We Speak For Earth
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ikenbot CWL -
mohandasgandhi Mohandas Gandhi -
realcleverscience Real Clever Science -
socialuprooting Social Uprooting -
abstractnerd Abstract Nerd -
perscientiamlibertas A Matter of the Most Pleasant Fraternal Confidence
Amy Davidson on the Supreme Court’s upcoming same-sex marriage hearings, and the points in Justice Antonin Scalia’s past dissents that are worth thinking about: http://nyr.kr/RpiXLJ
You know I love when the Court is in the news.
But I’m confused by this guy—he presents a logical argument (the only grounds on which people oppose gay rights is moral grounds) but then comes to quite a non sequitur of a conclusion (moral grounds are a rational basis for an argument and therefore these moral grounds are adequate reasoning to deny gay people rights).
Without moral grounds, we would have very little ground to stand on of course, but Scalia doesn’t seem to acknowledge that morals are subjective, although many can be said to be universal, and are therefore subject to legal scrutiny. Which he should
be providing?
Literally! The Supreme Court will be hearing a case dealing with whether legally married gay couples are entitled to the same federal benefits as legally married straight couples according to the 5th Amendment. The Defense of Marriage Act says no, the gay community and most people possessed of common sense and a basic capacity for empathy say yes. The only answer that matters, in the coming months (the decision should be heard by June, according to WaPo), is that of the Court’s.
So what do you need to know, considering the foggy language employed by the Court?
- Here is some background on the case and its legal precedents
- Here is the case itself, on a very good blog about SCOTUS
- Here is some coverage from the inestimable Washington Post
- And some NY Times coverage as well
- Also the SCOUTS home page because why not
- Excellent article on Scalia, who seems to be the biggest obstacle to these cases
While you await the decision anxiously, why not read up on the working of SCOTUS if you’re not already familiar with the branch? (It’s my favorite branch, you know.)
Rick Perry doesn’t know what Larence v. Texas is. You know, the major SCOTUS civil rights case from 2003 that made anti-sodomy laws illegal in the United States, the ruling that was decided while he was governor of Texas and defacto defendant in the case.
A gay Gibson County couple said they were assaulted when they tried to attend church services at the Grace Fellowship Church in Fruitland, Tennessee last Wednesday.
“I went over to take the keys out of the ignition and all the sudden I hear someone say ‘sick’em,’” said Gibson County resident, Jerry Pittman Jr.
Pittman said the attacked was prompted by the pastor of the church, Jerry Pittman, his father.
“My uncle and two other deacons came over to the car per my dad’s request. My uncle smash me in the door as the other deacon knocked my boyfriend back so he couldn’t help me, punching him in his face and his chest. The other deacon came and hit me through my car window in my back,” said Pittman. He said bystanders did not offer assistance. He said the deacon yelled derogatory homosexual slurs, even after officers arrived. He said the officers never intervened to stop the deacons from yelling the slurs.
Pittman said the attacked was prompted by the pastor of the church, Jerry Pittman, his father.
So much for loving your neighbor.
