Marriage Equality is two for two this week as yesterday US District Court Judge John E Jones declared Pennsylvania's ban on Marriage Equality unconstitutional. The irony in this case is that Jones, a George W. Bush appointee who was unanimously confirmed by the Senate, was suggested as a candidate to Bush by none other than the former Senator from PA, Rick 'man on dog' Santorum. The money shot from the decision is posted below:
Based on the foregoing, we hold that Pennsylvania’s Marriage Laws violate both the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Because these laws are unconstitutional, we shall enter an order permanently enjoining their enforcement. By virtue of this ruling, same-sex couples who seek to marry in Pennsylvania may do so, and already married same-sex couples will be recognized as such in the Commonwealth.
The issue we resolve today is a divisive one. Some of our citizens are made deeply uncomfortable by the notion of same-sex marriage. However, that same-sex marriage causes discomfort in some does not make its prohibition constitutional. Nor can past tradition trump the bedrock constitutional guarantees of due process and equal protection. Were that not so, ours would still be a racially segregated nation according to the now rightfully discarded doctrine of "separate but equal." In the sixty years since Brown (v. Board of Education) was decided, "separate" has thankfully faded into history, and only "equal" remains. Similarly, in future generations the label same-sex marriage will be abandoned, to be replaced simply by marriage.
We are a better people than what these laws represent, and it is time to discard them into the ash heap of history.
The issue we resolve today is a divisive one. Some of our citizens are made deeply uncomfortable by the notion of same-sex marriage. However, that same-sex marriage causes discomfort in some does not make its prohibition constitutional. Nor can past tradition trump the bedrock constitutional guarantees of due process and equal protection. Were that not so, ours would still be a racially segregated nation according to the now rightfully discarded doctrine of "separate but equal." In the sixty years since Brown (v. Board of Education) was decided, "separate" has thankfully faded into history, and only "equal" remains. Similarly, in future generations the label same-sex marriage will be abandoned, to be replaced simply by marriage.
We are a better people than what these laws represent, and it is time to discard them into the ash heap of history.
Unlike Oregon, PA's Republican Governor Tom Corbet has stated in the past he would defend the ban. However, in a press conference yesterday, Corbet said he has not decided whether or not to appeal the decision. As of right now, same sex couples can obtain a marriage license and proceed to get married after PA's 3 day wait period for solemnization of the vows is observed. Corbet may yet appeal, but no stay of the ruling has been granted pending his decision.
Your Midweek Musical Moment features the Music of Robert Schumann with his Piano Trio Number 1, Opus 63. Today's performance is from a 1958 recording in Moscow featuring Emil Gilels on Piano, Leonid Kogan on Violin and Mstislave Rostropovich on Cello. You may also hear a young Yo Yo Ma's performance of Schumann's Cello Concerto in A Minor, Opus 129 with Ricardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra over on my tumblr.
Following the video is a splashing selection of hunks and hotties in this week's edition of Wet Wednesday. There is also the 'Wet n Ripped' Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr for your visual appreciation. Thanks for sharing part of your Wednesday with me, see you again tomorrow. Until next time as always, Enjoy!
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