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[explodet]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050627.wsam0627/BNStory/National/

http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=86caf8e7-db45-465e-b0c1-e31347658824


It's been a long crazy ride to get to this point.

* Last week, the Liberals used a rarely-used procedure to spring a suprise vote to pass the budget bill that could have brought down the government (and prevented the gay marriage vote) if defeated. The Bloc agreed to this procedure to force a vote that caught the Conservatives by surprise.

* The Bloc voted with the Conservatives against the bill on principle, but they knew they wouldn't have enough votes to defeat it anyway. Some Tory MPs were at the Ottawa airport when they heard the news of the vote. The Conservatives were, to put it mildly, pissed off.

* The Bloc wanted - in writing, no less - a promise from the Liberals that if they were to extend Parliament, they had to pass the same-sex marriage legislation. This deal was agreed on, so instead of going home for the summer, MPs are still at work.

* Debate on this bill ended on Monday, which means MPs can now vote on this legislation as early as tomorrow. Only the Conservatives and a few Liberals are against the bill, but are outnumbered by the rest of the Liberals, the Bloc, and the NDP.

* Stephen Harper said on CBC Newsworld that "any gay marriage law will be stamped with illegitimacy because it will owe its passage to Quebec separatists," and that "most federalist MPs oppose this." This comment drew harsh criticism - Duceppe felt that Harper questioned the Bloc's democratic mandate and Layton thought Harper wanted to deny equality to both same-sex couples and Quebec voters.

 

[BigJonsson]

And that Harper almost forced an election by making a deal with the Bloc in the first place

 

[Mega Man's Electric Sheep]

How is this even an issue any more? The only places in Canada where gay people can't be married are PEI, Northwest Territories, and Alberta. Why debate it when it's a reality already (and somehow the country didn't start marrying dogs! Imagine that).

 

[SickBoy]

Stephen Harper is officially a moron. I wouldn't call myself a conservative, but I've always had a respect for him. But he's losing his mind.

His comments today (well, yesterday) about the "legitimacy" of Quebec MPs' votes was politically stupid, never mind 100% pure transparent rhetoric.

As for the rest of the Tories (and many same-sex marriage opponents), I think this comment highlights a general overreaction on this issue.

Joy Smith, a Conservative MP from Manitoba, broke down in tears as she lashed out in the House of Commons.

"Making a law that will cause marriage to just go away by the stroke of a pen late at night and probably some time this week is wrong. It is wrong to do that," she said. "I am baffled as to why Bill C-38 is in this Parliament."

If and when a move is made to force churches to perform marriages they don't wish to, I'll join that protest... but until that time (if it ever happens), I don't see how this issue is hurting anyone... already pro-"traditional" types have ascribed a whole variety of values to marriage that don't currently apply to mine... while it's nice to talk about defending tradition, I still can't escape the occasional feeling that it's more about keeping "deviants" down.

 

[explodet]

Harper's disintegration was an interesting thing to watch over the past few months - he's going to have to flip a lot of burgers on the so-called "barbeque circuit" to claw his way back.

 

[Shinobi]

On one hand it's almost devilishly funny how the Libs seedily pushed this shit through to a vote, and had no problem getting help from the same seperatists they accussed of (with the Conservatives help) trying to seperate the country when they were aligned with each other during the budget vote barely a month ago. But that's been pretty typical of a party doing whatever they can to push their agendas along, or even just to save their own asses. At the same time, to see Harper talk about how seperatists are the ones who helped put this bill over the top and thus doesn't make it legit when he had no problem getting into bed with them to help topple the minority government barely a month ago is simply unreal. Been a long time since I've seen two party leaders being so completely and utterly full of shit.

I'm sick to death of hearing about this non-issue, so just pass the fucking bill and get it the fuck out the way so I never have to hear about it again. But the state of Canadian politics has never been more broken, petty, hopeless and pathetic in my 16 years of living here. And to think we have the nerve to look down our noses at the US.

 

[android]

I say let them marry. It changes my life in no way.

 

[maharg]

You guys can relax now, it already passed.

 

[Father_Brain]

Joy Smith, a Conservative MP from Manitoba, broke down in tears as she lashed out in the House of Commons.

Living in America, it's gratifying to see the bigots weeping for once.

 

[distantmantra]

So when will Bush speak out against this? Or has he? Work has been so busy lately I haven't had time to watch the news (we get CBC/CBUT here in Seattle).

 

[dem]

Now we need to legalize marijuana and we too can be part of the axis of evil!

 

[teh_pwn]

I say let them marry. It changes my life in no way.

Exactly.

The argument against not having it is some sort begging the question spin phrase "it violates the sancitity of marriage."

What is that supposed to mean? Something religious? Because last time I checked non-christians can marry.

 

[SickBoy]

Exactly.

The argument against not having it is some sort begging the question spin phrase "it violates the sancitity of marriage."

What is that supposed to mean? Something religious? Because last time I checked non-christians can marry.

Possibly, but it also means it violates the rule that marriage is about having children and procreation. Also that it lessens the value of straight marriages.

Those are among other bad arguments I've heard for marriage. I sure hope no one finds out about my currently childless marriage (no plans on my end for kids, either).... or that I don't feel like the value of my marriage has been degraded...

 

[explodet]

One thing I've noticed is the rather muted response from the media about this subject - none of the major newspapers in my area gave the story a lot of print, except the National Post - no surprise on what their editorial slant was.

And there was no major celebration or anything from the gay community - they were probably all partied out after Pride week.

So when will Bush speak out against this? Or has he?

I haven't heard anything from him about this subject - but he's got other issues on his mind - Iraq, terrorism, the usual stuff.

We all pretty much know what he thinks about the subject, what we don't know is how he'll react. Either he'll waggle his finger at us disapprovingly, or he'll go 1812 on our asses.

Or something in between.

 

[Macam]

Just caught the video of Paul Martin's speech on this and I have to say: Thanks, Canada. Thanks for being on the same continent. Martin made a speech that's worth repeating and worth nothing -- this IS about civil rights. I'm glad Canada, on the whole, had the sense to put this into perspective and pass it.

And now Spain. With any luck, this will become the norm and the issue can finally die, and same sex couples can get on with their lives as they deserve to.

 

[Sapiens]

You know, you don't even have to be gay to take advantage of this!


Would make for great laughs on Kids in the Hall. I miss that show.

 

[FeedMeAStrayCat]

Just caught the video of Paul Martin's speech on this and I have to say: Thanks, Canada. Thanks for being on the same continent. Martin made a speech that's worth repeating and worth nothing -- this IS about civil rights. I'm glad Canada, on the whole, had the sense to put this into perspective and pass it.

And now Spain. With any luck, this will become the norm and the issue can finally die, and same sex couples can get on with their lives as they deserve to.

I sincerely hope this does happen.