Is this what the voters really wanted? Civil unions?

While covering the Joe Biden prez bid visit to the Lakes Region here in central NH, I had the opportunity to rub elbows with the local Democrats of Belknap County, who were very gracious, knowing that a conservaative Republican was in their midst. While there, I ran into my state senator, Democrat Kathleen Sgambati, who was kind enough to answer a couple of questions for me.

NH District 4 Senator Kathleen Sgambati listens to Sen

Joe Biden in Laconia Saturday April 14.

I asked her how she planned to vote on the same sex civil union legislation that has passed the house. She responded that she "expects to support it," stating that she can’t support "discrimination against any group." I pressed her point, noting that if that were the case, doesn’t a civil union bill allowing for same-sex partnerships leave out those in heterosexual relationships, in effect, discriminating against them? Why not grant such status to people simply living together? She responded that she is looking at Republican Sen. Clegg’s amendment that would address that. "So you favor that?" I asked. "I’m looking at it." Was her reply.

We’ll have to wait and see, as the civil union bill, fast-tracked to this point, has suddenly stalled. I wonder how many old-fashioned blue collar Democrats really go for this stuff. I wonder if all those voters, seemingly mad at the Republicans across the board in this last election, knew what they were getting when then cast that Democratic ballot last November? Civil unions? Here in NH? Like Vermont and New Jersey and Mass? I don”t think this is what the voters had in mind when they gave the Republicans the heave-ho…

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Putney

You, Fergus, and the Republican Party never talked about granting rights to those in heterosexual relationships before this year – before civil unions had a chance to pass and while you were in the majority.
Passage of civil unions for same-sex couples does not preclude passage of Clegg’s bill. You and some of your Republican friends would rather score political points on this.
There are reasons to be against civil unions (which I disagreee with) – just ask Karen Testerman.
But this is a phony reason.
http://granitegrok.com doug

I’m a logical person. While I believe that gay “marriage” or unions, recognized by the state, are illogical to begin with, if you accept the notion of such arrangements, then why not cohabitation of hetero couples? I oppose all of it, by the way.
NH

This bill is just completely discriminatory.
Putney

I never said that I opposed heterosexual unions, nor apparently has any supporters of the current bill in the legislature.
But why is this an issue only this year?
Politics – there was never any support for this type of bill in the past either from legistors or those who would be affected by such a law.
The current situation is completely discriminatory. The current bill is an incremental step is removing this discrimination.
http://www.granitegrok.com doug

“The current bill is an incremental step” … It sure is.
One more step closer to going over the cliff. Destroying hundreds and thousands of years of culture, one piece at a time.
Putney

If your version of civilization is based on ignorance and intolerance, the sooner it falls the better.
Clegg is right; Splaine is right. These couples need legal protections which they currently do not have.
http://www.granitegrok.com doug

We all have the same rights under the law. These new laws grant SPECIAL rights. You would tear down civilization for this? Of course, when you talk of a society based on ignorance and intolerance, you MUST be talking about the Islamic one, not ours. Western civilization has as its centerpiece, the importance of the individual and proper treatment oof others. This is the Judeo-Christian legacy…