Abercrombie: Gay Rights Trump Will of the People

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According to retired Congressman Neil Abercrombie, long time advocate for gay marriage,  “moral authority” should be the exclusive realm of the gay minority and state legislature.  The general public is of little concern to him and their “religious” views make their opinions illegitimate anyway.

On the heels of the last-minute vote on Civil Unions (Bill 444) last week, Abercrombie addressed a zealous gaggle of Progressive Democrats at this weekend’s Oahu County Democratic convention:

“It is an opportunity for us to state our values,” he said before his speech. “There is a tendency for people who are upset about the bill to claim an exclusive authority based on their religious persuasion.” (Neil Abercrombie, Star Bulletin 5/2/10)

Abercrombie completely ignores the fact that in 1998 70% of the voters, regardless of their “religious persuasion”, opposed gay marriage, and stated their values loud and clear.  A vast majority of people can claim “exclusive authority”…it’s called democracy, Neil.  The last minute shenanigans at the state legislature to revive Bill 444 was not “democracy,” but more the cynical, secretive maneuvering of special interests and their allies.

Neil’s speech continued with his “finger pointing” posturing that he reserves for his most hypocritical tirades:

“I think you have to be a little careful, especially in Hawaii, claiming exclusive moral authority (Star Bulletin 5/2/10)” said Abercrombie, claiming exclusive moral authority.

Abercrombie’s pro-gay marriage stance wasn’t always so firm.  In 1998 when he debated Gene Ward during that year’s congressional election he clearly equivocated.  According to the Star Bulletin:

“Ward accused Abercrombie of being in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage because he voted against the Defense of Marriage Act, which Congress passed and President Clinton signed into law.”

“Abercrombie replied that he voted against DOMA because he is not in favor of federalizing marriage laws. It has been well publicized, Abercrombie added, that he is voting “yes” on the proposed constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.“

But, by 2009 Neil had more boldly unfurled his rainbow banner, co-sponsored H.R.3567 to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, and once again opened the door for gay marriage.  From the Hawai`i Free Press:

“Co-sponsored by Rep Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) and Rep Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and their comrades in the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Rep Jerrold Nadler, September 15, introduced H.R. 3567, a bill that would repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).”

“DOMA, signed into law by President Bill Clinton, states that: “The federal government defines marriage as a legal union exclusively between one man and one woman.”  DOMA further prohibits states from being forced to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.”

Hawaii's policy on gay marriage should be decided by popular vote, not the machinations of self-appointed moral "authorities."

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