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Crimson Hexagon Inc.
While general online sentiment strongly favored President Barack Obama's statement, judgments of its political impact were much more closely divided.
Online reaction to President Barack Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage is running 3-to-1 in his favor, but commenters are sharply divided over whether it will help him or hurt him in November, according to a computer-assisted analysis of hundreds of thousands of social media posts in the first 24 hours after the announcement.
 M. Alex Johnson is a reporter for msnbc.com. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. |
The analysis examined 532,000 posts on Twitter and Facebook, about 300,000 of which expressed a clear opinion about Obama's statement. Of those, 72 percent approved of the announcement.
(The analysis — which ran from 3 p.m. ET Wednesday, when ABC News broadcast its interview with Obama, through 3 p.m. ET Thursday — used a tool called ForSight, a natural-language data platform developed by Crimson Hexagon Inc. For this type of sentiment analysis, Crimson Hexagon reports a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points among the self-selected social media audience. Click here for a detailed explanation.)
More social media analysis from NBCPolitics.com
While Obama won widespread praise online, a significant proportion of it was grudging.
Many supporters of same-sex marriage criticized the president for not having announced his position until now, 3½ years into his presidency. Fully a third of those agreeing with the decision did so while asking, in essence, "What took you so long?"
Twitter.com
Twitter.com
A further 18 percent of those agreeing with the announcement complained that the president hadn't gone far enough, with some noting that he stopped short of taking any concrete action, such as proposing legislation or issuing an executive order to have federal agencies recognize same-sex marriages.
Twitter.com
Twitter.com
By contrast, opponents of Obama's announcement strongly indicated that they believed it was a politically cynical move.
Nearly half of those opposing the move — 47 percent — expressed sentiments like these:
Facebook.com
Twitter.com
Interestingly, about a fifth of the sample — well more than 100,000 people — chose to analyze the announcement not so much on its merits but on whom it would benefit in the general election. And by 52 percent to 48 percent, a slim majority of those thought it would likely help Obama and other Democrats.
Twitter.com
Twitter.com
The social media analysis is also notable for its variance from public opinion at large. Recent polls generally indicate that only about half of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be legal; the most recent Gallup Poll, taken May 3-6, for example, showed a 50 percent to 48 percent split.
Following Obama's support of gay marriage, a flood of emotions
A possible explanation lies in the makeup of the social media audience.
The Pew Internet & American Life Project, which uses ForSight in its statistical analysis of social media, reported in March that people who identify themselves as liberal are more likely to use social networking sites than are people who identify as conservatives.
Watch US News videos on msnbc.com
Moreover, marketing surveys indicate that people who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered are more frequent users of social media than the population as a whole.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
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I just don't see why it is such an issue, why should straight people be the only ones to suffer thru marriage.
Personally, I don't have an issue with it. But when we have stories like this, this, and this it's easy to see why some people would.
Using anti-discrimination laws to force people with religious persuasions to essentially participate in gay activities just doesn't sit right with me. I'm sure that that will piss a lot of people off, but I really don't care.
I care too much about freedom for EVERYONE to change my views unless the stories like the ones I linked to stop.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
My wife and I believe that if all men are created equal, then gays have as much right to marry as heterosexuals. Given the significant divorce rate amounst heterosexuals, heterosexuals have nothing to crow about. Gays pay taxes, but don't get to partake of the marriage deductions on their federal returns. They have problems claiming survivor benifits, etc.... How is this equal?
@JustolJoe, have you seen the divorce rate and domestic violence rate among homosexuals. It is at least ten times worse than heterosexual couples.
Don, I'd really like to see some facts to back that up... please DO post your sources.
My sentiments exactly!
DonM, I doubt you VERY much.
look at it this way, if you can enlist, fight with the same color of blood on the battle field as someone that is straight, male or female, but cannot marry the one you love, then who's freedom are you fighting for, and why is their freedom more important than your own?
The POTUS standing up for equal rights for ALL citizens? What next? Equal protections under the law or some other radical concept as that?
O'Bama is the best Irish American President, in addition to Lincoln and Reagan.
O'Bama The Great, he is.
Anyone who believes that "strong online support" doesn't mean anything apparently doesn't recall Bank of America withdrawing their debit card fees, the Susan G. Komen Foundation reversing their decision regarding Planned Parenthood funding, or politicians backing down on SOPA, albeit temporarily.
All of those were a result of online activism.
Personally, I hope the Republicans keep shooting themselves in the foot, which they do just about every time they open their mouths nowadays. November cannot get here fast enough...
What strong online support? It's the same 10 people who keep posting the exact same thing over and over again. Each time they post, its a huge essay so that by the time people get to the end, they don't want to post anymore.
Besides Obama is doing this only because on Monday 5/7/12, the LGBT community said they would not back up his campaign if he didn't make a decision.
So basically it all comes down to money.
How is it forcing them to participate in "gay activities?" FOr that matter, what the hell are "gay activities?"
LOL You didn't click on any of the links, did you?
How is a gay couple suing a christian photographer for refusing to photograph (attend/participate in) their civil union NOT forcing (or at least trying to force) the guy to be there?
How is a gay couple suing the owners of a B&B for not wanting to HOST a gay union NOT forcing them to cater to gay unions?
Same goes for the methodists and their campground.
Seriously, you can't be this stupid- this is very simple and clear cut. If I'm a photographer and a gay couple makes it clear that they will sue me if I don't photograph their wedding/civil union then I am MOST DEFINITELY being forced to participate (or be punished, which is bullsh*t, no one should be punished for not wanting to do something for a stranger).
What it comes down to is certain people are using the gay rights issue as a tool to attack other (religious) people, and I'm not going to be a part of that. If you don't like it, tough sh*t.
How long has it been the other way around? Why in the heck was the photographer at their wedding in the first place? Maybe he was paid to be there and then decided not to shoot the wedding... ever consider that?
This is apples and oranges for all I'm concerned. The way I see it is that the GOP is clearly all about the limitation the personal freedoms based solely upon their religious beliefs while the Dems are more about civil liberties based upon equal rights. I used to be on the fence about politics in general, voting for the candidate I believed was best. Now, I'll never vote GOP again. The party has been hijacked by zealots and buffoons who are incomprehensible and uncooperative where the good of America and its citizens are concerned. Vote blue this time around people and let’s get something accomplished.
one thing i can take away from this is that the VP forced obama's hand in speaking out loud regarding same sex marriage. way to go BIDEN! what still shocks me is apparently obama talked this over with his wife and children and they support him in this. what do you say obama, are you telling me that if one of your daughters marries another woman you would support this? would you walk her down the aisle? what about your professed religion, you know this type of idea is not accepted in your faith. after all these years you are still in err. i hoped you would stand up for America and defend her, but instead you are leading her further into destruction and desolation. inorder to get the truth from you, we, the American people have to hear about you from others. why haven't you been honest and forthright about your beliefs? we can't afford another 4 years of your style of humanity. you are disrespectful, deceitful, uncaring, presuming, ignorant of our beliefs, presumptuous and not what America needs in this hour.
find somewhere else to go after November
Stonedog,
How exactly are you being forced to participate in gay activities?
Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The same way a black person can sue for being denied service based on his/her race. If one, individual, who happens to be gay, has bad behavior and gets denied service, that's fine, because it's based on his/her behavior. You can't, however, deny service based on an individual's belonging to a certain class or demographic.
Not being allowed to discriminate, isn't being forced into gay activities. No one's making any of those people be accepting of the lifestyle, or advocates of it, or participants in it. They're saying, if you want to live in a free society, where we have equality, then, sorry, you have to treat people equally.
They can go to their church and pray for the "abominations" to burn in hell all they want, but they don't get to pick and choose who can participate in society based on that religion. Just as they are free to practice it, others are free FROM it.
So, please explain then, how two legal, consenting adults, with informed capacity under the law, entering into a contractual property agreement, is infringing on someone's freedom to practice their religion?
This is simply the left attempting to make this some kind of big issue which it is decidedly not. Most reasonable gay people I know don't think the issue of gay marriage is all that big a deal because they perceive it to be eventually inevitable. Accordingly, they, like everyone else, consider the main issue to be the economy and jobs, something Obama is loathe to discuss.
Two things....
1) I realize that some people have a hard time controlling their tempers, however, personal attacks are not allowed on this site.
2) There were no links provided with your statement.
Now... as to your actual statement:
After being able to piece together exactly what you were referring to, you do realize that all of the business people lost their cases because of STATE laws, rights? Not any federal mandate... The states involved had laws on the books over and above what is dictated by the federal government.
People scream and moan about "state's rights" and "let the state's decide for themselves"... and then when the states DO make a decision, they want the feds to step in and stop them. You cannot have it both ways - either NC's constitutional amendment defining marriage is legal - and therefore, Hawaii, New Mexico and Vermont's anti-discrimination laws are equally allowed.... or state's do not get to decide for themselves on the gay issue. Which is it?
Just,
People only "moan" about "State's Rights" because "I Don't Want You Telling Me I Can't Enact Bigotted Legislation" was too long. So they shortened it. To state's rights.
I do not support same sex marriage. I don't believe it's right and 99% of you have or do think the same way in the back of your mind. It's funny that we have so many lib's out here posting and now the media thinks that maybe the majority of the population finds this OK, but just look at the facts at the poles of EVEY SINGLE STATE that has VOTED voted against same sex marriage.
The only states that have legalized it did it WITHOUT A VOTE.
James,
Sure did. Just like desegregation.
We are a Republic and shouldn't be voting on civil rights, period.
Since SCOTUS has ruled that marriage is a civil right over 14 times, why are we putting it up to a vote?
We're a Republic, so there is not question of state's rights here, or majority rule here. SCOTUS, starting in Loving v Virginia ruled that marriage was a civil right. On top of that, the legislation banning gay marriage doesn't pass strict scrutiny and has a religious basis (1st Amendment). On top of that, you can claim gender discrimination in contractual law (Civil Rights Act of 1964). On top of that we have an implied right to privacy in the 9th and 4th Amendments. On top of that we have equal protection under the law (14th Amendment).
Those are civil rights issues, and as a Republic we don't vote on civil rights. And don't give me that 10th Amendment crap, the 14th Amendment incorporated the Bill of Rights to the states, effectively making the 10th all but null and void
James8...
!. the easiest "fix" would be to change the law books
to read that people living in the "union" could be legally joined together by the word "union"
problem solved....all benefits conferred....everyone treated equally under the law
2. harder "fix" is to leave the laws as they are and convince people that "freedom" includes everyone
LOL Intelligence doesn't exactly dominate here on newsvine, does it?
Click on the word THIS: each of the words is underlined, showing it is a link.
Go ahead, click on them, and have your mind BLOWN AWAY!!!
As far as continuing to question how I am being forced to participate based on what I have already posted, if you can't figure it out I can't help you. Continuing to try and tell me I'm wrong when I've shown with proof that I am right isn't getting you anywhere though, as my view, while unpopular, is dead on accurate.
None of you are going to change my mind by posting nonsense. All you're going to do is piss me off and push me further from your cause by trying to make me out to be a bigot when I'm not. And please don't try to tell me you don't care- if you didn't care, you wouldn't have responded to my post in the first place (lots of other people didn't).
That sounds like a YOU problem, rather than a ME problem.
I am not sure at what point you think people "don't care"... that is, after all, the goal of debate. However, you seem to be unaware that there is a difference in how the posts show depending on the browser. The likely reason people didn't respond is that it ISN'T underlined when you are not using IE as a browser.. That is why NV recommends that links are clearly marked with the original address.
I have never said you were "wrong" I simply pointed out that these were state laws, not federal laws.
That said, I was polite to you and your responses have proven that you cannot return the courtesy. You have been educated about what is and what is not allowed on this forum. As this is the second time you have personally attacked me, I will not be responding to you again.
Stonedog,
You didn't answer my question, or respond to my answers to you. Why?
Here you go...
How exactly are you being forced to participate in gay activities?
Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The same way a black person can sue for being denied service based on his/her race. If one, individual, who happens to be gay, has bad behavior and gets denied service, that's fine, because it's based on his/her behavior. You can't, however, deny service based on an individual's belonging to a certain class or demographic.
So, what's your response to Title II?
Not being allowed to discriminate, isn't being forced into gay activities. No one's making any of those people be accepting of the lifestyle, or advocates of it, or participants in it. They're saying, if you want to live in a free society, where we have equality, then, sorry, you have to treat people equally.
They can go to their church and pray for the "abominations" to burn in hell all they want, but they don't get to pick and choose who can participate in society based on that religion. Just as they are free to practice it, others are free FROM it.
So, please explain then, how two legal, consenting adults, with informed capacity under the law, entering into a contractual property agreement, is infringing on someone's freedom to practice their religion?
Just My 2 coppers
Here are your links:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archive/ldn/2007/aug/07082104
http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2011/07/slippery-slope-catholics-sued-over-gay.html
http://www.cbn.com?CBNnews/357084.aspx
The reason I don't post like this is because people will see they are religious sites and dismiss without reading the stories. As far as personal attacks, I didn't call you anything. I observed that people like to play stupid. If you don't want to respond to me, <shrugs> that works for me.
Sarah-3043284
You've already told me that what I post (to quote you directly) "doesn't mean jack".
I don't know why you're still trying to carry on a conversation/debate of any kind with me. I don't have anything to say to you.
Stone,
And I was right. Your personal story, doesn't mean jack. But do you have any legal argument or response? Anything that actually holds water?
I guess that means no. You don't have a logical argument or rational position. It also means you can't answer a single point I made. You can't answer that question and you have no defense to Title II.
Got it.
James8
I for one would appreciate you not talking for me and not putting the same label on everyone I am not part of your made up 99%.
I am the father of a marine, I am a republican, and I believe in the Constitution of the United States of America and I believe in marriage equality.
Whats going to hurt him , is not his stance, its how many times he has changed his stance. Since 1996, its been for, against, for, against, for , against, and now for again. He changes his view when deemed necessary to appease who ever it is hes trying to get to like him at the time.
His view isnt evolving, its flip flopping
I believe this will only hurt him in the long run. Yes he is firing up his base by coming out in support of gay marriage but that fire will have dissipate by the time the elections roll around, only serving to drive away alot of minorities and independents. Also everyone knows hes getting desperate and if he wasnt facing such bad numbers, this never would have happened, which will keep some people from voting for him.. its shocking that his numbers are even with Mittens, even though Romney isnt even the official candidate yet..
Sam,
Why don't you support extending equality and freedom to all Americans? Are you an American first or not?
I guess i'm just one of these weird christians that hates no one, thinks that "Pursuit of Happiness" should apply to everyone...been married to my wife seven years, where's the happiness part..when does that kick in? Do'H!!!
Where in my post did I say anything about my own opinion on the matter? I simply had drawn a conclusion that, this will hurt Obama more than help.. To answer your next question, I dont have a opinion on gay marriage..
Courageous moves often do hurt. That's why they're courageous. That's why cowardly republicans don't understand the concept.
We have a way to go yet. Not everyone is a one issue voter. Then, of course, consider the alternative.
RWEvans - Happiness comes when you realize only you can create it. Quite waiting for it and make it happen!
I wouldn't exactly call a 4% spread "Strong" online support. 4% is usually the margin of error on any poll and how the question is phrased has alot to do with the results.
Perhaps MSNBC can explain why the polls show 53% support Gay Marriage but at the voting booths its a completely different story.
Could it simply be Political Correctness and not how people actually feel...
We already know that. Ask someone whether they are for or against gay marriage, and how often they have voted in the last few elections and you will find a strong correlation between voting and anti-gay sentiment.
Pro gay rights usually are less motivated to vote.
It's been proven time and time again -- nothing gets the right wing out to voting booths better than:
1. a chance to legislate that goddam BuyBull
2. a chance to spread hate and discriminate against any minority group
@ David Noah& Eng Esq. I agree. The majority could actually be the opposite of what this poll shows. That's why I don't believe it influenced the President. As for ginning up support from this constituency, Obama could also alienate the indepedent voters. Better to let sleeping dogs lie.It's not like his gay supporters are going to switch to Romney. And there are too many important things on the ballot to just stay home. So he could have played it safe but he didn't. Maybe it was just the right thing to do.
P.S. When I say the poll didn't influence, I mean the original poll with the same results. The on-line poll might have come later so of course it couldn't influence.
I personally am glad to see him do the right thing and openly state his beliefs. I will be voting for him again in November.
He is going on his own understanding b'cus gay marriage is absolutely contrary to the B.I.B.L.E.
We have AIDs because of Homosexuals. Children dieing because of there indescriminat sex. Watch the 60 min. old episode on patient 0. The first guy in the US with AIDS.
We have AIDS because of human testing of a polio vaccine based on simian biochemistry in Africa.
wow, just wow.
Why don't you support extending American freedoms and equality to all Americans?
Do you really think AIDS wouldn't have crossed over if not for homosexuals? Imagine if it had come over in the straight population. How long did it take before doctors identified the virus? If it had not been cloistered within the gay population it may have been an even wider epidemic.
It is very possible that gay people served as an early warning system to us regarding AIDS. For this reason you should be thankful for their sacrifice. We just don't know what may have happened.
Butt it didn't. You can imagine anything you want, in the real world you deal with the truth..
Or most people do.
Then we have politicians, they blow whichever the way the wind blows.. Or they blow.....
And the truth, in the real WORLD, is that HIV/AIDS is a global pandemic that affects mostly heterosexual men and women, and the children they give birth to. It was a straight population that first spread the disease. So get over your unintellligent self.
Bill in Oregon, I am living in reality, and before you go off blaming gay people for bringing AIDS to north America, consider that if they had not, things very well may have been much worse.
AIDS is a worldwide issue and would have infected people in the US regardless. It just happened to be in the gay population predominantly by chance alone. Could have easily been the other way around.
Go away, Rob.
This poll is incredibly stupid. Not everybody who votes is on Facebook or Twitter, and there are a lot of people on those sites who can't even vote (too young).
Your right there, I'm not on facebook but I would have voted that it would help him. I want a President who is for equality for ALL the people NOT just the one's who agree with his religion.
well said, nora!
Most people who disagree with Obama's stance on gay marriage are out doing more substantial things vs. reading these stupid polls - The only Christians you find here are probably like me - disabled and can't do much of anything else. Obama will not get any support from the Christian community at this point. He lied to everybody at the last election about how he felt - he won't be able to this time.....
Its good you admit you are NOT Americans first, but christians first. Good thing for you, us American first people accept you diversity anyway and protect your freedom to be unpatriotic.
@ We: Exactly! Nicely put.
One truly thinks he has changed his mind how he feels about gays? Really? I for one am not buying it. It is an election ploy, and nothing more. Politicians are known for their lack of truths. They will say anything, do anything, to reach their "Personal" agendas. His agenda is for personal gain. He wants another 4 years in the White House. Personally? Can't blame him. How else could he and his family afford to travel the world if it weren't for the taxpayers. Think how many families could have eaten better, or even eaten. Homes that could have been saved preventing families from moving to the streets. Pathetic.
You don't speak for Christians. Extremists maybe.
@Renee--I think you're right--it's a calculated election move. He's taking a big chance that the pro-gay marriage vote will make up for all the other groups he's just alienated. Hollywood and the liberal mainstream media have managed to sway American opinions toward gay marriage significantly in the past 10 yrs., but I think his move will only serve to polarize Americans more than they are now.
m - probably your Christian community, but not mine. There is a huge difference between Christian communities these days. My community will be out in spades both voting and campaigning for him.
All I say is to each their own, but back in '08 Obama stated that he considered a marriage to be between a man and a woman. I doubt in four years someone can have such a change of heart on such a tender issue. I believe his analysts told him that more people would support him if he changed his views on the topic. Like I said.....I am neither for or against same sex marriage, but his sudden change of view on the topic is quite fishy given the timing of his decision and how he changed it from 4 years ago.
Why not, the entire republican party had a change of heart on tax cuts as stimulus and the individual mandate, both their ideas, and both things they INSTANTLY changed their heart on when Obama proposed them.
This is an issue of extending freedoms to more Americans, something even "constitutional" conservatives should support.
@Redman: He did say that his daughters had alot to do with his perspective changing. When he was running in '08 the girls were much younger. No doubt they have both matured over the last three and half years, so I can see their opinions and views on same sex marriage having an impact on him. I am very happy that he has made a public announcement. There is still much work to be done to change the laws in this country. Everyone that is an American has the right to be treated equally under the laws of the Constitution, and for the religious sect, this has nothing to do with religion, this is a civil rights matter, plain and simple.
Obama/Biden 2012 FORWARD!
really? I know one christian family who changed their opinion overnight, once they realized their own son was gay. they realized that love and equality for their child was more important. when reality hits home, you learn quickly how stupid and useless hatred is.
almost 4 years dealing with all the crap that a president has to deal with, after seeing all the things he sees -- i can imagine that an experience like that (4 years in the oval) can change a person's view on things.
"I doubt in four years someone can have such a change of heart on such a tender issue"
I did. I voted for Reagan for his first term. When he ran for his second, I knew better.
For the President to change his mind on such a politically explosive issue after a lifetime of publicly stated opposition still smacks of a political play. If it was, as one poster said, possibly because of his daughters or a close friend or family member he would have elaborated.
Actually, Obama came out in favor of same-sex marriage in 1996.
Well, if you are all worried about him changing his stance over 4 years, you must really be worried about Romney who changes it about every week.
Then that means he's changed his mind twice since then during each of the election campaigns.
He is just stating his personal opinion. He has clearly stated that the decision should be left up to the States. It is not like he is going to wave a magic wand and homosexuals will be lining up around the corner.
People have a right to change their minds in the sight of justice and equality, even Presidents.
That has nothing to do with equality it has something to do with right or wrong. I personally treat anyone the way I want to be treated but that does not mean I will go against bible principles. When Jesus came to earth he set the model for us and its also left in the bible of how we should walk and being gay is definely not one of them. Marriage was arranged for man and woman to continue to reproduce the earth....2 men cant make babies nor 2 woman. It all starts in the book of Genesis of how the earth became corrupted. It took one act of sin from our fore father and the minds of ppl are corrupt. Anything contrary to God's word cannot be treated lightly and soooooo far that is just what humans have done. 'Man can not guide His own Steps" SIGN SEALED AND PROVEN!
Wait for it.....
Jesus said nothing about homosexuality... ever. And I am not sure what you think you have proven aside from your own bigotry. My husband and I ALSO cannot make babies... does this mean we should be denied marriage?
It didn't change my vote or opinion on the subject. I will not be voting for any incumbent this election.
Paduki.....Real smart, throw the baby out with the bath water....I choose to see what they hold dear...money or people(and NO corporations are not people)
For those that choose not to vote then you have absolutely nothing to say about nothing. Every vote counts no matter who you vote for. Your vote is a testament to yourself that you care about the issues and you want your voice heard. If you don't vote then you honestly do not have a leg to stand on when discussing an issue.
You truly believe your vote counts? Well, oddly, East Coast is celebrating the new president long before the West Coast polls even close. So, please don't tell us it matters. It is their way to LET you think you have a say in the matter. How many laws are passed on a daily basis that you had knowledge of and was allowed to vote your mind? I rest my case....
Alaska, voting is a right just as an opinion is. One's voting status does not change one's right to discuss an issue. If I don't prefer either candidate does that mean I simply vote for what I think is the lesser of two evils? Is that truly responsible voting?
Discrimination of any character is wrong and undermines what many self-identified political and social conservatives tout as "American". America is supposed to be a country of personal freedom, inclusiveness, opportunity and non-discrimination--check the founding fathers' broad concepts on this point as they prepared a course away from religious intolerance and tax discrimination.
Thank you for understanding what freedom, equality, and America mean.
Marriage is not a 'right.' The government should not have a voice in who should get married, period.
As for equality, this issue has nothing to do with equal protection under the law.
.
As Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's". Jesus recognized that governments can have laws that may or may not conflict with Gods laws, and that God has laws that may conflict with what a govenment passess. The final judge is God as to whether you have been a good servant and steward! But while my wife and I are here on this earth, we're of the opinion that the government ought to abide by the Declaration of Independence and treat everyone equally.
Billy,
Marriage in a church is not a right.
Civil marriage (a contract that gives the parties certain privileges and which is accepted by the government for certain tangible and intangible benefits) is recognized by Supreme Court decision as a right.
Sorry, li'l Billy punkin! The US Supreme Court has declared that marriage is a right of our citizenry in several cases. If you had ever paid attention in US History class, you'd know that.
It has EVERYTHING to do with Equality under the Law, punkin! Try again!!
Don't understand how the activists are saying that gay marriage is a 'right.' Marriage is not a 'right.'
The government should not have a voice in anyone getting married.
Billy,
Marriage in a church is not a right.
Civil marriage (a contract that gives the parties certain privileges and which is accepted by the government for certain tangible and intangible benefits) is recognized by Supreme Court decision as a right.
The only reason government is involved is the revenue stream associated with it......and the power to control one more facet of our lives.
Bingo
If the government grants benefits to you as a married couple, that they don't grant to a gay couple because they can't get married, then that's discrimination. The church can choose who they marry. Gays can be married by Justices of the Peace, City/County Judges etc.... Not everyone get's married in a church! And God asks us to not to judge others, less we be judged!
@Billy: Then in your opinion, who should? This is an equal rights issue. Marriage is as much a right as the right to bear arms. Maybe that makes more simple sense to you.
CEO2....try to keep up...rearrange the tin hat...marriage between ANYONE is not a big money maker. duh.
In my opinion, marriage is between a man and a woman. But I support gay marriage as it is none of my business what consenting adults want to do as long as it hurts no one.
I also believe in equal rights. If there is discrimination against anyone, then it is wrong, period.
The government has no business telling anyone who is an adult, straight or gay, who can marry.
Marriage is not a 'right' and it certainly doesn't fall under the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
@Billy: I respect your opinion on this issue. I am happy that you at least do support gay marriage. The LGBT community deserves all the rights that everyone else enjoys. Marriage is a right. It is part of equal rights. I agree with you that the government should not be in the marriage business. They shouldn't but it appears that they are. Thirty states have a ban on gay marriage. Is that fair? I do believe that the gay community being able to legally be married does fall under the pursuit of happiness.
@ praysalot: You should do some research on the wedding industry. It is a huge money maker! The more people that can get married, the better! Just imagine how many people in the gay communities all across this nation that want to get married. Geez, that alone would probably drop the unemployment rate another percent! LOL Hmmmmm. Just had a thought. The Republicans don't want unemployment to drop. They have done everything they can to keep the rate high so as to make President Obama appear unable to deal with it. Wow! Clarity is such an awesome thing!
Here's my opinion, and it's not worth much. Government needs to stay out of the marriage issue, period.
The role of government is military, police, fire, roads, sewers. And, yes, laws must be enforced against discrimination...real discrimination.
It strikes me as strange that a liberal view is that marriage is just a piece of paper, for straights; then there is a huge uproar about that piece of paper for gays?
"real discrimination'. So, are you saying that you don't believe that discrimination against the gay community is "real discrimination"? If that is so, tell that to the gay community. Hell, I am not gay and I feel offended that they are treated as less than others and are persecuted for who they are.
@ justoljoe- Now that's the old time religion. If there more Christians like you I might still be one.
what Paul and mike or jill and jane do is up to them glad that we as a nation can see this as an issue of right's cause it is about that. the right to love a person that is of age no matter the sex, race or creed so now that we have this out and in the open can we work on getting marijuana as a taxable income base in this nation cause i feel this is the next battle we face as nation cause to me its the same thing of right's that i feel are not fair to adults that can make up there own mind to what they do with there body is up to them
I can definely see that we are in the END. The world has went against God but will be dealt with! My stand is for God and his laws of how to live not by man understanding and whatever that is convient to them......(SAD)!
As for all the Obama fans praising him for his statements...guess again. This is pure politics, nothing more.
His stance is meaningless in the context of the big picture. It changes nothing.
Other candidates have taken positions long ago. No one praised them. Even if you disagree with Obama or the other candidates, one thing is certain...Obama made his stance known only for political reasons and not on principle.
Billy, good luck convincing any liberal that anything Obama does is for political gain. They are all so lost and brainwashed.
Ahhhhh, in case you didn't get it, Billy, President Barack Obama is the FIRST president to say he is pro gay marriage. That in itself is historic. And, the FIRST black president saying he is pro marriage........Priceless! No other future president gets both in the history books at the same time.
Obama/Biden 2012 FORWARD!
Alaska Girl
The first doesn't mean the best. In case you didn't get it, the first computers really sucked. The first cell phones were big, clumsy pieces of junk.
Obama also said that he would keep unemployment under 8%. Talk is cheap, especially in an election year. He is just pandering to his base.
Obama is just another empty politician.
@ Billy: You should take up the unemployment issue with the Republican party. They have played a very dirty hand in the last three years.
Yes, the Republicans had a hand in the high unemployment, but Obama has not done anything to make it better.
Yes, he has. Go do the research. Be honest in your research. Don't go to the same old sites you normally would. He has had something like 20 months straight job growth. He was the first to say that it wasn't going to be easy. He just didn't plan on the straight up assault from the right. You know that to be true. I am not saying that the left side couldn't have done some things better, but the right's assault has been nothing short of a blood bath. Think back. Boehner and McConnell said that it was their mission to make President Obama a one term president. That to me was an automatic assault not only on him but on US as in us and U.S. I watch alot of CSPAN and PBS for most of my news, fyi.
There has been some job growth, inspite of his desires. All obama has done is tried to pick his own winners, he has attempted to give away the amercian auto industry to the union, he panders to public 'servants', yet he has done nothing to encourage smoall business whcih is the basis of the U.S. economy.
His opinion on gay rights, "womens" rights, student rights and whatever else all take 3rd tier to the fact that he has done nothing substantial for the economy. Rhetoric doesnt create jobs, action does.
I really don't care about the right wing or the left wing. But I do hold responsible the person in the West Wing.
Obama said so himself that he owns this economy. And, by any experts summation, this economy is in the toilet with employment prospects for millions continuing to going nowhere.
The gay marriage issue, with all due respect, should take a back seat to the economy.
@ Tru: "In spite of his desires"? What, you honestly believe that he doesn't want Americans to succeed? What you don't realize, I think, is that he is the first black president and that in itself puts alot of pressure on him to succeed and do this country better. How did he attempt to "give away" the auto industry? He saved that industry, which also saved thousands of jobs. The auto industries numbers are now very impressive. They are hiring again. He is trying to help small business. Do the research on that. Student rights? If eduction is not important then I don't know what is. Education is job growth. If we don't invest in education then we go nowhere. Yes, action is needed. Tell that to the Republican base. As I said earlier, the Republican base is intent on destroying the president and this country at ANY cost. Do you honestly believe that the top 1% will be affected by that? No. They want to swoop in and hire slave labor to increase the thick green lining in their pockets. That is their agenda, their only agenda.
When did Obama say that he owns this economy? And in what context?
You know things have improved when the righties can say "go get a job" and not be laughed at the way they were in 2009. And lets not forget how hunkydory the economy was when he took office.
Alaska, the race thing is soooo 2008. The novelty and historical have worn off. He's the President. Period. This is a political move. Our most important issue is the economy and that should be the focus of the campaign. No matter what kind of financial benefit there is to the nation, marriage is not the most important issue right now.
3-to-1 you say? Then why have 60% of the states passed bans on gay marriage and more will follow soon? Apparently when put to the voters in each state, they prefer to have the ban and that puts Obama on the wrong side of this issue.......like so many others.
No, I don't think more will follow, although bigotry does tend to breed. Still, this country is evolving. It has taken time, but it is happening. Get used to it. Embrace it!
You arent a bigot if you find homosexuality wrong, you are just expressing your opinion, not something libs liek unless it agrees with theirs.
It's not something I like unless it agrees with the Constitution tru, I personally believe that Equal means Equal not Equal unless your not doing what the bible says. This issue will eventually be decided by SCOTUS and all the states will have to abide by that ruling what ever they have voted into their constitutions.
@ Tru: Equal is Equal and the bible and religion has absolutely no place in our government. That's why they call it separation of church and state. You can be against the gay community all you want, but they deserve all the rights that you and I have. That is Equal. Get over the "not something libs like unless it agrees with theirs".
Its the libs here bringing up religion, as i read back i didnt mention anything about religion. Keep deflecting any disagreement with your ideology as having to do with something you hate.
I specifically said that because you find it bigotry doesnt make it so, and that is true.
Could you repeat that in English?
@Nora--Um would that be the same SCOTUS that served us the Dred Scott decision? When will folks realize that by legislating, SCOTUS is trampling all over the checks and balances between them and the other 2 branches of government--legislative and executive. And, if I remember correctly, it's STILL the legislative branch that's invested with the task to make the laws.
Momcat the job of SCOTUS is to rule on the constitutionality of those laws. If it is not constitutional then the law is struck down. Thereby SCOTUS is upholding the system of checks and balances. What you are stating is your perception that any time they do this they are legislating.So it is time to remove your head from your behind. Just Saying!
There was strong support for him when all the kids in America thought they were obligated to vote in the first
black president. (oh, and he is not black)
Kid's and liberals think it is their responsibility to fight for the minority.
One day they will wake up and see that THEY are the minority.
Yes, with voters of age who see the sham, this will hurt him.
For kid's filled with ignorance it might just help once more.
We shall see.
"oh, and he is not black". Really? Gee, I guess somebody better break the news to him. What you don't know about the younger population is alot! If I don't fight for the minority and the injustices in this country, we know people like you won't. It is my core values that makes me want to fight for those that are not getting equal rights. So, yeah, I am liberal/democrat. You betcha! Damn Proud! You seem to have a very cold heart.
Obama/Biden 2012 FORWARD!
Alaska, what you suffer from is a disease called, 'not having grown up to the real world' its an issue most liberals suffer from, all those participation trophies you won were given to you because liberals hate competition because they are afraid of it.
I was a liberal once, then i turned 10. grow up, the real world isnt a fantasy.
@ tru: You have absolutely no idea about my life and what I have seen and been through so do yourself a favor and stop presuming. According to you I am suffering because I care about my fellow human being? Your belief system is so incredibly skewed. I see that you now are resorting to what you assume is an attack on liberals. We fight the good fight everyday so that people like you can sit back and enjoy the spoils. I would much rather be who I am then who you are (yes, I am presuming, ironic isn't it!). As I see it based on the Republicans/Conservatives that I have met and who have posted comments here and other sites is that there is one key common denominator amongst your kind: Selfishness.
Alaskagirl.
Obama knows he is not black.
Perhaps you don't keep up with him as much as I do.
EARLY in his first year in office he told the press he was a "mutt".
Most of us are.
Just because you have black blood does not make you black.
And vice-versa.
Besides, what does "black" have to do with anything?
He is a sorry excuse for a president NOT MATTER what his color or origin.
Ah, you are the one that brought it up so you should really be asking yourself that question and what motivated you to even mention it. I don't recall him saying that but it sounds like it was a little tongue in cheek. Let's see, his mother is white and his father is.........black. So, technically he is not 100% black, but he is black. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I happen to think he is doing a good job under the circumstances.
Obama/Biden 2012 FORWARD!
Or he's white?
How old are you anyway?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28216005/ns/us_news-life/t/obamas-true-colors-black-white-or-neither/
Be careful Alaska. "Fight the good fight" is an expression from the Bible. People might think you're a conservative Christian by mixing Church and state.
Phillip most successful in life "liberals" ARE conservative.
They have just not "evolved" enough yet to see themselves in the mirror.
And as for me, religion has NOTHING to do with how I think.
Reasoning, however, does.
WOW Viewer you rely on reasoning. It must be tough because you seem to lack that. Here is a conundrum for you. I am a 42 year old Liberal that happens to be a member of our great military. I believe that all Americans should be equal ( kinda like the Constitution states). So if I find myself in the minority I am only fighting for myself and others like me. Your argument is weak olong with your reasoning. Just Saying!
Well viewer, I'm in my 6th Decade! I watched my GAY younger brother grow up! He is every bit as equal as anyone else in this Country should be allowed to be! I am also fairly liberal, and most decidedly Dem. You have your ideas and others have other ideas. That is why Creator gave us a brain and free choice.
Obama 2012
Between a man n man they call it cornholen (And pole biten !!
between woman n woman they call doodoo pokering !
so our Prez likes that and thinks it's Okay I want to know what his two girls think of that ??????
Richard you one very Sick animal.
@Richard: His girls are very proud of him, I have no doubt. I hope you don't have children. For the love of God, I hope you don't have children. If you do, my condolences to your offspring.
Alaskagirl.
"We fight the good fight everyday so that people like you can sit back and enjoy the spoils."
SPOILS?
Perhaps you should change your moniker to "Robbing Hood".
BECAUSE, this is what liberals do.
I for one, will not let you or any one else take MY hard earned spoils to give to slackers.
I don't fight for slackers. I fight for equality and justice. I also fight for a person to reach their potential. I have seen first hand people that play the system and I fight that, too. I am a hard working single parent and I have worked hard to raise my daughter to have empathy for those less fortunate and to call out those that abuse the system. I am a liberal and that is what I do and many others in my party do as well. Think what you want. I don't think all Republicans/Conservatives are evil and selfish and self involved and greedy and mean. At least I hope not. That would just make for alot of sad people.
Obama kept saying that his stance was evolving. Well, it evolved to where it is now only when his gay donors threatened to stop contributing to his campaign after Biden made his statement which was not supported at that time by Obama, but forced him to 'come out.'
Obmas's "stance" always "evolves" around election time.
I don't even know why he wants to stay in office.
Perhaps he is addicted to AF One?
His office desk must be lonely.
One of the biggest butt bandits of Hollywood just ante'd up $15million to Obummer. That is why.
Jello heads!
Happiness is the key word. People marry who they love I don't care . People must live the life they love and love the life they live .
Bet you were one of the ones putting flowers in gun barrels weren't you?
And ever better when someone else pays for it...right sweety?
Jello heads!
@ Viewer: Are you just that unhappy? Your negativity speaks volumes of who you are as a person. You should really work on that. Everything in this country is not picture perfect, but I have happiness and I smile alot every day because I know that there are people worse off and I am thankful for what I have.
No negativity here.
Just facts and opinion.
I gave up on "dreams","change" and "forward" long ago.
Unless I make these things happen for myself.
No politician will EVER do those things for me.
The libturd judges and OBummer will outlaw prayer, have pole smoking gay marriage, child porn (legalized this week in New York by libturd judges) and taxpayer paid abortions everywhere if not stopped in November.
Pole smoking butt banditry is NOT a civil right.
Wake up!
Jello heads!
ABO 2012!
Melodramatic aren't we.
It is interesting to me how many times the gay community loses the vote and insist people were not informed. Is it possible that a majority of the voter don't want non-traditional marriages? I am highly educated and well-informed and choose to vote against non-traditional marriages based on my personal beliefs.Thankfully not everyone who Twitters or votes on-line is a registered voter.
For me, this issue is not about civil rights or discrimination since I view two homosexual persons living together still having the same exact rights as two heterosexual persons living together. Any other comparison is not the same for me. For many adults, this issue is a religious one and actual voters tend to respond accordingly.
I have a gay couple that live near my house. I see them walking their dogs nearly every day.. They are perfectly normal, educated, well adjusted people. I really like them.
I am thrilled that they are my neighbors. If they want to formalize their relationship through marriage, I completely support it.
Right loggier....but do you want to pay for it? Most Americans answer NO. The taxpayers (those that are left) do not want to pay for pole smoker butt bandit marriages.
Jello heads!
sloppy joe---------but you are willing to pay out of your taxes for the support of children thru welfare after fathers of (so called) normal marriages disapear--------right?
@ Heaveto: Exactly! @ Slop head: What exactly are we going to have to "pay for" if the gay right to marriage is passed? What exactly do you think is going to change? Please, enlighten me?
2 things.
1)This is a stunt to get the g/l/b/tg vote and friends of...nothing more.
and MORE IMPORTANTLY...
2)Obama's opinion, in favor or not, shouldn't be the question....the question should be...
WHY is the government involved in saying whom can marry whom in the first place?!?!?!?
That my friends is the bottom line.
And vote for Ron Paul!!!!!!!
Here's what the Obama fans need to ask themselves. What is Obama going to do with respect to his stance on gay marriage. The long and short answers are...nothing.
Obama's stance on gay marriage is much like his opinion on who's going to win the NBA championships. It has absolutely nothing to do with the process or outcome.
It has nothing to do with "what is he going to do"---it is called 'moral support.'
@Billy: You sure about that?
I don't hurt it will hurt Obama too much because the anti-same-sex marriage crowd was not gonna vote for him anyway and most Dems support gay marriage. I'm concerned that some blacks may not vote for him as most are against gay marriage. I don't think they'll vote for Romney - I think they just won't vote for President. That could hurt Obama a bit. But, most blacks will still vote for Obama because they know Romney for sure won't do a thing for them.
Unless they are a part of the 1%---with big bucks!!
So if I understand correctly Black people only voted for, and will only vote for again, because they identify the President as Black?
This is a simple question for everyone to answer; either you are for individual liberty or you are not. Either you are for freedom for all or you are not. What really gets me is all these so called followers of Jesus who want to force their idea of morality down our throats and try and inject hate and prejudice into our Constitution. Also, the states voting on our freedoms I find very repulsive and almost as repulsive as the people who vote to take away our freedoms. Bunch of Douche Bags......
And you? Waht do you want to force down the public throats? Butt banditry, pole smoking?
What a hypocrite.
Jello heads!
Methinks sloppy joe doth protest too much and he secretly wants something shoved down his throat. Mayhap, he takes a wide stance in the bathroom stall?
Other than that, sloppy, if gays want to be married, how is that shoving anything down your throat. If you don’t like gay marriage, I suggest you don’t marry a gay person. Then it won’t affect you.
The big argument against Gay Marriage and the adoption of children is "how are the children of these liasons going to be reared-------------try looking at heterosexual marriages that constantly 'break up' and the poor kids are shunted back and forth between parents, not to mention the hate and abuse that goes with it!!----there is no mention of that!!
Gays do too.
(with kids involved)
Look no further than fat assed and (mouthed) Rosie O'Donnel.
First lets ge things straight! Adult human beings who choose to be with each other is none of our buisiness. I have heard all the arguments. Gays molest chldren, well so do heterousexuals and statistics show heterosexuals molest many more children than gays. But I fully understand why, because more folks are heterosexual. But I don't think homosexuals are more inclined to molest than anyone else. Second if one assumes allowing gays and lesbians just basic human rights leads to a homosexual nation then one must except a notion that alot of folks living hear right now are closet homosexuals and somehow now, that President Obama says he does not oppose gay marriage, that will make all of them come out of the closet. The argument against allowing gays and lesbians basic human rights is really an argument put forward by relegion. I am absolutely in support of people believing what they choose as long as they don't harm other folks. You can believe homosexuality is wrong, I may even agree with you, but a belief is what it is. You can preach against homosexuality in church and teach against it but as long as you teach Jesus's love along with it then we won't have any folks assaulting homosexuals. But relegion does not have the right to enforce it's dogma on society in general. I mean you can teach and preach to your congreation, those that choose to believe and be part of your church, but you can't force me or anyone else to believe how you believe. I personally think homosexuality between men is a disgusting act but as long as they are two consentual adults in a private setting why should I care? Now two women is a different story. I have a bit more tolerance for viewing two women. LOL. Well it's the biased of straight male. lol. Good Day, Joe.
I totally disagree with you! Homosexuality is immoral, it is wrong.............period. No rationalization will change that. I don't really care what they do either, but it's still wrong, and to ignore it, is to accept it, and I do NOT accept it.
I agree with sugarfoot1. Homosexuality is wrong, it is immoral. Period. Marriage is to be a bond between a man and a woman, just as children should be raised by 2 parents, a mother and a father. Not 2 mothers and not 2 fathers. Obama just switched gears because he thinks he's going to win the election if a few more queers vote for him.
He never had my vote.
Which is why he has nothing to lose by siding with equality. The radical right was going to vote for him even if he shat gold bullion and sent you each a bucket full. lol
I totally disagree with all of the unnecessary fuss b'cus there shouldnt be a fuss due to its in the bible how we should live our life. Yes we are free agents to live our life how we choose but who are you siding with Satan or God??????????
Who anyone "sides with" is actually none of your business... according to the bible. http://bible.cc/romans/14-4.htm