Gillibrand And Schumer Call On State Senate To Vote For Marriage Equality

Good (4.00 / 2)

Very good.

Now it is up to the 62 New York State Senators to put politics aside and do the right thing.

Equal rights for every American.

Peace,

Andrew

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by: Andrew C. White @ Wed May 20, 2009 at 13:56:19 PM CDT

Gillibrand & Schumer & Marriage Equality (4.00 / 1)

How wonderful to have two US Senators who aren't afraid to show up and show some real leadership when the chips are down.  New Yorkers are very fortunate to  have a team like this in the US Senate - let's hope that the State Senate is able to deliver on this promise of true human rights for all New Yorkers, in keeping with our states long and proud history of progressive political leadership.
Many thanks!
Judith Hope

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by: pencequince @ Wed May 20, 2009 at 14:10:09 PM CDT

Exellent! (0.00 / 1)

Wouldn't it be great if the two wonderful New York Senators allowed a primary for the junior Senator's seat?

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.  That would allow the people they repersent to exercise their right to choose who the people want to represent their party.

Primaries baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad.

Protecting "our" power, gooooooooooooooooooood.

Apologies for the sarcasm above.  I do agree the State Senate should on Marriage Equality with or without the urging of New York Senators.  Perhaps if the State Senate shows some backbone by holding a vote and letting the chips fall where they may, our esteemed New York Senators might hold themselves (via primaries) to the same standards they wish for the New York State Senate.

D.

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by: didactic @ Wed May 20, 2009 at 14:38:35 PM CDT

Primary (4.00 / 3)

No one is stopping them from mounting a primary. Behind the scenes "influencing" has been a part of politics since the beginning of time--this is not news.

As far as the letter above--bravo. It's about time NY stepped forward, after even Iowa has taken the lead on true civil rights. Let's see if the State Senators do the right thing.

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by: fran20 @ Wed May 20, 2009 at 18:52:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Way to go Senators! (4.00 / 1)

Thank you.

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by: UpstateAlan @ Wed May 20, 2009 at 21:55:59 PM CDT

Don't stop pushing (4.00 / 1)

Here in northwest Queens, Senator Onorato has made it clear he has no intention of voting for marriage equality.  His office refuses to schedule constituent meetings -- they scheduled one, at which Sen. Onorato said the district opposes marriage equality; since then, they won't schedule other constituent meetings.

Meanwhile, constituents are calling and e-mailing in droves.  Flyering and visibility events are very heartening; anecdotal evidence indicates that for every person who opposes equality there are many who favor it.

Of course, this is taking a toll on Sen. Onorato's staff.  At least one person who called the district office was told to call the Albany office; and upon calling the Albany office, he was told to call the district office.

Senator Onorato is not a bad person.  In his heart, he believes that he believes in equality under the law.  Unfortunately, it seems that he soaked up his prejudice with his mother's milk, and just can't manage to purge it from his system.  Our best hope with him is that he'll see what Maine's Governor Baldacci and Long Island Republican Assemblymember Fred Thiele came to understand -- that civil marriage is the only route to equality.

This, I believe, is the key to winning.  We have to understand that most people who oppose marriage equality don't fully understand the true nature of the situation, and many of them don't want to be educated, taking refuge in the comfort of ignorance.

With ordinary citizens, the tactic is to wish those people a good day and move on.  In time, they will fade away, to be replaced by people who know better.  With elected officials, the tactic is to keep the gentle pressure on to learn the truth and make the right decision.

It is our hope that by keeping the pressure on Sen. Onorato will learn in time.  Perhaps Sens. Huntley, Kruger, Stachowski and Valesky -- not mention a few Republicans -- can learn this lesson in time too.  We're going to need them.

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by: Dan Jacoby @ Thu May 21, 2009 at 07:52:41 AM CDT

Good for them. (4.00 / 1)

I still don't expect the State Senate to do the right thing here, but having our Senators on the record is a fine thing.

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by: Adama @ Thu May 21, 2009 at 10:05:16 AM CDT