Canada - The True Home of Freedom!

[Bester]

Thank god that as the US slides into facism, that our neighbors to the north will continue to carry the torch for freedom and human rights.

Saskatchewan Becomes 7th Canadian Jurisdiction To Allow Same-Sex Marriage

Author: The Associated Press Source: Tampa Bay Online (FL)

Title: SASKATCHEWAN BECOMES SEVENTH CANADIAN JURISDICTION TO ALLOW SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

A Saskatchewan court ruling Friday made the Canadian prairie province the country's seventh jurisdiction to allow homosexuals to wed.

Justice Donna Wilson sided with courts in five other provinces and one territory, saying existing marriage laws discriminate against gay couples and were unconstitutional.

The Saskatchewan ruling came after five gay couples went to court seeking the right to wed. At least one couple have said they plan to say their vows as early as this weekend.

Courts in Quebec, British Columbia, Ontario, the Yukon, Manitoba and Nova Scotia have already ruled in the same way.


Additional Article Link: [Click HERE]

Full thread : http://www.witchvox.com/wren/wn_detaila.html?offset=10&id=11454


BTW- Kaith, I hate you. You got me linked on that site. The Dave Berry archives are killing my work flow! :wavey:

 

[raedyn]

From Canada's Charter of rights and freedoms (a part of our constitution)

Equality Rights
EQUALITY BEFORE AND UNDER LAW AND EQUAL PROTECTION AND BENEFIT OF LAW / Affirmative action programs.


15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

The words sexual orientation were added in 1996. So equal rights for gay and lesbian people have been entrenched in our consitution for eight years now, but the federal government has yet to take any action towards amending laws that discriminate. Gay people have had to take everything to the courts - marriage, spousal benefits, adoption, inheritance rights. And not only that, the feds have opposed many of the cases. I think that's shameful. But the government hasn't been winning. Now that it's in the constitution, I don't think they have a real strong case in court.

Now 85% of the Canadian population lives in jurisdictions that will issue marriage licences to same sex couples.

 

[Bester]

Wow. A country that uses its Constitution to grant rights, and enrich their citizens lives.

Man, I feel sorry for you...All that freedom and free thinking can not possible be good for a person. That is why we in the US have our government tell us what to think. Makes life so much easier. Opps, have to go. My "food pellet" light just came on, it is eating time. I hope "bathroom time" hurries up.

 

[dmdfromhamilton]

I think that marrage shouldn't be used to do that the law would have to change a dictionary definition therefore legally terms should just be union and should not legally be called marriage for both hetero, and homosexual unions

 

[Sapper6]

so people/countries who let gays get marry, we worship....? got pretty low standards if you ask me :idunno:

 

[rmcrobertson]

...so people/countries that won't let gay people get married, we worship? Pretty low standards, if you ask me.

 

[Sapper6]

actually robert, i didn't post the original post not start this topic so i don't really know where you're coming from. all i saw was a post glamourizing the fact that out neighbors to the north condone homosexual marriage and make it out at "true justice", while at the same time, accusing our own people of being facists. that's what i saw, that's what is posted. i just so happened to reverse the judgment.

yeah, for future reference, lets try and model ourselves after the canadians! tell me again what's made them unique? who's backs are they riding...?

oh yeah...ok

 

[michaeledward]

yeah, for future reference, lets try and model ourselves after the canadians! tell me again what's made them unique?

T h e i r _ C o n s t i t u t i o n _ p r o t e c t s _ t h e _ r i g h t s _ of _ g a y _ c i t i z e n s.
E v e n _ t o _ t h e _ p o i n t _ o f _ a l l o w i n g _ g a y _ c o u p l e s _ t h e _ s a m e _ m a r r i a g e _ r i g h t s _ a s _ s t r a i g h t _ c o u p l e s.


Got it?

 

[Bester]

I take a little vacation, come back, and find I have 3 reps for this thread, which I started back in November. 2 nice people who signed theirs, and one anonymous homophobe. Oh well.

The US Constitution has traditionally been a document that with I think 1 exception, granted rights. The right to vote, the right of freedom, right of defense, etc.

In this case, the Canadian Constitution grants the right of marriage to a group that in the US is discriminated against, and is facing legislation which will legalize that discrimination.

But, hey, all you 'homophobes', lets not stop there.
Maybe in the US, once we write into our Constitution the anti-gay stuff, we can add the following:
- Marrage is only for Christians and Jews. Remember, We're a Christian nation, but must keep Isreal happy too. Screw those 'pagans', muslems (remember they are all terorists anyway), Buddists (whats up with the fat guy?), etc.
- Marrage is only for same-race.
- Marrage is only for people making over $25,000 a year.
- Hollywood stars who have been maried more than 10 times are now 'enemys of the state' as they have violated the 'sanctity of marrage'.

I mean, if we're going to legalize discrimination, lets really make it count.

Lets return marriage to what it was all originally about.
- Power, property and heredity.

Please, ding me some more!
Oooh! Ding me baby, do the "Dingy Dance"
:rofl:

 

[kenpo tiger]

Bester,

I think you're missing the point here - that it's simply another way of ensuring citizen's rights.

Do you always agree with the choice of people elected to political office? No, but it's the right of the citizens to choose who will govern.

Similarly:
Are we told who we can marry? No.
Are we told which religion to practice? No.

Is it so terrible that two people love each other enough to want to legalize their union -- if only for the tax implications. Does it matter if they are the same sex? Maybe to them, but why should it bother you if they don't impinge upon your right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

Should gay couples be allowed to adopt and raise children? Technically, that's none of your business, either, since no one tells you how many children to have, nor how to raise them.

It's about giving everyone the same chance. Is that such a bad thing?

PS - no dings from me. You're entitled to your opinion.

 

[Bester]

How is -denying- the rights and responsibilities of marriage to a particular group ensuring their rights?

The Canadians said "You have the right to all the joys and headaches"

In the US, gays are discriminated against when it comes to marriage, family, adoption, employment, etc.

As to gays doing it for tax reasons, sure, they will. But it's not like 'straights' haven't done it either.

As to if it effects me.....does it matter?

 

[kenpo tiger]

<snip>
As to if it effects me.....does it matter?

Precisely.

 

[Sapper6]

T h e i r _ C o n s t i t u t i o n _ p r o t e c t s _ t h e _ r i g h t s _ of _ g a y _ c i t i z e n s.
E v e n _ t o _ t h e _ p o i n t _ o f _ a l l o w i n g _ g a y _ c o u p l e s _ t h e _ s a m e _ m a r r i a g e _ r i g h t s _ a s _ s t r a i g h t _ c o u p l e s.


Got it?

uuhhh yeah...i do artyon:

thanks for thinking i was so dumb you felt the need to spell it out for me. it's a shame when you must resort to such a tactic. i don't agree with you so you attack my perception and intelligence...? grow up :2xBird2:

of course i guess this means if we don't feel homos should marry, we are idiots.

 

[michaeledward]

uuhhh yeah...i do

thanks for thinking i was so dumb you felt the need to spell it out for me. it's a shame when you must resort to such a tactic. i don't agree with you so you attack my perception and intelligence...? grow up

of course i guess this means if we don't feel homos should marry, we are idiots.

Strange.

I answer your question and you perceive a personal attack.

You make a condescending and silly statement. It is returned in kind. And you are surprised?

If I was attacking anything, it was your bigotry, not your perception or intelligence.

Tell me again why Canadians are less than Americans?

 

[Bester]

Gentlemen, (or ladies...board names are so confusing)

Lets try to keep this one a bit more civil than the usual.

Sapper is entitled to his opinion, as are we all. I disagree with what I see to be his position, but then we both have that right.


My position:
Canada has taken the superior position in granting basic human rights, while the United States is seeking to limit those same rights, as well as legalize discrimination.

Gentlemen, let us have a good old fashioned debate on this. Please, state your position. Then, let us leave the 'barbs' aside and focus on facts.

- I may be on irregularly. My employer is getting pickier about net at work.




Or, we can call each other names, and resort to the traditional mother insults. :wavey:

 

[kenpo tiger]

Gentlemen, (or ladies...board names are so confusing)

<snip>
Or, we can call each other names, and resort to the traditional mother insults. :wavey:

MichaelEdward is merely making a counterpoint to your point. He's really very gentle most of the time. Just don't confuse him with MisterMike. Then they both get testy.:idunno:

As to insults, this is nothing. Cruise some of the older threads, especially those on religious topics.

 

[Sapper6]

Strange.

I answer your question and you perceive a personal attack.

You make a condescending and silly statement. It is returned in kind. And you are surprised?

If I was attacking anything, it was your bigotry, not your perception or intelligence.

Tell me again why Canadians are less than Americans?

thanks for putting the extra spaces in between the letters. that's the only way i could have understood what the original thought was

my bigotry...?

having a different understanding of the way things are supposed to be is bigotry...? i guess so. i guess i'll have to call my parents, and grandparents, and their parents, and their parents and them they're all *****ing idiots. WTF were we all thinking...? listen man, it's called heritage. it's what i believe in. to each his own. if that makes me a bigot, so be it.

you love canada so much...? and of course all the "other" liberal folks who dispise the current administration so much, whatever happened to so many of you flocking to Canada...? change of heart...? of course.

if Canada is SO great, why are you still here...? i'm being real serious with that question. do something about it. don't sit back and bash our countrie's government/policies while at the same time practically idolizing the policy that remains to the north. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! WIN A DAMN ELECTION! MOVE TO CANADA! who gives a *****. or...of course make a life of bitching and criticizing things you CAN control but fail to do so...i would have guessed the martial arts would have taught you better.

 

[michaeledward]

Sapper6, I'm curious about what you are arguing now.

1) I made no statements about your parents, or your grandparents.

2) I never made any statements about moving to Canada

3) My beliefs about the current administration are based on their unethical, and perhaps criminal activity, not my liberal politics.

4) In this thread, I did not bash my countries policies. At times, I have made statements about the Bush Administration and its policies, and I will gladly debate them whereever, and whenever you would like.

5) Can you clarify if you think Canadians are 'less' than Americans; as you indicated with this statement:

lets try and model ourselves after the canadians! tell me again what's made them unique? who's backs are they riding...?

Or, if you do not think this, please help me understand what you mean by this statement. Because I do see it as bigotry.





From Merriam Webster Online.

Main Entry: big·ot·ry

Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ries
1 : the state of mind of a bigot
2 : acts or beliefs characteristic of a bigot

Main Entry: big·ot http://javascript<b></b><img src=&q...opWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?bigot001.wav=bigot')
Pronunciation: 'bi-g&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, hypocrite, bigot
: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices


​

 

[shesulsa]

if Canada is SO great, why are you still here...? i'm being real serious with that question. do something about it.

This is the biggest and most popular cop-out I hear from anyone who must discriminate against a sector of the populus they don't understand or are outside of their comfort zone.

don't sit back and bash our countrie's government/policies while at the same time practically idolizing the policy that remains to the north. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Part of being an American means we have the right to examine, dissect, and critique the policies and principles that do and do not and kinda-sorta work. It is a vital part of our process because we are, in comparison to most of the rest of the world, a fledgeling nation.

WIN A DAMN ELECTION! MOVE TO CANADA! who gives a *****. or...of course make a life of bitching and criticizing things you CAN control but fail to do so...i would have guessed the martial arts would have taught you better.

This is really unnecessary and this venom is uncalled for. And it certainly looks like those without a whole lotta money and power don't have a whole lot of control in this country. I wonder what would happen if someone were to remember your post and quote it when someone attacks the so-called liberal media?

 

[ghostdog2]

Don't want a retreat to reason here, but. It seems a bit of an overstatement to say that the U.S. is a fascist state because our Constitution doesn't address same sex marriages and Canada is the new Eden because its constitution does. The devil's in the details, so here goes:
1. Marriage is not a Constitutional right and this is not a Constitutional issue beyond the message in point 4.
2. The states have tradionally legislated/adjudicated the status of their residents
3. The states have tradtionally legislated/adjudicated contracts between their residents
4. The Constitution forbids certain types of discrimination where Civil Rights are concerned but authorizes the powers in pts. 2 and 3
5. Marriage, so far as the law is concerned, is a civil contract. State law determines the enforcability of civil contracts.
6. State legislatures set the rules for status and contract determinations subject to the checks/balances of judicial review
7. State legislatures have almost uniformly defined marriage as a contract between a man and a woman. This is as likely to be a failure of imagination as an intentional slight. But there it is.
8. Change the law in your state if you don't agree with it.
Expanding the Constitution to create new "rights" will require judicial activism unlikely to come from the present S.C. or an amending process that probably won't suceed.
A thought: enter a binding contract giving your partner the equivalent of marital rights, throw a party, call it a Reception and tell everybody you got married. Who'll know? Who'll care?