Well, I can’t say I’m too surprised. Governor Schwarzenegger (damn, had to cut and paste that booger) vetoed the legislature-passed gay marriage bill in California today.
I am glad that as a Republican he spoke out in favor of domestic partnerships and protections under the law. I must say that I respect his decision, though I strongly disagree with it. He believes a decision such as this should be decided by the courts (which fundies would call ‘activist judges’) or the people.
He has a good point, but the simple truth is that courageous leaders enforce civil rights of minorities onto the unwilling majority. It’s happened repeatedly through the past. Once a significant majority of the public support something sufficiently to sign petitions, vote in favor of it, etc. it’s way overdue. How long would it have taken the rights of women and African Americans to come as far as they have if judges and elected representatives had not gone against the popular will?
Citing Prop. 22, Gov. Rejects Gay Marriage Bill - Los Angeles Times
I don’t respect his opinion on this at all. You already said it, in a way, which is that the rights of minorities should not be determined by the majority. He’s losing popularity and his biggest supporters are against the law. It was an easy decision for him to make - he couldn’t wait to veto it.
September 8, 2005 @ 4:01 pm