If you're on any social media sites, then you'll probably recognize the photo above (from CNN). It is of 80 year old multiple murderer Charles Manson and the sick young 26 year old who wants to marry him. The state of California has already issued the pair a marriage license, and when prison officials get the paperwork done, they be married some time this month. Now I couldn't care less whether these idiots get married (as long as Manson never gets released). That is a California problem. But it did get me to thinking about the screwed-up marriage laws in some states.
Like, for instance, in my own home state -- Texas. Texas also allows convicted and incarcerated criminals to get married -- even murderers living on Death Row. A perfect example is Karla Faye Tucker. Tucker was convicted in 1983 of using a pickaxe to murder a woman (leaving the pickaxe protruding from her chest) and later bragging about getting sexual gratification from that vicious murder. She was given the death penalty. So what happens in 1995? The state of Texas issues her a marriage license and allows her to marry a prison minister.
Now the same state (Texas) that sees nothing wrong with allowing this vicious murderess to get married while awaiting execution on Death Row, has laws that prevent decent, law-abiding gays and lesbians in a loving relationship from marrying the person they love. I ask you -- does that make any sense at all? Shouldn't law-abiding citizens have at least the same marriage rights as convicted murderers? I say yes. It is sheer insanity to give more rights to a convicted murderer than a law-abiding citizen.
Now some fundamentalists will quote the bible at this point, especially some old testament verse. There are two reasons why that stinks as badly as what comes out of the south end of a north-bound bull. First, the laws of this country aren't based on your bible, but on our secular Constitution (which guarantees equal rights under the law to ALL citizens). And second, if your religion approves of granting convicted killers more rights than law-abiding gays/lesbians, then you believe in a sick and perverted religion -- and you need to do some serious reconsideration of your religious views.
That's what I think. What do you think?
I think the whole marriage thing is a pile of crap.
ReplyDeleteThe government should make things simple and get out of it.
Let the religious have it back , so they can abuse their women and kids as they like.
and if you stay fully religious with no legal contract and the wife is being treated like crap? Well that's what they wanted so TO Bad!!! Suffer for your gawd and get into heaven eventually...maybe.
For those that want legal protections because you can never know what kind of ass you are marrying,
get a legal contract of marriage.
No Tax breaks for anyone, for kids or the married...This was a religious privilege idea anyway so they could afford their stupid QuiverFull.
For the silly Hospital nonsense there are many options for that, the legal contract has 1st place, put a statement on the drivers license for next choice, have the partner of choice have a power of attorney, are a few ideas.