Death of the Republic

Thursday, May 12, 2005

This is why I don't care if we never elect a Democratic president again. Clinton may be finished but his judges rule on, completely ignoring the people.

A federal judge Thursday struck down Nebraska's ban on gay marriage, saying the measure interferes not only with the rights of gay couples but also with those of foster parents, adopted children and people in a host of other living arrangements.

The constitutional amendment, which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, was passed overwhelmingly by the voters in November 2000.

Nebraska has no state law against gay marriage, but state Attorney General Jon Bruning said same-sex marriages were not allowed before the ban and would not be permitted now.

"Seventy percent of Nebraskans voted for the amendment to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman, and I believe that the citizens of this state have a right to structure their constitution as they see fit," Bruning said.

The challenge was filed by the gay rights organization Lambda Legal and the ACLU's Lesbian and Gay Project.

Until now I've been weighing the judicial filibuster debate pretty evenly with a little more support toward the GOP side, but the travesty in Nebraska shows how horrible liberal justices are for democracy; how horrible for the republic. Please, Senator Frist, end the bickering. No more listening to Democrats whine about how important filibusters are to checks and balances (a term that actually applies between branches not within). Judges must have a narrow interpretation of the Constitution. Judges must enforce the will of the people.

I don't care about your thoughts on gays. I have gay friends. I love "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." We must stare reality in the face: Seventy percent of the people in Nebraska got screwed today. There's no positive spin you can put on it.