Depends What The Meaning Of “Spouse” Is
Tammy Baldwin, the only openly gay woman in congress married her girlfriend in 1998, but that’s not good enough for the Pentagon, which wouldn’t allow Baldwin’s partner, Lauren Azar, to travel with her without approval from the House speaker. Baldwin’s home state, Wisconsin, doesn’t recognize gay marriage.
According to Politico:
The main issue with Baldwin’s trip concerns the definition of the term “spouse.”
So our taxpayer dollars are at work diddling over whether Tammy Baldwin should be allowed to bring someone she married with her on a trip, but because that someone is the same gender there must be a jumping through of hoops. When will we be mature enough as a country not to get caught up in whether a spouse is of the same or a different gender?
Probably never, as long as Fox Snooze is free to make an issue of piddly shit like this! We have 4011 dead in Iraq today and they’re worried about someone’s sexual preference? Only in America!!
April 1st, 2008 at 2:09 pm
This is not Fox News being worried about someone’s sexual preference, it’s the Pentagon doing it; and me, Alan, relaying it, based on a story on politico.com. This has nothing to do with Fox News.
April 1st, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Well, lately, it seems like the answer to a great many things is “it’s generational,” so all you can do is wait it out.
Frankly, I think marriage should be left to the churches, and if you’re going to get licensed by the government to join the assets of two people into a single legal entity then that should be called a civil union, regardless of what gender the parties might be.
April 1st, 2008 at 3:58 pm
That’s an interesting take, RC. Next to that, I’m for telling the religious right to shove it.
As for Annie, well, I can’t think of anything to say that’s not smarmy.
April 1st, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Is she related to Alex? Get him on the phone with the Pentagon.
April 1st, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Sorry, Aleck, whatever.
April 1st, 2008 at 4:39 pm
If her home state does not recognize the marriage and neither does the Fed then what’s the issue? She’s NOT married and has NO spouse. What part of that is so difficult to understand?
If I get elected to Congress can I bring along a friend on the taxpayer’s dime as well??
I agree with RC though, government needs to establish civil unions for legal purposes and leave “marriage” to religious institutions.
April 1st, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Part of the problem is tammy is from wisconsin, up there Allen they sometimes get confused who a love partner should be? just be thankful its not a farm animal. as far as jumping through hoops? is that anything like government Red Tape?????
better her then me
April 1st, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Civil union between same sex couples is long over due. If other representatives are aloud to bring their spouse/”companion” then so should Tammy. This issue is getting really boring!
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:21 am