Comments on: NZ legislature overwhelmingly votes for marriage http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2012/08/29/48151 News, analysis and fact-checking of anti-gay rhetoric Wed, 22 May 2013 16:04:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: J. Peron http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2012/08/29/48151/comment-page-1#comment-138080 J. Peron Wed, 29 Aug 2012 20:41:35 +0000 http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=48151#comment-138080 Knowing the politically situation in New Zealand well, the American media's claim that this had anything to do with Obama's final evolution back to the position he originally held, is grossly exaggerated. The National Party has only a small wing of religious folk and both the last two leaders of the party are atheists. At one point the head of 5 of 6 parties in New Zealand were non-believers. There is only a tiny religious right in NZ. To say that because Key was asked about the issue, after Obama finally got around to it, does not mean his position was caused by Obama. Key himself said it was the result about thinking about his own kids. Mr. Shearer, being a member of the Left wing in parliament, would, of course try to claim that the Left was responsible, even though they hold a minority of seats. This measure was predicted to pass BEFORE Obama said anything. And, at least two such private member's bills were the hopper to do this. Such bills are randomly picked, so they get dropped in and may never be pulled. Knowing the politically situation in New Zealand well, the American media’s claim that this had anything to do with Obama’s final evolution back to the position he originally held, is grossly exaggerated.

The National Party has only a small wing of religious folk and both the last two leaders of the party are atheists. At one point the head of 5 of 6 parties in New Zealand were non-believers. There is only a tiny religious right in NZ.

To say that because Key was asked about the issue, after Obama finally got around to it, does not mean his position was caused by Obama. Key himself said it was the result about thinking about his own kids. Mr. Shearer, being a member of the Left wing in parliament, would, of course try to claim that the Left was responsible, even though they hold a minority of seats. This measure was predicted to pass BEFORE Obama said anything. And, at least two such private member’s bills were the hopper to do this. Such bills are randomly picked, so they get dropped in and may never be pulled.

]]> By: David Waite http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2012/08/29/48151/comment-page-1#comment-138045 David Waite Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:52:11 +0000 http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=48151#comment-138045 Wonderful news from NZ, both on the vote count and the inspiring catalyst for the bill's introduction. I believe this statement is very perceptive: <strong>"It may well turn out that the President’s evolution on marriage may impact equality globally sooner than it does locally."</strong> I hadn't envisioned this, Tim, until you wrote it. Once I read it, and thought about prophets not without honor saving in their own countries, and reflected on both American Obama-hatred and the effect his 'evolution' had on his and my community, I was able to say 'but, of course' very much after the fact. Thanks for your wisdom on this. Wonderful news from NZ, both on the vote count and the inspiring catalyst for the bill’s introduction. I believe this statement is very perceptive:
“It may well turn out that the President’s evolution on marriage may impact equality globally sooner than it does locally.”
I hadn’t envisioned this, Tim, until you wrote it. Once I read it, and thought about prophets not without honor saving in their own countries, and reflected on both American Obama-hatred and the effect his ‘evolution’ had on his and my community, I was able to say ‘but, of course’ very much after the fact. Thanks for your wisdom on this.

]]> By: TampaZeke http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2012/08/29/48151/comment-page-1#comment-138038 TampaZeke Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:29:54 +0000 http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=48151#comment-138038 There were two more proxy aye votes added after the initial announcement. The final vote was 80 aye, 40 nay and 1 abstention in the 121 member chamber. Even better! There were two more proxy aye votes added after the initial announcement. The final vote was 80 aye, 40 nay and 1 abstention in the 121 member chamber.

Even better!

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