• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Rick Santorum says supreme court's gay marriage decision not 'final word'

Well, to those convinced of a victory for homosexual marriage in the SCOTUS decision - don't discount the history of the court. I think the decision will be far more nuanced than a yay/nay. Even when the court legalized abortion in Roe v Wade, they placed a ton of conditions and a mile of wiggle room in the decision.
 
Well, you are the guy coming up with hypotheticals for things that won't happen so that automatically leads to the conclusion that you refuse to accept the inevitable. SCOTUS will rule in favor of gay marriage, and the majority of those who oppose it will simply wallow in attempts to explain why the system didn't work for them. The evil judges, the gay conspiracy, the media, you know, the usual drill. Why can't you simply accept this and move on? None of that pipe dream of yours is going to happen. The gays will keep getting married, and we'll have 50 years worth of whining on another issue that those who oppose change were defeated on.
The hypothetical is...what if they DONT? Will YOU then be so committed to the pro gay marriage side just accepting it and dropping it and moving on? Its a direct and honest question. One you some reason cant manage to bring yourself to answer (And FTR...I already HAVE answered it).

Sorry man. I care about you. Would it help you if I put on a little show of false outrage? Would that make you feel better...feel vindicated? :2wave:
 
The hypothetical is...what if they DONT?

They will. Any belief that the contrary is possible is simply delusion. That is why your hypothetical hasn't been taken serious. It's asking a person to consider another possibility that has no possibility of happening. It's an useless experiment. :shrug:
 
There shouldn't be a need, but there is. Unfortunately, my fellow Americans took it upon themselves to vote against someone else's freedom, (either directly or indirectly via legislation) based on nothing other than a moral disapproval of that freedom. It's sad, and fundamentally unamerican. But because they did that, there is a need for SCOTUS to step in. Because my fellow Americans violated the constitution when they did that.

actually it is 100% American to vote the way they want to vote and decide on issues like that. the fact that you didn't like the outcome doesn't mean that it wasn't American it very much was American as the people decided which way to vote.

Santorum's quote is just lip service. He is technically correct, there is never a "final word" on anything because any law can change. Even the constitution can change. But it is still just lip service to the religious right because nobody is really delusional enough to believe this is going to go back to the way it was. Santorum knows full well there will never again be enough votes in congress or enough votes on a ballot to reverse the decision we all know SCOTUS is about to make.

He is correct in a way. the SCOTUS is not the final word.
Congress can still act to negate the ruling, but it is a long drawn out process that would probably end in failure.
 
They will. Any belief that the contrary is possible is simply delusion. That is why your hypothetical hasn't been taken serious. It's asking a person to consider another possibility that has no possibility of happening. It's an useless experiment. :shrug:
They probably will. Not the point. But your refusal to actually answer the question is telling...and really...it answers the question.
 
They probably will.

Probably will? Lol. You're ignoring the real world, again. They will and then we'll get 50 years of complaining about the evil gay conspiracy. This is why opinion polls are so important. They show what politicians will and will not be able to do. 60% of popular opinion (which doesn't mean the majority of voters in every state or many states) simply don't support further attacks on the gay community. People now have gay soldier friends, they have gay sons, gay daughters, they have gay lawyers, gay role models. Any belief that politicians on their side (please pretend you're not a right winger) aren't aware of this and tailor their message to suit that type of voter is in denial and getting closer to delusional with every passing day. Entertaining that final state of delusion isn't something I'm down to do.
 
Probably will? Lol. You're ignoring the real world, again. They will and then we'll get 50 years of complaining about the evil gay conspiracy. This is why opinion polls are so important. They show what politicians will and will not be able to do. 60% of popular opinion (which doesn't mean the majority of voters in every state or many states) simply don't support further attacks on the gay community. People now have gay soldier friends, they have gay sons, gay daughters, they have gay lawyers, gay role models. Any belief that politicians on their side (please pretend you're not a right winger) aren't aware of this and tailor their message to suit that type of voter is in denial and getting closer to delusional with every passing day. Entertaining that final state of delusion isn't something I'm down to do.
They probably will. Yes.

Opinion polls dont mean a thing. Polls are DESIGNED to present expected results (notice how many people flip out when the word 'Rasmussen' or 'Gallup' is used?). The only poll that has any validity is the actual ballot. Hopefully...it wont come to that. If it does...well...the good news is, it should be decisive...right?
 
They probably will. Yes.

Opinion polls dont mean a thing. Polls are DESIGNED to present expected results (notice how many people flip out when the word 'Rasmussen' or 'Gallup' is used?). The only poll that has any validity is the actual ballot. Hopefully...it wont come to that. If it does...well...the good news is, it should be decisive...right?

There isn't a single politician out there who doesn't look at opinion polls when deciding what they're going to do. 60% of the public saying that they oppose any further gay marriage bans, courts removing gay marriage bans, and increasing legislative measures to offer protections to gay marriages? That paints a picture. How do I now? How many gay marriage bans have been attempted as of late? Any of them serious? No? How many politicians want to run on gay marriage ban like Bush did in '06? None? People simply aren't interested in the topic anymore. To believe that they'd suddenly turn around and support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage is absurd and not worthy of anyone's time.
 
Older Republicans refuse to admit that younger Republicans are NOT as socially conservative as they are, and are NOT religiously conservative as they are. Younger Republicans care about the Fed debt, they care about the government being fiscally responsible, they care about jobs, their schooling and school debt.

The social issues that the GOP, and their mouthpieces on the radio and TV use to scare the older GOP voters into voting Republican just aren't that important to the younger Republicans.

Right NOW the older people still control the GOP because they do most of the voting. But by around 2020 the GOP better change their tune or they will become nothing more than a local, regional party.
 
There isn't a single politician out there who doesn't look at opinion polls when deciding what they're going to do. 60% of the public saying that they oppose any further gay marriage bans, courts removing gay marriage bans, and increasing legislative measures to offer protections to gay marriages? That paints a picture. How do I now? How many gay marriage bans have been attempted as of late? Any of them serious? No? How many politicians want to run on gay marriage ban like Bush did in '06? None? People simply aren't interested in the topic anymore. To believe that they'd suddenly turn around and support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage is absurd and not worthy of anyone's time.
38 of them were already passed (Including PR). Kinda silly to attempt new ones...right? And its not like they have abandoned their state passed legislation. Thats why the Supreme Court is acting.

Public opinion polls are worthless. They say what people want them to say. BUT AGAIN...if you are right you should EMBRACE the amendment option. Nothing will so completely confirm your beliefs about acceptance of your lifestyle choice as a resounding NO in response to an amendment initiative. Maybe THEN the matter will be settled. I only wish it were so easy for the abortion issue. Its time for all of these things to be settled.
 
Those that are claiming Santorum is wrong are themselves 'wrong', but really...they are just partisan ideologues being snarky.

It's funny to see those on here ridicule what he says, as if he doesn't know what he is talking about, then come up with absolutely nothing to back up their own opinion.
 
It's funny to see those on here ridicule what he says, as if he doesn't know what he is talking about, then come up with absolutely nothing to back up their own opinion.
Its obvious he knows what he is talking about AND its obvious he is correct. I hope it doesnt come to that but I wont be surprised if it happens.
 
38 of them were already passed (Including PR). Kinda silly to attempt new ones...right? And its not like they have abandoned their state passed legislation. Thats why the Supreme Court is acting.

Public opinion polls are worthless. They say what people want them to say. BUT AGAIN...if you are right you should EMBRACE the amendment option. Nothing will so completely confirm your beliefs about acceptance of your lifestyle choice as a resounding NO in response to an amendment initiative. Maybe THEN the matter will be settled. I only wish it were so easy for the abortion issue. Its time for all of these things to be settled.

Lol, you're getting more desperate in your attempts. From hypothetical, to a red herring? "The amendment" option only means a lot for one side. The side trying to use it to actively shut down attempts to legalize gay marriage. For the other side, it's the courts - you know, the people who have decided constitutionality for most of this country's history - that matter. I'm actually so confident that there is no support for such a thing that I can confidently say that my contention is proven by the fact that there are no constitutional conventions being called for such a thing. Furthermore, even when there was enough support for it (somewhere in the early to mid 00s), politicians saw a changing trend in public opinion and decided to forgo the idea entirely. That's literally what we are seeing here today.
 
Last edited:
Lol, you're getting more desperate in your attempts. From hypothetical, to a red herring? "The amendment" option only means a lot for one side. The side trying to use it to actively shut down attempts to legalize gay marriage. For the other side, it's the courts - you know, the people who have decided constitutionality for most of this country's history - that matter. I'm actually so confident that there is no support for such a thing that I con confidently say that my contention is proven by the fact that there are no constitutional conventions being called for such a thing. Furthermore, even when there was enough support for it (somewhere in the early to mid 00s), politicians saw a changing trend in public opinion and decided to forgo the idea entirely. That's literally what we are seeing here today.
The only thing that is 'funny' is your desperate need to make this a conflict. I dont care.
BUT...
The facts is that MOST of those states that were forced by a federal judge to alter their state practices occurred withing the last 1-3 years. Keep in mind...these are states that passed their laws with as much as 86% of the popular votes in the states. Most didnt just barely pass...most passed the popular vote by a landslide.

So...again. We will see. If it comes down to it, then the people will again be given the opportunity to vote on it. And THAT should testify to your position that there is overwhelming support now for you.
 
The only thing that is 'funny' is your desperate need to make this a conflict.

Says the guy who doesn't care but took issue with people saying that public opinion will never let this fly. We get it man, you're cool and nonchalant about your political opinions. Here, I'll leave you with a nice contrast:

Before:

Public opinion of same-sex marriage in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A USA Today/Gallup Poll conducted May 7–10, 2009, however, found support at only 40%, lower than in 2003, with 57% opposed.[61] According to this poll, 48% of Americans feel that society would change for the worse if same-sex marriage were legalized, the same percentage as a 2003 poll.[62] The poll asked: "Which comes closest to your view? Gay couples should be allowed to legally marry. OR, Gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not legally marry. OR, There should be no legal recognition of a gay couple's relationship."

...

A poll taken June 22, 2006 by Rasmussen Reports asked "Should marriage be defined in terms of a union between a man and a woman? Or should marriage be defined as a union between any two people including same sex couples?" 68% replied that "marriage is between man and woman", 29% said marriage "between any two people" and 4% were "not sure".[70]

Then...

Public opinion of same-sex marriage in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An August Associated Press/National Constitution Center poll found 52% agreed that the federal government should give legal recognition to marriages between couples of the same sex, an increase from 46% in 2009. 46% disagreed, compared to 53% in 2009.[7]

An August CNN/Opinion Research Poll showed that 49% of respondents thought gays and lesbians do have a constitutional right to get married and have their marriage recognized by law as valid, and 52% thought gays and lesbians should have that right.[53]

Now:

Public opinion of same-sex marriage in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A February–March 2015 Wall Street Journal poll found that 59% of Americans favor same-sex marriage.[14]

A January–February 2015 Human Rights Campaign poll found that 60% of Americans favor same-sex marriage, while 37% oppose. The same poll also found that 46% of respondents say they know a same-sex couple who have gotten married.[15]

A February 12–15, 2015 CNN/ORC poll found that 63% of Americans believe same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, while 36% oppose.[16]

Put that next to measures (public and private) to become more welcoming of gays. Do you REALLY believe anybody on the right has the star power to turn that sort of tide with gay marriage? An issue that doesn't compare to other cleavages like racial equality? Get serious.
 
Says the guy who doesn't care but took issue with people saying that public opinion will never let this fly. We get it man, you're cool and nonchalant about your political opinions. Here, I'll leave you with a nice contrast:

Before:

Public opinion of same-sex marriage in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Then...

Public opinion of same-sex marriage in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Now:

Public opinion of same-sex marriage in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Put that next to measures (public and private) to become more welcoming of gays. Do you REALLY believe anybody on the right has the star power to turn that sort of tide with gay marriage? An issue that doesn't compare to other cleavages like racial equality? Get serious.
Thats a good yahoo son.

So...you ARE really excited about an amendment initiative. I can see why.
 
WHen it has been tried in the past, there wasnt a Supreme Court decision standing against the rights of the states. BUT...we shall see. In case you have missed it..I have stated several times now...I would hope that they accept the ruling and we move forward. But that does not remove the individuals RIGHT to pursue it.
No, but seriously. It's not happening.
 
actually it is 100% American to vote the way they want to vote and decide on issues like that. the fact that you didn't like the outcome doesn't mean that it wasn't American it very much was American as the people decided which way to vote.
No, voting against individual liberty based on nothing other than personal religious beliefs is fundamentally unamerican.
He is correct in a way. the SCOTUS is not the final word. Congress can still act to negate the ruling, but it is a long drawn out process that would probably end in failure.
Correction: Would definitely end in failure.
 
No, but seriously. It's not happening.
Probably not. I hope not. But you acknowledge he ISNT wrong...correct?
 
Probably not. I hope not. But you acknowledge he ISNT wrong...correct?

Yes I already acknowledged that. He's technically correct, because nothing is ever really final. Any law or part of the constitution can be changed.

But it's just lip service because he knows full well that's not happening. Just like everyone else.
 
And there is absolutely no reason to believe their polling in this regard.

There is every reason to believe it if you actually talk to anyone outside those who agree with everyone you believe, outside your political parties/religious denominations. I have plenty of people I talk to and the vast majority of people I know support same sex marriage. This includes a lot of religious people (most of the people I know are Christian). Not believing the polls on this issue show a desire to deny the facts, to remain ignorant of reality. My generation and younger support same sex marriage in large majorities. And even my mother's generation are turning to supporting it (my mother has supported it for as long as I can remember).
 
We'll see. If SCOTUS rules as expected, there will definitely be heat from many states to overturn their decision. AS is currently ongoing, states are still appealing the federal judges decisions which is a pretty clear indicator that they are not all willing to just go down without a fight.

(BTW...most of those judges that decided on the states laws were not elected judges...they were appointed federal judges)

Again...I personally hope this is settled once and for all in June.

There won't be that much "heat" though. It is mainly a handful of states fighting tooth and nail over this issue, not most of those that had amendments in place even. Some were set to legalize same sex marriage except for laws that required them to go through extreme means to overturn their amendments (Nevada requires a vote in two separate elections to go through).

There are 31 states controlled exclusively by Republicans, and as of right now, only some Republican lawmakers and a very small number of independents are against same sex marriage, and not all Republicans are against it. Very few Republicans are actually for a Constitutional Amendment to ban same sex marriage.

Polls show that less than half the states have populations where the majority opposes same sex marriage. Republicans are saying that such a proposal is stupid.
 
No, voting against individual liberty based on nothing other than personal religious beliefs is fundamentally unamerican. Correction: Would definitely end in failure.

and you would be 100% wrong freedom of speech and freedom of religion are 100% American.
 
and you would be 100% wrong freedom of speech and freedom of religion are 100% American.

...neither free speech nor freedom of religion cover stopping someone else from getting married.

Or doing anything else for that matter.
 
Back
Top Bottom