John Edwards on gay marriage

6. Currently, only Massachusetts recognizes equal marriage rights for same sex couples. Do you believe the civil institution of marriage (with absolutely no requirements imposed on religious institutions) should be made legally available to two committed adults of the same sex?

__Support X Oppose

If you do not believe that civil marriage for same-sex couples should be made available to same-sex couples on the same basis as opposite sex couples, is there any legal construct you do embrace that would extend legal recognition to same sex couples?

Comments :

If a state has taken the steps to recognize same sex couples and their families for purposes of state-based benefits, rights, privileges and responsibilities (such as marriage in Massachusetts and civil unions in Vermont and Connecticut), should the federal government recognize the state's legal recognition of such couples and families for purposes of federal benefits and tax treatment?

X Support __Oppose

Comments: Yes. I believe that couples in committed, long-term relationships should have the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities, whether they are straight couples or same-sex couples. I support civil unions to guarantee gay and lesbian couples the same rights as straight couples, including inheritance rights, hospital visitation rights, equal pension and health care benefits, and all of the 1,100 other legal protections government affords married couples. I support the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act provision that prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex relationships. Gay marriage is an issue I feel internal conflict about and I continue to struggle with it. However, I believe the right president could lead the country toward consensus around equal rights and benefits for all couples in committed, long-term relationships.

If I remember it correctly, Edwards never expressed his personal opinion on marriage equality in the 2004 cycle, only said it should be left to the states. For unknown reasons he decided to express his personal opposition this time, and repeatedly reaffirmed it. To be fair no major candidate is currently for marriage equality, the closest one used to be Clinton's evolving personal opinions, and now we have John Edwards' internal conflict. Let's see how it goes.

Rev. Jerry Falwell dies

The Rev. Jerry Falwell, the folksy, small-town preacher who used the power of television to found the Moral Majority and turn the Christian right into a mighty force in American politics during the Reagan years, died Tuesday at 73.

Falwell was found without a pulse in his office at Liberty University and pronounced dead at a hospital an hour later. Dr. Carl Moore, Falwell's physician, said he had a heart condition and presumably died of a heart rhythm abnormality.

That's it.

Roman Catholic on politics

Although Roman Catholic church generally holds political opinions opposite to mine, I don't always have problem with individual Catholic church goers. My mom is the best example. Somehow I feel like the Pope is trying to make me have more problems with the Catholic individuals.

Pope Benedict XVI began his first papal trip to Latin America stressing church opposition to abortion Wednesday, suggesting that Catholic politicians in Mexico had excommunicated themselves by legalizing abortion in that nation's capital.

Benedict, who will inaugurate an important regional bishops' conference during his trip, also spoke strongly against abortion during his first speech in Brazil. Speaking in Portuguese, he said he's certain that the bishops will reinforce "the promotion of respect for life from the moment of conception until natural death as an integral requirement of human nature."

"Do you agree with the excommunications given to legislators in Mexico City on the question?" a reporter asked.

"Yes," Benedict replied. "The excommunication was not something arbitrary. It is part of the (canon law) code. It is based simply on the principle that the killing of an innocent human child is incompatible with going in Communion with the body of Christ. Thus, they (the bishops) didn't do anything new or anything surprising. Or arbitrary."

My first question is where in the Bible says life starts at fetus? As John Paul Stevens wrote in Roe v. Wade, in no where US Constitution recognizes an unborn fetus as a person with Constitutional rights. Then, even if they believe abortion is not good according to Bible, where is the logical linkage for them to make it illegal for the general public, who may or may not have Catholic faith? I surely have no problem if they give excommunications to those had an abortion, but legalizing it? Should those legalizing saying "Oh my God" be given excommunication too? I thought it's called Third Commandment.

Terrorist act against Sen. Clinton?

It's not very clear what kind of terrorist act is about, but the information so far does look like someone was plotting something.

A 19-year-old Louisiana State University student was being held Friday on $1 million bond, accused of planning an attack against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

State District Judge Mike Erwin set bond after Richard Ryan Wargo of Shreveport was booked with terrorizing, communicating false information of planned arson and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

LSU Police Chief Ricky Adams said Wargo, who is listed on LSU's Web site as a physics major, asked another student if he wanted to join him in committing arson, a "terrorist act" that he described as a "national event."

"He allegedly went on to say it was political and it involved Hillary Clinton," Adams said.

The classmate later learned Clinton had scheduled a Baton Rouge appearance. Police said the student reported Wargo to the university after a second conversation, in which Wargo allegedly made a second remark indicating he planned violence against Clinton.

Officers searched Wargo's dormitory room and found documents that made the classmate's accusations appear credible, Adams said. He declined to give details, but said officers also seized Wargo's computer and marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

I don't know. It sucks that he is a physics major.