Hawaii Senate passes civil unions bill

[Dracil]

HONOLULU -- The Hawaii Senate approved same-sex civil unions Friday, potentially setting up the measure for final passage as soon as next week.

The Senate passed the bill on an 18-7 vote, moving it to the House and signaling that the Senate's Democratic majority has enough votes to override a possible veto from Republican Gov. Linda Lingle.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/22/AR2010012204088.html

Quick, set up a betting pool on which conservative pundit will be the first to prophesy the impending volcanic destruction of Hawaii for being godless heathen sinners.

 

[a_nony_mous]

Good for them! 7 states down, 43 to go. I wonder what the next state to legalize gay rights will be...

 

[explodingboy]

How long are they going to keep it this time around >_>

 

[4xbypass]

How long are they going to keep it this time around >_>

Depends on a number of factors. Hawaii: another "solidly" "Blue" state like Massachusetts. Ravenous conservatives are no doubt licking their chops at the prospect of using the "homosexual agenda" as a wedge issue in the mid-terms since they have no agenda of their own. "Homosexuals" for their part have lousy timing; always trying to get legislation or court action through during election cycles. Civil Unions are not typically as contentious as same-sex marriage. However if the Prop 8 trial breaks for equal-rights expect a "grass-roots" TEA-"partier" conniption fit the likes of which we've yet to see. Remember this axiom: if a Ghey gets any legal recognition (of even a basic human right) then your rights have been taken away from you by Obama and Socialism.

 

[Phylogeny]

Remember this axiom: if a Ghey gets any legal recognition (of even a basic human right) then your rights have been taken away from you by Obama and Socialism.

Don't forget it's also about letting the terrorists win.

 

[4xbypass]

Don't forget it's also about letting the terrorists win.

Why do you hate Amerrca?

 

[BigBadWlf]

It will change the definition of marriage…of course no one shouting that will explain just what that means in real world terms

 

[4xbypass]

It will change the definition of marriage…of course no one shouting that will explain just what that means in real world terms

Allow me. I predict that changing the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex couples will have the following possible effects:

Positive Effects:

1. A punctuated increase in same-sex marriage licenses being issued resulting in a boost in fees and licensing revenue to local government.
2. A punctuated increase in marriage tourism resulting in increased revenue to local businesses wise enough to cater to the new market (hospitality, travel industry, restaurants/catering, etc).
3. Greater deference paid to the institution of marriage overall resulting a net decrease in divorce and more importance placed on fidelity in marriage.
4. Elimination of the stereotype that suggests all Gheys are "promiscuous" and "non-committal", resulting in improved self-esteem for gay youth et al.; Will help foster a reduction in incidences of teen suicides, substance abuse, promiscuous behavior, and sexually transmitted diseases.
5. Will likely force enforcement of employment non-discrimination acts resulting in greater job satisfaction overall which will improve productivity.

Negative Effects:

1. Will be used as a wedge-issue in political campaigns; likely to cause a number of extreme right-wing candidates to be elected leading to increased political discord.
2. Increased vitriol against gay and lesbian citizens from members of the religious and political right will likely result in targeted assassinations of gay political figures by unstable "rogues", and an increase in hate crimes and acts of terrorism against the gay community; will increase the overall violent crime rate.
3. May lead to a US Constitutional amendment restricting the rights and freedoms of American citizens necessitating violent revolution.

That is all. Note: negative effects can be mitigated/eliminated through reasoned discourse.