Collision course

In "Collision Course," Robert Keough analyzes the dynamics of this week's state Constitutional Convention and the proposed amendment effectively banning same-sex marriage. Should lawmakers vote "yes" on the amendment and pass the final decision along to the people? Or should they vote it down and support the Supreme Judicial Court's ruling finding a ban on gay marriage unconstitutional?
Read the story: Collision course
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It's not goverments role. They should have the same rights.

west

I'm disgusted that this has become such a huge political and media issue! Unless you are gay and hope to marry or have a friend/relative in this position, it doesn't effect you! Why are people so concerned with what others do if it doesn't hurt them or their loved ones in any way? Let's get out of these people's lives and bedrooms and move onto other issues, like funding our schools and protecting the country.

Tamsen, Arlington

I am a Michigan resident who is working overseas to support the mission of the U.S. military as it fights to promote freedom and democracy in the world. It is surprising how my freedoms at home are at grave risk. I am from Ann Arbor, Michigan although I feel very at home in Northhampton Massachusetts where I have seriously considered moving to when my tour here is completed. My state, most certainly, will pass this oppressive amendment to the Michigan constitution. I was hoping that my "adopted" state would not. I have a Master's degree and I have spent the whole of my career helping others with their personal difficulties and life's hardships. Who will be there for me? I guess I will always be a second class citizen in my country of birth. Maybe I should stay in the county I am now in overseas. At least here I am mostly equal, and here I do not have to think how I am a lesser person whose rights at up to the whim of the masses. So much for Republican democracy and the protection from majority rule.

Wes J., Ann Arbor

I really do not care about the final outcome but I am amazed at the fact that many in the gay community wish to be as different from the mainstream as possible and love to flaunt this fact to every "hetero" they meet but now these same people want to conform and be treated as "heteros" with respect to marriage/civil unions. You are all confusing me - do you want to conform or not? I looks like that they will conform only when it meets their agenda - just like most people. Before we decide whether to approve this marriage thing, I say let the gay community decide if they want to belong to this society or remain outsiders as they have wished to be for so long.

Bill, P-town

Stop this attempt to change the substance of marriage. Let the legislature allow the citizens to vote on this. Let them also stop the issue of marriage licences before the SJC's OPINION goes into effect and stay that way until they either reverse it or the four justices who approved it are impeached for unconstitutionally grabbing the General Court's power to make law. Also do NOT appropriate ANY money for the SJC until all of the above is accomplished.

R W, Stoughton

When are people going to realize that issues like gay marriage are just an issue pushed by politicians to polarize us? Will the acceptance of "gay marriage" really make the country a better place? Or are there more important issues at hand? Perhaps, if you are gay, this is the most important issue but there are what 2-3% or even 10% or let's just say 20% of the population is gay. That means that 80% is not and this issue is going to make the 80%-98% of the public vote Republican and allow them to screw everyone? It is time for the Democratic party to wake up and start focusing on winning and then when they win, they can start making the country a better place for everyone.

Kathy, Brookline

Law makers shoul not put it to a vote by the people. The Law makers should support the Supreme Judicial Court's ruling. There are many more important issues for these law makers to discuss and solve like the economy, corruption in politics and the graft and over spending on tax payers monies, etc.

Bob, Sharon

I hope and pray that the legislators of Massachusetts will do the right thing here. To deny same-sex couples the right to marry is shameful. To put a minority's basic civil rights on the ballot is unfair. The Supreme Court Ruling was just and our legislators should uphold it.

John , Cambridge

I vehemently oppose any amendment to our constitution that would make bigotry a law. The very idea is repugnant. Those who support it should be ashamed of themselves.

Tom , Cambridge

The lawmakers should vote yes. Gay marriage would lead to bankruptcy because sin is expensive, especially sexual sin. Fortunately, we're only one state out of 50, so it would still be illegal in 98% of the country. A 98% positive feedback rating is ebay's threshhold for a power seller, so the country would still be powerful despite the nuttiness of this state. Uncanny how insightful ebay is, and how brilliant the founders were to compartmentalize the country! Ships are compartmentalized so if one compartment is flooded, the ship won't sink. That's why states are referred to as ships. To use another transportation metaphor, Will Rogers once said that trying to derail this country is about as effective as spitting on a railroad track. This will be an interesting example of his observation. There was a time when parents didn't get divorced for the sake of the children. If only that ethic were still in place today. Similarly, for the sake of children, gay marriage should be prohibited. Even if it stands, people can still vote with their feet, and I suspect many will, leaving us with even less clout in Washington (I wonder whose district will be eliminated?). Not knowing when to stop leads to less power, not more.

Peter, Cambridge