IUC Exclusive: Should Judge Presiding Over California Gay Marriage Case Excuse Himself Because He’s Gay? IUC says NO!!
A lot of people on the right are complaining that Judge Walker should not be on the bench for this case. IUC disagrees. Why would Walker being gay interfere with his professional integrity? It’s equal to suggesting a heterosexual judge would be equally biased the other way. Let the pros do their jobs and please let us know your thoughts. (The Week)
- 9 Comments
- Tags: gay marriage
Right On IAN! ITA
ReplyI could be argued that the hetero judge would bring a bias to the issue. In addition to the bias, there could be prejudice, homophia and hatred of gays. That should be as relevant (or more so) an issue as a gay judge.
ReplyThat depends..If people think this judge should excused himself from this case because he is gay then they are a ‘bunch of hypocrites’. Allow me to make my point. How many times in a jury selection of a case the involve parties are happy to see ‘one of their own’ join the jury?l… such as blacks, hispanics, asians, etc. Or in an unfortunate tragedy such as a hurricane, tsunami or else we kind of happy to see ‘one of our own’ telling us about it, in the form of a handsome (insert here the race) man or woman? We simpathized, we feel comforted and understood.
ReplyBut it does not mean anything but how we perceive them. And having this ‘connection with the person’ as in ‘one of our own’ should and is a proven fact that doesn’t neccesarily reflect their opinion or their way of life. Because I like the hispanic newscaster does not mean he or she will be open to my opinions or like the way I cook or think .
So one question remains that should be imperative, fair and more important shoud be something like this: IS THIS JUDGE SELECTED AT RANDOM? If he was chosen in a random order then the people against (gay) it are out of luck. Things happened everyday in everyone’s life, in different circumstances or situations that we don’t like but we must accept it as something we can change like the weather… Now, on the other hand if this judge was selected by ‘buddies’, accquaintances, or ’some fraudulent opportunity’, then it should matter. Then we must protest the selection. .Having said that if this was random act, we should protect the ’selection’ regardless of the sexual preference of the judge. He or she is there to do a job and I ‘m sure will be done we complete profesionalism, experience and equality for all those involved. He is swormed to it, so let it be. I agree with you 100 percent Ian!!!!!
I agree~ how absurd!
ReplyThe religious right just entertain me so. They don’t want a judge who is going to be fair and interpret the law to render his decision, they just want a hetero right wingnut to carry out their agenda. The reason for not wanting a gay judge on the bench is because they are they’re just plain intolerant. I mean, if someone’s sexuality is really the issue then aren’t we all, as humans, screwed? Let’s put a bi sexual up there…no they’re too influenced…how about an omni sexual…no, they’re for the open and free love…well, how about a closeted A sexual…no, the may decide to ban marriage altogether. Me thinks the right wing is just too obsessed with the sex part of this.
Replyhttp://forums.whyweprotest.net/15-media/press-release-ex-staff-expose-cos-l-press-conference-12th-feb-10-a-61191/
“FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ex-Staff to Expose Abuse and Human Trafficking Within the Church of Scientology
Press Conference – February 12, 2010 10am – Center for Inquiry’s Steve Allen Theater
(Los Angeles, CA) Six former Scientology staff (members of the Sea Org, Scientology’s paramilitary force) will expose abusive conditions inside the church of Scientology, including exploitation, physical abuse, and forced abortions. This press conference coincides with the two-year anniversary of global protests against the church by the internet group Anonymous.
Speakers include:
• Marc Headley, author of Blown for Good. For 15 years Marc lived at Scientology’s International Base, where he worked 100-hour work weeks for less than 50 cents an hour, enduring mental and physical abuse. Marc made a dramatic escape from the heavily guarded compound in Hemet, California, and started a new life with his wife, who also escaped.
• Nancy Many, author of My Billion Year Contract. When she was five months pregnant, Nancy was sent to Scientology’s re-indoctrination labor camp, where she was forced to work ten hours a day, followed by five hours of study, while living in a garage. Nancy suffered a mental breakdown after relentless interrogations and confessions.
• Laura Decrescenzo was recruited into Scientology at the age of twelve. Married at sixteen, she became pregnant and was forced to abort her child; Scientology staff are not allowed to have children. In desperation, Laura swallowed bleach to get herself thrown out.
• Jeff Hawkins spent 35 years working for Scientology all over the world, including the top level at the International Base. Jeff left Scientology five years ago after suffering beatings by Scientology’s leader, David Miscavige.
• Will Fry was raised by scientologists, and attended Scientology boarding school while his parents worked for the church. As a teenager, Will joined the Sea Org, but immediately realized he wanted out; it took him almost three years. Afterwards the church billed him $12,000 for a so-called “freeloader debt.”
• Maureen Bolstad , at age 15, “got tricked into making a dumb mistake” and signed a contract to join Scientology staff. Maureen was promised an education and regular pay, but instead worked 18 hours a day, seven days a week, and developed health and emotional problems. She was allowed to leave after three years of being made to “confess her sins and evil intentions.”
• Mark Bunker (moderator) is an Emmy-winning journalist who has been covering Scientology since 1997. His website (xenutv.com) features video and commentary covering the controversial church.
The conference will include a Q&A session and individual interviews. The event is expected to be attended by Anonymous protesters.
Time: Friday, Feb 12, 2010 – 10am
ReplyLocation: Center for Inquiry’s Steve Allen Theater
4773 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027″
@marty:
ReplyYea, good thought Marty. It is very difficult for any judge to preside over cases on a daily basis and not have some prejudice in one form or another. For instance, if their child was killed by a drunk driver and the following year he has to preside over a like case, its just not humanly possible to find a judge that doesn’t have something that prejudices him in one way or another. We just hope and pray that they put their personal feelings aside and provide fair and balanced judgment, one can only hope!
@marty:
ReplyI meant to say: ’something we can NOT change like the weather…..’
Terrible news: Alexander McQueen has been found dead in his flat. He is thought to have taken his own life. This is truly tragic, he was a genius and a lovely man. The world has lost a great artist.
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