Popular myth, especially in the Church, holds that gay marriage is being forced on an unwilling public by "renegade" judges who run roughshod over the laws to impose their legally baseless political agendas.
Well, sorry folks. I've read the Iowa Supreme Court's opinion and was extremely impressed by its thorough examination of all arguments both for and against gay marriage, and its logical, impartial analysis of the Iowa Constitution--which is exactly what a state supreme court is supposed to do. I've heard the hyperventilating from gay marriage opponents lamenting this alleged travesty and am persuaded that if anyone is bent on imposing a political agenda despite what the law says, it's them. Their claims just don't stand up to actual scrutiny.
And in case anyone is wondering where these "renegade activist judges" actually come from, have a look state by state, and notice the political affiliations:
Massachusetts (Goodridge, 2003) Margaret Marshall, appointed by Chief Justice Gov. Weld (R) in 1996, elevated to Chief by Gov. Cellucci (R);
California (In re Marriage Cases, 2008) Ronald George, Chief Justice appointed by Gov. Wilson (R) in 1991, elevated to Chief by Gov. Wilson (R);
Connecticut (Kerrigan, 2008) Richard Palmer, Associate Justice appointed by Gov. Weicker (Ind.); in 1993 -- Note that Weicker was a Republican during his time in the House and Senate. He won the governorship as an independent.
Iowa (Varnum, 2009) Mark Cady, Associate Justice, appointed by Gov. Branstad (R) in 1998.
See any (D)'s there? Nope. These are all Republican "renegade activists." Focus on the Family, better re-tool your lobbying. Latter-day Saints, better look around for another political affiliation. If you can find one. Meantime, do us all a favor and strike the "renegade judges" bit from the talking points. It's crap.
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"Popular myth, especially in the Church, holds that gay marriage is being forced on an unwilling public by "renegade" judges who run roughshod over the laws to impose their legally baseless political agendas."
Darn activists judges, reading the constitution and implementing it to protect citizens' rights and stuff!
One of the tragedies of this whole fight has to be how equal rights has been spun in some minds to sound unimportant or even radical. They're trying to forge weapons, the sort which they, if reasonable, should hope never feel balanced in any government's hand.
Although it's interesting to note that they are all from states that have legalized same sex marriage... at least at some point... :)
I always said to people, the judges in CA did their job when they overturned the Knight initiative--they interpreted the law.
Almost makes me want to be a Republican! :D
I love it when they talk about "renegade judges" though...it gives me the image of my head of judges in wigs riding motorcycles, shooting people up.
I thought about this irony once a long time ago. Glad to see I'm not the only one who realizes this :)
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