Oklahoma Guard Marriage Benefits Eliminated for All Couples

[mota bhai 2,675]

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin announced Wednesday that the state will not process marriage benefits for opposite or same-sex couples in its National Guard, directly violating a Pentagon directive and a presidential decree.

Fallin says Oklahoma does not recognize same-sex marriages, nor does it confer marriage benefits to same-sex couples. She says it protects the integrity of our state constitution and sends a message to the federal government that they cant ignore our laws or the will of the people.

In Oklahoma, state facilities won’t serve any military spouses and all will be referred to federally-owned facilities.

http://news92fm.com/398628/okla-guard-marriage-benefits-eliminated-for-all-couples-listen/

[Protocol417 161]

Governor Fallin and the Republicans at large, for being willing to go to any lengths necessary to perpetuate their homophobic bigotry and impose their narrow, hateful and archaic values upon this nation really, horrendously, obscenely, grossly stupid and dragging members of the military into a shallow, petty game.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

If you really believe in something, it should be you that goes through this. Not the innocent folks caught in the crossfire.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Governor Fallin and the Republicans at large, for being willing to go to any lengths necessary to perpetuate their homophobic bigotry and impose their narrow, hateful and archaic values upon this nation really, horrendously, obscenely, grossly stupid and dragging members of the military into a shallow, petty game.

But the argument can be made that President Obama and the Democrats are doing the dragging. Why push for homosexual marriage at all, knowing full well that public opinion in huge parts of this country is not with them?

It could be argued that Governor Fallin is merely standing up for the cultural values of Middle America (not to be confused with Middle Earth), no?

[Protocol417 161]

But the argument can be made that President Obama and the Democrats are doing the dragging. Why push for homosexual marriage at all, knowing full well that public opinion in huge parts of this country is not with them?

It could be argued that Governor Fallin is merely standing up for the cultural values of Middle America (not to be confused with Middle Earth), no?

Because rights are not granted by popular vote.

Besides, that's not even what's happening here. They're not saying "the entire state must now allow same-sex marriage". They're saying "these are Federal employees, and as such they are eligible to receive Federal benefits as married couples". They will have these rights no matter what. All Fallin is doing is making it harder for them... and for some reason, anyone else no matter their sexuality... to sign up (as I understand it). That has nothing to do with what the "cultural values of Middle America" are (which are as varied as the "cultural values" of any other part of the country, by the way).

[mota bhai 2,675]

That has nothing to do with what the "cultural values of Middle America" are (which are as varied as the "cultural values" of any other part of the country, by the way).

Are you implying that support for homosexual marriage (and homosexual rights, in general) is not concentrated on the two coasts and urban centers?

[Darnell 8,478]

It could be argued that Governor Fallin is merely standing up for the cultural values of Middle America (not to be confused with Middle Earth), no?

Welcome to Oklahoma ! Gov can do whatever she wants, regarding the National Guard in her state.

[Protocol417 161]

Are you implying that support for homosexual marriage (and homosexual rights, in general) is not concentrated on the two coasts and urban centers?

I said Middle American is as varied as any other region in the US.

You can't paint a huge section of the United States with one brush. There are people who support and oppose same-sex marriage and homosexual rights all over the country, and those who fall into the myriad shades of gray in between.

As a side note, more related to your point (I think) than mine, same-sex marriage is legal in Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois (or it will be soon, anyways). Indiana, Iowa, Colorado, Arkansas, Montana, Illinois, and Minnesota allow same-sex couples to adopt jointly (many, many more allow homosexuals to adopt their partner's child). Perhaps you and I have different definitions of "Middle America", but those fall squarely into mine.

[mota bhai 2,675]

As a side note, more related to your point (I think) than mine, same-sex marriage is legal in Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois (or it will be soon, anyways). Indiana, Iowa, Colorado, Arkansas, Montana, Illinois, and Minnesota allow same-sex couples to adopt jointly (many, many more allow homosexuals to adopt their partner's child). Perhaps you and I have different definitions of "Middle America", but those fall squarely into mine.

Excellent point. I stand corrected.