Obama backs state's same-sex marriage initiative
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President Barack Obama on Thursday threw his support behind ballot measures in Maine, Maryland and Washington state that would legalize same-sex marriage.
Though the president first voiced his general approval for gay marriage in May, he had not previously offered specific endorsements of the three measures.
In each case, the endorsements were issued through the state branches of Obama's re-election campaign.
"While the president does not weigh in on every single ballot measure in every state, the president believes in treating everyone fairly and equally, with dignity and respect," said Paul Bell, the campaign's press secretary in Washington state.
"Washington's same-sex marriage law would treat all Washington couples equally, and that is why the president supports a vote to approve Referendum 74," Bell said.
In Maine, gay-rights supporters put the measure on this year's ballot in hopes of reversing the results of a 2009 referendum in which voters rejected a same-sex marriage law passed by the legislature.
In Maryland and Washington, gay-marriage laws were passed by lawmakers and signed by the governors earlier this year, but opponents collected enough signatures to hold referendums on whether the laws should be upheld or rejected.
Ed Murray, an openly gay state senator in Washington who has been fighting for years to legalize gay marriage, expressed gratitude to Obama.
"When I first began fighting in the legislature for marriage equality ... I would never have dared to dream that a president of the United States would one day step forward at this crucial moment, in the middle of his own close re-election campaign, to offer his support for our efforts," Murray said. "But that is exactly what President Obama done, and it is an example of his courage and leadership."
Murray said his hope was to soon be able to wed his partner of 21 years, and he thanked Obama for "bringing that dream a little closer to reality."
Chip White of Preserve Marriage Washington, which opposes the gay-marriage law, said he was unsurprised by Obama's action.
"Until May of this year, the president's position was that marriage is the union of one man and one woman," White said. "No one called him a bigot or said he was unfair for holding that position. And Washingtonians who believe in the traditional definition of marriage as one man and one woman are not bigots."
If any of the measures are approved, it would be the first time that a state legalized same-sex marriage through a popular vote. Thus far, all 32 states voting on gay marriage have rebuffed it, while the six states that have legalized it did so through legislation or court orders.
In all three states voting on the issue on Nov. 6, the outcome is expected to be close, though the polls up to now have given an edge to gay-marriage supporters.
Though the president first voiced his general approval for gay marriage in May, he had not previously offered specific endorsements of the three measures.
In each case, the endorsements were issued through the state branches of Obama's re-election campaign.
"While the president does not weigh in on every single ballot measure in every state, the president believes in treating everyone fairly and equally, with dignity and respect," said Paul Bell, the campaign's press secretary in Washington state.
"Washington's same-sex marriage law would treat all Washington couples equally, and that is why the president supports a vote to approve Referendum 74," Bell said.
In Maine, gay-rights supporters put the measure on this year's ballot in hopes of reversing the results of a 2009 referendum in which voters rejected a same-sex marriage law passed by the legislature.
In Maryland and Washington, gay-marriage laws were passed by lawmakers and signed by the governors earlier this year, but opponents collected enough signatures to hold referendums on whether the laws should be upheld or rejected.
Ed Murray, an openly gay state senator in Washington who has been fighting for years to legalize gay marriage, expressed gratitude to Obama.
"When I first began fighting in the legislature for marriage equality ... I would never have dared to dream that a president of the United States would one day step forward at this crucial moment, in the middle of his own close re-election campaign, to offer his support for our efforts," Murray said. "But that is exactly what President Obama done, and it is an example of his courage and leadership."
Murray said his hope was to soon be able to wed his partner of 21 years, and he thanked Obama for "bringing that dream a little closer to reality."
Chip White of Preserve Marriage Washington, which opposes the gay-marriage law, said he was unsurprised by Obama's action.
"Until May of this year, the president's position was that marriage is the union of one man and one woman," White said. "No one called him a bigot or said he was unfair for holding that position. And Washingtonians who believe in the traditional definition of marriage as one man and one woman are not bigots."
If any of the measures are approved, it would be the first time that a state legalized same-sex marriage through a popular vote. Thus far, all 32 states voting on gay marriage have rebuffed it, while the six states that have legalized it did so through legislation or court orders.
In all three states voting on the issue on Nov. 6, the outcome is expected to be close, though the polls up to now have given an edge to gay-marriage supporters.
I'm glad I voted for Romney and against same-sex marriage. I am a hard-working middle class citizen who works hard to provide for my family and Mr. Obama has not only not helped me, but has made it hard to do so. With food prices, gas, and insurance costs going up and wages not keeping up with cost of living, I struggle - Mr. Obama has done me no favors in the last four years and we need something new in the next four years. Romney, do not become another Obama, please do not let us down. I didn't take the decision regarding how to vote lightly. I used to be a democrat but I had to vote for what I felt was best for me and my family, as well as this great nation.
@Hotrod First off, Obama doesn't controll the price of gas, the cost of an insurance premium, or wages keeping up with inflation. So you're pointing the finger at the wrong person. As far as voting against same sex marriage, you've managed to ally yourself with the likes of the KKK. They too look at those they feel are different and have decided that those differences are enough to warrent punishment and sanctioning. Think of the battle for marriage equality like this, if the state can't legally discriminate against gay people by denying them the right to obtain a driver's or business license based solely on their sexual orientation, then why should it be legal to deny them a marriage license?
 @hotrod:Â
".... Â With food prices, gas, and insurance costs going up and wages not keeping up with cost of living, I struggle ...."
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Yet, those things you listed - food, gas, insurance & wages - NONE of them are under the direct control of Obama, or even Congress.
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Food prices are "set" by what the market will bear (isn't that what republicans are always claiming that's the way it's supposed to be, whatever the highest price is that a producer can get & still sell their product is "fair"?)
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Gas prices are controlled by the cost of crude on the world markets & OPEC, as well as the petrolium companies & their refineries. I always wonder why, if we have refineries right here in western Washington, our gas is always the most expensive in the nation, or the MINUTE any sort of problem occurs at any refinary nationwide, gas prices automatically spike. We are paying at the pump for the gas that was already delivered - so why jack the prices up on the stuff based on what the future prices may be?.
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Insurance rates rose much more quickly & steeply under shrub than under Obama - not that the President OR Congress has any control on them at all. In fact, one of the important sections in the ACA is that insurnce companies are no longer BY LAW allowed to make 30+% profits - they are limitede, and any amount over & above the allowed profit is mandatede to be returned to consumers as refunds and/or reduced premiums.
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Obama has no control over wages, and Congress has very little outside of passing the federal minimum wage laws. Employers will only pay the bare minimum to hire a person, not a penny more. How is that Obama's fault?
Only ten countries in the world accept same sex marriage and the only two large ones are Spain & Canada! I guess we are tryin to be progressive like Iceland and Argentina?
@middleman Wow, your grasp of geography is astounding.
Obama is only say this is because he's looking for more votes. He's scared he may lose the raise. Reject R74 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. Leviticus 20:13
Obama AND Romney are going to say whatever they think the SHEEP want to hear in this final stretch whether they mean it or not. What's going to make the difference, is people who do their homework, and make RATIONAL choices based on FACT and not political party affiliation. Unfortunately, on THIS forum, you mostly see the two blind sides, arguing in braille from the safety of their computer keyboards. THIS election should be interesting, and the aftermath? Even MORE so.
Wonder if Big "O" would support polygamy in Utah to get the Mormon vote?
@Controlled-Insanity You''ve got a great point. Polygamy should also be legal provided that all parties are aware of each other and that they all grant their consent. However, THAT IS NOT WHAT IS BEING VOTED ON. Let's keep things simple and focused on the subject. We are not voting on people marrying animals or inanimate objects. We are not voting on polygamy. We are not voting on incest. We are not voting on pedophelia. This is a vote for same sex marriage. This is a vote for civil rights. Use your head, not your imagination or paranoia when debating the topic.
 @what? fa·ce·tiousâ â[fuh-see-shuhs] Show IPA adjective 1. not meant to be taken seriously or literally: a facetious remark. 2. amusing; humorous. 3. lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous: a facetious person.
Go Obama Go Obama!!!! Â Â
I bet Obama would back beastieality if he thought it would secure him votes!
 @wynooheeman How is that different from any other politician?
@chuckh0308 @wynooheeman It's not.
 @wynooheeman Na... Bestiality is a republican thing.Â
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Did one die in this state after getting a horse to do him doggy style? Â Â
@Andrew Bush no that would have been a elephant if it was a republican that guy that died did with the democrats mascot.
@wynooheeman Hey man, what you do in your spare time is not only illegal, but wrong on so many levels. You can love your pets, you just can't LOOOOVE your pets.
 @wynooheeman what a pleasant sort you are
Did you also know Ross Perot endorsed Romney......is that news KOMO? I don't think you even mentioned that anywhere, did you?
 @raydawg no one cares about Romney anymore.  Even his own staff knows its a lost cause.Â
 @Andrew Bush  @raydawg You are going to be one sick puppy.... I mean more than you are now even, pretty funny, thanks for the laughs dude!
I doubt this issue is important to Obama. Â It's the roll he must play. Â He's every bit beholden to the oligarchs as any Republican. Â Just look at who his appointments have been.
These hot-button issues have us dividing into the two phony political parties.
@cheekygesturton LOVE your comment!
Yeah fine KOMO, great dig, I can understand why this is news that needs a headline, but could you also headline some Libya movie terrorist info, or hey, lets say Gallup poll numbers, and stuff kinda like that????Â
@raydawg Do you mean the Gallup poll numbers that have Obama leading Romeny 48% to 47%?
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http://www.gallup.com/poll/150743/obama-romney.aspx
@Justaguy you mean this one? http://www.gallup.com/poll/157817/election-2012-likely-voters-trial-heat-obama-romney.aspx or how how about this one? http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll.
@raydawg heck no Koma news is a sleep when it comes to the emperor has no clothes! They can't report the numbers that Obama is losing and Libya and how he held back the Military while the ambassador screamed for help! No can't run those stories.
Let the voters vote GLBT have not won nothing but what they alreay have and that is every thing but the redefinition.
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32 states have sent this same thing to the voters and 32 times the morality of the people have shot it down in flames.
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 3.2% of the population does not a majority make.
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Obama does not define marriage. I thought he insisted he was christian (small "c")
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Remember where all liars will be going.
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Revelation 21:8But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.â
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Christ defined marriage once forever and it ain't two men.
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He created it and no man not even the president of the un has the authority to redifine it.
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Matthew 19:3-6
3Â The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, âIs it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?â
4Â And He answered and said to them, âHave you not read that He who made[a] them at the beginning âmade them male and female,â 5Â and said, âFor this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one fleshâ?6Â So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.â
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God's judgment it come to this wicked rebellious nation. REPENT!
 @mark:Â
But what of those who do not believe in your christ? What of those who are of other faiths, or no faith at all?
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Marriage has had MANY "definitions" throughout time. YOUR religious view of it is simply your opinion - not everybody's. AND, he diud not create it as you & so many other religious people claim - the pharoahs were around LLONG before christ, and the ancient egyptions had marriages - history has proven this. So your *claim* that christ invented it is just a lie.
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The United States is NOT a theocracy, so religious views & interpretations are NOT the law of the land.
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I Look forward to waking up on November 7th, and knowing that FINALLY there is equality for ALL people in the state of Washington.
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@Mark Way to go Mark!
@Mark Blah blah blah blah....
The bible was plagarized from other cultural religions from the region.The similarities to previous myths and religious beliefs is astounding to say the least! All religions build on each other, incorporate each other's myths and rituals, and rename them. Before Christianity people celebrated the winter solstice. Christians took the celebration, including the tree, and reinvented it as the birth of Jesus.The stories of the Bible (both OT and NT) were told and re-told verbally for decades or hundreds of years prior to being written down, revised, improved, and edited. Such stories take on a character of wonder and exaggeration drawn from the past experiences and stories heard by all the many tellers. Now I'm really sick of hearing about your GOD, the GOD that is compelled to judge me! This is my GOD! MY GOD WANTED TO KNOW WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO BE GAY, BLACK, ASIAN, MIXED RACE, BLIND, DEAF, DUMB, A LEAF, A RAIN DROP, A FEMALE, A MALE, AN EARTHQUAKE, A STAR, A GALAXY, A BLADE OF GRASS. MY GOD IS NOT SOMETHING I WAIT TO DIE FOR AND MY LIFE IS THEN JUDGED. MY GOD IS LIFE ITSELF! MY GOD WANTED TO EXPERIENCE ITSELF OUTSIDE ITSELF SO IT CREATED THE 'THIS' AND THE 'THAT' - MY GOD WANTED TO EXPERIENCE ITSELF PERIOD! The energy inside you and inside everything is the SAME thing and what do you think that energy is? TO ME IT'S GOD. The âselfâ is the epitome of arrogance. Lets see if âyouâ can do any of the following : Stop thinking. Stop experiencing sadness forever. Make your heart stop beating (by sending a command). Control your digestion. Pick which cells are going to be broken down by enzymes. Regulate the electrical signals sent to the brain. Control the pace at which your hair grows. Close the valves in your veins as blood flows through. Now control all the skepticism and doubting that might arise from reading this post. Go ahead and control every single thought and emotion in this moment. What else can âyouâ do ? In fact, what can the âselfâ actually do ? Nothing. Look at how the âyouâ isnât really in charge. Thereâs just a thought that claims it is running the show. Really, just look and see. âYouâ donât control or create any of these processes. âYouâ are not the cause of these processes. âYouâ donât do anything at all. There is no âyouâ. The âselfâ is just a concept attached to what is. It is the tag that claims to create and control what is already there. The âselfâ is an illusion. It is an incredibly arrogant illusion.
above comment is for Mark
 @Mark Praise Gay Jesus. Â
Jesus may have been Gay at first but according to a resently translated new found Gospel, He had at least two wives.
You only have yourself to blame , Mark. If you christians weren't so slack in your Godly duties of stoning, torturing, hanging, bludgeoning, etc. of the homosexuals and other abominable sinners, we wouldn't have this problem , now would we.
Since you don't obey God's commands to pluck out the abominations from society like Jesus wants, Mark, then you are a coward. And you are the one who quoted Rev. 21:8 and cowards are first on the list. Sorry Mark, but you are going to fry. Sad, really.
 @orcasthunder:Â
Perhaps we can alkl chip in & reserve a spot for him with this link:
Â
http://atickettohell.com/home/
 @DrAmerika Forget the link, it's busted...
 @DrAmerika "Sorry Mark, but you are going to fry."
Sigh...that's going to put Hades real estate prices in the pits...
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hellhappens.com/hell-lake.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hellhappens.com/pictures-of-hell.htm&h=360&w=480&sz=56&tbnid=MLY-IYwlvBE_oM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=120&zoom=1&usg=__9DARB1bLzlsOHv-FsQJ81xMP1OM=&docid=6EzeEF4H5xWOTM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=dyaKUJKxO8X5igKmt4CYDw&ved=0CGoQ9QEwDA&dur=6436
Mark is a hypocrite and a coward. Both of which get thrown in the lake of fire. Sadly, he doesn't realize it. That makes it even more sad. Christians just don't have it when it comes to getting rid of abominations. At least the Muslims still engage in lopping off the sinners heads and other body parts. Marks descent on the road to Hell is quite sad, but the Bible does say in the last days there will come false prophets and hypocrite cowards. All we can do is pray, I guess.
 @DrAmerika That's sad........
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Oh well, Â Burn baby burn. Â Â (EVIL LAUGH)Â
 @Mark Please Mark get some help.... Jesus Christ didn't want you or your pals to continue pounding others over the head with his word.... Remember you're not the savoir! Plant the seed and move on... (jeepers) :(
This comment has been deleted
 @Mark  Repent of your false god  first. Â
You are a lost soul that does not know the true Jesus nor do you know his eternal Word. You support what Jesus condemned gay marrige and stand against Him who you say you follow. I say by your own statements you are a hypocrite of the worst kind. One that comfesses Christ with your lips but your heart does not know him and denies His truth.
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I condemn no one read the scripture.
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John 3:18âHe who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
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God's will is that they be WARNED and this is done simply by His WORD in scripture.
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Repent of your false god and be saved
@Funky-Munky
 There is a special place in hell for such extremists and it is run by gays : )~  Â
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And you thought TSA was intrusive....Â
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 @Mark Really? You know my personal walk with my heavenly father? Good grief Mark I am Baptized, professed my faith and continue my walk with him daily. You're overreaching and are desperate to condemn others to Hell. That's truly sad.
Is this similar to how Obama said he would tell the Federal Government to back off Medical Marijuana? I dunno... A little too late for support.... GLBT rights will and have pretty much won! whatever.
Whether he supports the cause or not is irrelevant as he is not a registered voter in Washington state.
Nice to hear he supports gays, too bad he does not support the rest of this country. Â I guess he supports what ever gets him a few more votes. Â Too little too late.
@Knoitall Gay people are people too and they deserve every right and benefit you or anyone else has access to. Think of it this way, if gay people can't be barred from obtaining a driver's or business license based solely on their sexual orientation, then they shouldn't be banned from obtaining a marriage license.