Wisconsin same-sex marriage ban struck down

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The backwards crowd loses again. And it will continue to lose.

Wisconsin same-sex marriage ban struck down

(CNN) -- Wisconsin on Friday joined the growing number of states where federal judges have struck down same-sex marriage bans. The decision was cheered by lesbian and gay rights advocates, but it's not necessarily a final victory.

The Wisconsin ban violates the U.S. Constitution, said U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb. She said same-sex couples "are entitled to the same treatment as any heterosexual couple."

"I conclude that the Wisconsin laws prohibiting marriage between same-sex couples interfere with plaintiffs' right to marry, in violation of the due process clause, and discriminate against plaintiffs on the basis of sexual orientation, in violation of the (Constitution's) equal protection clause," the judge wrote.

Crabb did not immediately stay her own ruling, as some other federal judges issuing similar decisions have done, nor did she state that it takes effect right away.

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said the current law restricting marriage to one man and one woman, which is written into the Wisconsin state constitution, "remains in force."

"While today's decision is a setback, we'll continue to defend the constitutionality of our traditional marriage laws and the constitutional amendment, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters," Van Hollen said. "I will appeal."

In her ruling, Crabb noted that all federal judges weighing in on state same-sex marriage bans have come to the same conclusion -- that such prohibitions should not stand -- since the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on U.S. v. Winsdor last June.

That 5-4 opinion, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, struck down the Defense of Marriage Act's definition of marriage as only between a man and a woman but did not directly affect individual states' laws restricting marriage based on sexual orientation. Yet many federal judges have cited the decision on United States v. Windsor in their judgments, as well as the argument that same-sex marriage bans violate the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Several appeals courts have heard arguments on some of the district court rulings that have been challenged, though none has come out with its own decision. Van Hollen said he expects "the U.S. Supreme Court will give finality to this issue in their next term."

Even if it's not a final decision, LGBT advocates cheered Friday's ruling on Wisconsin.

"Across the country, the courts agree: Same-sex couples and their families need the dignity of marriage, and anti-marriage laws are indefensible," said Evan Wolfson, president of the advocacy group Freedom to Marry.

"... Today's decision in Wisconsin underscores that all of America is ready for the freedom to marry. It's time now for the Supreme Court to bring resolution nationwide."

One day, gun sanity will go the very way of marriage equality. It'll be just as unstoppable.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

The backwards crowd loses again. And it will continue to lose.

One day, gun sanity will go the very way of marriage equality. It'll be just as unstoppable.

As soon as the Constitution is amended, the tide will turn. Then just figuring out the pesky details of taking the 350 million guns away from the people who own them. And I'm sure that as soon as any such talk becomes serious, there will be a flurry of gun sales that will make the most recent one look like nothing. Nothing fuels gun sales like the fear of losing the right to own them. It's a fact that can't be denied. Obama fueled guns sales better than the NRA and manufacturers could have ever done on the own. I'm not really an Obama basher, but the proof is in the sales.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The NRA fueled that fire, based on people's "fear" of Obama (or rather by telling people that they should have fear).

The NRA will do anything to sell guns, because it is funded by gun manufacturers. Gun manufacturers want people to buy guns.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I just want all the people to be able to marry as they choose. Spooky, you are free to claim your sheep bride in Wisconsin now. Imma go marry a lamppost AND my cousin Gina in Madison. Everyone's invited and there's plenty of PBR!

[spookyturtle 9,465]

The NRA fueled that fire, based on people's "fear" of Obama (or rather by telling people that they should have fear).

The NRA will do anything to sell guns, because it is funded by gun manufacturers. Gun manufacturers want people to buy guns.

I have a cousin who's husband owns a sporting shop that sells guns and he said sales have been through the roof. He didn't vote for Obama either time, but he praises him to the high heavens when it comes to his business. The more shootings, the better the gun sales. It seems to me that a different tactic needs to be used to curtail this pattern. I say that as a neutral observer. The restrictions haven't worked, the knee jerk reaction talk hasn't worker, the get tough talk hasn't worked. The anti-gun crowd blames it all on the NRA. Time for the voters to speak and get anti-gun candidates elected. It will be a long process to change things, and it will hit at the core of the Constitution. Who will run on a campaign of updating the Constitution? Bringing up to snuff for the 21st century? Serious questions.

I just want all the people to be able to marry as they choose. Spooky, you are free to claim your sheep bride in Wisconsin now. Imma go marry a lamppost AND my cousin Gina in Madison. Everyone's invited and there's plenty of PBR!

As soon as you mention animals, people get twitchy. If a man wants to marry a sheep or goat, he should be able to legally do so. Where does it say that marriage is between humans?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

What restrictions? Congress has relaxed gun laws in recent years.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

What restrictions? Congress has relaxed gun laws in recent years.

Poor wording on my part. I should have said talk of restrictions and tighter control laws. I live in MA, one of the toughest states for gun control. I'n not an expert on the law like some here, but a lot of gun laws are decided by the states. Vermont law predates the Constitution. Illinois was the last state to allow concealed carry and just began issuing permits at the end of February. They can have stricter laws, but they must allow CC. The Us is all over the place with gun laws, Hawaii perhaps being the strictest, and Alaska, Vermont and Arizona the most lenient.

[Karee 4,190]

As soon as the Constitution is amended, the tide will turn. Then just figuring out the pesky details of taking the 350 million guns away from the people who own them. And I'm sure that as soon as any such talk becomes serious, there will be a flurry of gun sales that will make the most recent one look like nothing. Nothing fuels gun sales like the fear of losing the right to own them. It's a fact that can't be denied. Obama fueled guns sales better than the NRA and manufacturers could have ever done on the own. I'm not really an Obama basher, but the proof is in the sales.

That 350 million stat is pretty daunting. Those aren't going to just disappear. There wont be an amendment to the constitution concerning the right to bear arms in the next 30 years at least either. The courts definitely aren't going to address the issue. Whenever they do take it up, they seem to reduce restrictions on firearms even more.

Guns do make it easier to kill, but I'd argue that the guns aren't the real issue. The real issue is that fact that people these days are so willing to kill one another. No law or court decision is going to resolve that problem.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

That 350 million stat is pretty daunting. Those aren't going to just disappear. There wont be an amendment to the constitution concerning the right to bear arms in the next 30 years at least either. The courts definitely aren't going to address the issue. Whenever they do take it up, they seem to reduce restrictions on firearms even more.

Guns do make it easier to kill, but I'd argue that the guns aren't the real issue. The real issue is that fact that people these days are so willing to kill one another. No law or court decision is going to resolve that problem.

People seem to be quite willing to kill each other, and for the most trivial reasons. MBD seems to think that the interpretation of the Second Amendment will change quickly, just like trading the 5 Taliban prisoners for the AWOL soldier. Sorry, but it ain't gonna happen. It will take many decades to change it, and as you stated, that 350 million and counting figure isn't going to away or suddenly get smaller.

I'm not arguing this from the pro gun position. I'm arguing simple logic. Obama isn't going to get up one morning and say the Constitution has been wrong since it's inception, sorry everyone, please turn in your guns.

[Karee 4,190]

People seem to be quite willing to kill each other, and for the most trivial reasons. MBD seems to think that the interpretation of the Second Amendment will change quickly, just like trading the 5 Taliban prisoners for the AWOL soldier. Sorry, but it ain't gonna happen. It will take many decades to change it, and as you stated, that 350 million and counting figure isn't going to away or suddenly get smaller.

I'm not arguing this from the pro gun position. I'm arguing simple logic. Obama isn't going to get up one morning and say the Constitution has been wrong since it's inception, sorry everyone, please turn in your guns.

FTR, I think there's something seriously wrong with the fact that there's 350 million guns in this country. That number is staggering. I think there's only 280 million televisions in the U.S.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

The NRA fueled that fire, based on people's "fear" of Obama (or rather by telling people that they should have fear).

The NRA will do anything to sell guns, because it is funded by gun manufacturers. Gun manufacturers want people to buy guns.

Such a serious misunderstanding of guns and gun owners, you much like the President fundamentally don't understand most gun owners or soldiers

[spookyturtle 9,465]

FTR, I think there's something seriously wrong with the fact that there's 350 million guns in this country. That number is staggering. I think there's only 280 million televisions in the U.S.

I understand what you're saying. I'm just trying to grasp MBD's concept of how this is all going to go away like a thief in the night. There are enough guns to last for several hundred years, probably even longer. What is the proposal to get those out of their owners hands. I'm not talking principles, just simple logic.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I just want all the people to be able to marry as they choose. Spooky, you are free to claim your sheep bride in Wisconsin now. Imma go marry a lamppost AND my cousin Gina in Madison. Everyone's invited and there's plenty of PBR!

Agree 100% except all the sheep part.

The backwards crowd loses again. And it will continue to lose.

One day, gun sanity will go the very way of marriage equality. It'll be just as unstoppable.

Yeah Yeah yeah for Civil rights.

except for the ones I don't agree with, then bad bad civil rights

People seem to be quite willing to kill each other, and for the most trivial reasons. MBD seems to think that the interpretation of the Second Amendment will change quickly, just like trading the 5 Taliban prisoners for the AWOL soldier. Sorry, but it ain't gonna happen. It will take many decades to change it, and as you stated, that 350 million and counting figure isn't going to away or suddenly get smaller.

I'm not arguing this from the pro gun position. I'm arguing simple logic. Obama isn't going to get up one morning and say the Constitution has been wrong since it's inception, sorry everyone, please turn in your guns.

Actually him trying that would not shock me.

I understand what you're saying. I'm just trying to grasp MBD's concept of how this is all going to go away like a thief in the night. There are enough guns to last for several hundred years, probably even longer. What is the proposal to get those out of their owners hands. I'm not talking principles, just simple logic.

and how do you disarm the illegal gun owners aka criminals ?

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Agree 100% except all the sheep

What do you have against sheep?

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Actually him trying that would not shock me.

and how do you disarm the illegal gun owners aka criminals ?

I don't any way for disarming anyone. The Government can't handle 12 million illegals, I somehow doubt they'd do better with 350 million guns. And the reality is, the bad guys will always have guns.