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JohnClement

JohnClement

Silver Spring, MD
January 2004

FEB 15, 2005 10:15 PM

Arkansans, led by Governor Mike Huckabee and his wife Janet, used the occasion of Valentine's Day to bask in their heterosexuality, and participate in a "Celebration of Marriage" at Alltel Arena in Little Rock.

After overwhelming electoral victories in Arkansas outlawing gay marriage and domestic partnerships in the name of traditional values, Gov. Huckabee decided it might be a good idea to do something about that pesky third highest in the nation divorce rate. Enter covenant marriage.

" Covenant marriages are one of the right's attempts to shore up traditional matrimony, something that appears especially embattled in Bible Belt states like Arkansas, where divorce rates are soaring.
...
...covenant marriage law, which essentially forecloses the option of no-fault divorce for participating couples. "Only when there has been a complete and total breach of the marital covenant commitment may a party seek a declaration that the marriage is no longer legally recognized," the 2001 law says. Such a breach can include physical abuse, imprisonment or "habitual drunkenness for one year."


Huckabee led the charge in this new initiative on Monday, as he and his wife converted to covenant marriage before the crowd, in a touching ceremony that included a vow by Janet to "submit" to Mike. An enthusiastic crowd repeated the vows.

Afterwards they went home, secure in the knowledge they had staved off the insidious homosexual agenda for at least another day.

SomeOneUK

SomeOneUK

United Kingdom
June 2004

FEB 16, 2005 06:07 AM

Way to go. I hope turning the clock back to the 15th century pleases these guys.

deezaster

deezaster

Canada
December 2004

FEB 16, 2005 06:13 AM

ha ha ha... So much for the "Land of the Free"!

Wesiderata

Wesiderata

Bassett, NE
August 2004

FEB 16, 2005 06:18 AM

sounds like legal endorsement for creative evasion techniques in undocumentable abusive situations of all kinds. (Yes - 15th century). <gag>

Sauda

Sauda

HOPEFUL

Chicago, IL

FEB 16, 2005 06:20 AM

shocked ... mad ... surreal ... eeek
Why is it that 'traditional' people feel that their level of commitment should be imposed on everyone? Why do those who are not gay - and don't like gays just ignore them then? Why do gays have to suffer for being who they are? I'll never understand why 'leaders' feel it is needed to stamp out an entire group of people because they don't like them.... There are some days that I get really sad because the system doesn't work the way it's designed.

jeffvader

jeffvader

San Diego, CA
November 2004

FEB 16, 2005 06:24 AM

and the pursuit of happiness and justice for all...years ago, i actuallty thot that gay people were just selfish not wanting to share in procreation...now after a little education and more than enough common sense, i know i was wrong then and that these right wing ass faces are wrong now. rebel. mad biggrin

Pirate_Romeo

Pirate_Romeo

Oklahoma City, OK
November 2004

FEB 16, 2005 07:13 AM

So here's the stupid question of the day; Is this now the marriage in Arkansas or is it a type of marriage?
Either way though it is pretty fucked up. mad

[Edited on Feb 16, 2005 9:13AM]

FrankMask

FrankMask

Saint Paul, MN
June 2003

FEB 16, 2005 07:42 AM

BillHaverchuck said:
Arkansans, led by Governor Mike Huckabee and his wife Janet, used the occasion of Valentine's Day to bask in their heterosexuality, and participate in a "Celebration of Marriage" at Alltel Arena in Little Rock.

After overwhelming electoral victories in Arkansas outlawing gay marriage and domestic partnerships in the name of traditional values, Gov. Huckabee decided it might be a good idea to do something about that pesky third highest in the nation divorce rate. Enter covenant marriage.

" Covenant marriages are one of the right's attempts to shore up traditional matrimony, something that appears especially embattled in Bible Belt states like Arkansas, where divorce rates are soaring.
...
...covenant marriage law, which essentially forecloses the option of no-fault divorce for participating couples. "Only when there has been a complete and total breach of the marital covenant commitment may a party seek a declaration that the marriage is no longer legally recognized," the 2001 law says. Such a breach can include physical abuse, imprisonment or "habitual drunkenness for one year."


Huckabee led the charge in this new initiative on Monday, as he and his wife converted to covenant marriage before the crowd, in a touching ceremony that included a vow by Janet to "submit" to Mike. An enthusiastic crowd repeated the vows.

Afterwards they went home, secure in the knowledge they had staved off the insidious homosexual agenda for at least another day.



Just a thought, but isn't their view of 'Traditional' marriage coming from the say time period where I could beat my wife without fear of legal reprecussion, be almost garunteed the kids in the advent of divorce, and more or less sleep around with impunity, but god help her if she ever cheated on me? That's pretty much the vibe I'm getting from this whole movement.

cARCH

cARCH

Fayetteville, AR
January 2005

FEB 16, 2005 07:58 AM

arariel said:
So here's the stupid question of the day; Is this now the marriage in Arkansas or is it a type of marriage?
Either way though it is pretty fucked up. mad

[Edited on Feb 16, 2005 9:13AM]


It's supposed to an option, but who knows what will happen one day in my "great" state.

corva

corva

Brunswick, ME
January 2005

FEB 16, 2005 08:01 AM

This is the problem with fundamentalism. Returning to the "fundamentals" requires returning to an era before that pesky "women's movement." puke

_El_Zilcho_

_El_Zilcho_

Framingham, MA
April 2003

FEB 16, 2005 08:07 AM

Covenant marriages are pretty wack, but usually don't require women to submit to their husbands.

It's just for people who feel they want a stronger bond, nothing wrong with that, though it may not be my cup o tea.

Arkansas must be more backward than I thought

jashugan

jashugan

USA
January 2003

FEB 16, 2005 08:58 AM

Yep, the article implies that it's optional. That if you choose Covenant Marriage when you tie the knot, you are bound by that law you and your spouse argreed to. Of course, I'm sure you can still be saved from that pesky Covenant Marriage with a quickie Las Vegas divorce.

It seems to me that these folks who shouted their assent at this gathering are fundies anyway so there's no particular gain or loss.

DesignAddict

DesignAddict

Eugene, OR
June 2003

FEB 16, 2005 09:09 AM

wow....this has left me speechless.....and disgusted. puke

Taffin

taffin

North Hollywood, CA
November 2002

FEB 16, 2005 09:21 AM

Seems liek this is just an option, sort of a reverse-prenup. It's not imposed on anyone else, so why get all twisted up about it? In fact, people's overreaction to this (which doesn not impact their lives in any way) reminds me of the reaction of bigots to gay people getting married. It's not like THEY have to get a gay mariage and it's not like YOU have to get a covenant marriage.

Holy_Mountain

Holy_Mountain

West Palm Beach, FL
February 2004

FEB 16, 2005 10:09 AM

I like how they say it can be breached if there is "habitual drunkenness for one year."

"Well damn I've been an alcoholic for 10 months now, I'd better make the most of these two last months before my wife divorces me."

freshprncebelair

freshprncebelair

Ellicott City, MD
June 2004

FEB 16, 2005 10:22 AM

Taffin said:
Seems liek this is just an option, sort of a reverse-prenup. It's not imposed on anyone else, so why get all twisted up about it? In fact, people's overreaction to this (which doesn not impact their lives in any way) reminds me of the reaction of bigots to gay people getting married. It's not like THEY have to get a gay mariage and it's not like YOU have to get a covenant marriage.



Exactly. No one is forcing you to get a covenant marriage.

PointBlank

PointBlank

New York, NY
November 2004

FEB 16, 2005 10:25 AM

How much longer til "Super-Duper Unbreakable Solid Steel Jesus-Blessed Awesome Double No-Reverses Pinky Swear" Marriages?

Sexdwarf

Sexdwarf

Hermosa Beach, CA
February 2003

FEB 16, 2005 12:48 PM

RadioPortishead said:
I like how they say it can be breached if there is "habitual drunkenness for one year."

"Well damn I've been an alcoholic for 10 months now, I'd better make the most of these two last months before my wife divorces me."



I feel for you, I got nothing to worry about, I've been stoned for uh . . . well, more than a year and am happy to here my marriage is safe.

nonbillable

nonbillable

Brooklyn, NY
September 2004

FEB 16, 2005 03:03 PM

I'm sure that'll work out just super. whatever

The more I hear stuff like this, the more I am determined to enter into a civil union instead of getting married. Are heterosexual couples allowed to do that in Vermont? Because if this is the sort of thing "traditional matrimony" is really about, I want no part of it.

gutterman

gutterman

Austin, TX
August 2003

FEB 16, 2005 04:08 PM

So, are these folks doing this because they think a covenant marraige is the best thing for them? Or are they doing it as a big "FUCK YOU" to the gays?

If they want to do it because they want to do it, that's fine. But I question their motives.

Hey, not only can we get married, but we can get mega-married! And you can't!

JohnClement

JohnClement

Silver Spring, MD
January 2004

FEB 16, 2005 04:30 PM

gutterman said:
So, are these folks doing this because they think a covenant marraige is the best thing for them? Or are they doing it as a big "FUCK YOU" to the gays?

If they want to do it because they want to do it, that's fine. But I question their motives.

Hey, not only can we get married, but we can get mega-married! And you can't!



The entire article plays up the ant-gay message more. I didn't include much of it in the write up.

This part seems to suggest more of a "fuck you"

Holding on to her husband's arm, a middle-aged woman in a white wedding veil and sparkly makeup beamed as she walked past a cluster of protesters outside the Alltel Arena in Little Rock, Ark. The couple joined thousands of others, all streaming into the stadium for a Valentine's Day "Celebration of Marriage" hosted by Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and his wife, Janet. Those who weren't welcome at the governor's celebration -- gay couples like Robert Loyd and John Schenck, together for 30 years and recently wed in Toronto -- took the event as a personal rebuke. After all, just a few months ago, Arkansas voted overwhelmingly to ban both gay marriage and domestic partnerships -- all in the name of preserving the institution of marriage.
"I can't marry my Valentine," said one sign. "Get a new Valentine," one woman, a celebrant, shouted as she walked in.

SomethingStupid

SomethingStupid

North Hollywood, CA
March 2004

FEB 16, 2005 04:56 PM

I'd be annoyed by that, but it's so hilariously stupid. Hahahaha.

Though I don't really see this as sticking it to the gays in any way.

Tadzi

Tadzi

Greeley, CO
April 2003

FEB 17, 2005 09:14 AM

in a touching ceremony that included a vow by Janet to "submit" to Mike.

this is the part that actually disgusted me the most, strangely enough. the gay hating im used to hearing, but that actually made me cringe.

matt_organic

matt_organic

United Kingdom
September 2003

FEB 17, 2005 09:27 AM

Point_Blank said:
How much longer til "Super-Duper Unbreakable Solid Steel Jesus-Blessed Awesome Double No-Reverses Pinky Swear" Marriages?



Solid Steel Jesus!!!

Now I know what to call my new comic book.

Cash

Cash

USA
OLD SKOOL

FEB 17, 2005 09:38 AM

What they really need to do is completely remove non-secular marriage from governmental involvement.

I said this in another thread somewhere but I'm too lazy to look for it.

Basically, it breaks down like this. Remove any and all governmental involvement with non-secular marriage. In doing so, you remove the financial benefits associated with marriage as well. Leave any religious aspect of marriage up to the consenting couple's respective church. If your religion permits you to marry another man, woman, goat, motorcycle...more power to you...however it will have no financial benefit or penalty as far as the government is involved.

Conversely...assign any financial benefits associated with marriage to a domestic partnership that is available to any two consenting adults who seek it. This way...religious people get to keep their precious "sanctity of marriage"...and homosexuals cannot claim governmental discrimination.

For example...Dick & Jane, a heterosexual couple, decide they want to marry. They go to their church and have a religious ceremony. Hoorya for them...they're joined in the eyes of God & their church. Now...in order for the government to give a shit, they'd have to go to town hall to file for doomestic partnership.

or...

Dick & Jane don't give a crap about religion...the just dig each other and want to live as a domestic union. The skip the church stuff and go down to city hall and file for domestic partnership.

or...

Dick & Dick or Jane & Jane love each other and decide they want to Marry. They find a chruch that is willing to recognize their marriage and they get married. They are now joined in the eyes of God & their church. Now...in order for the government to give a shit, they have to go down to city hall and file for a domestic partnership.

or...

Dick & Dick or Jane & Jane don't give a crpa about religion and just want to live together as a domestic union. They skip the church crap, go down to city hall and file for domestic partnership and live happily ever after.

Thsi way...the government, which is supposedly of the people, by the people and for the people...treats "the people" equally. Churches, which are completely voluntary organizations, get to keep their precious homophobic rules.

I think this is an excellent way to get just one more aspect of religion OUT of government.