGinn said."

You could look it up. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,234725,00.html Oh, and there's this pearl from just last October: "Vice President Dick Cheney’s lesbian daughter, Mary Cheney, and her domestic partner, Heather Poe, were on the official guest list for a WHITE HOUSE STATE DINNER Monday in honor of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

The guest list released by the White House indicates that Mary Cheney and Poe attended the dinner with Vice President Cheney and his wife, Lynne Cheney,"

Now go and hate no more.

Two things that this bill should NOT be doing, no matter what our religious or sexual orientation,are 1.) causing us to down GOD in any way shape or form 2.) causing us to call other members of society nasty names and acting like two year olds. We are all adults and should try to act like it....

Listen, it comes down to a common sense look at all these posts. Did you CHOOSE your sexuality at birth? Did, those of you who are heterosexual like me, come into this world and say or think "I'm going to be attracted to the opposite sex"? How dare ANY of you say that people who are homosexual CHOSE their sexuality. Hypocrites. And NO ONE is ever going to condone incest. Seriously, these hateful speeches and ignorant thoughts get you nowhere. Just as someone said above, who are YOU to say what is most important in someone else's marriage? And organized religion is your own preference. You are allowed rights to believe in whatever god you want to believe in. And you have the right to freedom of speech in telling people what they believe is wrong or what they feel is wrong. But that does not make you right. That does not make it right that people call homosexuals hurtful names and put them down as human beings. If gay marriage is legalized, it will not hurt the opposers. The only thing you will interact with if you don't have gay/lesbian friends is seeing the wedding announcement of a gay couple in a newspaper. A church does not have to officiate the wedding of a homosexual couple if they do not see fit. In most cases I'm sure they will have a different setting in mind. You are all screaming that the sky is falling when there are much bigger things in this world to be "afraid" of and fear. This law is not going to hurt anyone, not going to bring about the marriage of a human to their pet, or a brother to his sister, or a 40 year old to a 12 year old. It is with fear and total ignorance of anything that is different from you and that which you are accustomed to that you say these things. Yes, I believe that there should be a vote for this by Mainers, but I don't see how the opponents think that they are going to win by any measure when most of our population lives in larger towns/cities where people are more accepting of and have seen different lifestyles and cultures and understand and do not fear change and differences. By all means, keep posting your thoughts and prayers and what you believe to be true. And in my heart, and all those who support this measure, we will keep posting our thoughts and beliefs in what we believe to be true.

Peace.

I haven't decided where I stand... morally one way, the way I was raised the other... However, kateindfcity: WELL SAID. Thank you.

Free2bee, I have seen a great bumper sticker for you and bought it for straight friends it is simple, reads, "Straight but not narrow", I think it works here. wa1jmm, how heartened by your post, parents of gay and lesbian folks should rise up in support of this legislation, it impacts them directly. there is a bible about love and acceptance, about non judgement, it is the same one quoted so frequently here, selectively quoted. I have issues with the idea of retracting civil rights by a public vote but you will have to cross this bridge when you come to it. For now, celebrate the victory for common sense. Look through these posts and look at the hate, the fear and the panic that these movements in public policy cause the insecure, the ignorant and the angry. This is the reason for these laws. Sure it opens this right to everyone but it also brings to your state the common sense of public law and takes out the hate, the fear and the ignorance, just as it did for women voting and blacks civil rights, against, in some states a majority view. This is the right thing to do, done for the right reasons....Donelly, sewmama, 4truth, mousehunt et al. Try, try to see another point of view, try to walk a mile in the shoes of someone discriminated against, not allowed a right or a benefit given to others, try to turn the other cheek or do unto others, try not to judge people based on your misconceptions or fears about doom and gloom. When and if you were to try, I think you would have at least an idea of where gay and lesbian folks in your state are coming from. If you can't try this, try leaving people to find their own way and let God be the judge of our behaviors and actions. Might like it......peace

Where do I get a petition so I can pass it around work and gather some signatures towards the 55,000 needed so that the voters can decide?

On 5/1/09 at 6:04 AM, sewmama wrote: Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I suppose CONCERNED15 that you are planning a CHURCH wedding. People like you go to church twice in a lifetime. WHEN THEY MARRY AND WHEN THEN GET BURIED. I won't sit here and argue with you as the old saying goes "when your arguing with a fool there are two fools arguing".

Sewmama I am so happy to say that you couldnt be further from the truth. I am not getting married in a church. I also have been to church all my life up until about 3 years ago. This isnt an adoescent decision this is something I fought with for quite sometime about the exsistence of a God. So dont ignorantly assume that People like me only go to chirch twice in their life when they die and when they get married. I was baptized, confirmed as an adult member into my church, went to vacation bible school, taught sunday school, went to sunday school all the years I was in school myself, was the president of my youth group, etc, etc, etc. Throughout my early adulthood I slowly realized all the times I thought I was leaning on God for support and guidance I was just using it as a crutch like most do. Instead of really dealing with your problems you say God will guide me to the right decision, God will show me the way, God will shed his light on me and I will be able to determine the right path. God for lots and lots of folks is just a way to use something as an excuse, to get by with saying God will take care of me, to say that instead of my dead grandmother just being in the ground she is sitting at the right hand of God now and he is taking care of her. God is a coping mechanism in my mind. As I have gotten older I have realized people make deciscions for themselves. I dont need to rely on a mythical being to guide me. I love how you are calling me a fool for not believing in YOUR GOD. I dont sit here and call you names for believing in GOD. But now that you have opened that door why not. I dont understand why Religious folks and Atheiests cant have an intellectual conversation about gay marriage with it getting mean. Maybe that is the real difference between an Atheiest and a Christian? An Atheiest knows that there are many many people with many varied beliefs and they are willing to listen to them in an open-minded arena. It is evident that at least with you sewmama that is not the case. Do Christians lack the ability to see the many varigated views that there are in this world? Why is this? Why is it that their way is right and there is no listening to anyone that tried to say a single thing that is different? Are you scared? We are not trying to convert you like so many Christians try to convert us? I am so unbelibably frustrated with some of the close-mindedness that I see in some Christians. SEWMAMA you could lern a few things from CANDYFROMBREWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is going to go to a vote of the people and just like EVERY TIME this comes up, the people of Maine vote it down. Marriage is about a man and a woman. It isn't about the religion behind it or the way the state has gotten involved in the whole marriage thing with charging for licenses or anything like that. Homosexuals can have civil unions which offer all of the rights and protections of marriage, but no, that's not good enough. All they want is the WORD marriage. Then, they will be convinced that they are equal. It isn't about being treated equally, its about the fact that they need yet another confirmation that they are "equal". It is their own lack of belief in it. Right now, homosexuality is so promoted and praised by lawmakers and hollywood, that there is no way anyone can claim that homosexuals don't get treated fairly. But one word, marriage, and even if they have all the rights and protections of it, if its under another word, its not good enough. Again, its just to prove something to themselves, it would change nothing. It is stupid and unnecessary and that's all there is to it. And for anyone who wants to claim that I must hate homosexuals to say this, well, my nephew is one... and I LOVE HIM with all my heart. He has never doubted my love or questioned it and we talk all the time. Even he thinks that homosexuals should back off marriage. Its just a game, according to him and nothing more.

jspear:

re 9:14 Am

Well-said.

Noblamegaming:

Thank you so much....re 8:59 AM

It is uncanny. Some here like Cheney so much but conveniently overlook the matter of his gay daughter and how supportive he and his wife are of her and her partner and also for gay rights. They have been clear on that. So quite interesting, isn't it?!

kateindfcity: As we well know, "the sky is not falling" over this issue of anything else. Life will go on.... most people will try and live the best lives possible and show compassion and acceptance for their neighbors and fellow man.

CandyofBrewer:

Good bumper sticker! And you are doing the right thing in teaching your children tolerance for all God's children and people. I tried to do the same.

kate123: Re 6:11 AM I have a hard time believing that individual goes to any University. What a moron and worse.

When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan. Great crowds followed him, and he cured them there.

Some Pharisees approached him, and tested him, saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?"

He said in reply, "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate."

They said to him, "Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss (her)?" He said to them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery." [His] disciples said to him, "If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry." He answered, "Not all can accept [this] word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it."

HOw can candy of Brewer state she believes in the Bible when romans 1v28and 29 states that men who lay with men and women who lay with women do what is unseemly in the eyes of God- they will receive in themselves the reward which is due which is death and they have been given over to their perverse mind at the point that they live a homosexual lifestyle. The Bible states not to judge, but it also states to stay away from that which is evil - and HE lets us know what evil is. We are to pursue what is Godly and fight for what is right. I love my gay nephew, I have never judged him. I do know that its wrong but I don't treat him like crap. He knows I love him. I will vote to NOT allow gay marriage because the Bible teaches it is wrong. You can't "believe" in the Bible and think that homosexuality, or premarital sex or abortion or lying, or murder or any of those things are okay. Read more of it and see what is says about those who claim to "believe" but deny the truth and power of it.

sewmama:

Who are you to know how many times someone here goes to church or not? How presumptious of you!

free2bee and Jazz11: Yes, a lot of us are sickened by a lot of the comments here. I could not agree more with you. Thanks for your civil and thoughful remarks.

Louise:

re 10:39 PM

If he dislikes it here so much why doesn't he leave. But as you and others have said, what state would really welcome that kind of ignorance and extreme nastiness! Not many, I would think. He needs to clean up his act big-time.

Put this to vote and settle it the right way, the way this country should run, by popular vote. It is the only fair and just way. Allowing legislators who are out of touch with reality force decisions on us is just plain wrong! Maine, wake up!!!! Oh, and by the way, I will be voting to preserve marriage for a man and woman only as it was, is and should always be.

truthteller you say marriage is about one man and one woman, but you dont think religion has anything to do with it? That why do you believe marriage is about one woman and one man? Just cause? What is your reasoning??????

You say that "they" can have civil unions and that they give all the rights that marriage do....but "they" just want the word marriage. Well why cant they have that. Why can you an obviously heterosexual male have the word marriage but "they" cant? Something doesnt add up? You just think gay folks are gross admit it!!! You have no reasoning for what your saying besides the fact that its the way its always been????? You say that homosexuals are considered equal by the masses because of hollywood etc. etc. its simply not the true. The hateful words to describe gay folks are still thrown around like its no big deal. I dont understand how you dont see marriage as a rigtht anyone and everyone should have. This is in my mind the same thing as saying gay folks have to drink out of different water fountains that the straight folks or the gay's have to ride in the back of the buses.

truth teller there is also a lot in the bible that completely does not ring true in today's society. There are many statements in the bible that are incorrect and even you do not follow because they do not fit 2009. There is no way possible you truthteller can follow the bible to a T!

chersully---Hi--- And of course this individual doesn't go to college. He has been sitting around all winter writing and sending ignorant garbage under all his dumb user names!". And we are all familiar with his favorite saying! He would change names and say the same thing in his next comment! We don't all have the same mentality, thank God! Took about one second to figure that one out! Maybe he will go away, but I just don't see it happening. People from other states have already told him they don't want him either! It's really a shame that he wasen't taught better, or maybe he just couldn't figure it out? You have a good day.

DRC480 -- CAN YOU TELL ME THS ISSUE HERE???? DRC480 ----- GAY MARRIAGE ----DRC480,,,,,, OH,,,,

now I know I spelled that word right,,,,,,,,, the

can anyone tell if their blu-ray players loads as slow as mine???? I have a sony one of the first to come out and it takes forever to load

Yay! Now its just time to pass the bill all together. Gov. Baldacci do the right thing and pass this bill. We need people to stop discriminating! THANK YOU SENATE!

Let the popular vote decide in November, not a few Senators and Representatives. Let Democracy work, for the people, by the people..

How come I m always getting the thumbs down????Could it be the Liberal;s?????? OMG

jamesbangor quoted the gnostic texts of Greek literature in his attempt to show that divorce is somehow wrong. Yeah, blame it all on Moses . Funny how Moses brought all these laws down directly from GOD after being on Mt. Sinai for 40 days and nights. So this Jebus guy comes along from Greek mythology, goes out in the desert for 40 days and nights and basically says "oops! GOD made a 'mistake' and didn't really mean any of those things GOD told Moses!" lol, you fundies crack me up!

Dear, politicallyincorrect

it really seems like you hate yourself a lot, I mean you are so hateful towards the gay community what with all the homophobia and such. I can only assume that as a Christian you follow Jesus and when asked what the most important thing is, Jesus replied "To love thy neighbor as thyself" and that kinda means cause you hate gays you in turn kinda hate yourself. I'm just going to remind you even if we are all wrong its not for you to judge, its for you to show us the love of Jesus. which is the exact opposite of what your doing right now by posting hateful things on this page. And again I say, I know who I am and your not going to make me feel bad and or wrong about any of it. Peace Out Polly!

truthteller77, go back and read from verse 23 in romans 1, convenient how most of you who quote from this leave out the idolatry. Would you mind citing the passages that specify "abortion" in the bible?

Feel like I'm beating the "voted on this before" thing to death, but there are so many that keep repeating it: We Have NEVER Voted On This Issue, We voted on the Maine Human Rights Act. It includes non-discrimination in employment, education, housing etc. It was signed in 2005 and Heath's petition was pulled because he couldn't get enough signatures, Why? because he added adoption (that would affect heteros), Civil Rights teams (who work for awareness of all discrimination, race, religion, etc), domestic partnerships (which would affect heteros) etc. He lied about what was really in it by not including everything that was in it. And rest assured he will lie again. Wait isn't there a commandment about that?

Levite said: "Let the popular vote decide in November, not a few Senators and Representatives. Let Democracy work, for the people, by the people.. "

_______________________________

Maybe you can go back to 6th grade History class and relearn the fact that this state (and this country) is a Constitutional Republic and NOT A DEMOCRACY In a Constitutional Republic (a REPRESENTAVIE Republic) our elected representatives VOTE in our place and they are supposed to vote ACCORDING TO the Constitution, not the whims of the people. That's why they are called representatives! Your yearly TOWN MEETING isn't even a "democracy", although you probably think it is. Town Meeting as a yearly meeting of the shareholders of the corporation known as TOWN OF _____________. ONLY the shareholders (residents) can vote on the articles appearing in the warrant, and in that case, majority rules. You know how long town meetings are, so do you really think that every bill that comes before the legislature should be "put out to the people to vote on"? Do you know how LONG that would take and how expensive it would be to the TAXPAYERS? Do you vote? Maybe we should bring back a version of the Poll Tax---one that states a voter must know what form of government their state has and the basic rules under which that government is under.

You are right noblamegaming. And what about the gayrepublican senator that was picking up men in public rest rooms. Mariah as usual you are completely ignorant. You say you hope this back fires on the senators that voted for it and their children come home gay... What if one of your children do? Will you disown the kid? Will you stop loving he or she? Or would they be so afraid of your hatred that they would commit suicide rather then come out? God help you.

Dear Mahmoud Ahmedinijiad, President of Iran

Please stop posting your hateful words on the BDN website under the names of mariahstorm and thepintetreehell. Thanks.

Repulsive. Here . have some religion.

LEGAL RAMIFICATION: Have gays thought of the legal ramification of passing this bill? I am a married woman and being so if I acquire debt, it is my husband’s legal responsibility to pay off those debts. If my husband acquires debt it is my legal responsibility to pay off his debts in the event that he cannot meet his responsibility of paying off that debt. Have you also thought that just like any married couple, if your married partner becomes ill and goes beyond the limit your insurance company maximum limit of their responsibility to pay, then the debt is in the hands of both married partners in that relationship. For example: My husband’s medical insurance through his company of employment will pay for only thirty days stay in a mental ward. So, if either of us because of some illness where to be hospitalized for more then thirty days the legal responsibility to pay out-of-pocket is on both of us; just as insurance co-pays, deductibles and out of pocket money should either one of the partners become ill. Equal justice under the law, what is far in my marriage, as far as legal responsibility, should also be on gay marriages. Both partners are in a marriage are responsible for the other financially in all legal matters…clothing…food…medical…credit card debt, etc.

U ARE right bxr3main,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, u are so right it is so Repulsive here that I feel sick to my stomach,, BUT MAYBE SOMEONE CAN HELP ME WITH MY BLU=RAY IT LOADS SO SLOW,,,,,,, and if I call someone over to my house I do not want any body that is married to the same sex,,,,,,,, now lets get serious for a min.

what would make my blu ray load so slow??? Anyone?? I got to get this in before someone thumbs me down,,,,, hurry please

I don't know what version of the Bible Truthteller777 is attempting to quote, but I have the King James Version, and NOWHERE does it say anything about a woman lying with a woman. It only says that "for a man to lie with another man is an abomination" And since it has already been proven that there are verses and chapters of the Bible hidden away in vaults and the "CHURCH" did this to "protect us" I guess I'm not so sure I CAN believe completely in a book that is incomplete. I do believe in GOD, and I believe that GOD LOVES ALL HIS CHILDREN. Nuff said.

Way to go State Senate!!! Keep it goin'!!! And to those that live by a two-millennia-old work of fiction...cry me a river, build a bridge, and get over it!!!

For all those that say separation of church and state should not use money, should flee the country and so on. This country was founded on religious freedoms and we use money that says" in God we trust", the pledge of allegiance "one nation under God"! We are under God always, and we need to obey his commands to keep marriage between a man and a woman. This is disgusting and inappropriate!

Billy Graham made the comment awhile back that if God doesn't judge the US then he will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah! The point is well taken! We are headed for a well deserved discipline from God Almighty!

As Jesus said, "Forgive them for they know not what they do!"

they should list the names of the senators involved

BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

JoanAlbert OF COURSE THEY KNOW THE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS OF GETTING MARRIED. There are couples that have been together for 15-20 years and know all the ups, downs, and everything in between of getting married....boy was your statement pretty high and mighty.....

On 5/1/09 at 12:59 PM, hittingcleanup wrote: Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

For all those that say separation of church and state should not use money, should flee the country and so on. This country was founded on religious freedoms and we use money that says" in God we trust", the pledge of allegiance "one nation under God"! We are under God always, and we need to obey his commands to keep marriage between a man and a woman. This is disgusting and inappropriate!

Billy Graham made the comment awhile back that if God doesn't judge the US then he will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah! The point is well taken! We are headed for a well deserved discipline from God Almighty!

As Jesus said, "Forgive them for they know not what they do!"

I AM SO UNBELIVABLY SICK OF THIS ARGUMEN..........................We use money that says IN GOD WE TRUST.......lets also do everything else the bible tells we have to do....then lets see where that gets our country.......

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JoanAlbert---- oh, where to begin in your senseless post....If YOU acquire debt it is YOUR responsibility alone. If your husband acquires debt, it is his responsibility alone. If you acquire debt TOGETHER, such as a mortgage, then it is the responsibility of BOTH of you, not to the exclusion of the other. These LAWS were CHANGED back in the 70's to PROTECT specific classes of people. (Used to be that a woman couldn't get credit on her own) So, Joan, if your husband acquires debt it is NOT your responsibility to pay it off if he can't, and vice-versa.

When you obtain medical care, you fill out several forms, one being insurance info. On that form you will see a space for "responsible party". This is the person the physician bills if the insurance company does not pay in full. The 'responsible party' can be either the policyholder or not. You must give the social security number of the person you designate as responsible party so that if said responsible party does not pay, then collection efforts will be set upon said individual. Consequently, if your husband gets medical services and the insurance company pays up to the limits in the contract, and there is a balance due, it is your husband's responsibility, it doesn't fall to both of you.

That said, do you think everyone else is as ignorant of contracts and the law as you---that you have to try to be mommie dearest...and give false information on top of it?

I am tired of hearing about this. Its the people's choice- put it to the voters.

One point to be made though- I am not married- I have lived with my " significant" other for many years. I have good health insurance- yet I cannot add him to my policy. I could - however- add a " same sex partner" if I had one. What is this! Talk about discrimination!

Vote on it. Keep Maine " the way life should be"

I can't help but notice that the intelligent arguments keep getting hidden. Someone needs to get a job and stop sitting at home on their duff getting fat on my tab whilst perusing the BDN website censoring the statements more intelligent and reasonable than their own.

here's an intelligent argument that you might not like

its about a woman in love with a dyke

baltomorean,

I think it's the religious fundamentalists who are so obsessed with this---perhaps retired, perhaps pastors who should be preparing their sermons for Sunday, maybe they are at the computers at the Christian Civic League (oh, wait the "family policy council"---that SOUNDS so much more mainstream! lol!) taking old ladies' hard earned money just so they can buy TV and radio spots to spew their false advertising.

theold_dirtroad said: "here's an intelligent argument that you might not like

its about a woman in love with a dyke "

_______________________________

What is intelligent about that ?

and what arguement are you trying to present?

I like how my comment was hidden and had nothing derogatory in it at all. Nice to see that the opposition wants no one to have a voice. What will we resort to next? A lynching? It's seriously like the Salem Witch Trials.

Kate, I know! I guess it's easy to "thumbs out" a comment when you have 20 different user account. (Now watch, mine will disappear as well.) Enjoy the weekend!

frankforter I'm on the same page with you. Nothing like some embittered folks perverting religion to support their illogical arguments.

theold_dirtroad: You don't make any sense.

frankforter: theold_dirtroad, just meant that something about that is very wrong. But for those that cannot see the forest for the tree's, no problem. Peace

JoanAlbert, do you think gays and lesbian don't know the rights and responsibilities of marriage? They will only share in the rights and responsibilities of this state as the federal gov. does not/ will not acknowledge. Sorry that you are having so much trouble with your insurance company and debt collectors. I'm sure there are many people married or single that are having these issue also, they are part of life. If these problems are overwhelming to you and your husband, perhaps you should divorce and just live together.

Two of my missing posts, meant to clarify what has been voted on in the last decade:

Either people have short memories or they don't read what they vote for or against. WAKE UP! The MAINE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT is what was voted on, look it up.

Here comes Michael Heath again, supporters need to be ready. He'll be misinforming and misleading the public. Already on his site he says "Maine people twice rejected "gay" rights in the past decade." What he fails to say is that it was the rights in the Maine Human Rights Act. "Human Rights" people! Straight, gay, trans, disabled, elderly, young, etc, we are all human beings. Be sure you read what he comes up with, he has a habit of adding in much more than he wants the public to be aware of (IE: Maine Human Rights Act, Adoption,Domestic Partnerships, Civil Rights teams in schools).

And another

I just hope everyone reads and understands what they are signing( the upcoming petitions). I'm quite certain it will not just include same-sex marriage but adoption rights, the Maine Human Rights Act and any other issue regarding the discrimination that they seek to re-impose on this minority group.

Feel like I'm beating the "voted on this before" thing to death, but there are so many that keep repeating it: We Have NEVER Voted On This Issue, We voted on the Maine Human Rights Act. It includes non-discrimination in employment, education, housing etc. It was signed in 2005 and Heath's petition was pulled because he couldn't get enough signatures, Why? because he added adoption (that would affect heteros), Civil Rights teams (who work for awareness of all discrimination, race, religion, etc), domestic partnerships (which would affect heteros) etc. He lied about what was really in it by not including everything that was in it. And rest assured he will lie again. Wait isn't there a commandment about that?

baltimorean: I have noticed the same thing. re 2:12 PM It is uncanny. These conservative folks who are always talking about their freedoms being taken away, vote down some very benign comments from people just talking about the issues. One of my remarks was voted down....it was in response to another poster who was merely wondering and asking about a previous poster here (an older man from NY) Some do not like him here at all....so they voted down my answer about his absence to another poster. No vile remark, nothing....and yet they were so childish and low to vote a comment like that down. Stupidity....

Yeah, I had one get the tumbs down too. You have to remember that the "freedom" being taken away is the one that gives a select group of people the right to tell others how to live and prescribe them a specific code to live by. Luckily the freedom to be a self-righteous blowhard disconnected from rational thought is still alive and thriving.

"Shouting is not a substitute for thinking" -Adlai Stevenson.

I disagree with most of the comments I've read - marriage is between a man and a woman - not otherwise - this should not be decided by the select few in Augusta who think they have all the answers - it should be decided by the people of Maine in a voting booth - too much has gone on in Washington that goes against the wishes of the electorate - too many bailouts - too much pork !! maybe that's where the swine flu originated !!

By the way - an "invisible man in the sky" - interesting missusmoon - might you be an athiest - that's popular these days along with gay marriage - just to remind you that there just might be an invisble man down below that will be glad to see you -

Hey pinetreehell.........don't leave Maine............I love this state and don't agree to what's going on. I was born here, raised here and hope to die here.......bu I'm tired of everything about this place............BUT I"M NOT LEAVING....THIS IS MY STATE TOO.....I"m staying and fighting. found and interesting site...........paint maine red!

After reading most of the comments - excluding all the gays and lesbians - Geeze there are so many - WE NEED TO GET RID OF JOE PERRY !!!!!!! and maybe give these CONFUSED GENDER people say Rhode Island -

VOTE NO NEVER IN MAINE KEEP MAINE CLEAN.

A change is coming and it's not Obama

CandyofBrewer, I could not disagree with you more.

chersully2000, looks like someone is still at it and can't even hear opinions that differ from their own. Wow.

On 5/1/09 at 6:50 PM, baltimorean wrote:

chersully2000, looks like someone is still at it and can't even hear opinions that differ from their own. Wow.

Stove calling the kettle black at it's best!

I'm not censoring the comments that are seen, just arguing with them.

Sledman dont mess with a SMIB.. LOL>>>>>

baltimorean:

Thank you. I agree.

Btw: are you someone who lives in Baltimore? Don't answer this if you do not wish to. Anyway, you sound intelligent and reasonable. I enjoy your comments.

Someone above said "paint Maine red." It isn't going to happen.....not for a long long time, if ever. They are in the wrong part of the U.S. for that.

Twenty one (21) people said it's ok to let gays destroy the sanctity of marriage. Don't worry Mainers, morality will prevail in November.

Better yet ask baltimorean if he knows any SMIB's...

Is this what we, as adults and parents, wish to pass on to our children and grand children.....that it is perfectly acceptable for men to marry men and women to marry women, contrary to what we have taught our children at home, and contrary to what they have been taught in church?

Is this what our Country has come to?

And, I decry the postiton that it is one's "equal right" to marry "whom they choose".

This is such an abomination that it defies all that is right.

I am not a religious man, but I truly believe in God.

This matter is not for elected fools to decide. It has already been decided by God.

Marriage is defined as that between a man and a woman.....PERIOD.

I cannot fathom intelliegent, and I stress the word INTELLIGENT people professing that gay marriage is anything closely resembling "rights". It is most assuredly not.

To those who profess and encourage such, will eventually see the error of their thinking, and for those of us who understand that erroneous thinking should and will be among the first to inform them of such.

What a travesty the Maine legislature is engaging in. But then, Maine is a left wing, bleeding heart, liberal, sorry excuse for a political entity,

I sort of wonder if they were talking "Republican Red" or "Stalinist Red" (notice they didn't clarify-next point for debate: Is there a difference?) but didn't bother to press the point as it would only result in more censored comments. And if someone wants to get all in a dither about it I was born in Maine, went to school in Maine, all of my relatives still live in Maine, I'm still a resident and a voter of Maine, and can trace my roots in Maine back to before it was a state. And we're talking real Maine, not northern Massachussetts. But yes chersully2000, I do live in Baltimore. Temporarily.

Stevey's Mother In Baltimore?

f4driver555- you will be trashed for your comment- but let me be the first to say- well said!

f4driver555, well said. Unfortunately the gay lovers will call you a racist, which you are not.

Stevey I am with you on the SMIB!!LOL

No, my mother isn't a SMIB....

You know what a SMIB is?????

OH no.. Now you know too much...

I googled homosexual studies and found out that it is a mental illness that can be cured,gays also live 24 yrs less and have a 50% chance of suffering from substance abuse depression and suicide.check it out for your self. and then you will realize that help is what they need not marriage. marriage would only make things worse.

I had to laugh one day, I said I even voted for Hoyer and old Anne never caught on....I thought she was master detective.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/sep/08091704.html this is where i read some of that

I don't think anyone should be trashed for their comments unless they are speaking hatefully or making derogatory remarks.

f4driver555 wrote: for those of us who understand that erroneous thinking should and will be among the first to inform them of such.

I imagine you would probably agree the legislature sometimes takes this approach!

My problem isn't with people who oppose gay marriage-they're perfectly entitled to their opinion, I just happen to disagree with them. However, as a matter of Constitutional law, the separation of church and state (which was originally designed to protect the church from infringement form the government, not the other way around) seems to me to be the critical point in this debate. My stance here is that while people of Christian faith are certainly allowed to oppose gay marriage (and should be allowed to do so) there are Christians who support it and people of many other religious traditions, including not having a religion, under the Constitution the protection of their rights and abilities to express their opinions is equally important. Using a religious argument from the Bible won't work with the legislature because if they vote on a law based on what the Bible says it will be showing deference to one religion over others (including atheism). This doesn't mean you can't oppose gay marriage based on the Bible, only that we shouldn't base our laws on it, because once we do it's a slippery slope towards the Christian equivalent of a caliphate. And to those who would argue that many of our laws are based on Christianity, I would point out that those laws can also be found in the belief system of every major world religion and that they date back further to Socratic and Platonic principles that existed before Christ was even on earth.

Does this mean my number is up?? LOL

Stevey, what are you doing voting for Steney all the way up there?

Not all people agree with homosexuality. Just the way it's going to be.

majin

I must of had a few too many at BWI that day. Left BWI and voted LOL!!!!!!

I just put a new branch on Anne's ORG chart Pab. She will be all confused.

You need to stay out of those airport bars....we all know your family tree is one straight line...LOL

6 more months

baltimorean:

Thanks...interesting. re 7:36 PM

I feel the same about the following:

"My stance here is that while people of Christian faith are certainly allowed to oppose gay marriage (and should be allowed to do so) there are Christians who support it and people of many other religious traditions , including not having a religion....and under the Constitution the protection of their rights and abilities to express their opinions is equally important."

18 weeks

typo 28 weeks

284 days

WHO THE HELL ARE WE IN THIS FREE COUNTRY TO SAY ONE PERSON CANT MARRY ANOTHER WHETHER THEY ARE SAME SEX OR NOT..THIS IS LIKE THE BLACKS FIGHTING FOR EQUAL RIGHTS...ONE DAY WE WILL LOOK AT THIS OR OUR GREAT GRANDKIDS WILL AND SAY HOW FOOLISH WE WERE TO SAY U CAN NOT MARRY THE SAME SEX! AMERICA LAND OF THE FREE? ONLY IF IT FITS AMERICAS IDEA OF NORMAL?

scollins327,

I should be able to marry my same sex sibling, cousin or other blood relative, too. If we can't have children there's no genetic problem so who the hell's business is it?

This is America. It was founded on everyone doing whatever they wanted, no matter how creepy, perverted or sick! Right?

Stevey given the way they drive around there I would think everyone passing through the terminal has had a few too many at the bar.

Well mattcarbone, I suggest if you feel strongly about marrying your brother, you better get busy on collecting them 50,000 thousands signatures. For your probably the only citizen in this state that would benifit from such lunacy. Did you think of that thought all on your own, or did you hear it on right wing radio? Or perhaps in your church? Your parents must be so proud.

A person can make any idea sound crazy with gross exaggerations attached to it.

And what's with the conservative ninnies trying to censure chersully2000? Afraid of an opposing viewpoint? Might make your brain hurt too much? And she's perfectly polite in all her posts! My word, get over yourselves, get off your self righteous high horses!

icuucme, it would just be a suggestion, but you might want to know that Paul Cameron has not held a license to practice since 1995, he was 'dropped' from the APA in 1983 for violating ethics principles, the American Sociological Association, 1985 stated that he consistently misinterpreted and misrepresented sociological research and in 1986 made a statement that he is not a sociologist and condemned his misrepresentation of their research, the Canadian Psychological Association denounced his for his misinterpretation of data in 1996. There is more on him if you care to look. He likes to quote Rudolf Hess.

Dr. Rick Fitzgibbons is a paid employee of the Catholic Medical Association, no bias there?

The liberal politicians and media will destroy this country unless 'We The People' wake up and realize they are dragging this state/country down into Socialism/Communism. Look at the facts and you will see this is true!

God help us.

BINGO! Govt2Big hit the nail on the head! The trouble is, the libs simply will not see past their own special interest needs. They do not care if they ruin this state or this country, all they care about is creating controversy and selfishly fighting for their own special intersts! It's pathetic. They would rather have our politicians waste time on gay marriage so they get their way instead of forcing polis to fix the failing economy! They don't care if they're polarizing the general populous, they don't care if they're eroding the country, they don't care if they're creating social unrest, they only want their special interests. They operate under the guise of trying to maintain 'equal rights' but that's simply a cloak for forcing their damaging agenda. If anyone comments to the right, they are blasted for being racists.

The media is liberally biased because they think it's good for ratings. What is published & broadcasted has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with reporting facts, it's all about the ratings. It's a business, they think they have to sacrifice ethics to make a profit. Trouble is, people are not intelligent enough to keep a broader perspective and they believe what's vomited by the media to be the truth.

In the meantime, jobs are outsourced, crime and social unrest is on the rise and the economy's headed for an unprecidented depression. But hey, at least the gays are happy and as they have demanded, it's all about them anyway (sarasm!!!!).

Too bad the "homosexual studies" were done by people who are Christian and religious. If it is a real study, it has to be by someone who is unbiased. Not someone who obviously has a STRONG interest towards families and people who are straight and practice the beliefs of the bible.

And marrying someone of the same sex is completely opposite to marrying someone who is your brother, sister, or first cousin. Marrying someone of the same sex will not result in children who may have disorders because of the fact that two people are RELATED and have similar genes.

This extravagant magic show that the opponents are trying to throw to sidestep real facts and the reality of the situation is ridiculous.

blueskiesabovemaine:

But they won't. re 11:56 AM

And they think anyone who wasn't born in Maine is suspect and doesn't know anything. They are the ones with all the answers, don't you know?

It must be awful to think like they do and to go through life so cynical. They can watch FOX news, and listen to Limbaugh. No one is stopping them.To be suspicious of almost all the media (unless it is Russ Limbaugh like!!). It is so ridiculous. Most in this country do not buy into it. Most folks have no problem with CBS, ABC,etc. They have been around for a long time, many folks have always gotten their news from such sources, and it has not been the downfall of anything. These people probably think it is Katie Couric's fault because she asked Palin what newspapers she read!! But as I said , most in this country saw through it.

And did you know according to some here that it is "highbrow" to listen to NPR?!! ( probably even "Car Talk"!!!...ha ha ha) and watch Public TV (which I do not now as I currently do not have cable and cannot access PBS as it stands.)

Anyway, I laugh at a lot of some of the stupidity.

How can you complain about this country being "dragged into Socialism/Communism" and then complain that the government isn't fixing the economy?

Liberals got women the right to vote. Liberals got African-Americans the right to vote. Liberals created Social Security and lifted millions of elderly people out of poverty. Liberals ended segregation. Liberals passed the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act. Liberals created Medicare. Liberals passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act. What did Conservatives do? Not to mention we had some of the most liberal presidents in command during WWI and WWII. I suppose Reagan will always have Grenada (the population of which was less than 150,000 in 1983) Of course this was all catering to 'special interests' but I tend to think that it was a good way to go. That's Liberal with a capital L thank you.

baltimorean:

Good one...re 1:53 PM

Uncanny, isn't it? Anyway I am glad to be a liberal (even if a somewhat moderate one on some issues).

Thanks. How long do you think it will take to get the thumbs down? I'm betting 20 minutes.

Ha ha ha.....re 2:14 PM

Ridiculous. Maybe not today.....but other times , I would say yes. There is some weird stuff that goes on on these BDN letter comment sections....not sure if you are aware of all of it. But, that is probably a good thing! (not knowing about it, I meant.)

baltimorean:

Re what you wrote at 2:14 PM Not sure about yours....but all of mine practically on another one are being voted down (one of the Editorial comment ones.) Isn't it so clever??!!!

Well I suppose having a war of words with someone may be inhuman when they don't have any ammunition. Luckily those "thumbs down" icons prevent them from being massacred by logic!

baltimorean:

They come across as quite powerless to me.....trying hard to have some control. What do they (he) gain? People can still read the hidden comments. Perhaps they "think" they are annoying and "getting to" the people they vote down! Can you imagine really knowing people like these....it would be, "hi and good-bye."!! (actually, no "hi."!!)

It's about the last domain of debate they can exercise control over.

baltimorean:

They have voted down most all my comments on "The shrinking GOP" editorial,etc. It is beyond dumb. Pathetic....

You have got it.....they would not have to act the way they do, if they felt more in control....no need whatsoever. You know, they are such big tough bullies...don't you know!! (yeah,right!!)

There was a great hour of debates over this issue on Current TV lat last night. If you wish to check out the video submissions/documentaries aired you should check out under shows on currenttv.com Max and Jason. Their website has all the vidoes on it that were on the show last night. Some very interesting videos from both sides of the argument. The opponents of this bill definitely should watch though.

Baltimorean...and chersully2000,

You people do not know your history! Google "History of the Republican Party: Everything I know is Wrong"

It was the GOP that led the fight for civil rights and for womens' suffrage. Please do some research. Try using some other sources than NBC, CNBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, etc

Thanks for the info, kateindfcity.

I know my history quite well thank you. I said "Liberals" which does not equate to Democrats but claiming that the GOP "led the fight for civil rights and for woman's suffrage" is a gross generalization. Additionally I did in fact google "History of the Republican Party: Everything I Know is Wrong" expecting to find a book written by an accredited historian, political scientist or perhaps even a politician. Instead I came across a blog in which someone with no responsibility of promoting factual information manages to do some interesting argumentative acrobatics to support their personal views. I never use news sources for research but one can't possibly tout a personal blog as a more credible source of information.

The political parties have undergone a very interesting reversal since the Civil War. Yes, Democrats were the southern party that opposed Reconstruction and equal rights and the Republicans were the party from the North that had control of the national government. Which party represents that area now? I noticed that the blog you suggested pointed out numerous accomplishments of the Republican party in the years during and immediately after the Civil War. I don't disagree with any of them but I doubt that these politicians, who used the federal government the implement significant legal change across the country, to the chagrin of southern state governments, would survive a republican primary today (assuming they would even be republicans, which I somehow doubt-they were liberal). 150 years ago the South was solidly Democrats and the North was solidly Republican. What does that electoral map look like now? Have the values and issues in these regions reversed or has it been the parties changing their stances? Strom Thurmond started out as a Democrat, ran as a Dixiecrat in 1948 and switched to Republican in 1964, but he never left South Carolina. Democrats controlled both houses and the presidency when the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed to outlaw discriminatory voter registration practices in southern states. The act was extended in 2006 but not before some members of Congress objected that getting approval from the federal government to change election procedures placed an undue bureaucratic demand on Southern states. Guess what party these dissenters were members of?

The GOP was responsible for earlier progress but certainly not what has occurred in the last half-century. If it were, wouldn't women and African-Americans vote Republican more often? Today those are the two biggest demographic groups that vote for the Democratic party candidates.

baltimorean:

Great post. And yes, I can tell from reading your posts that you know your history quite well.

Oh let's see.....we should stop watching those left wing stations such as CBS, ABC,etc....don't you know? We should be watching FOX and listening to Rush quite often......I think I will forego the pleasure, thank you very much. But those are there for those who so desire ...so no problem as far as I am concerned.

At least Rush makes no bones about what he is. The major networks are in the tank for liberals and yet they call themselves "news" sources. The media are destroying this great country. I know you won't buy it, but stand in a bookstore and thumb through "A Slobbering Love Affair" by Bernie Goldberg, former long-time CBS reporter.

Nah actually I agree. The media should be extremely critical in questioning our elected officials regardless of party affiliation or ideology and reporting out on it as we average citizens don't really have the opportunity especially at the national level. After Watergate, some people gave Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein credit for exposing the affair to the American public-you wouldn't see anything like that happening today. Or with Bush or Clinton either. Investigative reporting is dead because more people get their news from the internet or cable TV. Not enough people buy newspapers which in turn don't have enough revenue to hire top quality investigative reporters. It's all about getting the publicity, headlines, and journalism awards and not about following through with major political stories. The media should be the leader of criticism and questioning the government because they have greater access (none of us are close to being able to grill Robert Gibbs) and they are failing miserably. At least Meet the Press is still decent.

But look at the double standards. It is constant., with respect to how the major media outlets report on issues.

Trent Lott tries to humor old Strom Thurmond at a birthday party and was pressured to give up the majority leadership in the senate.

Robert Byrd was a KKK grand poobah and he gets a long, honored career in the US Senate.

Look at the media love affair with Teddy Kennedy !

Its not surprising that our local media has it so backwards on this gay issue. What other group gets to have the kind of favorable press they get?

Some people say they like to set fires...they were born that way, or so they say. Should they get special laws because ...well, that's the way they are.

My opinion is that all people should have the same rights. But hijacking the blessed institution of marriage is not a right. Its not discrimination to have a law

protecting what we all know in our hearts is right,,,that a marriage is a holy union between one man and one woman. Anything else is not and NEVER WILL BE

a marriage, no matter what our liberal legislators cram down our throats.

WOW!! Let me begin by saying ... in defense of myself. I have nothing against gays and lesbians, but what I disagree with 100%, without a 2nd thought, is that your 'lifestyle' is of your choosing, but making it public is a desecration to the values and principles we cherish as valuable & precious in our lives. What you do in your home is your business, influencing the general public to embrace or honor that is un-American and outrageous!! Then again, nothing is being upheld as private and cherished anymore & that angers me to my core!!

This is my ultimate problem with allowing gays to have any equal rights, shoving it down our throats. You want some hard core facts. Check out these sites.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_&_King Read the heading under “Lawsuits.” Do you know what your children are being taught in school?

This one will cause you to think. http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Online%2BStory/STIStory_370364.html or better yet, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH!!

Upon doing further research and bringing it closer to Maine, I found the following website:

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=62820 we can only hope that now, maybe People Will Attention!! When they ask, how will this affect my life?

Yeah, let’s just allow everything to pass with a YES vote, that way everything that the majority of US. Citizens holds as valuable ... will no longer be held in any high regard. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be labeled, as DISCRIMINATORY. I don’t want to have to tip toe around discrimination issues when it comes to my co-worker, do you?

Kowalski: You’re sick!! I pity your children. Talk about discrimination, it’s okay for the women but ugly for the men??? HELLO!!

Mainesurvivor: Yes!! Yes!!

Thepinetreehell: I’m sorry you don’t know where you belong, that is sad. :(

Alowishish52: God didn’t make you gay, that was your choice - lol - and if he did, what is the reason? You said, he made you gay for a reason. What is it?

Mansco: That’s right God originally ordained marriage, thank you for that.

Politicallyincorrect: God’s word still says it’s wrong!!

Blueskiesaboveme: Don’t you mean, they still NEED to grow a backbone, funny from my point of view the head honco, Baldacci himself doesn’t have a back bone. He’s that puppet to those high priced issues that are affecting maine, he’s somebody’s puppet!!

Tiff49: I also want to thank any of those people who are intelligent enough to do some research before the start slinging cramp around, that is nasty!! Thanks also, for reminding us that ... “hijacking the blessed institution of marriage is not a right.”

Ok, that is my 2 cents worth for today folks!! I say, the people of Maine, should be able to push for a vote in November. After all, it’s still legal for the people, to have government policies passed by the people, for now anyways!! But that’s another bigger issue.

Dear Sueann3330,

I take serious offense against you saying I chose to be gay, I would NEVER chose to be this way. if you knew half the crap I've had to deal with in my own personal life because of this you would fully understand that if I had a choice to be gay or straight I would have chosen to be straight in a heartbeat! And even though I've accepted myself I still have my days where I wish I was what society and even my own family deemed "normal." It takes a lot, but I am actually disgusted that you believe anyone would chose to be something that people will hate and disown. And as for God making me this way, I obviously don't know why He did it because I haven't found my calling in life yet, so I do not know the purpose for Him making me gay. Cya Sue