The Stranger has learned that last month the $37-billion Redmond-based software behemoth quietly withdrew its support for House bill 1515, the anti-gay-discrimination bill currently under consideration by the Washington State legislature, after being pressured by the Evangelical Christian pastor of a suburban megachurch.
You mean it's that easy? I got an idea...Let's all march on Redmond and threaten to boycott Microsoft...unless they fix all of these unnecessary s
Would that be the same consumer market that passed anti-gay marriage laws in 11 different states last November?
More specifically, those were state CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS not just state laws. The whole reason for that is because they're afraid that activist judges would overturn laws already in the books. Currently 39 states have "Defense of Marriage Acts" as laws, as well as the federal DOMA.
If I'm not mistaken, all of these state constitutions can be reworked with a 50%+1 share of the vote. That kind of mob mentality scares me. I don't have a problem with local issues being decided by majority vote, but when it comes to the state constituion, there should be more protection from mob rule.
Its like the fact that we could have the 1st amendment repealed with 66% of the vote and 75% of the states in agreement. Things like that should be set in stone.
If I'm not mistaken, all of these state constitutions can be reworked with a 50%+1 share of the vote....Its like the fact that we could have the 1st amendment repealed with 66% of the vote and 75% of the states in agreement. Things like that should be set in stone.
Interestingly enough, these state amendments would have met your suggested threshold in most cases. The closest margin in any state was Oregon (where the amendment won by 14%, and Bush lost by 4%). Here are the vote by state on Gay Marriage amendments - all of which passed:
What does he have on you, Bill? (Score:4, Interesting)
You mean it's that easy? I got an idea...Let's all march on Redmond and threaten to boycott Microsoft...unless they fix all of these unnecessary s
Re:What does he have on you, Bill? (Score:5, Insightful)
Would that be the same consumer market that passed anti-gay marriage laws in 11 different states last November?
Re:What does he have on you, Bill? (Score:2, Informative)
More specifically, those were state CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS not just state laws. The whole reason for that is because they're afraid that activist judges would overturn laws already in the books. Currently 39 states have "Defense of Marriage Acts" as laws, as well as the federal DOMA.
http://www.domawatch.org has good information.
Re:What does he have on you, Bill? (Score:2)
Its like the fact that we could have the 1st amendment repealed with 66% of the vote and 75% of the states in agreement. Things like that should be set in stone.
Re:What does he have on you, Bill? (Score:2)
Interestingly enough, these state amendments would have met your suggested threshold in most cases. The closest margin in any state was Oregon (where the amendment won by 14%, and Bush lost by 4%). Here are the vote by state on Gay Marriage amendments - all of which passed:
Arkansas 75% 25%
Georgia 77% 23%
Kentucky 75% 25%
Michigan 59% 41%
Mississippi 86% 14%
Montana 66% 34%
North Dakota 73% 27%
Ohio 62% 38%
Oklahoma 76% 24%
Oregon 57% 43%
Utah 66% 34%
Missouri 71% 29% (Vote was in August)
Louisiana 78% 22%(Vote was in September)