Response to Rep. Martin

Thanks for asking! My husband & I feel the same on this item. My two sons don't understand the big deal over it. They really don't care who is or isn't gay & think they should be afforded the same rights as men & women.

1. Vote FOR marriage equity.

I'm so happy to hear that God actually speaks to some. However, maybe their ears need a good cleaning? Giving gays marriage rights in no way diminishes me- so let them have their civil rights.

2. No referendum. We'll be overrun in this State with outside groups. It will be low-down & nasty. It may well bring forth hate groups & targeting. This seems to be an easy-out for legislators who don't want to be on record.

3. I'd still vote for full civil marriage rights for gays.

Newport's Rep. Martin Wants Your Opinion

I rec'd this from him today. So let him know!

To my constituents and other friends:

As you might know, the House Committee on the Judiciary recently held a 5+ hour hearing on Marriage Equality.

During that evening we heard testimony from both sides of this issue. In summary:

The opponents express their opinions that it is the 'will of God' that marriage should exist only between one man and one woman. They express their opinions that same sex marriage is a violation of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and a violation of natural law.

The proponents express their opinions that only by granting marriage licenses to couples of the same sex will those people be given their civil rights. When offered a compromise of 'Civil Unions', they argue that only through a legally recognized marriage, will they be given all of the rights that heterosexual couples are granted.

I am getting many emails on this subject from people from all over the state. I am sending this email to you because I would like to hear the opinons of my own constituents on this issue.

My questions are:

1. How would you want me to vote on this issue?
2. Do you think that this question should be put before the voters?
3. How do you think that you would vote if it were on the ballot?

I purposefully did not make this a normal 'yes or no' poll because I want to hear your expressed opions on the issue.

Please respond to my email address at rep75@stacyhouse.com.

Thank you for your assistance on this matter.

Rep. Peter Martin
District 75

Sign-Up for Marriage Equality

Show up Tues., April 14, at Newport City Hall: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM to sign their petition.

"For the past three summers, Rick Harris, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers - Rhode Island Chapter (NASW - RI), has been bicycling around New England on behalf of Marriage Equality. He has traveled over 2400 miles, has collected 1445 signatures on a Traveling Proclamation for Civil Marriage, and visited all state houses in New England, as well those in New Jersey and New York. During these travels he has spoken directly to thousands of individuals about the merits of Civil Marriage as a Civil Right.

Harris will ride to several city halls around Rhode Island to solicit signatures and speak to whoever is willing to take a second to talk.

Harris states: “The wonderful thing about America is that basic civil rights are guaranteed. Although it may take a long time, these rights can be won in various ways through court actions, legislatively or by executive order. In Rhode Island, we hope to win marriage equality rights through legislative action. Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa have all gained this basic human right, which ensures that couples who love and respect each other can be married regardless of gender. Rhode Island now recognizes those marriages and it’s just a matter of time before same gender couples will be able to marry in Rhode Island also. This basic human right will be won community by community, state by state, region by region, until all American loving couples, regardless of where they live, will be free to marry.” (MERI)

I've GOT to get me a camera!

Marriage Equality

Okay, I admit it. I took... um... borrowed the pic from www.rifuture.com because I could only get a tiny pic from Projo. How did they do that?

It's an anti-gay marriage rally at the State House held by The National Organization for Marriage today.

Please, allow these people to marry if they wish. It takes nothing from me or my family. Love, marriage, family, only makes my life. It should do the same for gays. God bless the guv & his wife for being so darn perfect. My family isn't. What about yours?

Please don't tell me that this is about marriage only & is not meant to be anti-gay. It is anti-gay no matter how you cut it. Other states & countries have done this. And still... they exist without any dire consequences.

Listen to Projo's video. Well done! Thank you to the fellow in the background with his sign & Pat Crowley whose blog was recently named as one of the most influential in the State. It's no fun sticking out like a sore thumb at a rally like this. Well done!

I'M BA-A-A-CK!

So much news, so little time.

My elective surgery went well at Newport Hospital. Thanks for all the encouraging notes. I heart N.Hosp. Elective surgery ALWAYS sounds better in the abstract than in the reality. So my original problem does seem to have disappeared. But now I am sore & cannot yet stand up straight & no driving. But I only take my painkillers (LOVE THEM) at night. So I am not quite as sleepy or goofy.

I've lost 20 lbs., in 2 or 3 wks., but I don't recommend my diet: first- you have surgery; then you don't feel hungry.

I'll point you to two articles regarding R.I. both are from the NYT: one regarding marriage equality and the other regarding our economic meltdown. Thanks to friends for pointing them out.

Tonight the Middletown Council supposedly meets... unless it doesn't. Some interesting topics- E-Z Pay trash removal program plus "Council President Semonelli and Councillor Bozyan, re: Discussion of ways of insuring public input regarding the preservation, future development or transfer of interest in Second Beach." Uh-oh. Exactly what does this mean? Some background here- thep previous Council tried to transfer all development rights at the Beach to the Land Trust. In other words, we trust ourselves, but those future Councils will likely have dopes on them & do awful things there. And you know, you Can NEVER trust those voters. Like I'm always saying, in this State, it's hard to tell the Dems from the Reps without a score card. Why we should voluntarily give up anything that we ALL own to anyone for zilch, is beyond me.

Oh, & the renewal of drain layers' licenses is also on the agenda. Sorry, I'm entitled to my little jokes. There is also Sylvia's property tax proposal for seniors. Could be lively discussions; especially since Sylvia, Silveira, and Independent VonVillas are on the out's with the Dem. Town Committee (and myself among others) & Republican Santos "In." Go figure. The more things change sometimes, the more they stay the same. But that's a topic for another day. I can't make it to the Council meeting. Anyone else care to report?

I've also been keeping a very interested eye on Newport Council meetings. Ah, the curse & blessing of living in interesting times. Then there's the Lege.

Later.