An Internet hub with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, indies, centrists, moderates, and right
Bill Bennett On Gay Marriage
Dennis Sanders is right. Gay marriage is an important issue, and after watching clips of Bill Bennett trying to explain his views about gay marriage on The Daily Show, I can’t help but feel that this issue is essential to our nation moving in a positive direction.
Why? Very simple. Bennett’s arguments just don’t hold water. And the tradition argument has been used to prevent people from getting rights they deserve since the beginning of recorded time. But hey, don’t take my word for it. Watch Bennett and you decide if his arguments have merit in any realm except one that clings to tradition reflexively.
Also, do note Stewart’s comments on the “gay ceiling.”
8 Responses to “Bill Bennett On Gay Marriage”
I think if you really want to hear Bennett’s arguments you have to do it somewhere besides The Daily Show. Stewart, who I like and find very funny, hardly allows anyone a chance to present a reasoned argument.
The letter written by Mitt Romney to members of the US Senate which argues in favor of the Federal Marriage Amendment. makes a lot more sense to me. In it, he hits on the key issue of the debate:
“Attaching the word marriage to the association of same-sex individuals mistakenly presumes that marriage is principally a matter of adult benefits and adult rights. In fact, marriage is principally about the nurturing and development of children. And the successful development of children is critical to the preservation and success of our nation.
Our society, like all known civilizations in recorded history, has favored the union of a man and a woman with the special designation and benefits of marriage. In this respect, it has elevated the relationship of a legally bound man and woman over other relationships. This recognizes that the ideal setting for nurturing and developing children is a home where there is a mother and a father.”
www1.realclearpolitics.com/ articles/2006/06/the_importance_of_protecting_m.html
As I pointed out to those I talked with when compaigning for California Proposition 22, I have no objection to “Domestic Partners” receiving much the same benefits as offered to Married couples, but would reserve marriage for the relationship of a legally bound man and woman.
Sorry, it’s been well documented that children who come from gay parents turn out to be just as normal as from straight parents.
Here’s another problem. You say “much the same benefits.” Again, we’re talking about granting second class status to people.
Honestly, I don’t know why so many people are against gay marriage. Seriously, why? Because it violates tradition? Well, so did many other civil rights issues during their day.
In any event, thanks for the comment.
Actually David, Stewart just nails people when they utter complete bullshit, unlike regular talk shows that let them ramble on without ever uttering anything close to counter arguments. Those are called one sided talk shows such as, O’Reilly, Hannity&Colmes (Colmes doesn’t factor in), or Limbaugh (when he actually has a guest on , a rare occurance, but always “rigged “debate”. So by actually calling bullshit when it is warranted, throws observers, and the guest for a loop, since that isn’t the normal practice nowadays.
Bill Bennet is a mental lightweight, repugnant, hateful and got his head handed to him as was deserved.
So, uh, when Mitt says that marriage is primarily about the raising and nurturing of children, I accept his definition without question because…?
When we disallow men with vasectomies the ability to get married, then we’ll talk.
Marriage is about a lot more than having children. And I happen to know at least two kids in my wife’s school that are raised by gay parents. They are perfectly well adjusted and perfectly normal.
Gay marriage will become the law of the land in most states in about ten years because the arguments against it just don’t hold water, especially for younger people.
Bill Bennett is a mental lightweight? LOL
Stewart doesn’t “nail” anyone. He is a comedian and the folks who come on his show know that they are not there for a thoughtful discussion of anything important. It is like professional wrestling — everyone knows it is just entertainment — or maybe not considering your comment.
Yes, Bill Bennet is a mental lightweight. He regurgitates the tag lines well yes, but that doesn’t denote intelligence, just good memory. Because anyone knows losing millions gambling isn’t very intelligent. What is intelligent is lying and being claimed as a moral icon of the GOP, while attacking everyone else as you lose millions gambling. No, my bad thats hypocracy.
Normally yes Stewart doesn’t nail anyone, untill someone says something so stupid, he has to. And Bennet couldn’t give an intelligent reply to counter when challenged over his remarks.
Therefore he got smoked by, a comedian.
O’Reilly is like pro wrestling, TDS is more like news that got upset at the “real” news, but has a sense of humor about it as well.
everyone knows the “news” is entertainment– or maybe not, considering your comment.