Maher's New Rules - Same Sex Marriage

[Onibubba]

Since we've been talking about this, I wanted to post Bill Maher's take on it. I do not always agree with everything he says - He can be overly confrontational. But he mirrors my fellings on the subject pretty well this time. Enjoy!

BILL MAHER
Valentine's Day, that great state holiday
By Bill Maher, 2/14/2004

NEW RULE: You can't claim you're the party of smaller government, and then clamor to make laws about love. If there's one area I don't want the US government to add to its list of screw-ups, it's love.

On the occasion of this Valentine's Day, let's stop and ask ourselves: What business is it of the state how consenting adults choose to pair off, share expenses, and eventually stop having sex with each other?

And why does the Bush administration want a constitutional amendment about weddings? Hey, birthdays are important, too -- why not include them in the great document? Let's make a law that
gay people can have birthdays, but straight people get more cake -- you know, to send the right message to kids.

Republicans are always saying we should privatize things, like schools, prison, Social Security -- OK, so how about we privatize privacy? If the government forbids gay men from tying the knot,
what's their alternative? They can't all marry Liza Minnelli.

Republicans used to be the party that opposed social engineering, but now they push programs to outlaw marriage for some people, and encourage it for others. If you're straight, there's a
billion-five in the budget to encourage and promote marriage -- including seed money to pay an old Jewish woman to call up people at random and say "So why aren't you married, Mr. Big
Shot?"

But when it comes to homosexuals, Republicans sing "I Love You Just the Way You Oughta Be." They oppose gay marriage because it threatens or mocks -- or does something -- to the "sanctity of
marriage," as if anything you can do drunk out of your mind in front of an Elvis impersonator in Las Vegas could be considered sacred. Half the people who pledge eternal love are doing it because one of them is either knocked-up, rich or desperate, but in George Bush's mind, marriage is only a beautiful lifetime bond of love and
sharing -- kind of like what his Dad has with the Saudis.

But at least the right wing aren't hypocrites on this issue -- they really believe that homosexuality, because it says so in the Bible,
is an "abomination" and a "dysfunction" that's "curable": they believe that if a gay man just devotes his life to Jesus, he'll stop being gay -- because the theory worked out so well with the
Catholic priests.

But the greater shame in this story goes to the Democrats, because they don't believe homosexuality is an "abomination," and therefore their refusal to endorse gay marriage is a hypocrisy. The right are true believers, but the Democrats are merely pretending that they believe gays are not entitled to the same state-sanctioned misery as the rest of us. The Democrats' position doesn't come from the Bible, it's ripped right from the latest poll, which says that most Americans are against gay marriage.

Well, you know what: Sometimes "most Americans" are wrong. Where's the Democrat who will stand up and go beyond the half measures of "civil union" and "hate the sin, love the sinner," and say loud and clear: `There IS no sin, and homosexuality is NOT an abomination' -- although that Boy George musical Rosie O'Donnell put on comes close. The only thing abominable about being gay is the amount of time you have to put in at the gym.

But that aside, the law in this country should reflect that some people are just born 100 percent outrageously, fabulously, undeniably Fire Island gay, and that they don't need re-programming. They need a man with a slow hand.

Happy Valentine's Day everybody!

Bill Maher is host of "Real Time with Bill Maher."

[necrosynthesis]

I hearby nominate Bill Mahar for president. I sometimes can't believe that we're still hung up on issues like this in *2004.* How assbackwards is it that in a world seemingly full of hatred, it is nearly outlawed to make a declaration of LOVE? Priorities, people.

[FalseAbsolution]

I agree with that statement... It is none of our buisiness what someone does behind closed doors or who they do... unless they say we can watch... and I think that Love matters... if a same sex couple is in love then more power to them.

I esspecially love the comment: "What business of the state how consenting adults choose to pair off, share expenses, and eventually stop having sex with each other?"

Here recently i've been compairing the US to the Roman Empire towards the end of it's course... I mean America has become Fat and Lazy on the average, that itself is one major thing, then just compair how the two began to crumble and fall....

I'm waiting for nudity to become more acceptable... i'm waiting fondly for that because as art it is truely a wonderful thing... not because it's nudity just how they looked upon it as being a perfect being. I'm a huge fan of art, music, and just very appreciative of beauty... I myself think that the female body is one of the most beautiful things in the world... and truely wonderous

But how many others can see the similarity of the Roman Empire and The US?

[Onibubba]

But how many others can see the similarity of the Roman Empire and The US?

Well, at least one comedian, Eddie Izzard, can. He has used the comparison in several of his routines. I certainly see the comparison, and we've been around for a much shorter period. Our Empire though is one built on the power of capitalism and media versus the power of occupation. Not that I condone capitalism, or any ism for that matter. Ism's in my opinion are not good. A person should not believe in an ism, he should believe in himself. To quote John Lennon, "I don't believe in The Beatles, I just believe in me." Good point there. After all, he was the walrus. I could be the walrus, but I'd still have to bum rides off of people.

But here's one for you: The guys I work with compare the US of today to the fall of the Roman Empire BECAUSE of the promotion of lost morality and "gays." Wha-wha- whaaat? Excuse me? Do you mean Rome fell because the people were too busy being catty at one another for their poor taste in togas as opposed to, say, an Empire being stretched too thin and a bloodline worn out by incest?

[lovechild]

i agree with mr. clock....whats wrong with showing your love?

[Hardcoregirl]

Yeah..I generally always agree with Bill.

Bil Hicks had lots right too, as does Eddie Izzard.

What a great triumvirate that would have been...lol.

[FalseAbsolution]

I compair the US to the Romans because of the Laziness of both.. romans got fat and lazy and the US is doing the same... that's my two cents.. i'm guilty as well...

[Lady Shaper]

Maybe it will all work out. Not soon enough mind you. 34 yearrs ago, my marriage would have been illegal.

[The Fallen]

But when it comes to homosexuals, Republicans sing "I Love You Just the Way You Oughta Be." They oppose gay marriage because it threatens or mocks -- or does something -- to the "sanctity of marriage,"

Not like certain pop stars threaten or mock the "sanctity of marriage" *CoughSluttneySpearmeCough*