NYT: Massachusetts Governor Romney Sues to Compel Vote on Same-Sex Marriage Amendment

[DeepModem Mom]

Massachusetts Governor Sues to Compel Vote on Same-Sex Marriage Amendment
By KATIE ZEZIMA
Published: November 25, 2006

BOSTON, Nov. 24 — Gov. Mitt Romney filed a lawsuit Friday asking the state’s highest court to order the legislature to vote on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage or to place it on the 2008 ballot if lawmakers do not take up the provision.

The legislature voted 109 to 87 on Nov. 9 to recess a constitutional convention before the measure was taken up, which appeared to kill it. The convention was recessed until Jan. 2, the last day of the legislative session.

More than 170,000 people have signed a petition asking the legislature to amend the state’s Constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage. Massachusetts is the only state that permits it.

Mr. Romney, a Republican who did not seek re-election but is considering running for president, announced plans to file the lawsuit at a rally of same-sex marriage opponents on Sunday. The next day he sent a letter to the 109 lawmakers who had voted to recess, saying they were “frustrating the democratic process and subverting the plain meaning of the Constitution” by refusing to vote.

The lawsuit, filed by Mr. Romney, acting as a private citizen, and 10 other opponents of same-sex marriage, said the legislature had a “legal duty to act” on citizen petitions but had relied on procedural devices to “avoid a vote and evade its constitutional duties.” The legislature recessed before voting on the measure two other times this session....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/25/us/25marriage.html

[zanne]

1. "I'm a Christian Fundamentalist-loving Mormon. Really"

Who else expects Romney to "convert" before the presidential campaign season begins?

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Willard "Mitt" Romney is Extraordinarily Evil

He only shows up in Massachusetts a few days a month, always to bash homosexuals.

So evil - I guess his magic underwear has been of no help whatsoever.

[CurtEastPoint]

5. Ewwwwww.... wasn't WILLARD a rat? n/t

[Lautremont]

15. Willard was a rat-like human who controlled rats,

and the main rat he controlled was named Ben.

[PurityOfEssence]

3. Hey Mitt, if we let you have polygamy, will you let gays marry?

It's simple math, Mr. Mormon: if the big dogs get to have a harem, it'll leave a lot of spare males around. Why not let them get hitched to each other? It'll tidy things up nicely.

Secularism. It's imbedded in the very heart of Christianity. Try it.

Religion: the sanctification of bigotry.

[gratuitous]

4. I want to bash gays, and you won't help me! wails Mitt

Gee dude, bummer. Can't get your hate on if people won't cooperate. This will be an interesting little spectacle: Can the co-equal branches of Massachusetts state government compel one another to do something? I'm guessing the answer is "no," and Mitt's just going through these motions to pander to his narrow-minded base and establish his bona fides for the haters in the GOP. Sort of like going to Bob Jones University without actually having to slime your way down there.

[Ms. Toad]

11. Answer is likely "depends"

Haven't looked at the complaint - but likely a writ of mandamus. Court can compel body/person (including a co-equal branch of the government) having a legal obligation to do something to carry out the obligation. Generally, unless there is some specific time frame connected to the duty you don't get your writ (e.g. legislature must act within 90 days of introduction of the bill, 90 days has passed, and no action).

My guess is that there isn't such a rule and the answer is no.

(Answer is based on general legal principles - not MA law or the particulars of this case, which I have not looked at.)

[IndianaGreen]

6. How about polygamy, asshole?

LGBTs and Muslims are the Jews of the 21st century!

[sallyseven]

7. He is such a creep. He makes gw bush look normal.

I wouldn't wish him on any state much less the US. Well maybe Tenn or Utah. He got billions to solve the Olympic problem and then took credit for it. He is a two bit four flushing lier.

[skipos]

8. And this is why I will never vote for a Republican for ANYTHING

when given the chance, they will always cater to the far right wing nuts.

[bronxiteforever]

9. While the blood flows in Iraq, he holds a rally on gay marriage

Glad to see his presidential issues are shaping up:argh:

[cavebear]

10. Activist Judges

It sounds to me like he's looking for some activist judges to legislate from the bench.

[JudyM]

23. ... and the winner is... you got it. And welcome to DU, cavebear!

:hi:

[suston96]

12. Cannot happen.....

First, the three branches, as with any three branches of government, are not "co-equal". How can they be? They do three different things. But that's another discussion.

See here what it says in the Massachusetts Constitution (written by John Adams and adopted in 1780):

From the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights:

Article XXX. In the government of this commonwealth, the legislative department shall never exercise the executive and judicial powers, or either of them: the executive shall never exercise the legislative and judicial powers, or either of them: the judicial shall never exercise the legislative and executive powers, or either of them: to the end it may be a government of laws and not of men.

In the 1990s, when Term Limits was the rage, the proponents tried to get the Supreme Judicial Court to order the Legislature to take approximately the same steps that Romney is attempting now. The Court refused.

And it should again this time. "The Legislative is supreme" John Locke said. In our Federal Constitution, the Congress was framed first, then the other two branches. They are not co-equal. They have different functions. And, the Congress has vital oversight regarding the other branches.

Back to Romney....When he ran for governor he was not a resident of Massachusetts but got that very same Supreme Judicial Court to give him a pass. Not sure whether that should be worrisome. I don't think so.

[stepnw1f]

13. He's a Sick Man Forcing His Bigotry on Massachusetts

It's the Republican way ...

[0rganism]

17. It's more the consensus bigotry of the GOP base

Seems like Romney's just positioning himself to appeal to the reactionary authoritarians that vote in the Republican primary. I doubt he personally gives a shit.

I'm not sure which is more loathsome: someone who sincerely holds repulsive values, or someone who is willing to pretend them solely for the sake of political gain. The Republicans have more than their share of both.

[stepnw1f]

18. Your Post Is Much More Accurate Than Mine

I agree with you especially on Mitt "probably not giving a shit". It's all politics I'm sure.... which makes me dislike the man even more, since he happens to still be the Gov for Massachusetts until Deval takes over.

[polmaven]

27. Take heart......

40 days and counting!

[originalpckelly]

14. I think I'll file a lawsuit preventing ETs like Mitt Romulan from being married:

I AM AGAINST ET MARRIAGE!!!

[stillcool]

16. another photo-op

on Mitt's orchestrated opportunistic springboard, calculated to place him onto the national stage, and boost his name-recognition en-route to the White House....so he can be just like daddy..

http://www.4president.org/brochures/romney1968brochure.htm

[yy4me]

19. Thank your lucky stars you are not from Massachusetts. Our

chief-in-charge is so busy prepping himself for a run for Pres. that he will come back here once in a blue moon just to make himself visible. Three days ago he showed up at the explosion site of the chemical plant in Danvers, today it is the gay marriage issue. Tomorrow it will be something else. No action really, just free press. Bet your boots you will see him put his 2 cents worth in everything from now until the republican convention. He is so shallow...as if we are not aware of what he is really doing. Meanwhile, our state is falling apart, roads and bridges are a wreck, schools are in dire need of funding, jobs are being lost....and where is Mitt? Certainly he should be doing something about the real issues here, not worrying his perfect hairdo over other peoples business.

[Ian David]

20. I really HATE Mountain Meadows Mitt!

I am SO GLAD I voted for Deval Patrick!

[Mr_Spock]

21. Oven Mitt (Willard) is a friggin' jackass

I hate this man more and more with every passing day.

Watching him trying to outdo McCain as they try to appeal to the RW hate machine makes me ILL :puke:

[screenplaya]

22. UTAH is not big enough for

this wealthy, white and privledged son of a bad politician?

[NoodleyAppendage]

24. Angling for the bigoted asshole vote...I guess. 2008 = 2004.

Romney is courting the very same bigots, who, if they knew he was a Mormon, would turn out to vote against his ass.

J

[WindRavenX]

25. if he runs in 2008, I think it will benefit the Dem's because of that very reason

Mormons are haaaated by most other christians-- especially Catholics.

Mittens is an embarrassment, btw.

[chemp]

26. last i heard, "mob rules" was a rock song, Mitt...

not a system of government. just because a majority of the people want to take away someone else's right does't give them the ability to to do so by law.


Asshole.