Go vote.

[Andy]

Hey Rex.

I'm not arguing the amendment on moral grounds and if the good people of VA want to outlaw gay marriage for those reasons, that's okay with me.

However, the law should have been written more clearly so as to not allow unforeseen consequences especially if that law was taken from a state that recently had problems with the interpretation of that law.

[CaptainHenreh]

Hey Rex.

I'm not arguing the amendment on moral grounds and if the good people of VA want to outlaw gay marriage for those reasons, that's okay with me.

However, the law should have been written more clearly so as to not allow unforeseen consequences especially if that law was taken from a state that recently had problems with the interpretation of that law.

The literature mailed to voters that the amendment would not affect current domestic violence laws, here's why.

Assault and battery against a family or household member; penalty.

A. Any person who commits an assault and battery against a family or household member is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

B. Upon a conviction for assault and battery against a family or household member, where it is alleged in the warrant, information, or indictment on which a person is convicted, that such person has been previously convicted of two offenses against a family or household member of (i) assault and battery against a family or household member in violation of this section, (ii) malicious wounding in violation of § 18.2-51, (iii) aggravated malicious wounding in violation of § 18.2-51.2, (iv) malicious bodily injury by means of a substance in violation of § 18.2-52, or (v) an offense under the law of any other jurisdiction which has the same elements of any of the above offenses, in any combination, all of which occurred within a period of 20 years, and each of which occurred on a different date, such person is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

C. Whenever a warrant for a violation of this section is issued, the magistrate shall issue an emergency protective order as authorized by § 16.1-253.4, except if the defendant is a minor, an emergency protective order shall not be required.

D. The definition of "family or household member" in § 16.1-228 applies to this section.

And, in case you're wondering who a "family or household member" includes,

"Family or household member" means (i) the person's spouse, whether or not he or she resides in the same home with the person, (ii) the person's former spouse, whether or not he or she resides in the same home with the person, (iii) the person's parents, stepparents, children, stepchildren, brothers, sisters, half-brothers, half-sisters, grandparents and grandchildren, regardless of whether such persons reside in the same home with the person, (iv) the person's mother-in-law, father-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law who reside in the same home with the person, (v) any individual who has a child in common with the person, whether or not the person and that individual have been married or have resided together at any time, or (vi) any individual who cohabits or who, within the previous 12 months, cohabited with the person, and any children of either of them then residing in the same home with the person.

Now, IANAL. But, my point is (and has been) that (from what I can see) all this amendment does is put in the constitution what was in the law.

Now, if Virginians want to make gay marraige unconstitutional, that is there business. But I hear alot of this "but it will affect wills and domestic violence and it will kill puppies" and it's not going to do that.

[Feersty]

Allen: 50%
Webb: 49%

as of 8:57pm with 61% in.

[Evan]

looks like it might not be the overwhelming dem takeover like some predicted. If the repubs can hang on to VA and sneak an upset in MD it will be hard for the dems to take over

[Andy]

Article about Nebraska Gay Marriage amendment:

A federal judge on Thursday struck down Nebraska's anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment, which also banned recognition of gay domestic partnerships and civil unions.

"The court finds [the Nebraska constitutional amendment] is a denial of access to one of our most fundamental sources of protection, the government," Judge Joseph F. Bataillon wrote in his decision.

"Such broad exclusion from an almost limitless number of transactions and endeavors that constitute ordinary civil life in a free society is itself a denial of equal protections in the literal sense."

The amendment can still be ruled unconstitutional and just like in Ohio, where their domestic violence law included common law marriages, the judges still ruled that it was unconsitutional under the new amendment.

What I'm arguing is that advocates of the amendment can point to laws we have on the books but what it leaves out is that another state which passed the exact same law is facing these problems now.

These problems include "wife" beaters being able to challenge their convictions based on the same amendment VA is apparently about to pass.

[JohnC]

I added the little registration thingy to this thread, because I'm interested in seeing who actually voted. Hopefully everyone who has posted in this thread...

No, I don't give a shit who you voted for.

[Apoc]

looks like it might not be the overwhelming dem takeover like some predicted. If the repubs can hang on to VA and sneak an upset in MD it will be hard for the dems to take over

Cardin Wins Maryland Senate Seat
Democrat Ousts Republican Steele

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nbc4.com/politics/10263883/detail.html">http://www.nbc4.com/politics/10263883/detail.html</a><!-- m -->


Looks like VA is gonna go republican though.

[Mike]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://sbe.virginiainteractive.org/index.htm">http://sbe.virginiainteractive.org/index.htm</a><!-- m -->

[G.Irish]

Kind of pathetic that there was voter turnout of less than 50% (45%). Regardless of the outcome that's just a shame.

[Apoc]

Marriage Amendment

Charlottesville City - 23% For
Danville City - 73% For

Yay for demographics!

[Apoc]

Check out the county makeup and voting pattern of districts 3 and 10.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://sbe.virginiainteractive.org/nov2006/d_02.htm">http://sbe.virginiainteractive.org/nov2006/d_02.htm</a><!-- m -->

Not sure if anyone find this stuff interesting but metrics/demographics is basically what I do for a living so it's cool to me.

[Mike]

i projected... <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://iammike.org/files/va_voting.xls">http://iammike.org/files/va_voting.xls</a><!-- m -->

assumes remaining votes follow their districts averages.

[Evan]

Kind of pathetic that there was voter turnout of less than 50% (45%). Regardless of the outcome that's just a shame.

in 2002 it was 39%

[Mike]

continuously updating my projection...

10:30 - allen by 10000
10:45 - allen by 4000
10:55 - allen by 4500

[ViPER1313]

The whole gay marriage thing just pisses me off - where in the fuck does the government get off worrying about Jack and Joe corn-holing each other?? Do people really believe that there is a war between homosexual and heterosexual culture and beliefs?? That society is in danger from gay marriage?? That Nazis riding pterodactyls will kill us all if gay marriage is legalized?? Where the hell does Uncle Sam get off telling people what the hell they can and can't do so long as it doesn't hurt others?

There is a war going on overseas, N. Korea just demonstrated that they have nuclear weapons, gas is $2.10 a gallon, tons of people are out of work and our country's debt just keeps growing, and we are worried about 2 dudes taking it up the ass?? Just seems a little off to me.

[Evan]

looks like it might not be the overwhelming dem takeover like some predicted. If the repubs can hang on to VA and sneak an upset in MD it will be hard for the dems to take over

Cardin Wins Maryland Senate Seat
Democrat Ousts Republican Steele

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nbc4.com/politics/10263883/detail.html">http://www.nbc4.com/politics/10263883/detail.html</a><!-- m -->


Looks like VA is gonna go republican though.

Steele just leapfrogged back in front of Cardin and is currently 12k votes ahead 48% reporting. The Post withdrew its prediction that Cardin won.
I think the odds are still definately with Cardin, but its worth seeing it out.

The house is the Democrat's of course. Question is by how much

[WRXtranceformed]

I'm very disappointed and a little ashamed with our state as well, deciding to ban gay marriage. It just shows how far behind we are and how linked we are to homophobic fears fed by fuckers like Jerry Falwell and other hypocrites who tell us who to hate and fear.

I personally am in no position to tell anyone what they can or can't do based on their lifestyle choices, as long as it doesn't infringe on anyone else's rights. I don't see how other people think it's fine for the government to be able to do it.

[Evan]

Webb still gaining on Allen. Less than 2k votes between them

[BLINGMW]

Webb still gaining on Allen. Less than 2k votes between them

with 99.10% reporting and still too close to call! Almost makes me want to stay up, having fun pretending that I really care! :beer:

[Andy]

Looks like New England R's are going the way of southern D's.